It's been a busy few month - hence no recent travel updates! Believe it or not, I've managed to stay put in London without having itchy feet to get on a plane... And that's because I'm launching a magazine to showcase the most dynamic part of London - Soho! Remember when I was back from... Continue Reading →
Bahamas Emergency Response: Documenting the aftermath of hurricane Dorian with DoGoodFilms
I'm once again re-united with DoGoodFilms since our recent trip to Jordan earlier this summer to document the #NoLostGeneration Tech Summit in Amman, after which we went on to create a pilot of Around the World and Black. This re-union however is on much more emotional grounds - documenting the aftermath of hurricane Dorian -... Continue Reading →
Travelmaking Kai & Shay’s Day Out at Somerset House, London
My niece Shay is my special guest blogger, sharing her experience at "Get Up Stand Up Now: Generations of Black Creative Pioneers!" in her own words... With the help of her friend (a cartoon character I created), TravelmakingKai!
Key Discoveries: 23 Tips and Recommendations for Jordan
With tourism at a peak, there's no doubt Jordan has something to offer for all types of travellers. Whether it's the urban buzz of downtown Amman you're into, the spiritual serenity of Wadi Rum to unwind or wander in the wonders of Petra - you'll find your perfect scenery match! We continue our Key Discoveries... Continue Reading →
MisBeee Writes creates AKADi magazine – inspiring insights from our communities!
Nothing quite kicks away the blues than unexpectedly seeing yourself as the cover girl of a brand new magazine! I had to do a double take when fellow British-Ghanaian journalist, Abena Sɛwaa aka MisBeee, tagged me on the gram premiering her new online magazine... The surprise element of course being I wasn't aware I'd be on... Continue Reading →
Key Discoveries: What’s it like being Black in Jordan?
There's something magical about connecting with another badass black girl who travels the world, grabs at opportunities which come her way with both hands, and breaks the limiting social conventions we're expected to abide by... I guess it's all part and parcel of the #BlackGirlMagic phenomena taking the blogosphere by storm! Meet Keylee, a young... Continue Reading →
The FaceApp brought me face to face with my biggest fear – ageing!
"Is anyone else's social media feed starting to look like a nursing home?" TheDrazzyShow asked on his Insta-stories. As humorous as it sounded, I couldn't help but agree. I've been off the gram for a minute so I don't even know if this FaceApp thing is a challenge or just a really freaky trend... which... Continue Reading →
A Night in Wadi Rum: My Spiritual Encounter with the Desert
Is it's possible to have more than one spirit place?... That place where your soul feels completely as one with your mind and body. It's as if you're on familiar territory; perhaps from a previous encounter, perhaps from a previous life... That feeling usually comes to me when I'm by the sea and was especially... Continue Reading →
Black English: “connect the Black English-speaking world to our community – Nordeste de Amaralina”
If you've ever visited Brazil, there's one thing you would have noticed - hardly anyone speaks English, or at least it can feel that way at times. If it comes as a surprise, shock or irritation - it's time to recognise your 'English as a first language' privilege... Need a guilt-free way to use that privilege... Continue Reading →
Thoughts on Self-Care from Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro
You can't put a price on self-care... After the year I've had losing my earthship - my mum, I couldn't imagine being genuinely happy again - or have the confidence to share moments of happiness so openly. Each day comes with its own challenges, however I'm at a place where I feel the presence of loved ones... Continue Reading →
Can I be a Tourist in my own City?
London is arguably the most popular tourist destination in the whole world, according to London's Economic Plan, attracting around 30 million visitors from other countries every year. As a born and bred Londoner, I'll admit, I don't view London in the same light as someone who's new to this city... I'm often excited to book a... Continue Reading →
Made In Medellín: Does My Dark Skin Offend You?
Medellín, Colombia is famous for so many things - Pablo Escobar, city of Eternal Spring, surrounding coffee growing regions, amazing mountain top views... And it's latest arrival - Afro~Vibes! Staying true to my mission to highlight the often unseen 'Blackness' of Colombia, a stop over in Medellín gave me an opportunity to interview Marian Valoyes... Continue Reading →
Palenqueras make history in a march through old Cartagena #LaPalenqueraRespeta!
I'm still processing the events of the past 8 days of arriving in Colombia's Caribbean coast... Not long ago I was in San Basilio de Palenque (the first acknowledged settlement of liberated Africans in the Americas) on a filmset of Cameroonian filmmaker Jean-Pierre Bekolo, then just days ago I joined the march surrounded by hundreds... Continue Reading →
Salvador: It’s not Goodbye
My stay in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil ended with a collaborative shoot with artist Jan Siebert for a visual idea I had to share some insight into my Salvador trip through film. Jan went along with my ideas and contributed his own creativity... Here's a quick edit of some of my fav shots in the... Continue Reading →
Bogotá Highlights: Galería African Diaspora Opens to Showcases Afro-Colombian and African artists
My first introduction to Black culture in Colombia, having arrived fresh off the plane in Bogota, was a visit downtown for the opening of Galería African Diaspora... The irony of the gallery name and my mission to connect African-diaspora stories, didn't go unnoticed! Looking for Travel accommodation? Get £25 off Your First Airbnb booking or £9 off an Airbnb... Continue Reading →
How Kai Got Her #MoJo Back in Brazil!
How Stella Got Her Groove Back is one of my all-time favourite films! On many levels I can relate to Stella (played by the amazing Angela Bassett); a forty-something, highly successful corporate black woman from San Francisco who is persuaded by her friend to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaica in an attempt... Continue Reading →
Salvador’s ‘Panteras Negras’ are The World’s First All Black & Female Instrumental Band
I put it out there to the universe that I wanted to use my time in Salvador to connect with some badass women... I might be on a break from Diversity Matters, but my quest to showcase diverse narratives continues - so meeting band members of Panteras Negras didn't disappoint! "The main challenge I face... Continue Reading →
This Out of Office reply is the Best Act of #Selflove I Could Give Myself
Expecting black-lead platforms/experts to work for free only perpetuates the cycle of inequality, and systematic racism... So I wrote a love letter to myself in the form of an out of office reply, and took a self-care trip to Brazil...
Tabom no Brasil: Reflections of the Malê Revolt in Bahia 184 Years Later
Finding my roots in Brazil Part of understanding who my Tabom ancestors were, and subsequently who I am, includes unravelling the past events which lead to them fleeing Brazil for their freedom back to West Africa... To be back in Bahia, in 2019 - The Year of Return - on the date of the... Continue Reading →
Why this Body Positive Brazilian model prefers to be called ‘Gorda’ – Fat
"First of all, I need to say the word fat is alright. I prefer to be called fat..." As fat phobia continues to marginalise and discriminate, this body positive Brazilian model and influencer tells why it's ok to call her fat. Meet Bianca Guirgel...Watch the short video interview 👇🏾https://youtu.be/du-M-AwI86w Bianca wears: Aline Vito dress and Boutique de... Continue Reading →
Tabom No Brasil: Arriving in Salvador da Bahia
I arrived in Salvador da Bahia, the land my Tabom ancestors left close to 200 years ago for their freedom in West Africa, more specifically Accra Ghana (then the Gold Coast). I almost didn't include Salvador in this Brazil trip after flight prices sky rocketed due to the holidays, and my credit card suddenly not... Continue Reading →
British Airways Amex bonus Avios points for a friend!
If you're looking for a way to make your money stretch that much further for your travels - the British Airways American Express credit card could be for you! Use my referral link before 18th August 2019 to get up to 6,000 bonus avios points when you sign up for the British Airways American Express credit... Continue Reading →