Redefining Hospitality As A Cultural Movement

Redefining Hospitality As A Cultural Movement

1. Meryanne Loum-Martin, Owner of Jnane Tamsna and Founder of The Diaspora Salon in 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.

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.

Merging Luxury, Sustainability And Community Empowerment

Merging Luxury, Sustainability And Community Empowerment

2. Vimbai Masiyiwa, Co-Founder and CEO of Batoka Hospitality in 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.

Where Fashion, Math, and Technology Converge

Where Fashion, Math, and Technology Converge

3. Diarra Bousso, Founder of DIARRABLU in 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.

Transforming Travel Into a Movement For Inclusion

Transforming Travel Into a Movement For Inclusion

4. Evita Robinson, Founder of Nomadness Travel Tribe in New York

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.

Changing the Face of Global Exploration

Changing the Face of Global Exploration

5. Jessica Nabongo, Author of he Catch Me If You Can in Kampala, Uganda

Jessica Nabongo is a trailblazer in the travel industry and the first Black woman to visit every country in the world.

Conclusion

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.

FAQs

• What is the main theme of the article?
  The main theme of the article is the impact of five women leaders in the fields of hospitality, fashion, travel, and sustainability, who are redefining the norms and creating new pathways for cultural exchange, inclusivity, and community empowerment.
• What are some of the key initiatives and projects highlighted in the article?
  Some of the key initiatives and projects highlighted in the article include Meryanne Loum-Martin’s The Diaspora Salon, Vimbai Masiyiwa’s Batoka Hospitality, Diarra Bousso’s VOYAGE campaign, Evita Robinson’s Nomadness Travel Tribe, and Jessica Nabongo’s travel memoir, The Catch Me If You Can.
• What is the connection between the five women featured in the article?
  The connection between the five women is their shared commitment to creating positive change in their respective fields and industries, whether through sustainable tourism, inclusive fashion, or empowering travel experiences. They are all redefining the norms and creating new pathways for cultural exchange, inclusivity, and community empowerment.

Uncertainty in the Workplace: 5 Strategies to Steady Yourself

A few days ago, I spoke with a senior executive grappling with uncertainty. After nearly two decades of steady career progression, he suddenly found himself in limbo. His company, once an industry leader, had been acquired, and leadership changes were unfolding at a dizzying pace. His role was being restructured, and while he wasn’t immediately out of a job, the future felt anything but certain.

Create Predictability Where You Can

When external events feel chaotic, creating structure in your daily life is essential. Research by Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading expert on positive psychology, shows that small daily habits can significantly improve our emotional resilience. Establishing routines—whether it’s a morning walk, a structured work schedule, or a weekly check-in with a mentor—can provide a sense of control in an otherwise unpredictable world. For example, during previous economic downturns, leaders who maintained consistent routines—such as daily planning sessions or team check-ins—reported feeling more grounded and capable of making sound decisions under pressure.

Anchor in Self-Certainty, Not Situational Certainty

In times of uncertainty, we can’t always count on external stability, but we can count on ourselves. This is a core theme in The Courage Gap, where I explore how developing self-certainty—the ability to trust in your own strengths, values, and ability to navigate uncertainty—is essential to thriving in unpredictable times.

Focus on What You Can Control

Uncertainty fuels anxiety, in large part because our minds fixate on what we can’t control. However, studies have shown that individuals with a strong internal locus of control—those who focus on what they can influence—experience lower stress levels and higher adaptability.

Make Decisions Based on The Future You Want, Not What You Fear

Fear is a terrible strategist. When we make decisions based on what we want to avoid rather than what we want to create, we end up playing small, avoiding risks, and staying stuck.

Treat Emotions as Signals, Not Commands

Uncertainty triggers strong emotions—fear, frustration, anxiety. But as Susan David, author of Emotional Agility, explains – emotions are data, not directives. Neuroscience research has shown that stress impairs the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for logical decision-making. If we react impulsively to our emotions, we risk making fear-based choices rather than wise ones.

Conclusion

When uncertainty runs high, fear can hijack our thinking, making the present feel permanent rather than just one chapter in a much larger story. Yet as unsettling as this moment feels, it will pass—just as every period of upheaval before it has. Markets will stabilize, industries will adapt, and new opportunities will emerge. Those who navigate uncertainty best aren’t the ones resisting change or consumed by fear or doom-scrolling 24/7. Rather they are those who are proactively taking actions that will position them best to seize opportunities that always emerge from such times.

