I Am Listening, Learning and Growing

Dear Reader,

Since my last post, I have written and rewritten this newsletter ready to hit the send button only to realize events have changed, whether it be COVID19 or the protests, and being speechless, sad, and awakened.

Today is Flag Day, June 14th. Growing up as a child in a military family, we celebrate everything about the Flag and what it stands. I do so today - we live in a country where we can protest, speak our opinion, and question the status quo. As I celebrate I am also sad that racism still exists in this country. I ask what can I do, I am just one person?  But I can listen, learn, and positively change every interaction, one at a time.

Be well,
Debra

Travel Inspiration:

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannont be acquired by vegetating in one little corner
of the earth all one's lifetime. 

- Mark Twain -


​Keeping it simple, keeping it real...

I share the links to people that inspire me to be a better person as I hope to change the world, perhaps you will be inspired too:

Amy Yeung is founder of Orenda Tribe and a proud member of the Navajo Nation. She has a personal mission to make change for good. She is a daughter of a full-blooded Navajo, and her family comes from the Bisti Wilderness-Chaco Canyon region. She created Orenda Tribe to create opportunity for Native American artists to help protect sacred land and foster a strong creative community.  

Annette Y. Harris is founder of ShowUp! She is based in the Washington DC area and I cannot say enough good things about Annette. I engaged her services of style review and closet audit to up level my wardrobe when I worked for the government. Now I look forward to her email which highlights how I can continue to be a polished professional in the travel industry. She has a wonderful blog newsletter, check her out!

Julia Browne is a pioneer in the travel industry, she created black heritage tours with her company Walk the Spirit. Read her story and be prepared to ignite that desire to travel and learn more!

I discovered Emmanuel Acho this past week. I did not know his name as an NFL Linebacker before he appeared in my FaceBook news feed this week. I was intrigued by his series, Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, on Instagram. I watched, I listened, and I continue to learn. Thank you @themanacho! 

Be well, stay well and wash those hands!