Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094854
B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 4 A s we embark on a brand new year, Black Meetings & Tourism doubles down on one of its pri- mary missions and objectives – to pro- mote and champion diversity and inclu- sion in the Travel/Tourism/Meetings- /Hospitality industry. To accomplish this BM&T magazine and e-newsletter will continue to showcase those individuals, institutions and organizations that get it right, that are leading the way by taking positive, constructive action, and not just giving lip service to this lofty goal. Those who have clearly exhibited that they value the lucrative and fast-growing African- American market segment by investing in it, aggressively courting it, and showing this niche market the respect it deserves. I firmly believe that rather than beating up on those who are dragging their feet and not giving this market segment the attention it has earned and deserves, we accomplish more by highlighting those who are setting the example by embracing diversity and inclusion, and thereby reap- ing the benefits this $72 billion+ segment has to offer. That has been BM&T's strat- egy from day one over 25 years ago, and will continue to be going forward. PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE Black Meetings & Tourism is published bi-monthly by SunGlo Enterprises, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207 •Telephone: (818)709-0646/Fax: (818) 709-4753 Copyright 2019 by SunGlo Enterprises. All rights reserved. Single Copies, $6.00 Subscriptions $45.00. Postage Paid at Pasadena, CA. •Postmaster send address changes to Black Meetings & Tourism, 20840 Chase St., Winnetka, CA 91306-1207. Solomon J. Herbert Publisher/Editor-In-Chief E-Mail: BMandTMag@aol.com Also during 2019 we will be reporting on and engaging in the Commemoration of the 400th Anniversary of the first arrival of enslaved Africans in the US, which will be acknowledged by a myriad of events unfolding across the nation over the next 12 months. Of course BM&T will continue several signifi- cant initiatives, including our Building Diversity in the Travel Industry Mentoring Program. This pro- gram exposes young high school and college stu- dents to outstanding leaders in our industry, who not only provide them with guidance and advice, but serve as role models that inspire the students to set high career goals for themselves. The New Green Book (NGB) is still under development, which should roll out during 2019. The NGB will be a mobile app and digital directory, going beyond the Freedom of Travel to the Freedom of Choice, urging People of Color to choose to make their dollars count by directing their business to those companies that embrace and support diversity and inclusion in the travel, tourism, meetings and hospitality industry. This convenient electronic guide will undoubtedly become the essential travel tool for the vast major- ity of Black Travelers, as they characteristically go where they are: invited, welcomed and valued. Also in the works is a podcast that will expand our reach and add anther platform for BM&T and the NGB to tell our stories, promote diversity and inclusion, keep the conversations going, and address issues relevant to our vast audience. And last, but certainly not least, we plan to bring our revamped television show back in 2019. The show – Globetrotting – had just launched with two successful episodes on the USVI and Baltimore before the attack on the World Trade Center on 9/11 forced us to cease production when travel was sharply curtailed and destinations that had expressed an interest in being included were reluctant to commit. It's been on hold ever since, but the time is right to give it new life! So please keep tuned and let us know whenev- er you have something you feel we should address at BM&T.