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Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice!

by Nadeen
November 19, 2019
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Black Female Physicians Share Their In-Flight Stories AND Give Travel Advice!

Don’t raise your eyebrows. Raise your expectations. 

By now I am sure you have heard the story of Dr. Tamika Cross’s experience while on a recent Delta flight in which a passenger was screaming for help two rows in front of her. Her husband had become unconscious. Dr.Cross, who is a black female physician, immediately offered assistance. However, she was dismissed by the Delta flight attendant who stated they were looking for “actual physicians or nurses or some type of medical personnel.” The flight attendant continued to make a call for a physician on board. After Dr. Cross identified herself as a physician, she was met with a barrage of questions questioning her credentials and asking for proof of such credentials. When a white male approached stating he was a physician, he was allowed to assist the patient without such questions or showing proof of his credentials. This set off outage on social media and particular outrage among black female doctors. Black female doctors make up only 2% of the physician work force but it is a powerful one. Thanks to Dr. LS Emory the hashtag #WhataDoctorLooksLike was born. It not only showed the remarkable diversity of black female doctors but also called on Delta to address the discrimination exhibited on this flight. They have responded although not to the satisfaction of most. I decided to call on black female doctors in my Facebook travel group to share their in-flight experiences and offer sound travel advice. Get ready to be amazed and inspired because I certainly was! These women are experts in every field of medicine and even with busy careers still find time to travel the world! I posed these 5 questions to them:

1) Where you are from/current location?

2) What type of Medicine do you practice?

3) Name your top 3 travel destinations.

4) Provide travel tips for a long flight.

5) Have you provided medical assistance on a flight and if so what happened?

Dr.Dafina Good

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Dafina Good. Cairo, Egypt

1) Detroit, Michigan. Current Location: Washington DC 2) Pediatric Emergency Medicine 3) Cape Town, South Africa, Seychelles, Cartagena, Colombia 4) Wear compression socks on long flights, drink lots of water and ALWAYS have Travel Medical Insurance with Medical Evacuation! 5) In-Flight emergencies can be nerve wrecking as it can be simple stuff or death. I once had someone have an allergic reaction to shrimp en route to USA from Seoul, Korea. Luckily, I’m a medical ninja when I travel! Benadryl in my fanny pack gave them a nice sleep! I always say I’m like an Air Marshall in-flight…Low key, Least expected yet ready when shit hits the fans! My Advice: Be nice to everyone! You never know who may save your Life… ?

Dr.Yemi Odugbesan

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Yemi Odugbesan. Hyatt Regency, Danang, Vietnam.

1) Seattle, WA. Current location: Denver, CO 2) Cardiac Anesthesiology 3) Mexico, Vietnam, Anywhere in West Africa 4) For night flights pack earplugs and a eye pillow and travel in clothes that feel like pajamas. For me that’s yoga pants and a soft cotton top with sneakers. I do not want to be disturbed all “night” so I eat dinner on the ground before the flight and then skip whatever meal they want to serve at the equivalent of midnight. I take my melatonin and buckle my seat belt over my blanket. 5) Previous in-flight medical emergencies: too many to count. Many on KLM with a collection of ceramic Dutch houses as my thank you. I’ve responded to so many I have started packing a little homemade kit that includes an old stethoscope (I like mine better than the one that’s on the plane and it’s nice to have more than one) and a finger pulse ox. I have ever been asked for my credentials. Most serious incident was an unconscious patient on a transatlantic flight. Only myself and an endocrinologist on board. He knew the situation was out of his scope of practice so he immediately deferred to me. I asked him and another passenger to help me drag the patient to the galley so we could have enough room and light to assess and treat. I asked another passenger to hold a jaw thrust. I asked flight attendants for medical kit, oxygen, AED.  Flight attendants were awesome and efficient. Initially I couldn’t feel a pulse nor get a blood pressure. I started an IV, and administered emergency medications. Patient stabilized. Thought it best to land immediately, but we were over the Atlantic so we couldn’t. Met by paramedics on the ground at the closest destination.

