FIS
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT
2021
Kinyatta E. Gray CEO, Editor-in-Chief
Camille Davis Executive Editor, Creative Director
FlightsInStilettos® Publisher 1710 Good Hope Road, S.E. Washington, DC 20019 2 | FlightsInStilettos.com
A MESSAGE FROM
xo, Kinyatta
KINYATTA E. GRAY WELCOME TO THE PREMIER ISSUE OF FLIGHTSINSTILETTOS MAGAZINE. WE ARE EXCITED TO PRESENT THIS NEW, QUARTERLY PUBLICATION TO YOU
AND HOPE THAT IT PROVIDES YOU WITH TRENDING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, LIFE-CHANGING, AND INSPIRING CONTENT.
FLIGHTSINSTILETTOS MAGAZINE IS AN EXTENSION OF THE UNIQUE AND EXQUISITE TRAVEL BRAND FLIGHTSINSTILETTOS® FOUNDED BY KINYATTA E. GRAY IN 2018.
OUR GOAL WITH FLIGHTSINSTILETTOS MAGAZINE IS TO INSPIRE READERS TO PUT THEIR BEST SELVES FORWARD WHEN TRAVELING. AS WE SHOWCASE LUXURY TRAVEL DESTINATIONS, TRAVEL-INSPIRED FASHION, BLACK TRAVEL BRANDS, BEAUTY TIPS, AND LIFESTYLE, WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THIS MAGAZINE WILL INSTANTLY BECOME YOUR PREFERRED RESOURCE FOR ALL THINGS LUXURY AND TRAVEL FOR THE CULTURE.
IT IS OUR DESIRE TO ELICIT EXCITEMENT WITH EVERY ISSUE OF FLIGHTSINSTILETTOS MAGAZINE, AND WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK SO THAT WE CAN EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS.
I WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF FOR THEIR HARD WORK, DEDICATION AND EXPERTISE TO LAUNCH THIS MAGAZINE. WE HOPE THAT FROM THE MOMENT THAT YOU OPEN THIS MAGAZINE UNTIL YOU READ THE LAST PAGE, THAT YOU ENJOY THIS PUBLICATION THAT WE'VE CURATED JUST FOR YOU.
Here's What's INSIDE 06 11 18 24
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The Rundown: Get To Know the CEO & Editor-in-Chief with a few quick facts and things you didn’t know!
Black Travel Gram: Curating Black Travel Experiences
Zanzibar: A “Safe Island”
7 "New Norm" Travel Tips by Kinyatta E. Gray
Op-ed by Meisha Amia, “Nurse Entrepreneurship equals Chicks with Cheques.”
The Rundown
Kinyatta E. Gray GET
TO
KNOW
The 2021 CEO is here. New Year, New Business and a New Outlook for the Travel Industry.
Gray sought out to provide a world of
imagery that was missing from travel tales and advertising she’d seen in her experience; her love for travel and all things fabulous sparked the launch of not only an accessories and essentials based business, but an organization of advocacy.
Kinyatta’s work towards
inclusion and representation in the travel space is seen and featured Internationally. Here, she provides context to her work and her wishes post pandemic:
2020 vs 2021 Kinyatta My outlook for travel in 2020 was very bleak. The COVID-19 pandemic ravaged people's lives by changing how we plan, think, and prioritize elements in our lives not deemed essential. For some, traveling certainly was not considered necessary when faced with an incurable illness, imminent job loss, and met with uncertainty. I'm optimistic about the outlook of travel in 2021, primarily because a COVID-19 vaccine has been made available and will alleviate the fears and concerns of those who were afraid to travel.
In general, I also believe that people have a better
understanding of how to protect themselves from COVID-19 and understand the benefits of adhering to government-issued guidelines and protocols. Additionally, as traveler confidence grows in the government's ability to keep them safe and that the pandemic is under control, they will be eager and permitted to resume some of the activities they enjoyed without restrictions, such as travel. I predict that there will be a surge of travelers and even a surge of first-time travelers ready for a complete change of scenery after the mandatory restrictions we all experienced in 2020.
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2020 Travel Misses In 2020, I would have traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, to visit a village that my mother, Beverly E. Carroll, adopted ten years ago, and the people of the village have welcomed me there as part of their family.