FAQs

• Q: How can I deal with uncertainty in the workplace?
  A: Create predictability by establishing routines, focus on what you can control, and make decisions based on the future you want, not what you fear.
• Q: How can I overcome fear and uncertainty?
  A: Treat emotions as signals, not commands, and develop self-certainty by trusting in your own strengths, values, and ability to navigate uncertainty.
• Q: What can I do to prepare for the future?
  A: Take intentional action, focus on what you can control, and create a plan for the future you want.

How to Talk About Sex in the Workplace

When you think of sex education, the easiest trope to reach for is condoms on bananas. And even that might make you ask, is that appropriate for the workplace? But sexual health goes far beyond fruit and prophylaxis. Having a well-rounded, nuanced, and appropriate approach can improve the well-being of your team.

Celebrate National Sexual Health and Wellbeing Days

Celebrating health-related awareness days such as Mental Health Day in October has become more common. These are always incredibly useful calendar moments to bring attention to the different needs of your team. Sexual health and wellbeing-related days throughout the year, such as STI Awareness Day and World Contraception Day, can also be marked. "Sexual wellbeing should have the same priority as mental and physical wellbeing, and ensuring your celebrations around national days are inclusive to all genders, sexualities, and identities is also key," suggests Dee Whitnell.

Encourage Sexual Health Testing and Conversations

It can be difficult for people to get tested and keep on top of their sexual wellbeing with work and family commitments. But your business could provide resources for staff such as information on local sexual health clinics they can use or guides on different STIs and ways of having safer sex. "You could also bring in sex educators and sexual health providers to educate staff on their sexual wellbeing and provide free sexual health testing kits to remind staff that there is no shame in sexual wellbeing and getting tested," says Whitnell. Whitnell also advocates for policies that enable staff to take time away from their desk to visit a clinic or to pick up medication, whether that’s about finding adequate coverage or offering flexible hours.

Providing Menstruation Products in All Staff Bathrooms and Talking Openly About Periods

"Regardless of what bathroom, including menstrual products in all bathrooms creates a positive atmosphere around periods and shows solidarity to those who may need a menstrual product but are using the ‘men’s’ bathroom," Whitnell recommends. This can also allow staff to open up about menstruation issues they may have, meaning employers and leaders can provide better support to those who may experience chronic pain during their periods or may need to seek further help from their GP and local sexual health clinic.

Lend an Ear

It’s not just up to management, everyone at work can play a role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. Whitnell sets out how a staff member receiving a diagnosis of any kind, whether an STI or another health condition, can take a mental toll on them. Sometimes simply listening to the colleague and signposting additional resources can make a huge difference. "It’s vital not to ask probing or inappropriate questions, allow the staff member to lead the conversation and divulge as much as they feel comfortable with," says Whitnell.

Share Resources Around Sexual Health

No matter where we work, we have a version of an intranet. Whether that’s a custom-built one, Slack, or just a Whatsapp group, maybe it’s a newsletter or a group chat? You could dedicate a section of this to discussing sexual health and wellbeing topics outside of national holidays – to remind staff that looking after their sexual health and wellbeing is a 24/7 thing. This could mean including links to recent sexual health studies or news articles or bringing in a sex educator to share resources on a specific topic that may be of discussion in the workplace. "The more we talk about sexual health, the more comfortable and confident people will be when/if an issue arises," Whitnell adds.

Conclusion

Implementing these strategies can help create a more inclusive and supportive work environment, where employees feel comfortable discussing their sexual health and wellbeing. By celebrating national days, encouraging testing and conversations, providing resources, and lending an ear, you can help your team thrive.

FAQs

• What are some ways to promote sexual health in the workplace?
  • Celebrate national sexual health and wellbeing days
  • Encourage sexual health testing and conversations
  • Provide resources for staff, such as information on local sexual health clinics
  • Lend an ear and provide support to staff members
• How can I create a more inclusive work environment?
  • Provide menstrual products in all staff bathrooms
  • Talk openly about periods and menstruation
  • Share resources around sexual health and wellbeing
• What is the importance of discussing sexual health in the workplace?
  • It can help create a more inclusive and supportive work environment
  • It can help reduce stigma around sexual health and wellbeing
  • It can provide resources and support to staff members