Purpose Driven Passports Wins IAC Humanitarian Award

I’m still in a bit of shock. Like, when did I become a Humanitarian? As if there haven’t been enough plot twists on my resume. You’d think after tossing my medical career into the trash, I’d settle into this new marketing career and ride it out till retirement, right? Nope. I had to start a nonprofit organization on top of the 2 other businesses I’m running. But strangely, of everything I’ve done in my 15 year career here in New York, this feels the most rewarding. And somehow familiar? Like I’m back where I started.

Well it turns out, I am. The photo above was taken at age 20ish when I joined a medical mission trip to Jamaica. Our team of pre-med students collected over-the-counter medicines and supplies, and traveled with a team of doctors into the mountains of the Portland parish to set up a medical clinic. I’ll never forget two young girls who came to me, complaining of conflicting symptoms that didn’t make sense.

Me: “Where does it hurt?”
Them: *points to tummy*
Me: “Awwwww okay. Anywhere else?”
Them:
*Points to knee*
*pats head and stomach*
*scratches shoulder*

“What kinda Blue Mountain flu is this,” I thought to myself?

Utterly confused as to a a diagnosis, I asked our lead physician (also from Jamaica) what what wrong with them. He explained that nothing was wrong. They were making up illnesses to get medicine, so that they and their families would have it when someone actually got sick.

In that moment I became keenly aware of my privilege, and the conveniences we take for granted here in America. Sure, the entire country doesn’t suffer like this, but I saw enough cases during the course of that week to truly understand the difference between the “haves” and the “have nots.”

I eventually decided not to go to med school (RIP paycheck), but the desire to help people never left me. Which is why after 15 years in the advertising industry, a piece of me still felt unfulfilled. Luckily in 2016, my need to get away from the ad hustle landed me at a resort in Negril called Rockhouse, which has a nonprofit foundation that builds schools in the Westmoreland region. I visited the Little Bay School during my visit, saw the work they had done on the school, and fell in love all over again with volunteerism. It was a full circle moment for me, and I knew I had to find a way back to my purpose.

I founded Purpose Driven Passports to create opportunities for travelers to donate their time, money, and resources directly to schools, orphanages and programs abroad. In barely a year of existence, we raised over $10,000 for programs in Jamaica and Kenya, and 100% of those funds went to our partner organizations. We are also gearing up for our very first volunteer trip in the Fall of this year. We’re building a database of trusted and vetted organizations that people can support while they’re traveling the world, and are constantly being contacted by dope organizations to partner on meaningful work. This is a whole new world for me, and I’m learning as I go. But one thing I know to be true. If I can convince the masses to purchase deodorant, twist-out creams and cognac, I can use those same marketing skills to draw attention to people who need it most.

So at this point in my speech, as I was accepting my award, I looked down at my notecards I decided to go off script. I was about to talk about all the countries I had been to, which is definitely inspiring, but at that point I was thinking about the IAC students in the room, and what they needed to hear most. Armed with shiny new passports and memories from their 2017 Cuba trip, these 10th grade students from Brooklyn will soon enter a season of tremendous opportunity as high school graduates. The IAC program supports them with empowerment workshops, mentors and financial assistance to help them travel. My challenge to them (and to you as a reader) is to remember that travel is a privilege. The Bible says “To whom much is given, much is required.” (Or maybe my Grandma said that? Either way – #Facts) As we hit these beaches, mount these camels and post our adventures on the ‘gram #fortheculture, let’s do what we can to make it a little easier for the people beyond the gates of our resorts.

You’ll be hearing more about our initiatives in the coming weeks, and all I ask is that you spread the word! The more travelers that hear about this movement, the bigger difference we can make together. Thank you to the IAC Board for honoring my work and affirming my vision. We’re just getting started and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish from here!

Click here to join Purpose Driven Passports and get involved

Click here to donate directly to the I Am C.U.L.T.U.R.E.D program