Dr.Toicha Vincent

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr.Toicha Vincent. Dubai.

1) Oakland, CA Current Location: Houston, TX 2) Internal Medicine 3) Las Vegas, NapaValley, Caribbean 4) Stay hydrated! 5) Snubbed once on flight to Vegas! Passenger with pre-syncopal (near fainting) episode. I went to assist and flight attendant blocked my view and said go back to your seat. Informed them I was a physician and she said we got this. Ooh you do huh?  Anyway, I assessed the scene and asked the passenger if she was ok. I told them to get her some water and left. On my way exiting the plane, another flight attendant said thanks for your attempt to help.  I kept it moving … I will step over a flight attendant if needed in the best interest of sick/ill passenger.

Dr.Carmen Brown

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Carmen Brown. Kaikoura New Zealand

1) Atlanta, GA. Current location: Melbourne, Australia 2) Obstetrics and Gynecology 3) Fiji, Amsterdam, Belize 4) Comfortable clothes and compression stockings. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate! I try to drink at least 1L of water and it helps with jet lag! 5) My husband suffered with decompression sickness coming back from the Cayman Islands to Miami several years ago. We had been scuba diving all week and had waited the recommended 24 hours but he started feeling sick on the plane due to the altitude change. I was the doctor that took care of him until we landed. 🙂 Scary but he was just fine 🙂

Dr.Gina Hoods

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Gina Hoods. Sydney Opera House, Australia

1) Memphis, TN. Current Location: Nashville, TN area 2) Obstetrics and Gynecology 3) Sydney, St. Thomas and Jamaica for International. Domestic would be Asheville, NC, San Francisco and New York. 4) Take a small blanket and travel pillow along with basic toiletries so you can always rest and refresh wherever your travels take you. 5) Have never had to assist on a plane, but I always eye all the visibly pregnant patients for any signs of distress in the boarding area or as we are getting seated.

Dr.Erica Weste

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Erica Weste. Santorini, Greece

1) Toronto, Canada 2) Family medicine 3) Paris, France. Lisbon, Portugal. Barbados 4) To prevent clots (DVTs) make sure you are well-hydrated, go for strolls around the plane every so often and rock those compression stockings! 5) “Is there a doctor on board?” I was asked to help a middle aged gentleman on a flight to the Caribbean from Toronto as he was having a seizure on take-off. He had forgotten to take his medication and the rapid change in altitude triggered a seizure. Luckily, it was a minor one! I monitored him for the entire flight, where he remained stable and on landing local EMS took him straight to the hospital. The experience was a bit nerve wrecking because a million possibilities flew through my mind of what could happen next with limited resources available, but it helped prepare me for the next time I flew (and there was an emergency right next to me!). I was glad that the flight crew were super appreciative & helpful the entire time. Bonus: the president of West Jet sent me a thank you letter a few weeks later!

Dr.Sophia Grant

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Sophia Grant. Amboseli National Park, Kenya

1) Jamaica WI, Los Angeles CA. Current location: Fort Worth TX. 2) Child Abuse Pediatrician 3) Venice, Italy. Barcelona, Spain. Anguilla 4) Get up and walk around every two hours to promote circulation 5) I  was called upon twice to come to the assistance of passengers while traveling. The first time occurred when I was traveling to Egypt and a call went out for help due to a man who collapsed behind me. Initially, when I went to him I saw that he was on the floor, but had regained consciousness. Another doctor, a cardiologist, joined me in assessing him. Turned out, he had fainted due to a combination of anxiety and fatigue. During a domestic flight, a few years later, an overhead announcement went out asking for medical help. I pressed the call button, indicating that I was willing to help. When the flight attendant came, she asked if I was a nurse, I told her I was a physician and was immediately escorted to the elderly man  toward the front of the cabin. When I arrived, the man was unconscious, but had a pulse. I aroused him with  sternal rub and he regained consciousness. I asked for a blood pressure cuff and stethescope and determined that he was hypotensive. I was able to get a history from him. This had happened once before, he was on no significant medications. I encouraged him to drink fluids. I stayed with him for the duration of the flight and monitored his vitals . I was offered two small bottles of wine and a “thank you”. Numerous passengers, while departing, thanked me for aiding the gentleman. I was never asked for my credentials.

