Five Questions About Race, Answered by Black Tourism Professionals
This video featuring Black executives from destination marketing organizations across the country premiered during Destinations International's annual conference on July 14, 2020.
Following the death of George Floyd and the overwhelming response nationwide, seven Black executives from destination marketing organizations across the country — including Travel Portland’s Chief Sales Officer James Jessie — produced a video to share the Black male perspective and encourage an open dialogue about race and racism in the tourism industry. Running 8 minutes and 38 seconds, the video takes less time to view than the 8 minutes and 46 seconds that George Floyd had a knee on his neck when he was murdered on May 25, 2020.
The first step in making meaningful and lasting change is the acknowledgement that these inequities exist and are prevalent in our industry and society.
James Jessie, Chief Sales Officer, Travel Portland
According to data from The Washington Post, Black Americans are killed by police at a rate of more than twice that for white Americans. Since 2015, 96% of Black Americans killed by the police have been male.
“The first step in making meaningful and lasting change is the acknowledgement that these inequities exist and are prevalent in our industry and society. Yet, this is only where the journey begins. It must be followed with a dialogue resulting in changes we will all make today and hold ourselves accountable to tomorrow to ensure a brighter future for Black men and women in America.” – James Jessie, Chief Sales Officer, Travel Portland
“Five Questions About Race” debuted at Destinations International’s 2020 Annual Convention on July 14.
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