The Leadership Drives Podcast’s Post

Black people don't do that! The "that" can be anything from swimming to hiking to skiing! As quiet as it's kept, Black folks often think this, too. Once, I was hiking in Shenandoah National Park, and a Black woman hiker, who I did not know AT ALL, approached me on the trail. She said, "Sis, please don't think I'm strange, but would you do me a favor? Can we take a picture together? My family doesn't believe that there are other Black people who hike and that being out here is unsafe. I want to show them that there are, in fact, other Black people out here!" I laughed and agreed to the take the photo because my family thinks hiking is "being out there in the bushes where bad things happen" and there are certain no Black folks hiking, EXCEPT me! So, when I met Lisa Parham Jones, I immediately understood where she was coming from when she said, "I want to show the world that Black people do all the things and go everywhere, including Maine!" Through her business, Black Travel Maine, Lisa aims to be the champion of travelers who want to explore the many and various ways Black people have contributed to the country and world while also participating in luxury experiences without wondering if people like them are welcome. See the link to my blog for the full story and link to the podcast episode.

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