Returning to New York City: Exploring African Diaspora Communities Through a New Chapter

I’m currently preparing to relocate from the Washington, DC area back to New York City for a new job opportunity, and I’m excited for this next chapter of life in NYC.

In many ways, this move feels like a homecoming. I lived in New York until I was about 11 years old, so returning now feels like reconnecting with a place that shaped part of my childhood, this time through the perspective of adulthood.

Some of my favorite memories from growing up in New York are connected to the Tanzanian community in NYC. I remember evenings when Tanzanian families would gather together for parties while the adults talked, laughed, and socialized late into the night. There are still photos of me lying on a kanga alongside the other children during those gatherings. Those moments taught me the importance of community, culture, and connection early on.

Living in the DC area has also given me a deep appreciation for the African diaspora in Washington, DC. One of the things I’ve loved most about the DMV is how vibrant and active the African community is, with cultural events, restaurants, music, and gatherings representing countries from across the African continent.

Now, I’m excited to experience African diasporic life in New York City as an adult. I know the energy will be different, and I’m looking forward to exploring African communities in NYC, attending cultural events, building friendships, and learning more about the many diasporic spaces that exist throughout the city.

As I settle into this transition, I also hope to share more reflections on African diaspora culture, Tanzanian community life, and navigating identity and community between DC and New York here on the Refracting Africa blog.

Introducing the Refracting Africa Virtual Discussion Series: Tanzania Travel Reframed

I wanted to take a moment to share something new we’re starting at Refracting Africa.

In 2026, we’re launching a virtual discussion series focused on travel to Tanzania and the broader African diaspora. This is something I’ve been thinking about for a while, and I’m really excited to finally bring it to life.

At the end of the day, not all of us are in a place to travel when we want to. Sometimes it’s finances, sometimes it’s timing, sometimes it’s just life. But that doesn’t mean the curiosity isn’t there.

So I started thinking about how we can still create space for people to engage with Tanzania. How we can bring some of that experience into conversation, whether you’re planning a trip or just starting to think about it.

In some ways, we’ve already started doing this. Safari Sip was one of those moments. It was a chance to gather, to experience Tanzania through food and drinks, and to just be in community around it. This feels like a natural next step, just in a different format.

Our first discussion is called Tanzania Travel Reframed, and it really sits at the center of what Refracting Africa is about.

When most people think about traveling to Tanzania, safari is usually the first thing that comes to mind. And it should be. It’s an incredible experience. But it’s also just one way of seeing the country.

There’s also culture, history, everyday life, and the relationships that shape how you experience a place. That’s where the idea of refraction comes in. It’s about looking at Tanzania from different viewpoints, not just the adventure lens.

For this conversation, I’ll be joined by Riley Chervinsky. She has spent years writing about East Africa and has more recently been working directly with local operators in Tanzania. Her work includes time in the Tanga region and with a Maasai women’s collective, so she brings a perspective that is both personal and connected to the people and communities on the ground.

We’re going to talk about our own experiences traveling to Tanzania. What we thought we understood at first, what changed over time, and how those experiences shape the way we think about travel now.

Because the truth is, your relationship with a place like Tanzania doesn’t stay the same. It evolves.

This conversation is really about that evolution. It’s about thinking more deeply about how we travel and what it means to experience a place more fully.

If you’ve been curious about Tanzania, or if it’s been sitting in the back of your mind for a while, I would love for you to join us.

This is the first of three discussions we’re planning for 2026, with additional sessions coming in August and November. I’ll share more on those soon, but the goal is to keep building these spaces over time and expand even further in 2027.

You can find the registration link below.

Register

I’m really excited about this, and I hope you’ll be part of it.

More soon.

A Look Back at Chicago: Travel & Adventure Show and Safari Sip

This post comes about three weeks after Refracting Africa’s first visit to Chicago, where we participated in both the Travel & Adventure Show and hosted our Safari Sip event.

Both events were a great success. It was wonderful to meet people face to face and talk about the tours that Refracting Africa provides. It was also really special to share a little bit of the style and culture of Tanzania and introduce the idea that travel to East Africa can be about history, culture, and local connection, with safari as just one part of the experience.

Safari Sip in particular was something new for us. The idea was to introduce people to the spirit of Tanzania in a relaxed environment, combining conversation, music, and themed drinks inspired by safari travel. It gave us a chance to share what Refracting Africa is about by bringing people closer to the places, histories, and communities that shape the country.

A big thank you goes to Pynk Gin, owned by my friend Ebony, for creating the safari themed drinks for the event. They were a perfect addition to the evening.

The event sold out, which was exciting to see. Next year we hope to host it in a larger venue and expand on the concept. This may include incorporating more safari inspired themes and more opportunities to share information about the tours so the experience is even more enjoyable.

Refracting Africa will continue creating opportunities for connection beyond in person events. The next step will be a virtual information session, with the first one planned for May. More details will be shared in an upcoming blog post.

In the meantime, the video above, created by St., a friend of Ebony’s, captures some highlights from Safari Sip.

Thank you to everyone who attended. Your support means a great deal and is deeply appreciated.