Dr.Ena Marsan

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Ena Marsan. Barcelona, Spain

1) Englewood, New Jersey. 2) Obstetrics and Gynecology 3) Spain, Italy, Greece 4) Make sure you bring enough Benadryl. I always start out with taking one 25mg tablet, and then start reading, while listening to music. I usually bring  2 or 3 magazines to catch up on, as well as a few books on the tablet. Usually as I’m getting into the reading, I start getting sleepy. 5) I have never been called upon to assist a fellow  traveler, and I also do not travel with my credentials. In light of the situation with Dr. Tamika Cross & Delta Airlines, I am enraged that as a group of professionals, we may need to carry credentials to be taken seriously in an emergent situation. I would help if need be, I am a physician; however, just as in everyday medicine, sadly I realize my good intentions could result in potential litigation

Dr.Nicole Redmond

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Nicole Redmond. South Africa

1) South Carolina. Current location: Washington DC area 2) Internal Medicine 3) South Africa, Costa Rica, and Cancun. 4) A general travel tip: Invest in the TSA precheck/Global entry program!  And don’t overpack—Keep all the clothes in one color scheme (my travel uniform is black/white/red). 5) I have been asked twice for assistance in-flight. Luckily, both times there were other physicians on board. The first time was returning from a National Medical Association conference, so along with two other Black residents in my program, we responded to a call.  A sickly, elderly gentleman just got lightheaded. We were only asked for our names/contact info after the situation seemed stable—I presumed to get a thank you note. Not sure that ever actually happened. The second time was on a trip to Australia…not much you can do over the Pacific ocean!  I responded along with a recent medical student graduate. It t was an excuse to hang out in the first class section waiting on the passenger to feel better. I think we did get some better snacks before we returned to coach.

 Dr.Randi Nelson

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Randi Nelson. Tunisia, Rome & Monaco

1)Brooklyn, NY, raised on Long Island, NY. Current location: Brooklyn, NY 2) General Pediatrician 3) Brazil, India and Cuba 4) I am a nervous traveler so my must haves are my Ipod and tablet for movies. Distraction is KEY for me. 5) I’ve never been asked to assist a passenger on flight, but I believe I am ready to if the occasion should arrive.

Dr.Jessica Braswell

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Jessica Braswell. Big Ben, London, England.

1) Queens, NY. 2) Internal Medicine 3) Vienna, Anguilla, and Barcelona 4) Use compression stockings. I get swelling in my legs when I fly, even if I avoid salty foods. Using compression stockings helps prevents that, and the heavy feeling in my legs. Also, be sure to get up and walk every couple hours. 5)  I’ve only been on a flight once where a passenger needed medical assistance. I actually remember hesitating to think about if I had some documentation to prove who I was because I sort of expected them not to believe it (this was before Dr. Cross’s experience). That’s based on my experiences on land. Sometimes even at my own job patients and EMS question who I am after I’ve already introduced myself as Dr. Braswell. In my moment of hesitation, another black female doctor volunteered and helped the patient. I definitely made a point to introduce myself to her. We have exchanged contact information and keep in touch now.  When I renewed my medical license, I applied for and paid the extra cost for the wallet sized card, because I intend to travel much more and I know the situation will come up again.

Dr.Fatu Forna Sesay

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Fatu Forna Sesay with her husband in Freetown, Sierra Leone

1) Freetown, Sierra Leone. Current location: Atlanta. GA 2) Obstetrics and Gynecology. 3) Freetown, Sierra Leone. Dubai, UAE. Monaco 4) Use a long flight to catch up on all those movies you planned to see in the theaters but somehow never made time to see! 5) I had to care for a lady who was sick on an international flight and was asked by the pilot whether we needed to make an emergency landing and divert the flight or proceed to our destination. Thankfully I was able to stabilize her and her condition was not life threatening and we were able to complete our flight!

