AfroBuenaventura

04/12/2023

There's only one word to describe this experience: Amazing!

The best souvenir I can give to clients is a memorable experience. What better way to create memories than through photos?!

During the Black Rome Experience itinerary in Salvador, I guided my clients through 5 days of local cultural immersion so that they would learn what Blackness and Africanness looks like in the Brazil's Blackest city.

A highlight of the itinerary was attending , the nation's largest Black culture and music festival, and having a spot in VIP. The musical line-up featured artists spanning generations: from one of the last living queens of samba to the current queen of R&B, and even trap rappers.

The funnest part of attending the festival was getting dressed up and documenting their experience through photos. For an hour each night, my clients were models, and I was their creative director. Check out the magic we captured!

Registration for Black Rome Experience 2024 opening soon!

22/11/2023

An experience they will never forget.

During the Black Rome Experience, we spent a week connecting with and exploring Blackness in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil—home to the largest Black population outside of Africa.

Through authentic and sustainable touristic engagements we positively impacted local economies and deepened our connection to the African diaspora in Brazil.

We also attended and had the time of our lives communing with other Black folks during this music festival which featured Brazil's most renowned Black musicians, and some international acts.

Just two years ago, The Black Rome Experience was an idea in my head; and three incredible Black women bought into this idea, and were able to live the realized vision.

This is AfroTourism. This is sustainable tourism. This could be you.

23/08/2023

✨ There are gods and machines in the streets of Salvador.
✨ There is Africanness and goodness in the streets of Salvador.
✨ There is music and flavor in the streets of Salvador.

This is Brazil.
buff.ly/3YSO2LF

17/07/2023

We are saying Yes this week!

✨ Yes to all the things we want in our lives.
✨ Yes to visioning a future full of rest, peace, and joy.
✨ Yes to great travel that positively impacts local communities.
✨ Yes to travel that leaves us feeling transformed.

17/07/2023

You should be learning Black history from Black people.

✨ That is why I hire Black colleagues as guides, facilitators, and service providers each time I host a trip.

✨ Travel is only sustainable if you get something out of it, AND the local community that you visit is positively impacted by your presence.

✨ This November, I am hosting The Black Rome Experience to showcase to you the Brazil that you won't see anywhere else outside of Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's Blackest city.

✨ You'll get the history, but you'll also get the fun. Each registration includes VIP tickets to AfroPunk Bahia, the country's largest celebration of locally grown Black artists and musicians.

Registration closes in just 2 weeks.
www.afrobuenaventura.com/blackrome ✨

15/07/2023

Yesterday I had an unplanned adventure in the city.

✨ I went to the historical district and ended up seeing a new art exhibition, eating at a new Black-owned restaurant and networking with its management, grabbing two scoops from my favorite ice cream spot, getting hit on by men and women, and checking out a samba party.

✨ None of this was planned, but it was all good. Unpredictability: It's the quintessential experience living in Salvador. No outing will be the same. There is always spontaneity. The Universe conspires in your favor to show you the real Brazil; full of Black beautiful people seeking to live their fullest in the moments that they are given.

✨ At the core of what I do as a tourism industry professional is to help clients experience the same exuberance as I do when I travel. That's why I handle all the logistics and work for you, freeing you to live in the moment while also feeling safe.

✨ Come, live in the moment during The Black Rome Experience this November 15-21, 2023.

✨ Over seven days touch the same places our enslaved ancestors built. Be exhilarated by the culture that they left us. Come, be VIP at AfroPunk Bahia.

Register here my free info webinar tomorrow at 10:00 AM ET and get all the deets about this incredibly authentic cultural experience in Brazil's Blackest city. https://buff.ly/3rq0yFP .✨

14/07/2023

Can you imagine living in your very own, Black Narnia?

When I first came to Salvador over 2 years ago, I had this idea of an all Black owned city: where Black folks had access to capital, were the movers and shakers in local government, and enjoyed their lives free of the anti-Blackness so pervasive in other parts of the country.