I would have also traveled to my favorite
Caribbean destination, Turks and Caicos. They have the best hospitality, and the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean. Both of these destinations are at the top of my travel list for 2021!
Travel as Self-Care Travel is self-care because everyone needs an opportunity to break free of their regular routine and relax, recharge, and rejuvenate. Travel is education; when traveling to a foreign land, you have the opportunity to learn about new culture, history, language, and people. There is no greater education than travel. My friends who have traveled globally and extensively have repeatedly shared the same story that the world has more people of color than you'd ever imagine.
Life Without Travel What is life without travel? It's straightforward; my favorite quote is " To Travel is to Live" by Hans Christen Andersen.
--
On "Love Wins" My latest endeavor is the first-ever LGBTQ beach towel, which features a Black, lesbian couple holding hands and strolling on the beach. I released the newest design, the "Love Wins" beach towel, as part of my 2021 Glam Girl Beach Towels collection in November 2020.
You don't see many images on beach towels at all. Then to drill down even deeper, you definitely don't see a lot of images of people of color. Looking even deeper, [images of] Black lesbians ... it does not exist.
The design is inspired by my wife and I; we were married in 2017. My motivation was to create a towel that went beyond showing typical pride colors or designs. I wanted to design a beach towel with images of a lesbian couple.
Since the release of the "Love Wins" towel, I have been impressed by the community's outpouring of support. Women who have similar hair or tattoos see themselves in the images represented in the new beach towel.
The entire Glam Girl Beach Towel Collection features women of different races, body types, and sporting unique beach outfits.
Ultimately, I believe there is an opportunity
for the entire fashion and travel industry to step up and increase representation.
It's something that we're seeing more and more, but we can always do better.
Y R EVE L R I G S E V R E S DE S I H T G N I L E E F M , MORE OS.CO T N T R E A L TI TO LE TSINS H G I L F VISIT
d now: ounde f K s u a o w Did Y ttos® based e l i y t a S r n G . sI atta E Flight y n i ? K l style 8 by 1 e 0 v 2 a r t n i fe real-li r e h on
Y O U
F I T
D O N ’ T
A
H A V E
C E R T A I N
O R
“ D O P E
T O
T O
M O L D
T A K E
T R A V E L
P I C S ”
T R A V E L .
ASHLEY PAIGE
T H E
C O N C E P T
Black Travel Gram was created, because, I only saw those with larger followings and certain looks being posted. I just didn’t see a lot of representation of just the “average” black traveler. We wanted to create a space where any person of color could be represented, and to show that travel isn’t just something for the “rich and famous” and can be attainable by all peoples. You don’t have to fit a certain mold or take “dope travel” pics to travel.
Ashley Paige and her husband launched Black Travel Gram February 2018 after “trial and error.” As travel lovers, they “began to notice what worked and what did not.” Paige found simple “tips and tricks“ could afford any traveler the title “expert.” From there, BTG “made all the difference” and would fill the need.
C U R A T I N G B L A C K
T R A V E L
E X P E R I E N C E S
More than just “trips,” Black Travel Gram (BTG) plans excursions with Black Travel in mind. Meaning, cultural-themed events are intentionally sought out in the planning process. BTG is a safe space for the culture to “enjoy experiences collectively.” 12| FlightsInStilettos.com
Paige says, “We want to make sure that with all trips planned that Black travel is highlighted. The Black Experience is seen in most countries and we want to highlight how far our culture expands. Not just in Africa, but in Latin America, Central America, Cuba, Asia, etc. We really want to highlight the beauty of both the country and our peoples.” It is imperative that in hosting their BTGFamily, the BTG offer “enriching travel experiences,” whether “experiencing the nightlife or hanging with locals.”
The BTG mission extends far beyond travel experiences, but also includes philanthropy. The organization sponsors passports for future, underprivileged travelers as Paige says “seeing the world shouldn’t be done from the window.”
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For 2021, BTG “plans cautiously.” Remembering when the onset of Covid19 brought the business to a complete halt, now; Paige says, although BTGrequires Covid tests from all travelers and lowered the total number of participants on trips, it is their priority to “comply with international rules and make sure that the health and safety of our participants is number one.”
