I’m Maya and I’m Blackity Black Black!

On June 6, 2019 I remember standing up at a team meeting saying “I’m blackity black black.” Nah for real, that happened. Here’s how.

As part of a team building exercise, we were asked to draw something that described ourselves in an effort to share things we wanted our colleagues to understand about us. Listing accomplishments and passions about travel seemed to be the norm. So when it was my turn I shared my drawing of a plane, a graduation cap, a black power fist and an upwards arrow. 

I led by saying “I’m black, (Blackity black black) and if you don’t see my blackness in all it’s glory, then you don’t see me.”

The plane represented my passion for traveling. As a tourism executive, I felt like I was in the right place because my heart was in it. The graduation cap was a reminder to not come for me. I’m educated, and I will come for you in APA format! Growing up in a West-Indian household meant you better know your books before you knew the words to the latest song. And like a true West-Indian, I had to have a job if not two. So I worked all my life and through school while studying full time. The fist meant I was B- L -A -C -K! And the arrow meant PURPOSE. 

Melissa Mitchell, of Abeille Creations, after meeting me for the first time, at Essence Fest 2017 asked if I was working in my purpose? At the time, I knew I wasn’t and I told her honestly that I believed where I was, was only a stepping stone. I knew that my purpose for being in the tourism industry for 11 years was to specifically highlight black travel, partner with black brands and extend a hand to black travel influencers who represented for the culture. So while I endured the weird stares, eye rolls and some nods of encouragement while mentioning my blackness and purpose, I already knew what God placed on my heart.

So here is my heart’s work and purpose, Our Black Passports 

Disrupting the travel narrative and ensuring diverse and inclusive spaces. Stay tuned, cause there’s more.

2020 had a lot of lows, but I’m thankful to have been “Favored in the Famine.” When I get brave enough, I’ll share some of the lows, but for now I want to encourage you to live, breathe and pray on your upwards arrow.

Maya

I love us for real “Monique voice”

Photo credit: This is the actual drawing I did that same day. I kept it as a reminder of my purpose.