This International Women’s Day, as the world celebrates the autonomy, achievements, and aspirations of women, these five extraordinary leaders are shaping the intersections of fashion, travel, sustainability, and culture. Across the global Black diaspora, powerful voices are emerging, leading movements that embrace innovation, inclusivity, and impact. These women are not only trailblazers, but also setting new standards for what it means to create, cultivate and thrive.
1. Meryanne Loum-Martin, Owner of Jnane Tamsna and Founder of The Diaspora Salon (Marrakech, Morocco)
Meryanne Loum-Martin is a pioneering hotelier, cultural curator, and changemaker whose influence extends far beyond the walls of her boutique hotel, Jnane Tamsna, in Marrakech. As Morocco’s first Black female hotelier, Loum-Martin transformed her ten-acre estate into a sanctuary for creativity, cultural exchange, and intellectual discourse. More than just a hotel, Jnane Tamsna serves as a cultural hub where Nobel laureates, Booker Prize winners, and creative visionaries gather for retreats, literary readings, and art exhibitions.
Her latest initiative, The Diaspora Salon, is an annual celebration of Black excellence from across the globe. The inaugural event, held in February 2025, brought together creatives, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and allies to explore wealth-building, cultural storytelling, and community impact through the lens of the African diaspora. The event featured panel discussions, artistic performances, and immersive experiences that highlighted the resilience, beauty, and creativity of Black culture. The Diaspora Salon’s long-term vision is to foster a global network of emerging visionaries, providing mentorship, financial support, and opportunities to create lasting legacies within their communities.
Loum-Martin’s work extends into advocacy for cultural preservation and sustainable tourism. As a former board member of the Marrakech Biennale, she played a key role in promoting Marrakech as a global cultural hub, bridging international artists with local communities. Through her unwavering hospitality and cultural initiatives, she continues to set a high standard for legacy-building rooted in both experience design and social impact.
2. Vimbai Masiyiwa, Co-Founder and CEO of Batoka Hospitality (Zimbabwe)
Vimbai Masiyiwa is at the forefront of eco-luxury tourism in Africa through her transformative work with Batoka Hospitality. Masiyiwa seamlessly blends high-end travel with a deep-rooted commitment to community development and sustainability through the brand. Operating from the breathtaking Zambezi Sands in Zimbabwe, Batoka Hospitality offers guests more than just a luxury retreat; it provides an opportunity to engage with local communities through enriching educational and cultural experiences.
Masiyiwa champions a holistic approach to leadership, aligning her team’s wellbeing with sustainable practices that benefit the surrounding communities. Her company also prioritizes economic opportunities for women by integrating the work of local artisans and supporting female-led businesses. Beyond her entrepreneurial ventures, Masiyiwa serves on the Global Advisory Board for One Young World, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing other young leaders that are fostering global change. Her work sets a benchmark for how travel can become a catalyst for cultural exchange, economic empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
3. Diarra Bousso, Founder of DIARRABLU (Dakar, Senegal)
Diarra Bousso, a designer, mathematician, and entrepreneur, has long been a trailblazer in the fashion industry with her brand, DIARRABLU. Her latest initiative, the VOYAGE campaign, builds on that influence, creating an evolving movement where each chapter draws new inspiration from global destinations. Bousso’s innovative approach includes using mathematical algorithms and AI-driven designs to create eco-conscious collections, cutting waste by over 60%.
Her designs are digitally rendered and made-to-order within 72 hours, demonstrating the seamless fusion of technology and sustainability in luxury fashion. Bousso’s work isn’t only about aesthetics but also about storytelling—each collection weaves in narratives from the places that inspire them, offering consumers a deeper connection to their clothing. The VOYAGE campaign has already celebrated destinations like Marrakech and Dakar, with plans to expand into other culturally rich locales.
Beyond fashion, Bousso is a thought leader in sustainability, delivering a TED talk on the subject and pushing the boundaries of what is possible through the integration of technology and tradition. Bousso’s dedication to inclusivity shines through DIARRABLU’s offerings, which feature extended sizes and customizable options, ensuring that the brand celebrates diverse body types and personal expression.
4. Evita Robinson, Founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe (New York, USA)
Evita Robinson is a dynamic force in the world of travel, known for reshaping the narrative around Black travelers and promoting diversity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange on a global scale. She is the founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe, a community of over 20,000 members that champions safe and enriching travel experiences for people of color. The Tribe, often regarded as a movement, has created a vibrant space for Black travelers to share stories, insights, and resources, helping to build a global network of adventurers.
Robinson’s influence extends beyond the digital realm with Nomadness Fest, a groundbreaking event designed for BIPOC travelers. The festival brings together travel enthusiasts and industry leaders to explore diverse aspects of travel, including wellness, culinary exploration, adventure, and luxury experiences. More than just a tourism event, the fest fosters meaningful connections and broadens the travel-based storytelling by amplifying voices and experiences that have long been marginalized.
Her TED Talk, Reclaiming The Globe, underscores her mission to increase visibility and representation of Black travelers in the industry. Robinson not only opens doors for travelers of color but also educates the broader community on the value of diversity and inclusion in global travel. Her work is proof that travel is more than a leisure activity—it’s a tool for education, cultural diplomacy, and personal growth. Through Nomadness Travel Tribe and Nomadness Fest, Robinson is shaping a future defined by exploration, empowerment, and the celebration of Black culture around the world.
5. Jessica Nabongo, Author of The Catch Me If You Can (Kampala, Uganda)
Jessica Nabongo is a trailblazer in the travel industry and the first Black woman to visit every country in the world. Her book, The Catch Me If You Can, chronicles her extraordinary journey and offers readers rich insights into the diverse cultures of the world’s 195 countries. Nabongo’s storytelling invites audiences to explore the globe with intention and deep reverence, promoting ethical tourism practices that uplift local communities.
Nabongo’s influence extends beyond her travel memoir, she is also a speaker and advocate for diversity in travel media. Through her platform, Nabongo shines a light on destinations often overlooked by mainstream tourism, championing more inclusive representation within the industry. Her philosophy of travel as a tool for education and empathy aligns with a broader movement towards sustainable and responsible tourism.
Nabongo is also a philanthropist, collaborating with organizations that focus on education, women’s rights, and community development. Through her travels and storytelling, she is reshaping global perceptions of Black travelers and challenging traditional narratives about who gets to explore the world.
These women are more than innovators and iconoclasts in their respective fields—they are architects of a new paradigm in culture, travel, and leisure. This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate their contributions, not just for breaking barriers but for paving new pathways of possibility.