The Road We Trod? Why does that sound familiar...
What a song lyric engrained into the Black psyche has to do with travel...
What up porty people! First of all, thank you so much for joining my corner of the internet and thank you in advance for your grace and patience as I figure out this newsletter life on substack. For those unfamiliar, this is a platform designed to help writers speak directly to their communities, and for those communities to support the writers they know and love. For my first The Road We Trod newsletter, I thought it would be best to cover the basics: what this newsletter is about (including the title), who I am, what to expect in each newsletter and the difference between a free and paid subscription.
What the heck is TRWT about?
The title of this newsletter references one of the most powerful and significant songs in Black American culture, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ written by James Weldon Johnson in 1899. Known as the Black National Anthem, this iconic song is a rallying cry about dark, violent days and Black resilience, but most importantly it’s about hope and faith that one day Black Americans will receive access to the equal rights and fair treatment we so deserve. The full lyric reads: Stony the road we trod, bitter the chastening rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died; yet with a steady beat, have not our weary feet, come to the place for which our fathers sighed? It more or less means yes, we’ve walked a hard, obstacle ridden path and nearly lost hope, yet we kept wearily marching to finally reach the place of freedom our ancestors dreamed about.
This is the sentiment I intend to bring to this newsletter. So often as a Black traveler, I have to think about things many other people don’t have to consider. Will I be safe in this place or a target because of my skin color? Is there any Black history here that I can identify with? Do any of the stories I learn about in this destination reflect my own story? Did Black people exist here at one point and no longer do? If so, what happened to them? Most Black travelers are too scared to even ask these questions, instead choosing to avoid certain places all together and too often, those towns and cities are in our own country of the United States of America. So if this is you, let me be your guinea pig. This newsletter will take you to some place you’ve never considered going and some you have, but it will always uncover the Black history (or Black present!) there and share it with you. It will help you find Black businesses, restauranteurs, crafters, farmers and nonprofits to support. I will be your travel BFF sharing the real shit and I’m not afraid to let you know that “actually, I didn’t feel safe in this place and here’s exactly what happened” or, “OMG y’all RUN don’t walk to plan your next weekend getaway here!”. I will be honest, fair and here to serve you all.
Why should I trust you?
Good question because people are weird. Well, I’ve been a travel journalist for the past 10+ years with work in outlets including The New York Times, CNN Travel, Veranda Magazine, Coastal Living, Hemispheres Magazine and many others. A few years ago I got very bored writing general travel stories and decided that if my travel work didn’t reflect Black history and culture, I wasn’t interested so I made that pivot and never looked back. I’ve delved into Black culture in Nova Scotia, Canada, covered Juneteenth celebrations across the U.S., shared the beautiful Black legacy of Martha’s Vineyard and spoken to Salamander Hotels CEO and Sheila Johnson about her legacy as one of the only Black woman luxury hotel owners in the travel industry. I’m writing this newsletter now because I want to speak directly to y’all without editors, institutions and ivory towers editing and whitewashing my words. I will still freelance occasionally, but this platform is my new #1 priority.
Why should I get a paid subscription?
Because you should stop expecting Black people to give you free labor. Kidding! But not really lol. Here’s the thing, we all are out here working HARD. I don’t expect you to open your wallets to me for no reason because truth be told I’d be just as skeptical. However, I do ask that after a few newsletters please ask yourself if these words are providing value to your life and if they are, please support that value. In the meantime, know that free subscribers will always get:
A recap of one of my latest trips + where I’m headed next and why
Links to my most recent journalism stories
Fun ramblings about travel related items I see on the internet
Paid subscribers will get
Monthly recommendations of three destinations to consider for their next trip
Links to travel deals that caught my eye
Interviews with Black hospitality professionals (in the future)
Access to all past and future articles
The ability to comment with your questions about certain places, recommend a place for me to check out and be more engaged with this community.
Ok that’s enough out of me. Thank you again for joining me here and please tell your momma, daddy sister, cousins and ‘nem to subscribe and join in on the fun.
By the way, it should go without saying, that if you aren’t Black and you’re reading this newsletter, you are so welcome here. Just know that your travel experience won’t be centered. If that doesn’t sit well with you, please find another community. 🖤