#NNPA BlackPress

What One Travel Expert Learned From Hosting a Women’s Empowerment Retreat in Africa

JACKSONVILLE FREE PRESS — The idea behind this specialized learning journey and safari was simple: to create a learning experience for women and led by women, which would bring gender equity onto the front lines and set in motion a change throughout the safari industry. As with all of our itineraries, this one gave guests unique access the Herding Academy, Tracking Academy, and South African Girls Tourism of Tourism, as well as a curated panel of female speakers who inspired us across the fields of conservation, philanthropy, business, and science. Ahead, I proudly share my personal lessons learned from this life-changing journey.

Published

6 years ago

October 1, 2019

Jacksonville Free Press

Photo by: Aline Coquelle

Travel advisor Deborah Calmeyer of Roar Africa shares a few takeaways.

By Deborah Calmeyer

I have long predicted that African women can only embrace the value of their contributions to local tourism when they work to shatter the geographical, gender, and social barriers that have been in place for centuries. This is part of what drove me to launch my company in 2005, as I truly believe as “African women rise, wildlife will thrive.” Roar Africa is a luxury safari specialist run by women, and supported by native-born guides and a curated network of experts. Thirteen years since I started the company, we remain committed to donating time and resources to the hospitality education and professional training of young, impoverished African women, with the goal of improving their lives as well as the lives of their communities.

This enduring mission was brought to life through Roar Africa’s recent inaugural Women’s Empowerment retreat in South Africa. The idea behind this specialized learning journey and safari was simple: to create a learning experience for women and led by women, which would bring gender equity onto the front lines and set in motion a change throughout the safari industry. As with all of our itineraries, this one gave guests unique access the Herding Academy, Tracking Academy, and South African Girls Tourism of Tourism, as well as a curated panel of female speakers who inspired us across the fields of conservation, philanthropy, business, and science. Ahead, I proudly share my personal lessons learned from this life-changing journey.

1. We have started a movement of shattering the glass ceiling in the safari industry.

The conversation has now been “put on the table” and there’s no turning back. We commit to seeing the process through in everything that we do as a business, and encourage everyone to ask critical questions about female representation in staff positions, management, and conservation teams when deciding where to stay.

2. Hospitality is in our DNA and this is proof positive that women can thrive on the front lines.

We chose to host our first empowerment retreat at The Drosdty Hotel and Tswalu Lodge because they are leading the way in terms of their commitment to putting women in leadership positions.

3. It takes a female village, and a brave one at that.

We were privileged to have met those pioneers — the brave wave of African women who have shattered the tribal and western glass ceilings of Africa, and carved a path for future generations of women to come. Some of these inspiring women include Isis Swarahle, a female pilot on a Pilatus PC-12 airplane; Sandy, the first female captain in the world on a Global 6000 aircraft; and Kelathilwe Malakai, the first certified female tracker.

4. The education of women is the best way to save the environment and economy.

There are approximately 30,000 women herders in South Africa left to run the herds of cattle, sheep, and goats while men go into the cities to work. This impacts grazing, climate change, and tourism in ways we hadn’t begun to imagine until we visited the Herding Academy, where women are trained to effectively graze and herd animals so that land is restored and remains rich in nutrients. Here, we witnessed their innovative train-the-trainer programs and saw life-changing skills taught to women first-hand. Spending time with the hospitality graduates from the Girls College of Tourism and Tracking Academy was equally inspiring, as these are tomorrow’s leaders in the one industry that can solve Africa’s unemployment crisis. The reported unemployment rate is around 30 percent, but tourism provides more jobs in Africa than farming, fishing, and forestry combined. It is an industry absolutely vital to Africa’s future.

5. Who inspired who?

The global female leaders I brought on as speakers to talk about the communities and conservation projects they have pioneered in their own countries both inspired and encouraged me. I knew that I could create a platform to share their successes and educate others about the work they have done in their respective fields, and in so doing inspire more women to have the courage to pursue non-traditional roles. I was blown away by the many expressions of appreciation and emotion that these women personally expressed for our group.