I was wrong.

My friend Regina Navarro BellaOya made an interesting comparison between the fictional realm called Narnia, and our home town of Salvador, Bahia, which is Brazil's Blackest city.

As an entrepreneur and leading woman in the local community she joined me for a conversation where she provides her perspective on the importance of Black Brazilians telling their own story, and the ways in which it can manifest in this magical city.

Regina offers her view on the issues and the opportunities that Black folks face in Salvador, including:

✨The power of entrepreneurship to positively impact Salvador's Black communities
✨How programs like are helping to propel local Black cultural influencers
✨And how the local government and other entities have created hurdles to Black ownership
✨Why a visit to Salvador will help tourists get a taste of the real Brazil, and why so many come and decide to make it their home
✨The importance of electing a Black mayor in the city, a dream that has still not been realized

09/07/2023

From the moment I set foot in this vibrant city, I felt an instant connection, as if I had come to a place where I was destined to be.

✨ The African ancestral connections here run deep, intertwining with every aspect of daily life, infusing the air with the rhythm of African heritage.

✨ In this melting pot of cultures, finding community has been effortless, surrounded by warm embraces, shared stories, and celebrations of our shared history.

✨ Amidst the bustling streets, I feel relatively safe, embraced by the city's spirit of resilience and unity, where the vibrant colors and sounds harmoniously blend into a tapestry of belonging.

This November I will be unlocking the mystery behind this city for you. I am hosting a group of travelers on a quest to find out what really makes this city so Black, and so African.

We'll learn more about the people that laid the foundations not just for this physical place, but for Brazilian identity itself.

We'll have moments to just chill on the beach and recharge our melanin. And to attend AfroPunk Bahia, where the country's most talent Black artists will share their musical talents will crowds of beautiful people, just like you.

Will you join us? Find all the details and pricing at buff.ly/3pGoswi

06/07/2023

I really enjoy working with couples!

Some of my favorite clients have been eachothers' lovers and friends.

While planning travel for life-partners, I get to learn all about how they met, how they are alike, and how they are different.

The most rewarding opportunity this presents is that I intentionally craft itineraries to offer moments that speak to each of their respective interests.

At times, I pause and hang on the sideline; allowing them to have intimate moments as they create memories that will forever be a part of their story together.

The couple featured in this post contracted me to curate a two week journey through some of Brazil's most famous cities, including Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, Salvador, and São Paulo.

Learn more about working with me to customize a trip just for you: https://buff.ly/3rcW2KF

05/07/2023

Just as Rome stands as a symbol of European history and civilization, Salvador da Bahia stands proudly as a beacon of Afro-Brazilian culture, a living testament to the strength and beauty of the Black community in Brazil

I'd argue that the cultural traditions that pulsate through the streets of Salvador, have set the blueprint for the broader Brazilian culture and identity.

Fight me if you don't agree.

Learn more about visiting Black Rome: buff.ly/3Nw7yIE

04/07/2023

When I came to live in Brazil just over two years ago, I couldn't have predicted what would happen less than 12 months later.

I didn't know that I would be laid off from my remote job in tech, and that the US economy would tank, resulting in me losing 30% of the value of my 401k.

I didn't know that I would grow to be unhappy with Rio de Janeiro, and end up visiting Salvador on and off and one day decide to make it my home.

I didn't know that I'd be voted to serve as the chair of the board of an incredible organization that believes that we can build a better world by creating friendships and serving communities, while also committing to helping at-risk youth travel internationally.

I didn't know that once I got over the shock of losing my salaried job, that I would be inspired enough to breathe new life into my tourism business.

I didn't know that I would one day have the cozy, contemporary, light-filled apartment with an ocean view, five minutes from beach, like the one I wrote about in my journal five years prior.

I didn't know that over the course of just one year, I'd leverage my program development and relationship management skills to build my business; leveraging the power of local Afro-Brazilian tourism professionals and community connections while creating a globally recognized brand that has provided immense value to dozens of clients.

