IABTW Chapter Presidents
(Area Coordinators)
(Area Coordinators)
Connie Bend, IABTW coordinator for the Jacksonville/ Northern Florida region, is the founder/
operator of Bahamas Travel with Connie Sue. (www.bahamastravelwithconniesue.com). As a personal travel
guide, she allows travelers to experience the Islands of the Bahamas and to plan their own itinerary which can
include such activities as birding, boating, dolphin explorations, family fun, festivals, fishing, golfing, island hoping,
private flying, water sports, weddings, worship or simply "chillin." Having visited almost every inhabited island,
Bend loves to write about her many Bahamian experiences. Contact the Northern Florida coordinator at
ConnieBend@blacktravelwriters.org.
Hasifa Rahman, IABTW coordinator for New York City is a freelance writer, poet and soon to be published
author of Travel Healing Therapy. A world traveller of the African Diaspora, she is a culturally and spiritually wise
woman who loves writing about the natural healing effects of different planetary locations on the human mind and
spirit. Dedicated to "Raising the Divine Feminine," Rahman believes that the significance of the feminine spirit will
have a powerful impact on the globe once the planet is fully awakened to the feminine operative that sources and
sustains life. Contact the New York coordinator at HRahman@blacktravelwriters.org.
Elaine Lee, IABTW coordinator for the San Francisco Bay area, is also a member of the advisory board (see
advisory board page for information about Lee). Contact San Francisco Bay coordinator at
ElaineLee@blacktravelwriters.org.
Miles Marshall Lewis, IABTW coordinator for Paris, France, is the author of two books related to the music
industry. He writes a monthly column for "PopMatters.com," an international magazine of thought provoking
journalism and cultural criticism. Lewis is working on his third book, The Noir Album, about the modern and
historical influence of black culture on Paris. Contact the Paris coordinator at MLewis@blacktravelwriters.org.
Vera Poitier-Chase, IABTW coordinator for the Nassau, Bahamas area, is the president of the The
Commonwealth Writers of the Bahamas (TCWB). With an in-depth knowledge about the history and culture of the
Bahamas, her writings appear in several Bahamian newspapers, and she is the author of two books of short
stories and poetry that contain information about the Bahamas. Her international travels have given her an insight
into the culture, cuisine, hospitality and tourism industries of Africa, Japan, Finland, Indonesia, Canada, England,
Ireland, United States and the Caribbean. Contact the Nassau coordinator at VPChase@blacktravelwriters.org.
Ashlea Pope, co- coordinator for the IABTW college students program, is a senior at Rutgers University in New
Jersey, majoring in economics and international relations. She wrote her first travel article for a major international
travel website about her sole journey to Puerto Rico when she was 16 years old. She studied for a semester in
Germany while in college. Fluent in Spanish and German, she has aspirations to learn at least two more
languages and to travel around the world. She is a member of the International Ecotourism Society. Contact the
college students program at AshleaPope@blacktravelwriters.org.
Joan Savory, IABTW coordinator for the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Fl. area, writes a column called Di Music Whirl
with the "Caribbean National" weekly newspaper. She also hosts The Savoury Show, a magazine-styled TV show
which features travel programs. Her specialty is covering festivals for both broadcast and print media. Contact the
Southern Florida coordinator at JoanSavory@blacktravelwriters.org.
Cordell S. Thompson, IABTW coordinator for Jamaica and the Bahamas, is a former associate editor for "Jet"
Magazine and former New York Bureau Chief for "Jet" and "Ebony" magazines, a position which entailed extensive
travel. His journalistic honors include a second place award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association
for his coverage of the Tuskegee Study, the notorious experiment on long-term effects of syphilis in
African-American men. As general manager for marketing for the Bahama's Ministry of Tourism, he has hosted
The Society of American Travel Writers, the Caribbean Music Festival, Regatta Time In Abaco and other travel and
hospitality-related events. Thompson is the Director African-American Market for the Ministry of Tourism in Atlanta.
Contact the Jamaica/ Bahamas coordinator at CThompson@blacktravelwriters.org.
Chris J. Walker, IABTW coordinator for Los Angeles, is a freelance tourism and hospitality writer. He has
written both business and leisure travel articles for magazines such as "Black Meetings & Tourism," "California
Tour & Travel," "Upscale" and "Dysonna". Additionally, he covers music, entertainment and festivals locally,
nationally and internationally for publications including "Mix", "Wired", "Downbeat", "JazzTimes", and the "Los
Angeles Newspaper." Contact the Los Angeles coordinator at CJWalker@blacktravelwriters.org.
Carey Shaemun Webster, co-coordinator for the IABTW college program, is a student at Auburn University
in alabama. He is also a motivational speaker, minister and CEO of Higher Dimensions Enterprise, a company he
founded to provide summer programs and skills workshops for youth in the community. By age 17, he was a
member of many outstanding organizations and a respected leader who was written a proclamation by the
Jefferson County Commission in Alabama for his leadership skills and community service. An honor student who
founded a gospel choir at his high school, Webster loves writing articles on travel, ministry and business tips for
youth. Contact the college program at CSWebster@blacktravelwriters.org.
