Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
These places have meaningful stories to tell
| In this week’s Virtuoso Life newsletter and across virtuoso.com in February, the Virtuoso Life editorial team and its contributors are showcasing Black travelers, leaders, and entrepreneurs, and highlighting new travel experiences that foster diversity in travel and inclusion. It’s work that we plan to continue doing far beyond the month of February. Every February in the U.S. and Canada, Black History Month shines a light on the trailblazing talents and significant contributions of generations of Black people. Their legacy is an inextricable part of history: Stories that showcase Black excellence and remind us of Black resilience should be acknowledged and celebrated year-round. The same goes for the Black travel experience. Despite the fact that Black travelers in the U.S. spent $129.6 billion on travel in 2019, according to MMGY Global and the Black Travel Alliance, they remain underrepresented in travel stories and marketing. |
Celebrate Black History Month
Add These Museums to Your List
- National Museum of African American History and Culture | Washington, D.C.
- International African American Museum | Charleston, South Carolina
- National Great Blacks in Wax Museum | Baltimore, Maryland
- DuSable Museum of African American History | Chicago
- California African American Museum | Los Angeles
- Schomburg Center for Research and Black Culture | New York City
- The African American Museum in Philadelphia
- Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture | Baltimore
- Le Musee de f.p.c. | New Orleans
- National Civil Rights Museum | Memphis, Tennessee
Backroads and Outdoor Afro Partner
for New Underground Railroad Tour
The Savannah-to-Charleston active adventure will take place in October
Backroads is known for its group trips around the globe that get travelers moving – walking in Vietnam, biking in Slovenia and Croatia, and hiking in Patagonia, to name a few. The tour operator is sticking close to home with its latest offering: a biking, hiking, and kayaking adventure that immerses travelers in the Black history and culture of the Southeast U.S. Outdoor Afro, a Black-founded, conservation- and diversity-focused nonprofit, partnered with Backroads on the six-day, Savannah-to-Charleston itinerary. Read On…
The 11 Items Judy Smith Loves
to Travel With
The crisis manager packs her Jimmy Choos and leaves the details to a pro.
Washington, D.C.-based Judy Smith is a powerhouse lawyer, author, crisis-management expert, and TV producer, with clients ranging from Sony to Angelina Jolie. But Scandal devotees might know her better as the real Olivia Pope – Smith’s life story inspired the series. With Smith & Company offices in D.C., L.A., NYC, and London during normal times, she travels most days of the week. Off the clock, though, she likes to spend time with her family in places that are beautiful or warm – or both. One standout pre-Covid trip: a jaunt from London to Morocco for stays at Dar Ahlam in Ouarzazate and The Royal Mansour Marrakech. Still on her list: the Maldives. Read On…
Parting Shot
With New Orleans’ celebratory Mardi Gras parades on hold this year because of the pandemic, the city kept the tradition alive in a new way: #YardiGras. Pictured here is “The Queen’s Jubilee” by the Krewe of Red Beans. Photo by Laura Steffan.