Building Community Through Travel: Join Us in Chicago

I know it has been a while since I last posted, so my apologies. It has been a busy start to the year, but I am looking forward to being more consistent with my blog going forward.

This upcoming week is a big one for Refracting Africa because we are hosting our first in-person events. I am really excited about this because I believe the best way to share what we are building is to meet people directly, hear your questions, and explain why I started this company. Our tours are about showing Africa through a different lens, not just as a resort destination but as a place rich in history and culture, especially in Tanzania.

We have two events coming up. The first is the Travel & Adventure Show, where we will be at booth #1834. If you are on our mailing list, you will receive a free ticket promotion. I am looking forward to meeting many of you there.

Our second event is brand new. We are partnering with Pynk Gin, a mobile bartending company owned by my college friend, Ebony Savoy, to host a mixer with themed cocktails, Tanzanian-inspired hors d’oeuvres, and information about our 2026 tours. It will be a relaxed space to learn about the tours and connect with other travel-minded people.

I am especially excited to be in Chicago. I went to Northwestern, so it feels like a homecoming. I also plan to host a future in-person event in DC in partnership with another Black-owned business so we can continue building community and supporting each other.

Going forward, I will be more consistent on the blog, sharing updates about the company and more details on the destinations we visit and why they matter.

I will post again after the events to share how everything went. Please also follow along on social media for photos and updates. I am very grateful to the friends who are volunteering their time to help me make these events happen.

I am excited for what is ahead and I look forward to meeting many of you in person.

What’s New for 2026: Itinerary Tweaks, Early Arrival Activities & Your Last Chance for 10% Off

Welcome back! Last week I shared some reflections on the October Misafara tour, and now I’m excited to talk about what’s coming next for Misafara 2026.

Thoughtful Tweaks Based on Tour Participants Feedback

As always, Refracting Africa evolves based on what travelers enjoy most. A few adjustments are coming to make next year’s trips even smoother:

Kilwa Walking Tour Adjustments
The ruins are stunning, but the walking portion was more than some guests preferred. For 2026, we may visit just one island (Kilwa Kisiwani) instead of both (Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara), depending on what the group prefers. We’ll take a vote with each group before departure so the pace matches your comfort.
Optional Early-Arrival Cultural Activities
For travelers who arrive before the official start date, we’re adding new pre-departure cultural experiences available for an additional cost. These are great if you want to dive into Tanzanian culture right away rather than resting at the hotel. Details will be listed soon so you can plan ahead.

July & September 2026 Tours

As many of you saw in our email, the February tour has moved to September, so the next Misafara groups will run in July and September 2026.
Both itineraries will include the following additions from October 2025:

Optional early-arrival add-on experiences
Option to visit one or both of the Kilwa islands
Chumbe Island (not part of October 2025 tour)

Last Call for 10% Off

Our KUMI 10% early booking discount ends on December 31.

You only need a $500 deposit to secure the discount — the rest of your balance can be paid later. If you use a payment plan, there’s a 3% processing fee, but your final savings still land around 7% off. That’s a great deal for a two-week journey in Tanzania. You have to be subscribe to the mailing list to qualify for the discount.

If a 2026 adventure has been on your mind, now’s the best moment to lock it in.

What’s Next

We’ll be releasing a photo slideshow in December so you can get a full look at our October journey. If you’re not on our mailing list or following us on socials, be sure to connect so you don’t miss it.

Thanks for being part of our growing community.

Until next time,
Misi

October Recap: A Beautiful Return to Misafara

Hello, friends,

It’s been a little while! I’m finally settling back in after returning from our October 2025 Misafara tour, and I’m still smiling about the experience. It was such a rich and joyful two weeks with our group, and I wanted to give you a little behind-the-scenes look at how it all went.

New Sites & Shared Firsts

We began in Dar es Salaam, but this itinerary also included something completely new for both our guests and for me: Kilwa Kiswani.
Exploring the ruins together was such a powerful moment — full of history, beautiful views, and great conversations. It was definitely a standout experience, and we’re grateful to Alexander’s, Kilwa Beach Lodge, and Slow Leopard for hosting us and helping make that portion of the journey so smooth and memorable.

A Different Kind of Safari

Even though safari isn’t new to Refracting Africa, this was my first time doing a safari in Nyerere National Park (formerly Selous Game Reserve). My previous safari experiences have been in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, which you see on our Baba Yangu itinerary.

Nyerere felt different in the best way:

More intimate
Less crowded
A slower, more relaxed pace to really take in the wildlife and landscape

A huge thank you to our partners Aiysha, Alexander’s. Kilwa Beach Lodge, and Slow Leopard for their guidance, wildlife knowledge, and warm hospitality made the experience exceptional for everyone on the tour.

Gratitude for the October Group

This group was full of curiosity, humor, and great energy — the kind of travelers who remind me why Refracting Africa exists in the first place. I can’t wait to share photos and stories from the journey. If you’re not already following our socials, now’s a great time to hop on; we’ll be posting highlights throughout December.

See you next week for part two, where I’ll share itinerary tweaks, early arrival activities, and that important reminder about the 10% early booking discount.

Until then,
Misi

1 2 3 4 Next »

Our Blog