Roy Williams, IABTW coordinator for the Birmingham, Al. area, is also a member of the advisory board (see
advisory board page for information about Williams). Contact Birmingham coordinator at
RWilliams@blacktravelwriters.org.
Petula R. Wright, IABTW coordinator for the Atlanta Metro, is the former associate editor of the "Atlanta Tribune:
The Magazine." She has written and edited book reviews, business and feature articles, as well as travel articles.
In addition to the "Atlanta Tribune", she has written for many publications including the "Atlanta Woman", "Atlanta
Good Life" and "Upscale" magazines. Contact the Atlanta Metro coordinator at PWright@blacktravelwriters.org.
operator of Bahamas Travel with Connie Sue. (www.bahamastravelwithconniesue.com). As a personal travel
guide, she allows travelers to experience the Islands of the Bahamas and to plan their own itinerary which can
include such activities as birding, boating, dolphin explorations, family fun, festivals, fishing, golfing, island hoping,
private flying, water sports, weddings, worship or simply "chillin." Having visited almost every inhabited island,
Bend loves to write about her many Bahamian experiences. Contact the Northern Florida coordinator at
ConnieBend@blacktravelwriters.org.
Hasifa Rahman, IABTW coordinator for New York City is a freelance writer, poet and soon to be published
author of Travel Healing Therapy. A world traveller of the African Diaspora, she is a culturally and spiritually wise
woman who loves writing about the natural healing effects of different planetary locations on the human mind and
spirit. Dedicated to "Raising the Divine Feminine," Rahman believes that the significance of the feminine spirit will
have a powerful impact on the globe once the planet is fully awakened to the feminine operative that sources and
sustains life. Contact the New York coordinator at HRahman@blacktravelwriters.org.
Elaine Lee, IABTW coordinator for the San Francisco Bay area, is also a member of the advisory board (see
advisory board page for information about Lee). Contact San Francisco Bay coordinator at
ElaineLee@blacktravelwriters.org.
Miles Marshall Lewis, IABTW coordinator for Paris, France, is the author of two books related to the music
industry. He writes a monthly column for "PopMatters.com," an international magazine of thought provoking
journalism and cultural criticism. Lewis is working on his third book, The Noir Album, about the modern and
historical influence of black culture on Paris. Contact the Paris coordinator at MLewis@blacktravelwriters.org.
Vera Poitier-Chase, IABTW coordinator for the Nassau, Bahamas area, is the president of the The
Commonwealth Writers of the Bahamas (TCWB). With an in-depth knowledge about the history and culture of the
Bahamas, her writings appear in several Bahamian newspapers, and she is the author of two books of short
stories and poetry that contain information about the Bahamas. Her international travels have given her an insight
into the culture, cuisine, hospitality and tourism industries of Africa, Japan, Finland, Indonesia, Canada, England,
Ireland, United States and the Caribbean. Contact the Nassau coordinator at VPChase@blacktravelwriters.org.
Ashlea Pope, co- coordinator for the IABTW college students program, is a senior at Rutgers University in New
Jersey, majoring in economics and international relations. She wrote her first travel article for a major international
travel website about her sole journey to Puerto Rico when she was 16 years old. She studied for a semester in
Germany while in college. Fluent in Spanish and German, she has aspirations to learn at least two more
languages and to travel around the world. She is a member of the International Ecotourism Society. Contact the
college students program at AshleaPope@blacktravelwriters.org.
Joan Savory, IABTW coordinator for the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami, Fl. area, writes a column called Di Music Whirl
with the "Caribbean National" weekly newspaper. She also hosts The Savoury Show, a magazine-styled TV show
which features travel programs. Her specialty is covering festivals for both broadcast and print media. Contact the
Southern Florida coordinator at JoanSavory@blacktravelwriters.org.
Cordell S. Thompson, IABTW coordinator for Jamaica and the Bahamas, is a former associate editor for "Jet"
Magazine and former New York Bureau Chief for "Jet" and "Ebony" magazines, a position which entailed extensive
travel. His journalistic honors include a second place award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association
for his coverage of the Tuskegee Study, the notorious experiment on long-term effects of syphilis in
African-American men. As general manager for marketing for the Bahama's Ministry of Tourism, he has hosted
The Society of American Travel Writers, the Caribbean Music Festival, Regatta Time In Abaco and other travel and
hospitality-related events. Thompson is the Director African-American Market for the Ministry of Tourism in Atlanta.
Contact the Jamaica/ Bahamas coordinator at CThompson@blacktravelwriters.org.
