Hey there!
Thank you so much for stopping by; I'm glad that you're here. My name is Dominique- the founder & CEO of this beautiful platform, Africa is Calling Me.
I really love to travel and I've been a #travelbae since I was an infant. I was born and raised in New York City, in a vibrant Jamaican household and spent just about all of my summers in Kingston. I have so many Jamaica stories- from my younger days straight to adulthood. I'm extremely fascinated by the deep connection between Africa and Jamaica so even though I'll try to stay focused on the African continent, Jamaica will pop up quite a lot around here.
It wasn't until my 20s when I finally took a trip to a country outside of Jamaica. My bestie and I found a crazy deal for a fancy resort in Mexico and we paired that beauty with buddy passes we received from her mom who, at the time, worked for Jet Blue. That entire trip was 'almost' free but it made such a tremendous move on my heart. Mexico is where the travel bug really bit me.
All along I've been back and forth, to and fro, from JFK to KIN that it didn't feel outside the norm. When my flight made it to Mexico, I immediately felt the culture shock. I remember looking around, thinking "Wow! Is this what the world looks like?!!"
After that moment, I knew I needed to see more.
I read somewhere that less than 40% of the US population owns a valid passport. I'm still in shock because the US passport is ranked as one of the most powerful passports in the world. There are so many countries that Americans have access to without needing a visa and so many others where we can get visa on arrival.
Maybe I'm a bit triggered by this because having family from Jamaica and knowing the obstacles they overcame for the sake of travel- it's intense, and it makes it difficult for me to understand why someone wouldn't want to have the access they're naturally entitled to.
To each his own, I guess.. but I personally feel that if you don't own a passport, you're missing out! The world is huge and filled with wonders, music, people, food, and quite frankly, more than any one person could ever imagine. You really have to see it for yourself!
It wasn't until my 4-month stay in South East Asia when I came to the realization that travel would be an intricate part of my life. After that incredible Thailand experience, I started plotting my next adventure. I considered South America and a few other regions... but it didn't feel right to be infatuated with learning all of these other cultures without taking the space and time to learn my own.
It was in that moment where I decided to visit Africa and embrace my heritage.
I researched and learned that Ghana was known as the "Gateway to Africa" and most people spoke English so I figured it would be relatively easy for me to communicate with others once I arrived. I didn't know a single person there and to be honest, before the "Year of Return".. there wasn't a huge amount of information on the internet to sift through.
Something in my spirit told me to keep pushing forward, and I am so glad that I did. Africa has had a hold on me ever since! I was able to spend 3 solid months in Ghana during my first trek and I allowed the magic that is rooted in African soil to sweep me up & take me on a whirlwind of a journey.
I cried at the airport when it was time to leave but I knew it was only a matter of time before I came back.
Three months wasn't enough. I barely got my toes wet!
When I made my 2nd trip to Ghana, I set out to launch a business. I packed 4 barrels, filled to the brim with supplies and shipped them out- only to arrive 2 weeks before the 1st Covid case entered the country.
The pandemic shut down my plans before I got started, but I would never complain because that's how "Africa is Calling Me" came to life.
I had to quickly pivot and find a way to earn an income while locked in the country. The nation was on lockdown and the borders were closed for 6 months, I unintentionally overstayed my visa and the immigration officer who said he would help me, took my passport and avoided my calls for weeks!
Crazy times, to say the least.
I still can't believe I was able to spend an entire year in Ghana. So much happened over the course of the year, and I'm sure you can agree, that everyones lives changed, in one way or another during this never-ending "panoramic".
At the end of the year, the country was easing some of their restrictions and I started to scout locations for the business I initially came to launch.
I finally got my passport back and met another immigration officer who successfully extended my visa which really took the weight off my shoulders but right around that time, I learned my that my mom, back in the US was admitted into the hospital. The doctors found a tumor in her brain that ruptured and she needed an operation.
Despite everything that was going on, it was time to go back to New York.
Today, I'm really thankful to say that my mom is doing well because I literally can't imagine any other scenario. Now that mommy's okay, I'm ready to pick up where I left off and head back Ghana because the spirit of Africa is calling me home. I'm missing the sunny weather, the sweet mangoes.. I even miss watching the random chickens play in the streets.
Ghana has always treated me well so I'm looking forward to ROUND 3!
Wow, so that was a lot about me! I just wanted you to know who I am and where I'm coming from. I'd love to learn about you too so drop me a note in the comment section. Do you travel? Do you own a passport? Have you been to Africa before? Are you thinking of coming with me? You're invited!
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