Dr.Carisa Hines Moore

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Carisa Hines Moore. Disney World

1) Atlanta, GA 2) Internal Medicine 3) Disney, Rome, Honolulu 4) On a flight keep your feet moving and stand up to try and reduce your risk for DVT 5) I was on a Delta flight last year, and the man sitting next to me developed chest pain. He told me he had been  in Las Vegas and had gotten sick. He was admitted to the hospital was diagnosed with a heart attack. He was just discharged (I mean was still wearing his hospital ID band) and was flying home to Florida. I hit my call button and told the flight attendant what was going on and asked if they had any aspirin and/or nitroglycerin on board.  Her first response was that she couldn’t just give it to him. I identified myself as a doctor (without showing any credentials although I do carry my wallet medical license with me) and she immediately responded to me and got the medications I had requested.

Dr.Erica Scavella

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Erica Scavella. Singapore

1) Chicago, IL Current location: Washington DC area 2) Internal Medicine, Medical Investigator 3) Honolulu, Paris, Punta Cana 4) Stay hydrated and move around. 5) I have responded to at least 5 medical emergencies. I fly Delta Airlines 95% of the time and have never had any issues with the flight attendants.  I have found this airline to actually have the equipment necessary to handle true emergencies, including blood pressure cuffs, glucometers, oxygen, IV fluids and tubing, etc.  This is not standard across airlines, and is scarce on many.  I’ve always been thanked for my services by the on-flight crew and Delta’s corporate office.

Dr.Rahwa Ghermay

Black female doctors
Dr.Rahwa Ghermay. Desert safari Dubai

1) Seattle, WA Current location: Atlanta, GA 2) Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine 3) Zanzibar, Tanzania. Positano,Italy. Turks and Caicos 4) A neck pillow is a must. I like the Cabeau Evolution Memory Foam Travel Neck Pillow. I also wear comfy clothes for long flights.  5) I don’t think people understand that we could just as easily ignore the call and not volunteer to help!  The one time I assisted I was a resident. It was the early part of a 6hr flight and I had to make the call whether to land or not.  As confident as I was of my assessment and decision not to land, do you think I was able to relax the rest of a 6hr flight? It was a red eye no less so I had to go straight to work on landing!

Dr.Angelee Sayles

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Angelee Sayles. Mesoamerican Pyramid of the Moon. Teotihuacan, Mexico

1) Los Angeles, CA. Current location: Tulsa, OK 2) Pediatric Residency 3) Costa Rica, Mexico City and any of the US National Parks. 4) I absolutely love flying, especially if I have a great music playlist, a good book and lots of snacks. I usually pick a window seat and have my face glued to the window for the entire takeoff and landing. Looking out the window as we get closer to landing is the perfect introduction to a new city. 5) I assisted a passenger once on a Southwest Airlines flight after the man experienced loss of consciousness. The flight attendant kept calling me “nurse” after I repeatedly told her that I was a physician. She was polite though and just asked that I give her my information in case any further action was needed upon landing.

Dr.Beatrice Whitaker

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Beatrice Whitaker. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

1) Brooklyn, NY 2) Ophthalmologist 3) New Orleans, Negril, and Dubai. 4) Carry a small bottle of essential oil along with a handkerchief or scarf.  If unfortunately you are sitting next to a smelly passenger,  add a few drops of the oil to the fabric and keep it close. 5) I have not encountered a call for assistance as of yet.  I do have a copy of my medical license stored on my smartphone.  I would help but might need a second lead to assist. Ideally, an internist or surgeon on board since I am an ophthalmologist.

