We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anjelika Perry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anjelika below.

Alright, Anjelika thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Losing my father at the tender age of five left my mother to navigate widowhood at a young age. Yet, the stories I’ve learned about him, coupled with witnessing my mother’s fervent community work, profoundly shaped my perspective on life and my career path. My mother, a dedicated advocate for Black Infant Health and BIPOC communities, instilled in me a deep sense of duty to foster healthier environments through collective effort.

This calling became even more significant when my mother passed in 2018, presenting me with a stark moment of truth and opportunity. It was then that I truly grasped the significant impact of understanding and engaging with the world around me in a unique and profound way. My mother’s work, often inspired by my father’s legacy—a proud Los Angeles man with deep artistic and creative roots—showed me the power of self-learning and personal growth.

From a young age, they instilled in me the values of ambition, hope, and genuine love, which have become the bedrock of my professional endeavors with Just Give Art, my personal artistic ventures, and especially Black Travel Go. I strive to create spaces where people feel seen and loved, reflecting the nurturing environment my parents fostered for me.

One memorable story that exemplifies my father’s influence involves the limited time he knew he had due to kidney failure. Despite his illness, he was present, pouring fatherly wisdom and love into our moments together. His condition, which drove my mother’s advocacy for better health education, also led to my existence—against the odds of his dialysis treatment. This miracle underscored for me that I was meant to be here, to carry forward their legacy.

Inspired by my mother’s example, I pursued my master’s degree to ensure that I could serve my community as effectively as possible. My parents created a legacy of service and love that I am proud to continue, ensuring that their values live on through my work, helping to empower and uplift others. This is the ecosystem of support and growth they envisioned and one that I am committed to advancing in their honor.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Anjelika Perry, a fervent advocate for community enrichment, a poet, an artist, and the founder of Black Travel Go. My journey into this eclectic mix of roles started from a deep-seated desire to blend creativity with activism, using my talents to foster change and bring awareness to pivotal issues affecting BIPOC communities.

Black Travel Go was born out of my passion for travel and my commitment to elevating the visibility of black travelers. This platform not only connects black travelers with global opportunities but also celebrates their stories and successes in the travel industry. We focus on creating a supportive community that empowers black entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and knowledge to thrive both personally and professionally.

In addition to my work with Black Travel Go, I am the driving force behind Just Give Art, an initiative that focuses on art therapy and mental health support. Through Just Give Art, we organize workshops and community programs designed to heal and uplift through artistic expression. Our projects often serve as a bridge between personal healing and community wellness, emphasizing the therapeutic power of art.

My art and poetry encapsulate themes of resilience, identity, and transformation, seeking to inspire and provoke thought. The products and services I offer through my artistic endeavors aim to solve the problem of underrepresentation and lack of mental health resources within our communities. By integrating my personal experiences and insights into my work, I provide a unique perspective that resonates deeply with those facing similar challenges.

What sets me apart is my holistic approach to business and creativity. I don’t just create or lead; I aim to inspire systemic change by connecting individual well-being with community health. This perspective is embedded in every project I undertake, from poetry readings and art exhibitions to global travel events and online community-building.

I am most proud of how these diverse elements of my career interweave to form a coherent narrative of empowerment and growth. Each aspect of my work supports the other, creating a robust ecosystem where art, community, and travel enrich one another.

For all who support and invest in my work, I want you to understand that engaging with my brand is about much more than transactions—it’s about joining a mission that cherishes cultural richness, prioritizes mental wellness, and celebrates the strength of community. Through initiatives like Black Travel Go, Just Give Art, and my personal artistic endeavors, we share a common goal: to cultivate environments where people of color not only thrive but are also acknowledged, empowered, and able to realize their full potential.

As our community expands and our initiatives evolve, I warmly invite you to be a part of our journey. Together, let’s explore, learn, and transform, advancing towards a future that is increasingly inclusive and just.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting is an essential part of any entrepreneurial journey. For me, a significant pivot occurred with Black Travel Go. Originally focused on celebrating black travelers, we shifted towards a more expansive mission to empower black travel entrepreneurs globally. This pivot wasn’t just about changing our business model; it was about adapting to the evolving needs of our community and ensuring that our platform continued to serve as a vital resource in a more impactful way.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey of resilience is deeply intertwined with the story of Just Give Art. Despite facing numerous challenges, including funding hurdles and logistical setbacks, our commitment to using art as a vehicle for mental health support and community empowerment never wavered. Each obstacle was met with a renewed determination to succeed, embodying the belief that with passion and perseverance, we can make a significant difference in the lives of others, particularly within underserved communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anjelikaperry.com
• Instagram: @anjelikaperry
• Facebook: @anj.perr.7
• Linkedin: @anjelikaperry
• Twitter: @anjelikaperry
• Other: You can also follow my brands: Black Travel Go – www.blacktravelgo.com, @blacktravelgo Just Give Art – www.justgiveart.org , @justgiveart SXINT ANJ Creative Sanctuary – www.saintanj.com, @saint.anjstudio Black Techpreneurs – www.instagram.com/blacktechpreneurs Community to Commerce: Building Wealth Through Travel – Episode 1 Community to Commerce: Global Investments – Episode 2 – https://ctc.ep2.blacktravelgo.com/home?sessionId=6956250e-57f7-424c-9a9d-11431467dbb4&trigger_link=vQRTsDfI8iJ11YGF9aPw

Image Credits
All images with red hat – Patrick L. Davis @patricklamardavis @geecheesusde Roshi Littlelight – @roshi_littlelight (image with black hat) Other images are by Anjelika Perry