I didn't know that I would be able to sustain myself, by myself.

But I did!

And for that, I celebrate my amazing life; a life I designed just for me. A life that allows me the freedom to do the things I enjoy doing while providing value to others in a sustainable, and authentic way.

04/07/2023

This is very personal to me.

Back in late 2019 I decided that I would visit Salvador da Bahia for the first time, specifically to attend AfroPunk Bahia in its first manifestation in South America. Due to the unimaginable events that would unfold over the next few months, travel and global tourism ground to a halt. The event never happened.

I didn't get to Bahia until 2 years later. Last year, I finally got my AfroPunk Bahia experience! And it was just as magical as I imagined. I had clothes handmade by some of Salvador's best designers, and I sang and danced among the thousands of concert goers. It was a vibe!

This year, I want to extend that experience to you.

Join me for the Black Rome Experience in Brazil's Blackest city for AfroPunk Bahia, and all the incredible events surrounding it. It's the time of the year when all of Black Brazil converges upon the city to rub elbows, network, enjoy, and BE FREE.

I want that for you too!

Plus, we'll get a grounding in what it really means to be Black in Brazil, and a historical understanding on why is called Black Rome, and how what was created here by our ancestors became the ultimate blueprint for Brazilian culture.

For details, visit www.afrobuenaventura.com/blackrome

30/06/2023

You've never heard of these four Black freedom fighters that lived, suffered, and rebelled against their enslavers in Latin America.

Saluting the fearless trailblazers who defied the chains of slavery and fought for freedom! Gaspar Yanga (Mexico), Benkos Bioho (Colombia), Maria Remedios del Valle (Argentina), and Zumbi dos Palmares (Brazil)—true heroes who led powerful rebellions against oppression.

Their legacies remind us of the enduring spirit of resistance and the pursuit of justice. Let their stories inspire us to stand united against racial injustice and honor their unwavering courage.

We speak your name!
We honor your legacy!
We continue your work!

Share this post!

Illustration Credits:
Gaspar Yanga by Rafael López, 2021
Benkos Bioho by Comisión de la Verdad
Maria Remedio de la Valle by Fernando Olivera Schröder
Zumbi dos Palmares by unknown

Research Sources:
enslaved.org - Peoples of the Historical Slave Trade: Stories/María Remedios del Valle
chat.openai.com

22/06/2023

Let's have a chat.

Every person that I've hosted in Salvador says that they felt different when they left.

Besides not having to worry about all the logistics of where you stay, what to eat, and what to do, or getting over the language barrier–because I managed it for them–they report feeling more in touch with themselves, more knowledgeable about the African diaspora in the region, and ready to give more attention to finding joy in their lives back home.

This place just does that to you. It's done it to me. Forced me to get serious about finding joy in my daily life.

Join me this Sunday for a chat about the premier travel experience in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's Blackest city, and the ways this cultural and spiritual experience will help you get in touch with your joy again.

It's free, just register, and meet me online at 10:00 AM ET.

Registration link in bio.

12/06/2023

The Aunties said come to Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's Blackest city!

24/05/2023

After nearly 20 years of knowing , we finally sit down to have a heart to heart conversation about her journey in spirituality and entrepreneurship!

She's an accomplished educator and social media influencer that will be dropping some nuggets. Tune in to hear her share:

✨How she came to be featured in a PBS documentary about her initiation into an African Traditional Religion
✨How she leverages social media and tech to create income
✨What it takes to create the life she wants
✨The dangers of raising a child in today's environment
✨Why she's moving out of the US
✨What it means to be a global citizen

20/05/2023

You deserve it all.

16/05/2023

My cousin Tola stopped by to chat about her spiritual journey and what it's like owning a botanica on Chicago's South Side!

It's a conversation you don't wanna miss.

