After ten years of journey, meals, and tradition storytelling, HDYTI is evolving right into a digital journal—increasing its group, imaginative and prescient, and world voices.
A Love Undertaking That Turned So A lot Extra…
When Omo and I launched Hey! Dip Your Toes In (HDYTI) in 2015, it was meant to be a love mission. My dad had requested if we’d ever write a ebook or begin a weblog. We selected the weblog—and with it, a sort of shared diary of our travels, meals discoveries, and the realities of navigating the world as Black travellers.
We couldn’t have imagined then how far this platform would take us. Alongside the best way, we’ve spoken on world levels, labored with a whole lot of manufacturers, and had absolutely the delight of entering into tv—filming two seasons of an episodic sequence referred to as The Three Drinkers on Amazon Prime. We have been additionally featured on a present with Jamie Oliver, one of many world’s most recognisable cooks. Every of those moments was thrilling, new, and deeply humbling—a reminder that HDYTI has at all times been larger than simply us.
Shifts, Seasons, and New Roles
However life has shifted. Lately, Omo and I don’t journey collectively as usually. His profession in IT is flourishing, and I’ve stepped extra deeply into thought management and journey govt roles.
I presently function COO of the Black Journey Summit, a worldwide convention and platform that celebrates the African diaspora’s influence on journey and tourism. On this function, I oversee operations alongside our CEO and assist lead a group of twenty-two. Collectively, we form partnerships, programming, and group experiences on a world scale.
I additionally function Director of Operations for the Black Journey Alliance, an organisation advocating for higher illustration of Black voices within the journey trade. With a group of 9, we collaborate with manufacturers around the globe to strengthen collective influence by way of analysis, advocacy, and significant partnerships.
Household commitments, profession progress, and the need to generally journey only for us—with out the stress of name campaigns—have all formed how we take into consideration HDYTI’s future.
Getting into a New Chapter
So what does that imply for you, our HDYTI household?
It means change. And with change comes progress.
I’m entering into the function of Editor-in-Chief of HDYTI, guiding our evolution right into a digital journal. This new chapter is about greater than rebranding—it’s about widening the circle. My focus is on mentoring contributors, shaping the editorial voice, and constructing a platform the place world storytellers can share views on journey, meals, and tradition. Peruse our most up-to-date tales, and also you’ll discover their voices protecting all the pieces from native occasions to world journey.
And Omo? He’s nonetheless right here too—taking up the function of Editor of chosen verticals (we’ll unveil these quickly). His voice and perspective will proceed to form the platform, at the same time as his skilled path takes him in new instructions. Collectively, we stay the co-founders of HDYTI—simply with roles that make sense for this season of life.
Trying Forward: Filming, Meals, and Contemporary Views
What excites me most is what’s subsequent. Behind the scenes, I’m working with movie crews on tasks with locations around the globe—telling wealthy, layered tales of meals tradition and id. A few of these will hook up with my very own heritage within the Deep South of the USA, weaving household historical past into world narratives. These larger-scale productions imply constructing new groups, embracing new methods of working, and carving out area for creativity at a complete new degree.
And sure, we’re refreshing our look. A brand new HDYTI model id is coming this 12 months, with up to date visuals and verticals that replicate the breadth of what we’ve develop into.
On the Coronary heart of It All: Neighborhood
On the coronary heart of all this alteration, although, is one thing that hasn’t shifted: our dedication to group. From the start, HDYTI has been about amplifying voices, creating area for tales that matter, and constructing connection by way of tradition. In instances like these, group feels extra essential than ever.
So right here we’re: ten years later, entering into a brand new chapter. We’re nonetheless travelling, nonetheless telling tales, however with extra voices, extra layers, and extra surprises forward.
Thanks for being with us each step of the best way. You’ve carried us this far, and I can’t wait to share what comes subsequent.