2 0 2 1
T R A V E L
M A N T R A S
Remain
Covid is a
Optimistic.
Real Thing.
No one wants to get back to traveling than us.
Don’t take travel
for granted.
T H E
C A R I B B E A N
A “safe haven” for travelers with an itch for adventure. T U L U M ,
M E X I C O
A “hot spot” for travelers looking to get on a plane.
@FlightsInStilettos
O t h m a n
S a i d
O t h m a n ,
F r e e l a n c e
G u i d e
Zanzibar Matemwe Beach
JANUARY 2021 | ISSUE 1
Nungwi Beach
@zanzibarguider2 Take it from Freelance Guide, Othman Said Othman, Zanzibar is “99 percent open and safe.” A “safe island,” Othman calls it; he says Zanzibar’s policies ensure this, and the
Cooking Class
people on every corner with cameras confirm it. His number one recommendation; however, is a guide. He says, “sometimes guides act as your Gurd, especially if it’s your
Preparing Swahili
first time.”
Meal, and a Walk
With an upcoming Musical Festival in February 2021, Othman Said Othman wants to
Around the Village
remind travelers of the beauty of Zanzibar: most beautiful beaches. unique culture,
Visit Zanzibar February 11 - 14!
“You can escape the crowds and do your own things. Have a romantic getaway with
history and architecture, exotic spices, delicious foods and friendly people. He says, unspoiled weather and climate.”
Photographer: Eotree (Instagram @eotree) Assistant Photographer & Editor: Zad ( Instagram @zad__c) Model: Zad (Instagram @zad_culturre)
"New Norm" Travel Tips by Kinyatta E. Gray
1 2
Monitor the CDC Travel Restrictions
for current information before planning your trip.
Do not travel if you or
anyone in your travel party is sick.
3
Inquire with the resort/hotel you're visiting
about what measures have been implemented to comply with official, recommended cleaning and sanitation protocols to prevent the spread of COVID 19.
4
Pack a sufficient number
of masks, disinfectant hand wipes, and sanitizers for yourself and your traveling companions for the duration of your trip.
5
Consider Swiftly
using disinfectant wipes to clean your seat after boarding the plane and when deplaning. Be mindful that others are boarding/deplaning behind you.
6
Keep Your
mouth and nose covered at all times; and your hands sanitized when in highly populated areas such as the airport, and when using public transportation. Remember to practice social distancing vigilantly.
7
Pack Your Own
products such as beach towels, gym towels, and makeup removers (the FlightsinStilettos Essential Travel Bundle is an ideal and convenient product that supplies travelers with their own luxury personal essential towel products) to avoid using reused and recycled hotelissued towel products used by previous travelers.
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Former Emirates Flight Attendant,Rosetter S. Tahnson recounts her experience, talks COVID 19 & "Life After Working for the World’s Best Airline."
Rosetter S. Tahnson BY CAMILLE DAVIS
LIFE AFTER
After achieving the highest rank possible for a flight attendant in the inflight department, Flight Purser (Inflight Manager), Rosetter S. Tahnson pivoted towards entrepreneurship. Many would question such a move, especially as a point where one’s career seemed to be on the rise; while the timing may seem confusing to some, it was quite clear to Tahnson.
Serving as a Flight Purser at Emirates, Tahnson saw the Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to leave her role and return home to Accra-Ghana. After all, 12 years in the industry and reaching her goal at Emirates after just six years was a fete in itself. August 14, Tahnson considered her next move, her “next goal;” and that did not include being “stationed in an office in any aviation capacity.” Every season must end, and for Tahnson, the pandemic would mark the beginning of her next chapter. She says, The pandemic granted me the opportunity to become an entrepreneur.” Now home, after 12 years, Tahnson spends all of her time catching up with friends and family, but also gearing up for the opening of her Day Spa in Ghana, and “eventually, major cities across the continent of Africa.” Her heart remains with her past colleagues across all airlines. While customers would commend them on their bravery, Tahnson feels the public still “does not appreciate flight attendants as frontline workers.”
With the New Year, Tahnson suggests current and future flight attendants (and even travelers) “plan meticulously,” as she predicts the industry “will keep changing, many adjustments will be made; so they should all be prepared for the dynamics as they unfold.”
