During the Conclave kick-off, Conclave delegates had the great fortune to engage in an intimate fireside chat with Ambassador Shabazz, eldest daughter of Malcolm X and Ambassador-at-large for Belize for more than 20 years. Ambassador Shabazz dropped a lot of rich gems on leadership, collaboration, and poured wisdom into leaders to help set the stage for the work ahead for the FOBT collaborative.

[Above L-R: Ambassador Shabazz, Ambassador-at-large, Belize and Stephanie M. Jones, CEO, Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA)/Blacks in Travel & Tourism]

Leadership Day opened with a motivational message on leadership led by Darryl C. Walls, CEO, MINDS Leadership Consulting Firm.

Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association, the industry's trade association leading advocacy efforts for the U.S. travel and tourism industry, joined Conclave delegates for lunch followed by a deep dive conversation on U.S. Travel's efforts to sustain diversity, equity and inclusion for the industry.

[Above L-R: Stephanie M. Jones chats with Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association]

Salamander Washington DC was the host hotel for the E3 Leadership Conclave. Prem Devadas, President, Salamander Hotels & Resorts, stopped by to chat with delegates about Salamander's partnership with Blacks in Travel & Tourism, hotel developments and renovations coming in 2024, and its annual sold out Family Reunion Food & Wine event taking place this weekend at Salamander Middleburg.

[Above L-R: Photo L: Conclave Leader Maxie Palmer, III, Chief Strategy Officer, Green Book Global chats with Prem Devadas, President, Salamander Collection. Photo R: Delegates enjoying a networking luncheon at Salamander DC]

Unfortunately, inclement weather and a flight cancellation prohibited guest speaker Le'Kiesha French, CEO, Preneurology from attending the E3 Leadership Conclave in DC. Stephanie Jones led a virtual fireside chat with Ms. French discussing ecosystem building and wealth and value creation for Black-led movements as pictured above.

Welcome Dinner Hosted by Destination DC at The Park

Destination DC was the proud sponsor and host of the Welcome Reception. Conclave delegates gathered with local DC community and industry leaders for networking, food and an enjoyable evening. The event was held at The Park, a four-level, Black-owned restaurant, lounge and club in the heart of DC.

Photo credits: Destination DC

[Above L-R: Photo L: Elliott Ferguson, President & CEO, Destination DC was on an international trade mission and recorded a welcome greeting for Conclave delegates. Photo R: (L-R) Tristan Hicks, CMP, Event Management Strategist, Destination DC, Stephanie M. Jones, and Rico Ashab, Chief of Staff, Destination DC]

Advocacy Day opened up with a special guest, Phyllis Cola Lewis, Founder & CEO, Urban Oasis Behavior & Mental Health Services. Ms. Lewis was just what Conclave leaders needed to help them prioritize their mental health. She led delegates through a deep breathing exercise.

Below, Tori Barnes, EVP of Public Affairs & Policy, U.S. Travel Association and her dynamic team of advocacy and public policy experts including (L-R) Andrew Newhart, Senior Director of Government Relations, Treon Glenn, VP of Government Relations, and Erik Hansen, Senior VP of Government Relations educated Conclave delegates on the role of U.S. Travel Association, shared its advocacy strategy and how U.S. Travel influences public policy.

The E3 Leadership Conclave delegates represent a multigenerational network of Black travel & tourism leaders. More than 80% of delegates are age 25-40. It was only fitting to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of industry veterans. Martinique Lewis, President, Black Travel Alliance led a fireside chat on sustainability in travel with Patricia Yarbrough, CEO, Blue World Travel & Festival at Sea, a Black-centric cruise in its 31st year, and Thomas Dorsey, CEO, SoulofAmerica.com, the first online technology developed +30 years ago to showcase Black culture in destinations around the world.

Networking Dinner Hosted by South African Tourism and

the Embassy of South Africa

Future of Black Tourism founding members were hosted for dinner by South African Tourism at the Embassy of South Africa. Pictured above (L-R) Justin Barnette, Head of Marketing + Communications North America; Martinique Lewis, President, Black Travel Alliance; Jerry Mpufane, President, North America Hub; Stephanie M. Jones, CEO, CHEA/Blacks in Travel & Tourism; Ismail Esau, Charge D'Affaires a.i, Embassy of South Africa; Naledi Khabo, CEO, Africa Tourism Association; and Judy Pillay, Head of Stakeholder Relations North America. Photo credits: South African Tourism

Above, Stephanie M. Jones, Future of Black Tourism Organizer and E3 Leadership Conclave Host make remarks on behalf of fellow founding members Naledi Khabo and Martinique Lewis before dinner.

Below, Conclave delegates pose for photo with South African Tourism team.

Jerry Mpufane, President, South African Tourism North American Hub provides welcome remarks.

Conclave delegates' first stop for Industry Day was a breakfast meet and greet with Christopher Thompson, President & CEO, Brand USA and team members at their office.

Above, Donald Richardson, Chief of Finance & DEI was on vacation, but greeted Conclave delegates through a recorded video welcome message. Christopher Thompson led delegates through a presentation explaining the role of Brand USA for the U.S. travel & tourism industry.

Above, Conclave delegates pose in the lobby of the U.S. Department of Commerce with Deputy Under Secretary Jessica G. Cavazos, Minority Business Development Agency; Brian Beall, Director, National Travel & Tourism Office (NTTO), International Trade Administration; Jennifer Aguinaga, Deputy Director for Policy & Planning, NTTO; and David Huether, Deputy Director for Research, NTTO.

Below, delegates have a seat at the table with Commerce officials from National Travel & Tourism Office and Minority Business Development Agency. Delegates gather for a group phone outside of Commerce building.

Above, Conclave delegates gather for a group photo with Tori Barnes and Erik Hansen at the offices of U.S. Travel Association.

Below, delegates enjoy a closing luncheon hosted by U.S. Travel Association and continue discussions on advocacy, public policy, and opportunities for Future of Black Tourism delegates to align with some of U.S. Travel's annual programs.

ABOUT FUTURE OF BLACK TOURISM

Future of Black Tourism (FOBT) is a collaborative network of multigenerational Black travel, tourism and hospitality leaders working to build a global Black tourism ecosystem. FOBT partners with industry allies to create equitable opportunities for its members to actively participate and profit in the global travel and tourism industry, and to build capacity to sustain, grow and invest in underrepresented Black-led travel & tourism organizations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Learn more at www.futureofblacktourism.com.