Dr.Rona S. Smith

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Rona S. Smith. Camel ride. Dubai, UAE

1) Woodbridge, VA 2) Internal Medicine and Nephrology 3) Dubai, Bahamas, Bangkok 4) Get an aisle seat, save up your movie watching for the trip and hydrate. 5) Never asked to assist on a flight, but asked while on a tour bus in the Dominican Republic and the patient and passengers were all grateful. This was a surprise do to my daily experiences as a Black physician in America.

Dr.Karen A. Scott

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Karen A Scott. North Kauai and South Shore of Kauai.

1) Nashville, TN. Current location: Emeryville, California 2) Obstetrics Gynecology, Ob Hospitalist, STD Clinical Expert, Sexual and Reproductive Epidemiology 3) Kauai, Hawaii, USVI – St John, Curaçao 4) Stay hydrated. Pack cleaning wipes and moisturizer cream for hands. Read your favorite book. Stretch and take a walk throughout the cabin. Continue planning and organizing your adventures. Catch up on old movies. Delete old emails and text messages. Journal your experience in the most authentic way. Enjoy, sleep, and relax. 5) I have not assisted a passenger in-flight but I am sure if the situation arose I would be prepared to help.

Dr.Terri Major-Kincade

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Terri Major-Kincade. Grenada

1) Baton Rouge, LA. Current location: Dallas, TX. 2) Perinatal Palliative Care and Neonatal Hospice 3) Grenada. Africa (Kenya/Mombasa). New York City 4) Wear compression socks—leg cramps are the worse and my husband did sustain leg cramps and later pulmonary blood clots following an extended flight which required treatment. Carry at least one change of clothes. There is nothing worse than losing your entire wardrobe en route to another country! Oh and mints please…morning breath is no Bueno after 18hours. My favorite part of an extended flight experience is the movies and the warm towels in the morning.  5) I have not assisted on an in-flight emergency but I would if needed.

Dr.Yvette McQueen

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Yvette McQueen. Paris, France

1) Cleveland, OH. Current location Jacksonville, FL 2) Emergency Medicine physician 3) Favorite travel destination is Paris and my favorite relaxation is a warm beach 4) Don’t eat gaseous foods (beans, broccoli, cabbage, etc.) or drink carbonated drinks before flying.  The pressurized cabin causes your abdomen to distend and produce discomfort. 5) I fly 3-4 times a month for work and 3-4 international trips per year. I have responded several times to medical emergencies inflight; and have even talked to medical control from the cockpit. The most scary times have been when the plane is over water.  I have never been hindered from providing care after announcing I am a physician; and if multiple people respond, they defer to me because I am an emergency medicine physician.

Dr.Tracey Cheatham

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Tracey Cheatham. Paris, France

1) Kansas City, KS. Current location: Las Vegas, NV 2) Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 3) Iceland, Paris, Amsterdam 4) Hydrate during the flight. It kills two birds with one stone. Hydration helps to minimize/prevent jet lag and by hydrating, it forces you to get up to go to the restroom. Getting up and down increases activity and decreases the chance of getting blood clots in your legs 5) I have responded to a call in-flight. I was the first of several physicians to respond when the overhead call was made. I was never questioned. I wasn’t questioned at the time I responded. I vaguely remember being asked about my training when it was all over. The passenger was fine when it was all said and done.

Dr.Nadeen White

Black Female Doctors Share Their In-Flight Stories & Offer Travel Advice! #whatadoctorlookslike
Dr. Nadeen White. Cape Town, South Africa

1) Jamaica WI, NJ/NY area. Current location: Atlanta, GA 2) Pediatric Hospital Medicine 3) International: Cuba, South Africa, Barcelona. Domestic: Anywhere in California especially Napa Valley! New Orleans, LA. Sedona, AZ 4) Always bring your own comfy blanket because airplanes are freezing! I also bring my own bottled water and snacks. I don’t like being at the mercy of when the flight crew decides to make their rounds. Download new music and books and magazines on your tablets and phones to keep you occupied on the flight. Bring a toiletry bag with toothpaste, floss, soap, facial wipes and lotion so you can freshen up in-flight and on landing. Don’t forget your ear plugs, headsets and eye masks so you can block out noisy passengers and bright light to get some rest on the flight. 5) I have never been asked to assist with a medical emergency on a flight but I would be more than willing to help. I do not carry any credentials on me when I travel or otherwise and I was shocked to hear this is expected of doctors in-flight. As physicians we know every second counts in a medical emergency and I expect flight attendants to use proper judgment in making the best decision for the passenger.

