Rondel Holder

WOW! Emmy Award WINNINGGG! 🏆 I started this job in one of the lowest points of the panny. Things were grim all around. I hadn’t seen humans in a while. Around the world, people were scared. Businesses were shutting down. The healthcare system was pushed beyond its limits. The travel industry was in shambles. People (including some of y’all… don’t think I forgot) were saying that “New York is dead” smh. Wrong and strong. What a time to start a job storytelling around NYC. But I was happy for the challenge really. If anyone was going to do it, why not me? Y’all know how much I love this place… Oh wait, not to mention the height of the fight against racial injustice happening at the same time. Wooooh… But we forged ahead and somehow found a way to keep inspired. I joined a team of smart, creative and passionate people who love NYC. Hired and employed me 100% virtually for the first (almost) year. I am grateful for the trust. We brainstormed, we tried new things, we executed. We managed to make some things I am extremely proud of. That we’re all proud of. A few months ago the nominations came in for the NY Emmy Awards. We had three noms for content that aired on TV. Two for “The Freedom to Be” short-form docuseries — a baby born out of my multicultural strategy spotlighting the diversity and freedom of expression within the Black community in NYC with Black Surfers, Black Cowboys and Alvin Ailey — and one for the NYC Tourism Campaign, “It’s Time” which didn’t even have to say NYC is alive, it just showed you what the vibe is and that our city will always be the main character. Last night we brought home not one, but two of them things. I am still wowed. Thank you @nycgo team, we did that! Thanks to @simbarashecha for bringing the vision to life + more, and assembling bomb production teams. Thank you to the city of endless stories, let’s tell more of them. #NYCForever 🔥 📸 @jenedavisphoto

Celebrating 10 years since I started my business @soulsociety 🥂 It started as a random idea in 2012. I remember telling a few close friends “I’m thinking of starting this travel thing because no one ever talks about travel from the Black perspective. These travel reviews, stories and shows are clearly not for us or by us.” I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do or if it would resonate, but I just know that I was tired of not seeing Black people’s images and perspectives. So I started sharing my travels and then slowly started integrating others’. I soft launched it with a mini-mag and distributed at @epicandco trunk show. It evolved to take on many forms. A blog, podcast, social media content, video content, curated trips, partnering with @thepointsguy to create a mini-documentary film series Heritage Journey tracing my roots to Africa which I shot with my brother @emilianostyles , events including partnering with my homie @fab_roc_ for the most lit rooftop day party series in NYC @milehighclubevents , partnering with countless tourism authorities and DMOs for campaigns and so much more. It ended up really being a thing. I never imagined that this thing would get covered in magazines, newspapers, websites and live television. For the first 4-5 years of business I never even showed my face or said who I was (until I realized it was being detrimental to my business.) Anyway, my point is I don’t think about all these wins daily. My head is absolutely not gassed. Probably because when you’re in it you see way more Ls and struggles and challenges than wins. But today I can just focus on the wins. I’m honestly just realizing how much I’ve actually done by rounding up this post of some highlights. I’ve now been to 65+ countries, including 13 in Africa. I don’t think I would have gone as far as I have without actually being inspired by this community. Thank you everyone who has been a part of this journey in any capacity. I cannot believe it’s been 10 years. Wth?! But thanks God for the dream and work ethic. And thank all of you for riding with me.

“I left from New York. And I come to spend some time down in Grenadaaaa” 🇬🇩🇬🇩🇬🇩 Let me know in the comments, have I convinced you to visit Grenada yet?! @discovergrenada 🎵Courage: “When I Finish Eat” . . . #blacktravel #blacktravelfeed #blackvoyageurs #blacklove #baecation #travelnoire #luvblacklove #puregrenada #grenadarocks #grenada #greenz #carriacou #soca #jabjab

Big Belize!!! 🇧🇿 San Pedro | Caye Caulker | San Ignacio | Belize City From island hopping, to the jungle, to the city, Belize is a whole vibe. The many cultures within one country, the food (!!!) and the people leave a lasting impression. I miss waking up wondering if I want to visit Mayan ruins or take a boat to another beach, the freedom of driving around in my golf cart, getting fresh fruit up the road, the breeze. All of it. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Belize on your list? Or if you’ve been, what was your experience?

