Jordan's Travel Story

Jordan on a recent trip to Cuba

Name: Jordan Brown
Current Age: 31
Age when you traveled: 21
Location: Bermuda

What were the circumstances of this trip?
My grandfather was stationed in Bermuda during the late 1960s with my grandma, mom and my two uncles. In the Air Force, he sang in a band to stay creative. We found out that we had additional family down there so we decided to visit. 

What impact do you feel this trip had on you?
Visiting Bermuda was the first time I travelled with family. Since I was 6, I only travelled alone to visit my dad in Washington D.C. Now I was in Bermuda with my mom and cousin.
Another aspect about Bermuda was that it was predominantly Black and people spoke with English accents. This was all new to me since growing up in Sacramento and being a part of small black student population. It was a lush island with history and culture.

Do you feel this trip affected your sense of self or the world? If so, in what way?
When I was in Bermuda, the Black folks there were different from those I have experienced in the Sacramento, CA. When walking down the street and seeing another Black person, the common thing to do in Bermuda is to say hi or smile. This acknowledgement wasn’t as common where I was from. I mean sometimes older Black men would say hi to me and I thought "do I know them." But after traveling to Bermuda I saw the importance of valuing our presence. Mainstream society has done little to recognize us as divers and unique people.  Black people deal with many challenges related to family, racism, employment, etc., To have someone who looks like you say "what's up" or a simple smile and nod feels good when. Now that I experienced it, I have gotten into the habit of acknowledging other Black folks when walking by instead of looking down or at my phone.

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...after traveling to Bermuda I saw the importance of valuing our presence.

​​​What do you think you accomplished or pursued that you otherwise would not have?
I think seeing Bermuda gave me the travel bug. I had a great time and wanted to see where else I could go. Being exposed to a new culture caught my interest to where I was growing old of Sacramento, the people and the college I attended. Traveling to Bermuda showed me that it is possible to save your own money, apply for a passport, get a ticket, and go.

What do you feel contributed the most to this effect?
What contributed to this effect was seeing the people in Bermuda and traveling to Europe where less people looked like me. So when I saw a Black person I immediately smile and sometimes they'd do the same. When traveling to Africa(Ghana, Morocco) or Columbia, I experienced this ten fold. It promoted the beauty of blackness that we have been taught to hate. So when I got back to California, I wanted to keep this in practice because it lets others know they are valued. Like, “I see you when the rest of the world doesn't.”

What advice would you give to the person you were before you took this journey?
The advice I would give to myself to learn from people. Look at black travel bloggers.  Have conversations with new people. Document more of your time through writing and photography via social media.  Be humble and flexible with your comfort zone.   

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Biography
Jordan runs culturecontech.com a consulting company for educators, students, and parents to receive culturally relevant educational.  works with students, parents, colleagues, and administration to implement culturally relevant technology in the classroom to address the needs of diverse students. As a graduate of the University of San Francisco's Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning Master's program, Jordan has created curriculum, facilitated trainings, and conducted research to develop a deeper understanding of technology, culture and learning to serve underrepresented youth.  Traveling the world influences his passions to connect culture to learning. Jordan has used his media skills and culture awareness to impact communities in El Salvador, Germany, and Ghana.

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