I would like to sincerely thank all my friends and colleagues for taking the time to share their in-flight stories and travel advice with us! All these black female doctors are also world travelers and I am in awe of the passion they have for their families, patients and each other. It is important to keep in mind that doctors are volunteering when a call is made on a flight. It is not an obligation but an instinct to help those in need. I sincerely hope Delta airlines and all airlines provide sensitivity training to make sure what happened to Dr.Tamika Cross does not occur on future flights. In the end it is the passenger’s life at stake.

Please share your thoughts with us below. Have you ever assisted on a flight or needed assistance? What did you think of the situation with Dr.Tamika Cross?

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Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

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Comments 14

  1. Janene says:
    4 years ago

    Awesome Post!!! My favorite so far!

    • nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      Thank you Janene!

  2. Mary lee mcnair says:
    4 years ago

    Thank you for this wonderful article it was nice to see so many people who look like me doing what they love best and being awesome. As a nurse practitioner I have been in situations where I have needed to rely on my medical/nursing background to provide assistance. Everyone thinks it’s OK for you to be a nurse but as it has been shown it it is harder for them to believe that you are the doctor. For that I apologize to all of those doctors who were not given the respect that they were due, you are awesome and don’t forget that. I love to travel and their travel tips I will take into consideration.

    • nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      Thank you for Mary Lee for all that you do in taking care of patients on and off the ground! I am glad that you enjoyed the travel tips!

  3. Dana Carmel says:
    4 years ago

    I love this post, Nadeen! I have so much respect for all of you ladies and your profession in general. In a true medical emergency, it’s like, who cares about the ethnicity or color of the doctor trying to help?! I heard about Dr. Cross’s ordeal and was very disappointed to hear it but not surprised. My close friend is a doctor, and she tells me that she gets questioned about her credentials by new patients daily. And they also call her by her first name instead of her title (sigh). As black people, we always have to be 10 times better than our non-black peers, and we always have to prove ourselves regardless of our profession. Love this post!

    • nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      Thank you Dana! I agree and it is a shame. I am hoping that will not always be the case.

  4. Parrish Underwood says:
    4 years ago

    Great article and a wonderful display of excellence!!! Very symbolic of the definition of African-American/Black womanhood.

    • nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      Thank you! I appreciate that Mr.Underwood 🙂

  5. Shelly says:
    4 years ago

    Lovely article. These beautiful women are a true representation of what the 21st century woman can be. The ties that were limiting us to only being nurses and not medical practitioners have been broken already. There’s no better time to live than today.

    • Nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      YES! Thank you for reading and commenting!

  6. Natalia says:
    3 years ago

    Nice article, beautiful woman’s!
    Just discover your blog, I love it.

    • Nadeen says:
      3 years ago

      Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the article and my blog!

  7. Donald Haynes says:
    2 years ago

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog. Love it.

    • Nadeen says:
      2 years ago

      I am glad you enjoyed it!

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Let’s talk about allyship for a sec. What does it mean to you? Have you seen true examples of this in the past year? I know this word has been overused and beaten into the ground since last year followed up by being a “performative ally”. But when I see someone making an effort and doing something to make a difference, it’s worth applauding. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

A fellow @oprahmagazine Insider told me about Master Sommelier @andrearobinsonms because she was awarding scholarships for her virtual “Great Wine Made Simple” course to women and BIPOC wine students & enthusiasts interested in furthering their wine studies. She thought I would be interested in applying. I did. Andrea reached out & asked me to take the class but play a supporting role based on my previous experience as a wine blogger, author & WSET Level 2 wine certification! I was honored. The class has been very informative interactive & fun! 

