Apps to Celebrate and Support the Black Community

I don't know about you, but I try to support and learn about local businesses in my home city and wherever I travel. I want small businesses to succeed and in particular Black-, Asian-, and women-owned businesses are at the top of that list. At home, I frequent 2 Asian-owned coffee shops quite a lot, not just because they have stellar coffee, though that doesn't hurt. 

Photo by Unseen Histories on Unsplash

For Black History Month, let's talk about the apps that can help you find Black businesses, learn more about Black History, and celebrate Black culture:

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EatOkra

This app features Black-owned restaurants and eateries. It's how we've found amazing places to eat near home and also close to accommodations when we've traveled. It's not exhaustive, but it's pretty good and worth the space it occupies on my phone.

Photo by Ben Ostrower on Unsplash

Adventurely

The app that helps travelers connect with others to share experiences while out in the world. While you can use it to find others who want to do the same tours or museums as you, there is a whole section called Global Black Diaspora History and Culture collection that allows you to learn more Black History on your travels and share those experiences with others who are also traveling at the same time.

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Babbel

If you're hoping to travel to other countries to learn history and culture, you may want to learn the language spoken there. Limited to some of the most spoken languages in the world, Babbel can help you prepare for your trip. For example, there are lots of countries with large Black communities that speak Portuguese as a the official language. Just a few of these are Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde.

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More Than a Mapp

Wherever you go, you can find points of interest and historical markers for Black history. Set you location in the app and then you can use the interactive map to point you to important places and then learn about what makes them significant through words, links, photos, and videos.

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HopStop

This app, by Chinedu Echeruo, a Black innovator, helps you navigate transit by using GPS and real-time data, allowing users to get where they need to go on time on public transportation. Save your favorite trips for future use, get train schedules, and estimated taxi fares. It is available for over 600 cities around the world, though you can get travel advisories if you live in New York City.

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Black History Quiz

Got some time to spare? Test your knowledge and expand what you've already learned through quizzes. You can't move on until you get the correct answer, so you can easily learn what you don't know. What a great way to "waste" time.

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The Root

Support Black writers by exploring the day's news in all genres, but also listen to podcasts, watch slideshows and more, right from your phone, all by prominent Black journalists that may give you a new perspective of current stories.

Photo by Trevor Vannoy on Unsplash

Honorable Mentions: National Parks App

While this app doesn't explicitly give you Black and African American historical information, the National Parks have been preserving Black history and stories for visitors. With over 400 parks, each having a rich backstory featuring Black culture and notable points in history, you can get outside and also learn more about this country's past with elevated multi-generational Black stories. Learn more on their website.

The podcast Fanti

Not an app, but part of an app you probably already have on your phone to listen to other podcasts you love. Fanti is a pop-culture podcast run by Black hosts who talk about fandom and other relevant topics that they enjoy, but effect the Black community and fans in an entirely different way than it's white audience (i.e. when you love the art, but the artist is problematic, or vice versa). The episodes are great for downloading and listening on long plane/train/car rides.

I hope some of these will help you travel more easily, plus educate yourself while having fun traveling. I know that they can really be a great addition to trips and help you fill in time with something educational, important, fun, or tasty.

Share your favorite travel apps with us. Bonus points if they are Black-created or celebrate Black culture.

Learning Black History Through Travel

I learn things better when I'm immersed in them, especially history. Some of the best things I've learned were through tours and museums while on vacation. If there is a museum where I can learn more about Black History, I will try to make it there, whether it's traditional history or art, I find it's important for soaking up more culture. One of the best, and most heartbreaking, museums I've visited was the tiny Museum of Slavery in Nassau, Bahamas. If you feel as if your education was woefully lacking in Black History (hint: it was), then here are 10 cities in the U.S. to visit:

You can read as many books as you want, and I highly encourage you to, as well as talk to your Black friends, but never turn down a chance to learn more history about oppressed and marginalized people. It gets you one step closer to becoming a more accepting and well-rounded individual who can empathize with those that have a different life than you. What are some of your favorite spots for Black culture/history?

Valentine's Travel Tip Round-Up

For the last two weeks, I've been posting blogs about romantic destinations and Facebook posts to help you plan the ultimate getaway with your luck significant other. If, by chance, you've missed those or just aren't on Facebook, I've done a round-up for you here.

Feb 1: Is Paris on your list of romantic vacations? If so, here's everything you need to know about visiting the Eiffel Tower.

Feb 2: While you may not be ready for this year, you 𝑐𝑎𝑛 work on next year, or later this year, especially if you live somewhere cold and want to get out of there for a little bit. Here are the most romantic getaways in each state.

Feb 3:💍Looking to propose this year (or in the future), but don't want to be a cliché? Then skip these overdone destinations and choose more unique ones instead.

Feb 4: Queer/gay couples looking for a quick getaway in a very friendly city should absolutely look to Palm Springs. It can be romantic, but it's also great for those who love the outdoors, the food scene, art (street and traditional) and shopping.

Feb 5: Not all destinations are friendly to everyone, which sucks, but I find that those that are LGBTQ-friendly are always awesome and much more fun than other cities/countries. If you're looking for a place to travel with your loved one that is accepting, check out these cities for your next romantic getaway.

Feb 6: 🥂Champagne has been one of those celebratory (and sexy?) beverages for a long time. We drink it at weddings, New Years, and on fancy dates, but do you know what makes it so special?

Feb 7: 💜If you're looking for a truly unique destination for your next trip, check out these heart-shaped places to plan a trip around.

Feb 8: These tips can help you take an alternative Valentine's Day getaway, or even a regular trip another time of the year.

Never let go, Jack...er, Eric. Never let go.
2 mins later, the person next to Eric wanted an aisle seat, so we switched.

Feb 9: Sometimes, staying home is cheaper and better than any other plan for Valentine's Day. Here are some of my favorite ways to plan a great (and romantic) staycation.

Feb 10: Many of us think of honeymoons as 𝒕𝒉𝒆 romantic vacation, but why are honeymoons even a thing and how have they changed over the years?

Feb 11: There's more to Paris museums than just the Louvre. Here are some of my favorite places to view art and history in the city.

Feb 12: I love a place that's fun and different. If you're looking for a funky getaway for you and your special person, check out these places you can book for a little R&R&R (that 3rd R is for romance 😍).

Feb 13: Why be the same as everyone else and celebrate your love on Valentine's Day? I mean, you should celebrate your love 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒅𝒂𝒚, but if you want to do something extra special, plan a trip for a different time of the year. Maybe at one of these places.

Feb 14: Valentine's Day isn't all about being part of a couple. You can be alone and love yourself first. Solo travel can really help you learn what you want, put yourself first, and enjoy things that don't revolve around another person.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, whether you're celebrating Valentine's Day or not, whether you have a special someone or not, whether you choose to do it up big or stay home and save money. Have you ever taken a romantic vacation for Valentine's Day?