GUYS!!!! Your girl spent the day at Facebook Londons HQ and it was nothing short of amazing! The Black British Travel Meet Up team hosted their Summer All Dayer and it was certainly filled with nothing but good vibes. For those of you who do not know, the BBTMU was founded by Travel enthusiast Doyin & Hannah. Two friends who were complete strangers just a year ago (wowza Look at God).

Both ladies decided to come together to create a community for those who look like them, share the same love and zeal for Travel. BBMTU celebrates Black travel, culture and creativity, hosting workshops, events and trips for the travel community. Not to brag too much but the ladies bagged support from the Black @Facebook London Family, who are all for the BAME community getting a seat at the table.

I found out about the BBTMU through Twitter and I made sure to attend their previous event last month at the Flying Dutchman. It was far from a disappointment, so I made it my duty to come back for more. It gave me the opportunity to meet most of my Travel blogging siblings in person and connect with a few new ones. When you spend so much time speaking and reading each other’s content online, it feels a like a bit of a daze when you actually link up in person. I am fairly new to the Black British Travel community, yet I  feel as though I have been welcomed in with open arms.

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The excitement was too real for me from the moment I stepped foot in the Facebook HQ. Unlike many people, I still use my facebook and I love it, judge me if you must, lol. Our party space was filled with limitless drinks, sweets, freshly prepared food, a live DJ, games and of course, we had access to the FB rooftop. The turnout was amazing and the melanin in the place was definitely popping. Everyone was buzzing and you could certainly feel the positivity flowing through the air.

The best thing about attending these kinds of events is everyone gets a chance to network with one another. I most definitely lost count how many times I pulled out my phone to follow someone on the socials. I attended by myself for the second time because I want to get as far away from my comfort zone as possible. The BBTMU allows you to do so because you have no other choice but to break the ice and start up a conversation.

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If I had to play this game for a first class flight, there is no doubt I would have won lol!

The BBTMU events are well known for their games and let just say things did get a little wild. Shout out to the Fun Factor by Folly Fresh who provided games to keep us entertained. When the games got started, most peoples moral went straight out of the window. You would think that being inside of the Facebook HQ would have had us on our best behaviour, but that was far from the case.

Our host with the most Lola Jagun advised us that there were great prizes up for grabs, so we better be in it to win it and everyone took her by her word. It was on from there, and when we started playing human bingo all hell broke loose in the place. All I can say is I regret not polishing up on my shaku shaku, but hey better luck next time. I did not think I was that much of a competitive person, but that all changed once I got into the groove of things.

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Sadly, I did not win any prizes, but I enjoyed being a team player. I am sure everyone heard my wild distinctive laugh roaring through the room at some point. I could not keep my laugh in or my composure. Especially when it came down to the Karaoke face off finals. I completely lost the plot when Genesis and Abi (#Flightsandfeelings) went head to head for the winning crown. You really had to be there to see it first hand to understand just how dope it truly was. All I will say is Rick Ross & Vybez Kartel better give Genesis and Abi the accolades they deserve, LOL.

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I truly enjoyed my time at the Facebook HQ and I am so grateful to the BBTMU team for what they are building for us Black British Travellers. There is power in numbers when we all get together and work on one accord. The Black Travel movement in America had a heavy influence on me when I first started my Travel blog. I remember spending hours on Insta looking at my brothers and sisters across the pond taking their love for travel to the next level. The amount of pictures that I have in my saved list on insta is peaking into the hundreds. The Black Travel movement in America is inspirational and I commend them for what they have built so far. However, I am glad to now have the same community growing on home soil.

Please check out the BBTMU on the socials and be sure to follow. Do not wait till you see them blow-up and then come running back with regrets boo. Show them support and even if it is not your cup of tea, then tell a friend to tell a friend. Bringing together a group of like-minded Black people is far from easy but Doyin & Hannah make it look like a walk in the park. I believe that the Black British Travel meet up is only going to get bigger and better. I, of course, will be sticking around to watch them grow up and so should you. The ladies have created something special and I am definitely excited to see what comes next.

Check out this bomb ass chocolate drop of a picture some of the travel sisters took on Saturday, we outnumbered the Men for sure, lol. There are too many beautiful ladies to name and, so to find out who these lovely ladies click here.

Stay Blessed

Lots of Love

Jenna

xoxo