Andrea has picked stellar wine professionals as mentors for the scholarship students taking this course. They are from all different backgrounds & experiences across all niches in the wine industry. I am sure they are having an amazing experience!!!! This is what being an ally looks like. Using your privilege, connections, and experience to open doors and provide opportunities for others. The wine industry, like so many other industries, is lacking and needs more Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. So Thank You. 

Oh back to the pic. This was just 1 delivery 🚚 📦  for the course filled w wines from Italy, Spain & Germany! 😋😋😋 

 #wineblogger #wineandtravel #travelbloggerlife #winenot #winewithfriends #winewriter #blackcontentcreators #blackcontentcreator #womeninwine #blackwomeninwine #winewriter #winelover #oenophile #blacksinwine #buyblackwine #sommeliers #mastersommeliers
  • #DopeBlackDoctor #IssaMood
Happy Monday Everyone! I’m trying to go into the week, the last week of Black History, with this mood and attitude! 👏🏽

You may have seen my post on National Women’s Physician Day that only 2% of all Physicians are Black women. We are truly unicorns and I stand proud to represent this profession and to make my ancestors proud 🩺 

So let me tell you what breaks my heart 💔. That after 25 years of being a M.D.-medical doctor and actually practicing medicine and seeing patients for 25 years!!!, I’m still constantly questioned by people who aren’t even in the science or medical field 🤔🤔
Could it be because I’m female? Black? Both? 😡🤬

Ever since this pandemic started I have been on top of it. My first blog post on COVID19 went viral and I appeared on @cnn I did countless webinars and podcasts informing and educating the public including the travel community. This year I published an article on the COVID19 vaccines 💉 and shared my experience receiving the vaccine on social media. But STILL when I simply comment on a thread on social media as a medical expert to correct misinformation I face backlash and MEAN comments! Even in predominantly Black travel groups. It’s exhausting. I had to take a break. I tried again today and the person deleted the thread. I’m at a loss. People do not want to be informed. I don’t get it. 

But I will hold my head up high. I went into this profession to serve. For those who are still having doubts about the vaccines 💉 please read my article-“7 Compelling Reasons to take a COVID19 Vaccine” which includes summaries of the vaccines & research studies. The link is in my profile. Happy to answer any questions. Stay safe everyone! 

📸 @parrishu70 

#blackdoctorsmatter #whitecoatsforblacklives #blackfemaledoctors #blackdoctorswhitecoats #covid19vacccine #pandemiclife #wokedoctors #covıd19 #covidvaccineadvocate #covid19usa #physicians #blackcontentcreator #blackcontentcreators #socialmediadoctor #whatadoctorlookslike #blackhistorymonth2021
  • It’s going to be an exciting weekend of wine!!! 🍷🍷🍷
I’m celebrating Black winemakers this weekend by attending the first annual International Winemakers Summit being held by @urban_connoisseurs and @uncorkedandcultured 
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

When I first started my blog over 6 years ago I always had a WINE section. I have also always supported and blogged about Black-owned wines and winemakers from @mcbridesisters @houseofmandela early on to 5 1/2 years ago when I had the pleasure of visiting the first Black-owned winery in Napa Valley @brownestate during my Bachelorette weekend 
A year later I stopped by @rideauvineyard in Santa Ynez Valley, had a blog post on a Black History month Black-owned wine tasting go viral, met Andre Hueston Mack of @maisonnoirwines here in Atlanta then did a road trip a few years ago to the PNW and stopped by @frichettewinery and @abbeycreekwine the first “hip hop winery” in the PNW. 

All of this inspired me to curate a list last year of over 45 Black-owned wineries, wine businesses, even podcasters..!! I also pursued & received my first wine certification last fall. WSET 2 with distinction 👏🏽👏🏽🍾🍾

It will be a pleasure to listen & learn from these trailblazers this weekend and be able to show continued support. Head to the link in my profile to read my blog post and to @urban_connoisseurs to register for the conference this weekend! 

