Q: What led you to start the organization? How did you get it off the ground?
In 2001, minority travelers spent $30 billion globally. Despite this level of expenditure, no hotels were owned by Black owners, nor were any African Americans rising to higher-level executive positions. Minority spending was increasing, but there was no equity in terms of ownership. There was an opportunity for growth in minority ownership. A group of African American professionals in the tourism industry created NABHOOD intending to educate the industry on how to increase minority ownership and operations and expand supplier diversity.
Q: Can you discuss some educational partnerships you have created with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)?
The focus of NABHOOD’s outreach efforts is to build a pipeline of new leaders in the hospitality industry by bringing together students from HBCUs and other hospitality schools in the U.S. and the Caribbean with successful people of color in the industry.
- Each year 75-100 students attend the annual conference, where programming helps students become leaders, shows them opportunities, and exposes them to executives who can mentor them.
NABHOOD is working to find sustainable economic opportunities to build hotels on properties owned by HBCUs to support these endeavors.
- The Marriott Foundation donated to Howard University to start the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership with a focus on entrepreneurship, finance, real estate and data science.
NABHOOD is creating a database that will allow any major hotel organization to find qualified candidates of color.
Q: What are your short-term goals?
In the next 24 months, the organization’s goal is to put together more deals and focus on increasing investment, ownership and education, as well as expanding supplier diversity.
- NABHOOD, through a series of workshops held in conjunction with most of the major brands, helps high-net-worth individuals understand the hotel business and what is involved in owning a hotel.
Q: How do you expand supplier diversity?
Expanding supplier diversity has been slow going. However, major brands like Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton are starting to make supplier diversity a priority.
- Hyatt aims to ensure that 10% of total expenditure is spent with African American businesses.
NABHOOD works with suppliers by helping small companies get ready to sell their services to branded hotels.
- Large laundry companies were subcontracting Metro Laundry in Washington, D.C. NABHOOD worked with Hyatt to convince the brand to give the business directly to the company.
Q: How can people in the industry get more involved to support your efforts?
- Become members
- Help with student efforts
- Open doors to minority suppliers
- Help the new generation of young people get promoted
- Create opportunities for a minority investment
- Expand access to capital
