Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1152980
B M & T ••• July/August 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 14 KATRINA'S C O R N E R : D IVE R S ITY I N TRAVE L BY KATRINA RUFF As a follow up to my last column in this magazine, the Verdict is in, which is my definitive observation that there are far too few people of color represented in the travel, tourism and meeting industry, I will dedicate this opportunity to share one solution. In September of 2018 in Washington D.C., Black Meetings & Tourism magazine tested a Mentoring Program. The event featured the hospitality programs of two elite high schools in the DC area. We bought in over 20 youth to meet and mingle with African-American leaders in the industry. The leaders such as Norm Jenkins of Capstone Development LLC, who is a hotel owners, Marlinda Henry – Director of Events & Planning, Full Gospel Baptist Church, Al Tucker – Vice President, Multicultural Business Development, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, Ms. Beverly Bentley of Bentley Travel, Geralyn Stevens of United Airlines and our own Solomon Herbert - Editor in Chief, Black Meetings & Tourism magazine. The students had the opportunity to hear of each leader's personal journey, current victories, and struggles along the way. They also got a sampling of what each leader's day was like. They had the opportunity to ask questions and mingle on a one-on-one basis afterwards. Yours truly was of course in attendance. One of my favorite moments was with Ms. Stevens of UAL, explaining the benefits of Non-Rev travel. This pilot taught the producers several things. Mainly, if young people have Travel, Tourism and Meeting Production as lucrative career options, they may be likely to pursue these paths. Since this meeting, my personal data set has grown. Last week I attended a meeting of 550 event professionals of which less than 2% were African-American. I had the opportunity of speaking with the leadership of the program. They too are acutely aware of the lack of diversity. The irony was that the keynote was actually an African-American who represented a portion of the 2% in attendance. The question quickly becomes are there no African-Americans in this space OR are they truly unaware and don't feel included in these basic industry events. If the latter is the case…we must ask ourselves why? This publication is keenly aware of its responsibility to be one of the voices for the African-American community in this indus- try, thus they have decided to use their position, armed with their pilot event in DC, to speak to the problem. Sol Herbert intends to attack the theory that exposure to the industry is an issue thus; In June of 2020 they will launch a nationwide (to include all 50 states and the Caribbean) mentoring program. This program will pair members of the working travel, tourism and meet- ing industry with Juniors and Seniors in High School and Freshman in College. The program will be structured but robust, and designed by the incomparable Dr. Erinn Tucker, who is the Faculty Director & Associate of the Practice at George Washington University Global Hospitality Leadership Program. We are delighted to have Dr. Tucker, as she is also the Co-Founder of DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia's) Black Restaurant Week. (Her email address is FT572@georgetown.edu . The official title of the BM&T pro- gram is Diversity in Travel. While our officials who champion tourism keep travel & tourism healthy through policy creation and advocacy, Black Meetings & Tourism's mission will ensure that young people have our important imperative industry as an option. The magazine is determined to end the disparity between the $72 Billion annually that African-Americans spend on travel & tourism versus the 2% of upper level positions held in the industry. If exposure is the bridge then the magazine will actively answer that call. Once this issue is thoroughly vetted Sol is determined insure that resources in our industry are open to everyone. An undertaking of this size cannot go on without your support. We would be delighted to talk to you about playing your part in this exciting new adventure. Somewhere the phrase was derived "don't talk about it, BE about it". We invite you to join us as the conver- sations continue but the actions take over as Diversity in Travel launches. To join us in the quest please email: Myself – Katrina.ruff@forumsmeeting.com Solomon Herbert – tourisman@aol.com Take a peek at the website www.bmtchampions.com and volunteer to mentor, sponsor this huge undertaking or simply tell someone else about the effort until this becomes a nationwide phenomenon. We are determined to make an impact!!!