Tune in to hear Tola share about:

✨Why her family had to hide their spiritual practice
✨How the Orishas have impacted her life
✨How she serves the community w/ spiritual expertise
✨What inspired her entrepreneurial journey

11/05/2023

Self-described Blasian lawyer turned tour guide Sayuri Koshima SK Tours - Local Experiences in Bahia, Like a Sotero joins me for a conversation about:

✨The importance of matriarchy and womanhood in Salvador
✨How she leverages technology in tourism,
✨What she plans to do during an upcoming trip to Senegal, and more!

10/05/2023

Thousands gather in Brazil's Blackest city each year to honor Iemanja, the Yoruba goddess of the sea. They approach Salvador's shores on February 2 and offer her flowers, candles, statues in her likeness, and items perfumed with alfazema.

There's drumming. There's singing. There's the constant soundtrack of the ocean. There's an unmistakable Africanness.

There's joy.

www.afrobuenaventura.com/spirits

04/05/2023

The Blackest city in Brazil is home to a 100 year old festival honoring the African goddess of the sea, drawing thousands to the shores of Salvador da Bahia. And we got to experience all the vibes.

Festival de Iemanjá is THEE cultural and spiritual experience you didn't know you needed...until now!

Imagine yourself arriving to this magical city full of folks that look like you.

You taste the food, and you're mesmerized with each bite.

You hear ancestral music that makes you want to move.

You have time to connect with yourself as ocean waves play the soundtrack to a week of rediscovery and awe.

Turn this imagined scenario into a reality by joining us at Festa de Iemanjá in 2024.

Registration open for a limited time.
www.afrobuenaventura.com/spirits

25/04/2023

Most folks don't know this: Just a short flight from tourist hotspot Rio de Janeiro, is Salvador da Bahia, Brazil's Blackest city, and home to the largest Afro-descendant population outside of Africa.

My friend Guia Negro , an accomplished journalist and tourism influencer, joins me for a conversation about what makes Salvador a magical destination, explains the importance of 'afrotourism', and why he believes Black Americans must visit!

Listen closely because I also shared a coupon code for $200 off any group trip you book with me this year!

07/03/2023

Travel in good company! That's the tip.

01/02/2023

Let's find your joy!
www.afrobuenaventura.com/spirits

20/01/2023

When I started traveling, there was always something missing.

Black stories were not being told by tour guides. Guide books glossed over the Black communities that were the foundation of many Latin American cities and economies.

So, I started exploring on my own and finding Black guides that could tell the untold stories.

I'm partnering with my friends at Guia Negro to host a Black history walking tour of Salvador's most well preserved historic district, called Pelourinho.

The tour will be in English! DM me for deets.

11/01/2023

Festa de Iemanja is Brazil's largest Candomble festival. Each February 2, thousands of people gather at Salvador's shores to pay honor to Iemanja, maternal goddess of the sea, provider for fishermen, and protector of women.

In her honor, I designed a limited edition pure silver necklace, crafted by local Black and women artisans; which is my way of celebrating her in a period of richness in my life while intentionally supporting local craftspeople.

You too can celebrate Iemanja by owning this unique keepsake crafted here in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

www.afrobuenaventura.com/shop

25/12/2022

Here are my three wishes for you this holiday season.
www.afrobuenaventura.com/wishes

14/09/2022

Next January 29 - February 5, 2023 I am hosting an immersive cultural experience in Salvador da when thousands of people will converge on Salvador to celebrate ( ), the venerated maternal orisha which has provided abundance and prosperity to local fisherman for centuries.

This is your chance to come be cleansed by the waters of the Bay of All Saints, and witness the strength of African heritage through spirituality, food, music, and its people. The experience will blend learning with relaxation and rejuvenation.

www.afrobuenaventura.com/spirits

20/06/2022

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil is also known as Black Rome. It is the foundation of all things Black in Brazil.

It is the perfect place to connect with your roots, eat food made for African gods, and find your inner peace.

I am hosting two experiences in this incredible city; one this coming November, and another next February.

afrobuenaventura.com/blackrome

Experience Afro-Brazil in Salvador de Bahia, and São Paulo, Brazil.