6. The beauty and power of philanthropy is always humbling.

Philanthropy lives in the DNA of Americans, which is why they chose to support and attend Roar Africa’s Women’s Empowerment retreat. Their generosity and will to help however they can to improve the lives of others is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

This article originally appeared in the Jacksonville Free Press.

Jacksonville Free Press

Posts by Jacksonville Free Press

Up Next

Title X Would Hurt the Black Community’s Access to Family Planning

Don't Miss

Los Angeles Unified Opposes Change in SNAP Eligibility

Jacksonville Free Press

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

Michael: The King of Pop’s Story Returns to the Big Screen

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making.

Published

1 week ago

November 6, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The curtain has finally lifted on one of Hollywood’s most anticipated films. Lionsgate has unveiled the official trailer and release date for “Michael,” the sweeping biopic about Michael Jackson that has been years in the making. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film will arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026, with the singer’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stepping into the spotlight to portray his legendary uncle.

The trailer wastes no time rekindling the aura of Jackson’s genius. Opening with a studio scene between Jackson and his longtime producer Quincy Jones, played by Kendrick Sampson, the clip builds from a quiet, familiar rhythm to the electrifying pulse of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” Viewers catch glimpses of the singer’s childhood, flashes of “Thriller,” and the silhouette that redefined pop culture. Each frame reminds fans of why Jackson remains unmatched in artistry and influence. The cast surrounding the late pop king’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, reads like a who’s who of Black entertainment and music history. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long portrays Katherine Jackson, and Larenz Tate takes on the role of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Laura Harrier portrays music executive Suzanne de Passe, while Kat Graham embodies Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays attorney John Branca, a towering entertainment lawyer and longtime Jackson confidant who later became co-executor of his estate. The film’s journey to release has been as complicated as the icon it portrays. Production wrapped in 2024, but legal hurdles over depictions of past controversies forced extensive reshoots and editing delays. Even so, Fuqua’s film now appears ready to reclaim the narrative, focusing on Jackson’s creative ambition and humanity beyond tabloid noise. IndieWire reported that the film had faced “a massive legal snafu” over a disputed storyline but was retooled to center the music and legacy that defined generations.

Maven. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson

“Michael” promises more than a chronological retelling. It aims to explore how a child star from Gary, Indiana, became the world’s most influential entertainer. The script, written by Oscar-nominated John Logan, traces Jackson’s early years with the Jackson 5 through the triumphs and isolation of global superstardom. With Fuqua’s cinematic eye and producer Graham King—who brought “Bohemian Rhapsody” to life—joining forces with estate executors Branca and John McClain, the film is positioned as both a tribute and a restoration of Jackson’s cultural truth. Branca’s work behind the scenes has long shaped Jackson’s posthumous success. After the singer died in 2009, Branca and McClain took control of the estate burdened by debt and turned it into a global powerhouse worth billions. Under their stewardship, Jackson’s projects have generated more than $3 billion in worldwide ticket sales and landmark deals, including a $600 million joint venture with Sony earlier this year. At its heart, though, “Michael” is a story about artistry that transcends scandal. It offers a reminder that, despite the noise surrounding his life, Jackson’s music still bridges continents and generations. The trailer’s closing moments capture that spirit. As the beat of “Billie Jean” swells and Jaafar Jackson moonwalks into a spotlight, audiences are left with a familiar feeling—the awe of witnessing something timeless return home.

“Michael” opens worldwide in theaters April 24, 2026. See the official trailer here.

Stacy M. Brown

Posts by Stacy M. Brown

#NNPA BlackPress

Donald Trump Is the Biggest Loser

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Published

1 week ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By April Ryan

The Trump Brand took a significant hit as it was swept up in the Democratic blue wave of the election last night.

Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (AR-02), says, “Last night was electric, and it was unquestionably a wave.” Democrats won big in what is widely considered a repudiation of Trump’s 9 months at the White House in his second term.

