Laz Alonso understands how traveling expands perspectives and changes mindsets. The accomplished actor was officially introduced as the new Travel Ambassador for BlackAtlas.com at a celebrity-filled event taking place at Studio Museum in Harlem on Aug. 3.
Alonso shares why he was excited about his partnership with BlackAtlas.com and American Airlines.
“When you’re in front of the camera rehearsing someone else’s lines, you’re protected because you’re playing a role,” Alonso said. “But when you’re doing something like this, it’s all you. The career I’ve chosen – to be an actor – has blessed me with the opportunity to see places around the world that I probably wouldn’t have visited if my job hadn’t taken me there. I’ve always wanted tho share those experiences with family, friends and people. BlackAtlas.com allows me to do it on a much broader scale. As the celebrity travel ambassador for BlackAtlas.com, I have the opportunity to share all the places that I travel to with you.”
BlackAtlas.com is the first-of-its-kind social travel networking site combining the best features of a travel site with the power of an online social network for travelers to share experiences unique to the black community. Through video, commentary, photos and blogs, BlackAtlas.com registered users can share content across social networks, save content to Favorites, gain access to BlackAtlas.com specials, and link to promotional fares on AA.com. Content is categorized into destination-, city- and category-specific information, including travel tips, restaurants, nightlife, culture, arts and museums, and historic sites.
Publisher and owner of Steed Media Group, Munson Steed, shared the importance of being interactive with BlackAtlas.com and the payoff for those who participate.
“It’s imperative to join BlackAtlas.com,” Steed said. “The community should be posting their travel videos too. I’ve witnessed someone win twice. I was in St. Lucia and the winner won twice because she responded the fastest and posted the most videos on BlackAtlas.com. There were prizes, including getaways to New Orleans for the Essence Music Festival and Miami for ABFF [American Black Film Festival]. We need everyone posting videos so America can see this project.”
Melanie Fiona served as the special guest performer. Other celebs in attendance included Robert Townsend, New York Knicks’ J.R. Smith, Jennifer Williams of Vh1’s “Basketball Wives,” and Amanda Diva.
