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5 Amazing Black-owned Travel Companies to Know and Support

“Travel has changed my life. And just when I think it can’t get any better, it does.”

The second time Zim Flores ever traveled internationally, it was an across-the-world move to India . Landing a fellowship post-college in the South Asian country, the then-20-something sold everything she owned and made the life-changing leap. But what she discovered when she arrived was jarring: India’s fixation with fair skin. Flores first got a glimpse into this color complex while in Delhi, when she saw a commercial for a skin-lightening cream, advertising dark-skinned complexions as something to conceal.

This was coupled with the fact that she rarely, if ever, encountered someone who looked like her during her travels. “I had been living in India and traveling frequently around Southeast Asia , and never ran into someone who looked like me doing the same thing,” Flores, who spent a little over a year in the region, told Travel + Leisure .

Though tarnished, this still-transformative trip inspired Flores to change the narrative — to find a way to amplify Black travel experiences .

“Living and working in India afforded me the luxury of frequent and inexpensive travel. In addition to close proximity to other Asian countries, I was jetting to new destinations monthly — for as little as $8 for a one-way flight,” said Flores. “I believed instead of being the subject, someone who looked like me could be the traveler…so, I set out to create a place for Black travelers to connect and explore new boundaries.” And in 2013, Travel Noire was born.

According to a 2018 study by Mandala Research , African Americans spend nearly $63 billion on travel annually. Showcasing this representation, Travel Noire launched as a space for Black travelers to be seen and share their stories, providing tools, resources, inspiration, and eventually even guided tours. “I simply wanted to create a company that spoke to the unique experiences that I encountered while traveling,” said Flores, who served as the CEO until 2017, when she sold the company to Blavity, where it continues its mission to serve as a platform for Black millennials.

Flores is still known and celebrated as a powerful voice and presence in the travel space. When asked what it means to her to be a traveler of color, The Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, who has racked up quite a few passport stamps over the years, said, “It means that I am a cultural asset. The world is informed by Black culture — in clothes, in music, in art. I am proud, but I am also aware. I’m aware of my privilege as an African. And then as an African born in America. And as a Black person. These are all very different and carry with [them] different nuances. So, I carry these many identities with me as I travel around the world.”

And with that often comes challenges. “There are many who will mistake Black skin for dirt. There are people who have put their hands in my hair,” said Flores. “It’s getting the awkward stares when I fly in business class. It’s being denied a taxi because of the color of my skin. Then there are experiences of my friends who have been called immigrants, prostitutes, thugs, and thieves. You name it, we know it. I often have to dress nice enough for [people] to know that I have money, but not too nice so that I’m not a target. It can be an exhausting line to dance around, but when you travel as often as I have, you recognize that it’s part of the territory.”

But her relationship with travel remains strong. “I love the way [travel] challenges me to be a better person. For the way that it inspires me to dream. For the way my mind creates new worlds as a result of it. Travel has changed my life. And just when I think it can’t get any better, it does,” she said. As a travel expert — one that is tapped into the latest trends — we asked Flores to share some of her favorite Black-owned travel companies to know and support.

The Wind Collective

The Wind Collective hosts group trips that offer a mix of creativity, adventure, and cultural immersion. Travelers can choose from a variety of themes including nature, wildlife, food, culture, and nautical experiences. “What Clé and his team are doing for travel and travel content is nothing short of remarkable. Some of the most breathtaking imagery I've ever seen.”

Dipaways specializes in coordinating private and group getaways. “This brand was started by a former Travel Noire experience designer, Chadricks. He is a master at experience design — so much so that Dipaways has grown exponentially in a matter of months. He has a knack for bringing good people together. If you find yourself on this trip, you won't regret it.”

Airfordable

Drawing from her own experience of struggling to buy expensive airline tickets to visit her family in Ghana, Ama Marfo co-founded Airfordable to make travel more accessible.“They allow you to split up the cost of your flights into payment plans. I had a family friend of ours use this to fly their family of six out to France for our wedding."

Curiocity is “a network of African-designed hostels rooted in community," with locations in Cape Town and Johannesburg. "I’ve had the pleasure of staying at their Johannesburg hostel several times over the years and we’ve partnered with them to create unique experiences.”

Siviwe Tours

“ Siviwe is an inbound operator that I’ve worked with for many years. [They] specialize in guided experiences through Langa, Cape Town’s oldest township." Founded and owned by Siviwe Mbinda, a Langa local, Siviwe aims to share the culture of Langa with a wider audience, employ local residents, and support grassroots initiatives. "Much of what I know about South Africa is because of him.”

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Pur Noire Winery Is Changing The Way We Think About Wine

By Shelby Stewart January 26, 2022

Inside Pur Noire's Urban Winery.