28/12/2021

I have been living in Bahia, Brazil where rains and flooding have displaced thousands, and killed dozens. In just over 12 hours, I've raised over $500 to purchase and donate water and toiletries for those affected. To contribute, send donations via CashApp to $CoconutRon. 100% of funds will go to the cause. https://www.instagram.com/p/CYAdwTnMchC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

08/02/2018

Finding Joy Through Transformative Travel | Travel Service | United States | AfroBuenaventura Travels

Expanding one’s understanding of the power of travel, and the value that it can provide is key to encountering and creating a transformative travel experience. You must first decide what you want to get from travel--you must first articulate a travel intention.

https://www.afrobuenaventura.com/single-post/FindingJoyThroughTravel

The key to experiencing transformative travel is to set an intention. It is the “why” to the travel question.

06/02/2018

requires an intention, and often requires significant efforts in planning. Transformative travel will not just happen. It requires the right environment, an open mind, and the will to be moved. If all inclusive resorts allow you to be carefree and relaxed, then transformative travel requires you to be intentional and aware.

Download my FREE Travel As Tool and take your travel to the next level.
www.AfroBuenaventura.com/tools

05/02/2018

The travel question centers around the reason you travel and the type of return on investment that you'd like to see as a result of the money, time, and energy spent traveling. The answer to this 'why' will impact the places you go, the people you seek out, and the ways that you engage with a destination. And through these engagements you will have experiences that have the potential to change you-- if you are ready to be changed.

Take your travel to the next level by downloading my free Travel As Self-care Tool to help guide you in thinking through your next life-changing adventure.

www.afrobuenaventura.com/tools

05/02/2018

Finding Joy Through Transformative Travel | Travel Service | United States | AfroBuenaventura Travels

Transformative travel requires an intention. Transformative travel will not just happen. It requires the right environment, open mindedness, and the will to be moved. If all-inclusive resorts allow you to be carefree and relaxed, then transformative travel requires you to be intentional and aware.

https://www.afrobuenaventura.com/single-post/FindingJoyThroughTravel

The key to experiencing transformative travel is to set an intention. It is the “why” to the travel question.

24/01/2018

NEXT LEVEL TRAVEL AfroBuenaventura's 2018 Travel Guide

The official 2018 AfroBuenaventura Travel Guide is out. New itineraries, great pricing, and no hassle. I have done the work for you. Let me take your travel to the next level this year!
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/cM4VjSU7

The new year is a time for new experiences.

23/01/2018

This year is about taking your travel to the next level. Join one of my custom curated trips to Mexico, Colombia, or Cuba. You'll be face-to-face with black communities in diverse regions of LatinAmerica. The experiences you'll have and the personal connections you'll make will leave you a more confident traveler with an expanded worldview. You just might experience what I call Transformative Travel.
www.afrobuenaventura.com

22/01/2018

Travel Service | United States | AfroBuenaventura Travels | Carnival in Veracruz

We'll be jetting off to the warmth of Veracruz, Mexico next month to learn about afro-descendant communities, their history, and their contemporary reality. On top of that, we'll enjoy Carnaval (Latin America's Mardis Gras) like true Veracruzanos.

If you're interested, or have questions about joining us February 9-14, slide in the DMs, or register directly on the webpage!

AfroBuenaventura custome curates self-care centric travel to Latin America that helps people take their travel to the next level.

22/01/2018

Imagine taking a bus to a town you've never visited, then being dropped off on the side of a pitch black highway. That happened to me in Colombia and I turned it into my very own pilgrimage to see black Jesus. Get the full story...
https://www.afrobuenaventura.com/single-post/BlackJesus

17/01/2018

AfroBuenaventura's cover photo

09/01/2018

Faking It Until You Make It | AfroBuenaventura

Fakin' it is not about fooling anyone. Its about matching your actions to your aspiration.

As I traveler and business owner, I have to fake it all the time. I don't always know how to get to my destination. But I know where I want to end up.

Faking it is about self-induced transformation. You eventually will become the person that you want to be if you emulate and practice how others do it.