A seasoned world traveler, philanthropist, and a professional with vast experiences in over 59 countries and counting, including 25 African nations. With over 8 years of experience in event production and creative directing combined with over 14 years in healthcare, my journey has led me to work closely with people from diverse backgrounds, honing my gift for truly understanding and listening. Over the course of my career, I've overseen diverse teams, from intimate gatherings to monumental productions like CurlFest, the world's largest natural beauty festival, attended by over 75,000 individuals from around the world.
My formative years as a third-culture child, shuttling between Liberia, Ivory Coast and Ghana, sowed seeds of wanderlust and profoundly shaped my worldview. In 2019 I returned back to Liberia and Ghana for the first time in 23 years rekindling my connection with the Motherland. To my delight, the charm of the Motherland remained as vibrant as I remembered, and the indomitable spirit of the people shone through despite centuries of colonial rule and deprivation. I witnessed men and women toiling tirelessly in the streets and markets day and night, their perseverance unyielding, yet their rewards remained modest. In that very moment, I realized the pressing need to contribute and alleviate some of their burdens.
These transformative experiences inspired the vision for Travel With Mac, a travel company dedicated to crafting impactful and unforgettable experiences on the African continent. It was my upbringing in Africa that instilled in me an unwavering respect for the hardworking local market men and women who tirelessly strive to provide for their families. It is through my experiences that I've come to realize the dire need for fair compensation to ensure a decent quality of life for these small business owners and their families.
The tourism industry in Africa has consistently been a leading contributor to the national GDP. In 2021, travel and tourism contributed a substantial $119.2 billion to Africa's GDP, and the numbers in 2019 reached a record-breaking $182 billion. Despite the pivotal role local Africans play in the tourism industry’s labor force, only about 5-10% of that revenue actually trickles down into their pockets. This startling disparity is a reality I could not ignore igniting the mission of Travel with Mac.
At Travel with Mac, we're on a mission to change this reality. We are wholeheartedly committed to supporting local African vendors in the countries we visit and engage with. We go beyond by paying them above local market rates and by connecting them to broader markets beyond their immediate communities empowering them to maximize their earning potential.
Join me on this transformative journey and Invest with us in a brighter future for African entrepreneurship making a direct and substantial impact in the lives of the everyday African business owners. Together, we can harness the full potential of tourism, turning it into a powerful force for equitable change.