For my colleagues who were unprepared for this unfortunate occurrence in our industry, I feel heart broken. Many of you gave all your youth to the industry, only to be robbed of it by this pandemic. You are in my thoughts and prayers... hoping you find a suitable alternative in the near future. We are one of the most experienced customer services experts out there. I encourage you to explore this unmatched talent..
Stepping out on faith may seem cliche; however, Tahnson attributes her transition as “the word of God.” As a believer, she says, she saw herself “grow spiritually” more than she ever had. Thankfully Blessed, Tahnson enters 2021 as her same “glamour travel” self. She looks forward to traveling back to the states; Seattle to be exact, and to return there and other destinations “expressing glam” in her travels. She says, “I love the feeling when I show up glamorous; it’s been my passion.” The way she “shows up” has earned her admiration from both colleagues and strangers alike.
e se r rs u u N N p ip h hi s s r r u u e ne e en r r p p e e r t tr n n E E
CHICKS WITH CHEQUES
MORE THAN 40,000 WOMEN HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY CHICKS WITH CHEQUES AND MY NURSE POWER NETWORK! BY MEISHA AMIA Happy 2021 Ladies! I want to start by congratulating FlightsInStilettos on its New Year’s Day launch! What a boss way to kick-off a New Year?! I am thrilled to be a part of this publication debut! 2020 was undoubtedly a year for the books for us all! And if you’re reading this, you’re probably a frequent traveler or travel enthusiast like myself, so I know those travel restrictions hit differently for you! From luxury girls trips and baecations to impromptu weekend getaways, COVID has affected our lives in ways that we couldn’t have imagined! However, it is critical everyone’s safety to follow the recommendations of my fellow colleagues; yep, my colleagues! I am a self made, six-figure earning travel nurse! I’m not saying that to boast, but to share my story and how I got here, hopefully inspiring the next woman to believe in herself and go after everything she deserves.
YOU MAY ASK, what exactly is
a travel nurse?
Travel nurses, or nurse entrepreneurs like myself, use our nursing experience and education to start our own nursing businesses. Yes, that’s a thing! Like traditional nurses, I work with a variety of patients on a daily basis. That might be through a contract with a hospital or health organization, or with at-home patients. The major difference here is that i’m calling all of the shots, and I get to travel on the job! Not to mention, the huge increase financially and flexibility wise. I am earning six-figures as a nurse. This would not be possible without owning my business. COVID has also produced an increased demand in my profession. I feel so humbled to play apart in fighting in the COVID-19 pandemic first hand.
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FROM SCRUBS TO SIX FIGURES I decided to pursue nursing after my own personal health experiences. A large majority of my adolescence was spent as a regular patient at my local hospital, to the extent that most of the staff recognized me and knew me by name. By the age of 17, I had an open heart surgery and was on life support. Actually, just before I pursued nursing, I was a cosmetologist, and left that industry because of my body’s reactions to the frequent exposure to hair sprays. So, I know all too well what it feels like to be a patient, and wanted to take action.
XOXO, MEISHA AMIA
While I was thrilled to first enter the nursing profession, I quickly noticed that there are both pros and cons of the role. I’ve witnessed unfair treatment, lack of respect and biased expectations of black nurses firsthand. Combining those realities with constant long shifts can be very challenging. I wanted to feel appreciated and rewarded for the important work that I was doing. As a nurse entrepreneur, I am earning six figures, while enjoying much more flexibility with work schedule, and did I mention, I get to travel for a living?! I couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling career or lifestyle! Being a nurse entrepreneur presents an opportunity for self sufficiency, flexibility, and drastic financial gain.I am passionate about empowering every woman to boss up and claim a life of wealth, purpose and happiness! Through my business, Chicks with Cheques, I teach nurses and professional women how to triple their incomes with nurse entrepreneurship. More than 20,000 women have been impacted by Chicks with Cheques and my Nurse Power Network! My book, The Bedside Boss: From Scrubs to Six Figures, details my journey and provides insight on how to pivot into nurse entrepreneurship! Ladies, I challenge you to one last New Year’s resolution. If you want to make a change in your career, or life in general, go for it! Bet on yourself and do everything that you can to prepare yourself for the life of your dreams. I know you can do it, and would love to support you in any way that I can!