In the state of Virginia, which produced the first big election night win and saw the election of the first woman governor, Democrat Abigail Spanberger, 56% of Virginia’s residents disapprove of President Trump. In New Jersey, 55% of state residents disapprove of the president; in New York, 69% disapprove; and in California, 63% disapprove of the president. The Trump brand or his support for any candidates did nothing to benefit those he endorsed in this election. They actually lost in each race he publicly put his name behind. Trump endorsed former New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the New York mayor’s race in his run as an independent. And New Jersey Republican Jack Ciattarelli, who ran for governor with the presidential endorsement, also lost his prospective race.

The next question is, will the democratic momentum be sustainable? Jones further explained, “This can become a 2026 tsunami, but turning a wave into a tsunami takes energy. A lot of energy. It doesn’t just happen. The conditions are there. Now we have to work!”

Some Democrats would argue that the work is already underway. The pushback against Trump’s national redistricting efforts received a thumb in the eye from California voters. Prop 50, California Governor Gavin Newsom’s counterbalance to President Trump’s redistricting efforts, passed in California last night. Although Trump’s name was not on the ballot last night, his Republican policies were. The United States has now entered the longest government shutdown in its history. Forty-two million Americans are not getting SNAP benefits. Economists are acknowledging that the government shutdown is contributing to the rise in delinquent debt in the student loan, automotive, and credit card industries. These items are among the negatives Americans are protesting against.

Compounding Trump’s political problems is a tariff battle that’s directly impacting pocketbooks. The day after the elections, the Trump administration was arguing before the US Supreme Court in favor of the president’s tariff powers. Meanwhile, President Trump‘s poll numbers are underwater, standing at a 37% national disapproval rate

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Historic Beatdown: Democrats Sweep Virginia as Speaker Don Scott and Jay Jones Make History

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia.

Published

1 week ago

November 5, 2025

Oakland Post

By Lauren Burke

In a clear rejection of the policies of President Donald Trump, history repeated itself in Virginia. Democrats once again swept all three statewide offices as they did in 2017 during Trump’s first term. Abigail Spanberger easily won the office of Governor, and State Senator Ghazala Hashmi won her race over John Reid to be the next Lieutenant Governor. The victories occurred against the backdrop of a historic win in Virginia by Spanberger that will give Virginia its first woman Governor.

Spanberger’s widely predicted win over Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears was called 17 minutes after the polls closed in Virginia at 7 pm. Former Delegate Jay Jones won his race against incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares. His victory means Jones will be the first Black Attorney General in Virginia’s history. Jones’ win was particularly noteworthy since the last month of his campaign was consumed by the issue of private text messages from 2022 to Republican Delegate Carrie Coyner. Republicans ran a non-stop barrage of negative ads against Jones for a month.

Del. Coyner lost her bid for re-election to Delegate-elect Lindsey Dougherty. The Dougherty race was the number one target for House Speaker Don Scott and his campaign lieutenant, Delegate Dan Helmer. Coyner’s defeat was one of at least 13 victories for Democrats who have now added to their ranks in the Virginia House to historic margins. When the Virginia General Assembly returns to session in January, there will be at least 64 Democrats in the chamber. The widespread Republican defeat is a testament to a combination of historic fundraising, Democrats running in all 100 seats, dislike of President Trump’s policies, and an ineffective top of the ticket featuring Lt. Gov. Earle Sears.

+13: Speaker Scott and Del. Helmer Hit Historic Numbers in Fundraising and Power

As the evening ended, a glaring historic fact became clearer: The Virginia House of Delegates will expand to a historic number. The change means the largest Democratic House chamber in the modern era. There were several notable wins by Democrats running for the Virginia House. They include Virgil Thornton, Lilly Franklin, and Kim Pope Adams. Speaker Don Scott and his campaign chair, Dan Helmer, undertook a record fundraising effort never before seen in Virginia’s history. The moment of success for Virginia Democrats will be viewed as a positive signal for Democrats moving into the 2026 elections.