I spoke on a panel at the Melanated Travel Diary (MTD) Launch Party and I wanted to provide a recap! Being my first travel speaking opportunity, I was extremely ecstatic and honored to be included.
About Melanated Travel Diary (MTD)
MTD aims to normalize, encourage, and stress the importance of black travel through visual and educational representation.
Educational representation:
- Highlighting current events covering an array of topics including politics, law, climate, and newsworthy scandal
- Sharing the history or meaning behind different places, landmarks, traditions, and/or cultures
- Travel hacks such as savvy packing tips and ideal destination suggestions
- MTD Youth: a non-profit sector exposing young POC to the world through education and travel
Visual representation:
Based on content shared on MTD’s Instagram of POC traveling, and making a difference in their respective communities. POC from different backgrounds can share their most liberating, inspiring, and efficient ways of traveling.
MTD Launch Party Recap
Held at the Commons Cage in Brooklyn NY, MTD’s Launch Party included:
- Opening remarks: MTD introduced their team, and discussed their mission and MTD Youth
- Food: Appetizers and desserts such as chicken & waffles, mac & cheese, cake pops, and cookies
- Raffle Prizes: Attendees had the chance to win one of three baskets, all themed differently (such as travel and natural hair)
- Panel Discussion: We discussed a range of topics including hostels vs. Airbnb vs. hotels, and group vs. solo travel. After, the audience asked us travel questions.
The venue provided a nice, intimate setting, making it easy to network and meet others. MTD highlighted the travel theme with things like globe-shaped cake pops and tiny suitcases filled with mints. They also placed passport-style booklets on tables and chairs that explained MTD and highlighted the panel and panelists.
I loved meeting other like-minded POC who enjoy traveling, or are interested in traveling. I also look forward to seeing what MTD has in store in the future! And, thanks to MTD for giving the panelists a travel-themed gift bag after the event!
