Travel has always been more than vacation for me—it’s a heartbeat. My own began in the early ’90s when I won a McDonald’s sweepstakes and flew to Dakar, Senegal, traveling with Alex Haley’s son. At just nineteen, I stepped through the Door of No Return, listened to griots, danced to African rhythms, and haggled in the bustling markets. Cultural tourism had me hooked. I promised myself then: one new international destination every year. I kept that vow. Buddy-pass hookups, endless discount sites, every reward mile I could earn—I worked every angle. I’ve returned to the Motherland many times, and this December I’ll go back to Senegal for the first time in thirty years. The excitement feels just as electric as it did on that very first trip. Life added new chapters. When I moved to Atlanta, bought my first home, and started a family, I began a tradition of holiday travel. We’d spend Christmas on a cruise, or New Year’s Eve in Cuba. Eventually, extended family realized it was a new tradition and joined in. Ready to start your own tradition of holiday travel? See our curated list on p. 9 – 11. My adult daughter (aka my broke little best friend) still joins me annually in Hawaii to celebrate our November birthdays & Thanksgiving. Find out how to join us on p 7. She’s even stepping in as IJUS Travel’s college liaison, curating trips like our upcoming Spring Break in Jamaica (details on p. 17).
Recently I took my mom and her friends to Jamaica for her 70th birthday—her first visit to the island. We chose an all-inclusive resort for this trip, and they loved it so much they’re already planning a villa stay for later this year. Learn the difference between resort and villa travel on p. 5. Since 2017, I’ve been the go-to planner for family reunions, work retreats, and girlfriends’ getaways. Years in corporate hospitality taught me how to design seamless experiences, and now, with the support of FORA, I’ve launched IJUS Travel—a modern travel advisor service for companies and individuals alike. From first spark to final boarding pass, I bring hands- on planning, booking, and on-the- ground support that turns vacations into intentional journeys. This magazine is an extension of that passion. Leggo is where daydreams take flight: a monthly collection of destinations, insider tips, and soulful stories to move you from “maybe someday” to “I’m on my way.” I’ll share more about carnivals and my dance background in future issues (IYKYK), but check out how you can join me to sabar through the streets of Senegal (p. 7) and samba through the islands of Cabo Verde (p. 15). For now, I invite you to open these pages, catch the rhythm, and let the journey begin.
EDITOR & FOUNDER’S NOTE
WELCOME TO THE VERY FIRST ISSUE OF LEGGO
Leggo!
(Top to bottom) My mom’s birthday crew in Jamaica. An atlanta radio host, tour guide, and me on the Senegal trip in the early 90's.
Founder & Editor, Leggo | IJUS Travel LEGGO | SEPT ‘25
IJUS travel
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