#buyblackwine #sipconsciously #blackownedbusiness #blackownedbusinesses #blackhistorymonth2021 #wineblogger #wineandtravel #travelbloggerlife #winenot #travelfly #winetourism #luxurytravel #womeninwine #blackwomeninwine #winewriter #winelover #oenophile #blacksinwine #winewithfriends #winewithfriends🍷
  • Since it’s #nationaldrinkwineday I thought I would share a few pics of one of my favorite wine 🍷 tours and wine areas that I visited in 2019. That was such an amazing year of travel!!! 

PORTO in Portugal 🇵🇹 was amazing! It’s the home of Port wine and even if you are not a fan or don’t think you are a fan of fortified  or sweeter wines you have to try them if you visit the area. They have all different styles including white port. 

We did a tour @taylorsportwine which has a self-guided walking tour of the history of port wine making, Porto, the Douro Valley and port wine trading. It was very interesting. And swipe to see the pic of my forever POTUS President Obama! 
Taylor’s port is available in the US so you may have tried it. 

Have you been to Porto or tried port wine? 

#nationaldrinkwineday🍷 #wineblogger #wineandtravel #travelbloggerlife #winenot #travelfly #blackgirlstraveltoo #winetourism #womeninwine #blackwomeninwine #winewriter #winelover #visitportugal🇵🇹 #portugaltravel #portugallovers #portuguesewine #lisbonportugal #portoportugal #dourovalley #portwinelover #portowine #visitlisbon #visitporto
  • #traveltuesday✈️ (rant) 
There is this constant rumor that goes around that Black Travel Bloggers are hard to find. NOT TRUE!!!! Travel brands and DMOs are heard saying that they can’t find any to work with. 🤔 
How hard are they looking?!! 

If you simply Google “Black Travel Bloggers” my blog post on “50+ Amazing Black Travel Bloggers You Should Follow” has been sitting at #1 for years and only recently at #2 due to another great post by @travelandleisure on Black Influencers. There are tons of blog posts on this topics on the web. 
PLUS...

Travel groups that have been around for years filled with talented travel content creators like @nomadnesstribe that has held several @audacityfest conferences with seminars & lectures featuring these content creators. Not to mention platforms like this one & Facebook & LinkedIn 
PLUS...

@theblacktravelalliance was formed last June that features Black travel content creators from all over the globe 🌎 in all different niches. Black travelers do everything-luxury, adventure, couples travel, budget travel, culinary travel..we are here to change the narrative and prove that Black Travel Content Creators are available to do anything and everything in this industry from writing & editing to TV hosting to photography to videography. 

So stop asking where are we. WE ARE RIGHT HERE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE! (rant over). 

Head to my profile to read my blog post and PLEASE drop the handle of your favorite Black travel content creators in the comments! 

 #travelbloggerlife  #travelfly #blackgirlstraveltoo #hardlyhome 
#travelcontent #blackcontentcreator #blacktravelmovement #travelcontentcreator #blackbloggers #blacktravelalliance #travelisthenewclub #nomadness #travelnoire #essencetravels #travelfly #blacktravelhackers #blacktravelfeed
  • Can someone put me back on the beach in January and wake me up when COVID19 🦠 is gone and the world 🌎 has opened back up and we can travel 🧳 again?!!!! 
#overit #thisisnotfun #iwishiwasalwaysonvacation #alwaysonvacay #takemeonvacation 
#vacationnowplease #whereismyvacation 
#covidgoaway #covidgtfo #nomorecovid19 #nomorecovidplease #gtfohcoronavirus #gtfohcovid19 #moretravelplease #ineedavacation #ineedtotravel #traveladdicts #travelnownotlater #beachbumlife #miamibeachlifestyle #takemeawayfromhere #takemeanywhere

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