🇯🇲 BROWN STEW CHICKEN What is the go-to dish in a Jamaican household and why is it brown stew chicken 😂? My brother @kingronthedon joined me in the kitchen again, but this time shining some light on his yawdy side. TAP IN. #monficook #blackmencook #meninthekitchen #brownstewchicken #jamaica

Wrapped in culture and love. Down in Greenz 🇬🇩🖤

✍🏾 📸 new story for Ebony Magazine. The Blackest city outside of Africa. Salvador da Bahia, Brazil 🇧🇷🤌🏾 VIBES. VIEWS. CULTURE. HISTORY. Link in my bio capturing my experience + tips and photos from @lumamora @afrobuenaventura @kentwjohnson @brionaa.l 🖤

When life throws chancletas at you, book a trip to Mexico City. 🤣 ✈️ 🤞🏾 The food, the style, the architecture, the vibes, the vibrant colors, the abundance of green spaces won’t escape me. 🇲🇽

🇬🇩 PELAU 🇬🇩 A beloved one-pot dish found across the Caribbean. Pelau is a symbol of togetherness. It’s the dish of friendly gatherings, beach limes, family Sundays, and moments where community takes center stage.. a true expression of Caribbean culture. @kingronthedon pulled up and walked me through this Caribbean classic, Grenadian style. TAP IN! #meninthekitchen #pelau #islandflavors #newrecipes #cookingvideos #blackmencook #yummy #bonapetit #easyrecipe #recipevideo #grenada #grenadanice

Rio de Janeiro recap, Part 1 [Save for later] Rio lived up to everything! We were blessed with perfect 85 degree days the entire week in this city 🙏🏾 Here is a recap of some of the things I loved and recommend in Rio de Janeiro: -Neighborhoods - Ipanema, Leblon, Jardim Oceânico in Barra da Tijuca -Restaurants - Spicy Fish, Xian, Assador, Pineapple, Savana -Dessert - Gelato Borelli -Experience - Roxy Dinner Show. Little Africa Tour including Museu Memorial Pretos Novos -Attractions - Sugarloaf Mountain (at sunset!) and Christ the Redeemer (touristy as it gets, but a must.) -Outside - Casa Black Afrobeats Party, Fri nights. And Pedra do Sal “Little Africa” Samba Fest street festival, Monday nights. Honestly, RJ got it. I get it. “Theres just something about you.” 🤩🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro recommendations | Rio de Janeiro beaches | Rio de Janeiro vibes | Rio de Janeiro top things to do

New location! 85 degrees, sunshine and vibes everyday in the Blackest city outside of Africa. [A fact, not just me saying that.] 📍 Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! 🇧🇷 Btw, November is Black Consciousness Month in Brazil, so the energy was extra, extra Black - especially with Everyday Ppl and Afropunk in town. Run it up if y’all want deets. 🌴

BRAZIL 🇧🇷 Part 1 [Save for Reccos] As of earlier this year, US passport holders need an e-Visa to enter Brazil. $81. First stop in Brazil is São Paulo, the big city of Brazil. Actually, the biggest city in South America. 3.5x the number of people of NYC for perspective. F1 is was coming into to the city when we got there so you could feel that buzz. If you love art exhibits and museums, you’ll love this city. Some of the best curated I’ve ever seen: MASP - incredible art IMS - current Gordon Parks exhibit was fire Museu Afro Brasil - blew my mind Contemporary Art Museum - having their biennial Ibirapuera Park is beautiful and good for people watching. And the last two museums mentioned (+ others) are in the park. Vibes & Food: Kitori was our favorite meal. Italia. Gero. Terrace Jardins. SoHo House is fire. One of the best. Skye Bar. Seen Bar. Passport stamp shorts 🩳 by Paper Planes. You want the Rio de Janeiro or Salvador da Bahia recap next?!