The first thing I noticed in Rio de Janeiro was the energy. The city moves in a way that makes you feel alive, from the warmth of the sun on your skin to the people navigating the streets with purpose. Attending the Black Travel Summit in Rio reminded me of something powerful: the Black diaspora is everywhere.
Black diaspora is everywhere. And when you travel with intention, you see the world and learn more about yourself.
Rio was a living classroom as the host city for this year’s Black Travel Summit. Brazil has the largest Black population outside of Africa, and that history is impossible to ignore here. You feel it in the food, the language, the movement, and the way Afro-Brazilian culture shows up throughout the city.
Why Black Travel Summit Matters For Black Travel Professionals
Black Travel Summit is an annual gathering that brings together Black travel professionals across the industry. Creators, entrepreneurs, tour operators, corporate leaders, investors, and hoteliers come together to learn, connect, and support one another.
Founded by Anita Moreau, the summit was created to empower Black professionals and build meaningful pathways into travel and tourism worldwide. It sits at the intersection of Afro-diasporic culture, industry innovation, and community impact.
At the Black Travel Summit, attendees gain access to:
- Networking with Black creators, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders across travel and tourism
- Hands-on workshops led by experts in travel, hospitality, and related fields
- Panels focused on ethical storytelling, business growth, and community impact
- A collaborative environment centered on shared success rather than competition
The summit is where conversations turn into strategy and relationships turn into long-term opportunities.
Traveling With Intention As A Black Creator
Being in Rio forced me to reflect on the responsibility that comes with telling travel stories. As Black travelers and creators, we are not just documenting destinations. We are participating in ethical storytelling within diaspora spaces.
Traveling with intention means asking ourselves important questions, including:
- Whose stories am I telling when I travel?
- Am I seeking out and supporting Black-owned businesses and tour operators?
- Am I documenting Black history, culture, and everyday life, not just aesthetics?
- As part of the Black diaspora, how am I supporting my people across borders?
These choices shape how Black travel narratives are preserved, shared, and valued.
Experiencing Afro-Brazilian History In Little Africa
Afro-Brazilian culture is especially woven into Little Africa in Rio. From samba circles and capoeira in the streets to Yoruba words embedded in Brazilian Portuguese, this part of the city reflects a deep connection to West African traditions.
Walking through Little Africa with Thaís Rosa Pinheiro, founder of Conectando Territórios, a Black-owned and woman-owned tour operator, brought history to life in a way that felt intimate. Thaís Rosa took her time to carefully explain the history of enslaved Africans crossing the Atlantic and coming to Rio through a primary port in Little Africa. She told us stories of how Afro-Brazilian culture has endured despite centuries of erasure.
Experiencing Little Africa through a Black-led tour provided depth and context that surface-level tourism cannot. It reinforced the idea that who tells the story matters just as much as the story itself.
Tasting the Diaspora Through Afro-Brazilian Food
Food became another powerful gateway into Afro-Brazilian history. On a food tour with Etnias Turismo, the official Black Travel Summit partner, every stop carried meaning. Dishes like acarajé fried in dendê oil, moqueca, and xinxim de galinha reflected clear West African roots.
At Casa Omolokum, learning how Yoruba traditions survived through food, spirituality, and music felt especially meaningful. Seeing those traditions alive in Brazil reminded me that this culture crossed the Atlantic and never disappeared because of the perseverance of the people.
A stop at Dida Bar enticed us with a diaspora-inspired menu that linked West Africa and Brazil through shared flavors and history. Lastly, at Agô, the sound of Candomblé drumming made it clear that spirituality, music, and culture remain deeply intertwined in Afro-Brazilian life.
Building Community, Visibility, and the Future of Black Travel
Beyond workshops and panels, the Black Travel Summit emphasized community. Events like the Black Travel Film Festival and the Summit Gala created space for celebration and connection within the travel industry. These moments mattered because representation is not just about visibility. It is about having an intentional place to celebrate our hard work and talent.
Being surrounded by Black professionals working across every corner of the travel industry was affirming. It showed that there is space for us all and that building together is how we shape the future of travel.
Black Travel Summit 2026
If we want to see more diaspora travel stories, we have to seek them out and elevate them when we travel intentionally. Supporting Black experiences across the globe builds unity and ensures our stories continue to be told with care. If Brazil has been calling you, let this be your sign to go. The Afro-Brazilian culture alone is worth the journey.
And if you are ready to grow your career, your business, and your global community as a Black travel professional, the next Black Travel Summit will take place in Milwaukee in October 2026. It is a space to learn, connect, and be reminded that our stories matter everywhere we go.