Image: Corlon Evans of Foundry House Media

A trip to Europe in 2016 turned Houston couple Carissa and Kenneth Stephens from novice wine drinkers to full-blown oenophiles. The Stephens journeyed to Italy and stayed in a small, unassuming town called Todi , where their love for wine grew even deeper. Among a community of natives, the Stephens broke bread and bore witness to how wine could truly bring a community together.   

The duo's deepened love for fine wines and close community led the Stephens to build their own wine brand and winery, right in the heart of Houston. The urban winery and tasting room is dubbed Pur Noire, as a nod to Carissa’s creole roots, and translates to "Pure Black." The company name is a double entendre of sorts, as the couple didn’t know many other Black-owned wine brands, and the duo wanted to make that a large part of their identity as business owners. 

The storefront, located at 802 Milam, is bringing enology and custom-blend wines to downtown. The couple hopes they can spread knowledge to those who may be unfamiliar and are interested in learning more about the world of wines, from the sweet whites to the full-bodied reds.   

Champagne at Pur Noire, in Downtown Houston.

Image: Pur Noire/Carissa Stephens

"We have amazing wines, and our goal is to really bridge the gap. We’re taking away the pretentiousness of wine," Carissa explains, citing the wine knowledge patrons receive at Pur Noire. "Every day someone walks into this tasting room, they might know something about wines, they might not know anything. But they’re leaving feeling empowered." 

The brand, which launched in March 2020, was met with many obstacles to overcome. The COVID-19 pandemic halted the Stephens in their tracks, pivoting their planned in-person launch to a virtual setting. According to Kenneth, the naming of the brand was in tandem with what he calls the “Black Awakening Period,” referencing the death of George Floyd and the height of the social justice movement. 

Despite facing those hardships, as an emerging Black-owned business, the Stephens persevered. The couple recalls at the peak of the pandemic, people across the nation were ordering liquor from home, which was a beneficial opportunity for them. The couple managed to sell out of their red blend in less than five months, which was roughly four months after its release. 

You’ll also find that the wine’s label art is also indicative of African history, as the label's design is Egyptian-themed. 

"We need something strong. I wanted art that was distinctive, and memorable; that could potentially be a centerpiece for your dining room table," Carissa says, beaming about the historic undertones of the brand. She explains that ancient Egyptians were among the first to perfect wine practices, which is a nugget of history she feels more people should know about. 

"I think most cultures can feel some type of connection or if nothing else, and enthusiasm or interest in the first modern civilization being in ancient Egypt, so that was important."

Each of the eight original wines Pur Noire carries all have their own label design, all of which personify the taste of the wine. Their Old Vine Zinfandel showcases a woman meditating, in a zen position , and their Pur Epiphany pictures Queen Nefertiti on the bottle.

The couple wants their customers' experience to emulate their experience in Italy, and it’s done with the help of their knowledgable sommeliers, who bring decades of expertise to the table, plus the relaxing ambiance of the tasting room, which is decked out in bold greens, ruby red, and sophisticated black decor. The tasting room seats 30 comfortably, making it the ideal destination for date night. 

"We accept all walks of life, and we want everyone to know more about wines," the couple explains. "Pur Noire was built on love, and we really want to share that with the city."

Pur Noire is located in Downtown Houston, at 802 Milam St Suite 103. Walk-ins are welcomed and reservations are suggested. For more information, visit their website . 

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We realized that wine brought people together and enhanced their experiences. We wanted to do that for people.

– The Stephens

In 2014, Carissa and Kenneth Stephens decided to “splurge” and buy a nice bottle of wine. After speaking with a sommelier, they opted for a Pinotage as it was vinted and imported by companies owned by people of color. They found this interesting as they had not heard of minority-owned wine brands. After tasting the wine, the two were smitten. They began expanding their palates and deepening their passion for wine.

A year later, they traveled to Italy, one of their favorite wine regions, and had the pleasure of pairing great Italian food with excellent Italian wine, including some of the best Barolo and Chianti Classico that they’d ever tasted. Sipping glasses of fruit-forward Chianti Classico while being enchanted by the magic of the Venetian atmosphere and the beauty of the Tuscan landscape created an experience so sublime that it resonated within their spirits. These unforgettable experiences deepened their passion for wine and piqued their interest in the wine industry.

In 2017, they were approached by an entrepreneur about an opportunity to be part owners in a luxury wine club that was sponsored by an iconic media brand. Despite being extremely excited to be involved in the launch of a business in the wine industry, putting up their capital, and publicly promoting the brand, they found themselves disappointed in the quality of the wine as well as the club’s overall operations. They gave up their interest in the company and nearly decided to forgo the wine industry altogether.

