Travel Crush Tuesday: Bri
Photo Source: Bri and Instagram
Welcome to Travel Crush Tuesday!
At BlackTravelBox, we celebrate Black travelers worldwide. Black travelers who inspire us to think outside the box in our careers, businesses, travel, and care. We revel in the vision, beauty, and creativity that keeps our light moving. Thus, when we came across this wanderlust scientist, it’s no surprise we developed a crush. Meet Bri aka, “Bri from the IE,” and let her take you on a trip to her world.
1. Tell us about yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? What inspires you to travel?
My name is Bri and I am from the Inland Empire, California “the IE” and I affectionately go by “Bri from the IE”. This is where I was born, raised, educated, and currently reside.
I have been blessed with a career that allows me to see the world. I am a scientist currently working in the transplantation and transfusion field to increase patient safety worldwide. Over the last 13 years I have traveled personally and professionally to 39 countries (some more than once). Professionally, I traveled to medical conferences and scientific meetings and personally I enjoy leisure and luxury travel.
My travel inspiration is my father, he was in the Air Force and I would light up listening to stories from his deployment. I always wanted to travel like him so followed my passion for science and by god’s grace found a career that allows me to merge my passion for saving lives and seeing the world.
2. Tell us about the Love and Light Movement and what prompted you to start it?
The Love and Light Movement is designed to encourage people to see the world, but also to be kind, and find inner peace. My movement was birthed in 2019 I was on a business trip to Turin, Italy. I used to share pictures for fun, and the owner of a major travel page contacted me after he saw a picture I posted. He said that “I was the most “well-traveled” woman he ran across that was unknown.” I explained that I just shared my adventures for my close friends and family.
He encouraged me to consider travel blogging and hosting trips. I only saw myself as a traveling scientist but he helped me see that I could use my travel knowledge to share my journey and curate trips.
I took a few days to think about it and decided to go for it. During that same trip I had already curated a luxurious break in the Almafi Coast for a girlfriend of mine and was more intentional about taking pictures and capturing content. We had such a good time and found that the trip was cathartic and healing.
In wrote the vision for my movement there in Italy and birthed the Love and Light Movement. I felt there was a needed to serve career millennials, like myself, who work hard and deserve a luxurious break from reality and want to be surrounded with like-minded individuals. So I curate luxury travel and lifestyle events to bring more love and light in your life. I am very intentional about collaborating with Black-owned businesses and brands to bring my visions to life.
I also wanted to hold meaningful conversations about healing and self-care so that high performing professionals do not burnout.
Travel halted in 2020 due to the pandemic and that gave me time to launch my blog, events, and travel. That time was a gift that allowed me to refine my vision and we are still going strong in 2022.
3. What is your favorite thing about solo travel? I love girl’s trips, and group travel, but there is something so liberating about solo travel!
When you travel solo you do not have to compromise any of your travel wishes. I can just rest, restore, and bask in the beauty of my femininity. You also get to learn who you are without external validation. I feel like each solo trip l learn more about myself.
When I travel solo, I am never lonely. I always meet new people and go on exciting adventures that leave me anew and give me vigor to get back to work and kill it!
4. What is your best piece of travel advice?
If you have the means and privilege to travel! Just go. There are so many ways to travel and see the world within your means.
Travel is dynamic and there really is no right or wrong way to travel. If you have a destination or travel dream that sets your heart on fire, go for it! Set a plan, with actionable steps and make that travel dream come true.
5. What is the travel hack that more people should know but don't?
You can get free or low cost upgrades to business class without breaking the bank. Also luxury properties often give you VIP perks and upgrades so you almost get more value and are able to maximize your experience.
Where else can folks find you?
You can follow my blog at www.theloveandlightmovement.com and follow me on twitter @llm_goddess and tiktok @loveandlightmovemnt
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