Quiana Berry is redefining what it means to travel, work, and thrive. As the founder of Afro Adventurer and a finalist for the Bessie Inclusion Award, she’s breaking down barriers to make travel and career mobility accessible for BIPOC professionals. Through community, representation, and bold leadership, she’s proving that adventure isn’t just about where you go -it’s about who gets to go.
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- 3 minute read
Excited to meet a true champion of inclusion? We’re highlighting Quiana Berry, a finalist for the Inclusion Award, which honors brands that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion in the past year. Read on for our interview with Quiana, where she shares her journey, inspirations, and vision for a more inclusive travel industry.
About the Bessie Awards
The Bessie Awards celebrate the trailblazers, changemakers, and visionaries who are reshaping the travel industry for the better. Named in honor of Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn a pilot’s license. These awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to empowering women and fostering inclusivity in travel.
About Quiana: Champion for Diversity in Travel and Career Mobility
Quiana Berry is the founder of Afro Adventurer, a global community dedicated to empowering Black and Brown professionals to explore the world while building wealth and advancing their careers. Through curated resources, workshops, and a thriving support network, Afro Adventurer helps BIPOC professionals achieve location and financial independence, fostering deeper cultural connections across the African diaspora. Under Quiana’s leadership, the community has guided hundreds of members in securing high-paying remote roles, navigating international experiences, and creating generational wealth. Her work is redefining accessibility in travel and career mobility – one empowered professional at a time.
How did you find your way into the travel industry?
My journey into the travel industry wasn’t traditional—it was personal. As an AfroLatina avid solo traveler and professional navigating the corporate world, I often found myself searching for spaces where I felt seen. Traveling became my way of reclaiming my identity, expanding my career opportunities, and connecting with cultures that felt both familiar and new. Also after surviving a life-changing accident, I realized how important accessibility, financial empowerment, and community are. That’s when I founded Afro Adventurer, a community designed to help underserved professionals explore the world on their own terms while upskilling, building wealth, and fostering connections across the African/ Latinx diaspora.
What motivates you to do your work today?
Representation and access. I want to see more BIPOC professionals confidently traveling the world. Not just as tourists, but as global citizens creating opportunities for themselves and their communities. Seeing members of AfroAdventures land remote jobs, take their first international trip, or connect deeply with their heritage reminds me why this work matters.
What does it mean to you to have the community nominate you for a Bessie Award?
It’s deeply humbling and affirming. This nomination represents not just my journey, but the collective effort of the Afro Adventures community. It means that the work we’re doing—creating access, celebrating our heritage, and fostering economic mobility—is resonating. Being recognized by a community that I care so deeply about is the greatest honor.
What do you think are the most important issues facing the travel industry today?
- Accessibility & Affordability – Travel should not be a luxury limited to a few.
- Representation – More diverse voices need to be at the table in decision-making roles.
- Ethical & Cultural Immersion – We need to ensure that travel doesn’t exploit but instead uplifts local communities.
- Remote Work & Digital Nomad Equity – Many BIPOC professionals are still excluded from the benefits of remote work and global mobility. I wanted to help level the playing field.
Who in the industry do you look to as inspiration?
I draw inspiration from Black and Brown travel pioneers who have reshaped the industry. Those building inclusive travel brands, advocating for ethical tourism, and creating economic opportunities for underrepresented communities. Also, I admire entrepreneurs who make adventures more accessible for all.
What do you envision for the future of the travel industry?
I see a future where travel is truly inclusive, equitable, and transformative. Where BIPOC professionals don’t just participate in the industry but lead and shape it. I envision more accessible career pathways through remote work, more ethical travel experiences that give back to local communities. And a world where travel is a tool for social and financial empowerment.
The future of travel belongs to those who dare to redefine it, and Quiana Berry is doing just that. Through Afro Adventurer, she’s not just opening doors – she’s breaking down barriers, creating space for more diverse voices, and proving that travel and career mobility should be accessible to all. As we celebrate her Bessie Award nomination, we’re reminded that real change starts with community, representation, and the courage to carve new paths. Here’s to a more inclusive, empowered travel industry—one adventure at a time.
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