Chris J. Walker, IABTW coordinator for Los Angeles, is a freelance tourism and hospitality writer. He has
written both business and leisure travel articles for magazines such as "Black Meetings & Tourism," "California
Tour & Travel," "Upscale" and "Dysonna". Additionally, he covers music, entertainment and festivals locally,
nationally and internationally for publications including "Mix", "Wired", "Downbeat", "JazzTimes", and the "Los
Angeles Newspaper." Contact the Los Angeles coordinator at CJWalker@blacktravelwriters.org.
Carey Shaemun Webster, co-coordinator for the IABTW college program, is a student at Auburn University
in alabama. He is also a motivational speaker, minister and CEO of Higher Dimensions Enterprise, a company he
founded to provide summer programs and skills workshops for youth in the community. By age 17, he was a
member of many outstanding organizations and a respected leader who was written a proclamation by the
Jefferson County Commission in Alabama for his leadership skills and community service. An honor student who
founded a gospel choir at his high school, Webster loves writing articles on travel, ministry and business tips for
youth. Contact the college program at CSWebster@blacktravelwriters.org.
Roy Williams, IABTW coordinator for the Birmingham, Al. area, is also a member of the advisory board (see
advisory board page for information about Williams). Contact Birmingham coordinator at
RWilliams@blacktravelwriters.org.
Petula R. Wright, IABTW coordinator for the Atlanta Metro, is the former associate editor of the "Atlanta Tribune:
The Magazine." She has written and edited book reviews, business and feature articles, as well as travel articles.
In addition to the "Atlanta Tribune", she has written for many publications including the "Atlanta Woman", "Atlanta
Good Life" and "Upscale" magazines. Contact the Atlanta Metro coordinator at PWright@blacktravelwriters.org.
Area Coordinators
The following members have begun chartering chapters in their areas:
Daiyyah Abdullah, IABTW coordinator for the Washington, D.C. area, is also a member of
the advisory board (see advisory board page for information about Abdullah). Contact the
Washington, DC coordinator at DAbdullah@blacktravelwriters.org.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin, IABTW coordinator for the Kansas City, Missouri area, is a Senior
Travel Writer for SoulOfAmerica.com, the leading Afrocentric travel website. She is also a
national travel columnist on African-American travel, her features published as Ebony
Escapes! for the New York Amsterdam News,. Her travel and other features, personal profiles,
restaurant reviews and other articles have appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines,
travel books, city guides, websites and other media sources. Lysa has been quoted in USA
Today for her travel experiences, and appeared as a domestic and international travel panelist
on “Empowering Yourself to Become a Better Traveler” on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Contact the Missouri coordinator at LBaldwin@blacktravelwriters.org.
The following members have begun chartering chapters in their areas:
Daiyyah Abdullah, IABTW coordinator for the Washington, D.C. area, is also a member of
the advisory board (see advisory board page for information about Abdullah). Contact the
Washington, DC coordinator at DAbdullah@blacktravelwriters.org.
Lysa Allman-Baldwin, IABTW coordinator for the Kansas City, Missouri area, is a Senior
Travel Writer for SoulOfAmerica.com, the leading Afrocentric travel website. She is also a
national travel columnist on African-American travel, her features published as Ebony
Escapes! for the New York Amsterdam News,. Her travel and other features, personal profiles,
restaurant reviews and other articles have appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines,
travel books, city guides, websites and other media sources. Lysa has been quoted in USA
Today for her travel experiences, and appeared as a domestic and international travel panelist
on “Empowering Yourself to Become a Better Traveler” on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Contact the Missouri coordinator at LBaldwin@blacktravelwriters.org.
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Kadija (George) Sesay, IABTW coordinator for England, is a literary activist and publisher/ managing editor
of SABLE, a literary magazine based in Europe. She co-ordinates the SABLE Writers HotSpot which organises
professional development trips for writers and other artsists abroad. She is a George Bell Fellow and the General
Secretary for African Writers Abroad (PEN) and the series editor for Inscribe, an imprint for Peepal Tree Press. She
has received a Cosmopolitan Woman of Achievement Award (1994), Candace Woman of Achievement Award
(1996), The Voice Community Award for Literature (1999) and has been nominated as a Woman of the Year by the
Millennium Festival of Women's Work (2000). She was a Vilar Fellow at The John F. Kennedy Center for
Performing Arts 2001-2002. Contact the England coordinator at Kadijageorge@blacktravelwriters.org
of SABLE, a literary magazine based in Europe. She co-ordinates the SABLE Writers HotSpot which organises
professional development trips for writers and other artsists abroad. She is a George Bell Fellow and the General
Secretary for African Writers Abroad (PEN) and the series editor for Inscribe, an imprint for Peepal Tree Press. She
has received a Cosmopolitan Woman of Achievement Award (1994), Candace Woman of Achievement Award
(1996), The Voice Community Award for Literature (1999) and has been nominated as a Woman of the Year by the
Millennium Festival of Women's Work (2000). She was a Vilar Fellow at The John F. Kennedy Center for
Performing Arts 2001-2002. Contact the England coordinator at Kadijageorge@blacktravelwriters.org