However, a little over a year later, the two decided to pull away from their personal entrepreneurial ventures to work together and develop their own wine brand. They knew that they wanted to create high-quality wine and combine it with memorable experiences. If they could create wines and experiences that helped give others that feeling that they experienced in Italy, they knew the company would be a success.

After selecting the varietals, vineyards, and consulting winemaker they decided on the name Pur Noire to pay homage to Carissa’s French Creole roots and they began producing The Pur Collection. The collection would feature a complex Petite Sirah based blend, Pinot Gris & Sauv Blanc blend, and Tempranillo Rosé. They planned to release their first vintage of the Pur Collection on March 21, 2020, at a grand wine release soirée for 150 guests that had completely sold out by March 1, 2020.

Unfortunately, by March 16, 2020, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, both the CDC and former president issued guidelines limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. Also, many local government officials issued stay at home orders. It appeared that once again, the Stephens’ wine venture would be short-lived.

After much debate and careful consideration, they decided to launch the brand despite the global pandemic. They pivoted from an in-person wine release soirée to a virtual launch event and experienced great success! They nearly sold out of their proprietary Red Blend in their first 90 days of operation.

Although the pandemic did not initially allow them to create the kind of experiences they originally envisioned, the quality of the wine was praised by customers and industry professionals.

In November of 2021, they opened the city of Houston’s first Black-owned winery and tasting room to raving reviews and major press. Since then, Pur Noire has been highlighted by ESSENCE, Good Morning America, Yahoo, Eater, the Houston Chronicle, Houstonia Magazine, Travel Noire and more. The portfolio has grown from 3 wines to 9 wines and the wines have won numerous gold medals in International wine competitions and garnered 90+ point scores. In 2022, Pur Noire received the Innovator of the Year/ Who Got Next Award from HUE Society.

With persistence, and a commitment to quality and excellence, the Pur Noire brand has grown sustainably and continues to reach new heights with each new season. Pur Noire is proud to present the City of Houston’s first Black-Owned winery & tasting room. As a direct-to-consumer winery, Pur Noire ships their beautiful wines to customers in 42 states across the country. “It is our pleasure to provide our customers with award-winning wines and unforgettable experiences.” Enjoy Pur Noire today!

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Experience: Pur Noire Wine Tasting – Houston, TX

Some menu items and experiences may vary. Please check directly with the featured business for most most up-to-date information.

Downtown Houston welcomes its first Black-owned winery and tasting room at Pur Noire Urban Wineries.

I first tried Pur Noire during a Black-owned wine tasting hosted by OST Liquor, Third Ward’s Black-owned liquor and wine store. You know I love a good wine tasting , so I made plans to visit Pur Noire’s newly opened winery and tasting room to get more familiar.

The space is pretty intimate and perfect for dates and small group gatherings. It’s close to most of the happenings in downtown Houston, including our theater district. Pre-show wine tasting, anyone?

They do not serve food in the tasting room, but it’s located near several downtown Houston restaurants and food halls – plan accordingly!

The Wine Tasting Experience

Pur Noire Urban Wineries offers three wine tasting packages to suit your preferences:

• The Pur Collection Tasting – a guided tasting of their Rose, (1) white wine and (2) red wines from their Pur Collection by Pur Noire label ($30/person)
• The Reds Tasting – a guided tasting of their red wines plus a port-style dessert wine ($35/person)
• The Grand Flight – the most comprehensive tasting that includes (6) wine varietals. ($40/person)

We booked the Grand Flight and enjoyed six generous pours while the Pur Noire Ambassadors walked us through the brand’s journey and wine making process.

I enjoyed all of the wines, as well as the story of how Pur Noire owners Carissa and Kenneth Stephens journeyed from wine enthusiasts to Black vintners.

When we completed our tasting, the staff quickly went over the membership offers. Membership is highly encouraged if you’d like to visit the members-only lounge, order any wine by the glass, or attend their exclusive events.

This didn’t detract from the overall experience, but I hope they’ll consider expanding non-member offerings in the future. It would have been nice to enjoy a glass or bottle of our favorite wine without having to commit to a monthly membership.

After our tasting, I went home with one bottle of Célébrer ($39), but I ended up ordering two more bottles as well as a bottle of State of Zin from their online store , because they were that good.

Maybe I should have gotten the membership after all…

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed the Pur Noire wine tasting! This is a great activity to add to your “ Things to Do in Houston ” list! Stop by the tasting room and tell them Raquel Seymone at Black Girl Meets World sent you. Enjoy responsibly!

Want to keep up with my Black Girl Meets World adventures? Follow me on Instagram (click any of the images below) and subscribe to my Black Girl Meets World newsletter.

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