Testimonials

After taking an ancestry DNA test, I wanted learn more about Togo, Benin, and Ghana--the places that I had the strongest genetic ties. Shortly after, I heard about Magic & Melanin and the opportunity it offered to visit those countries. Already being an avid traveler, interested in exploring the African continent but not being sure of how, this was a chance I was not going to let slip by and I was so happy I didn't.

MM has created a beautiful program that helps you make connections back to the homeland through in-depth experiences that go beyond what any other travel company offers. Dossé-Via and her amazing staff embraced us like family and guided us on the road less traveled. I was immersed in the sights and sounds of modern cities like Accra and the rugged beauty of villages like Kpalime. I made real connections not only with other participants, but with local people I met along the way. I delved deeper into the history of my ancestors and gained awareness about the present of my brothers and sisters in West Africa. I did this and so much more, all the while filling my ears with the sound of the latest Afrobeats and eating the most delicious fufu and plantain. After such a wonderful first experience, I and a few others returned to travel with MM again. The other returners and I traveled to Côte d'Ivoire instead of Benin on round two and had a blast visiting Abidjan.

It was the adventure of a lifetime and I can't wait to come back for the three-peat!

— Ramona Richardson / Inaugural Dec. 2018 trip + Dec. 2019 trip

The Magic & Melanin x Daughter African birthright immersion experience is a cultural intervention and healing journey. This two-week exposure in West Africa puts the Trans-Atlantic Black experience into perspective, and allows every Black American to reconnect with their African roots and the Pan-Africanist ideals promoted by figures such as W.E.B Du Bois, Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, and Kwame Touré. The depth and focus of the Magic & Melanin x Daughter birthright experience directly combats the rupture and aftermath of slavery, which, over centuries, has systematically and disproportionately disadvantaged African peoples of the diaspora—methodically inhibiting the growth of our collective Black consciousness and identity.

I am grateful for the foresight and benevolence of Magic & Melanin x Daughter, their work and efforts assist in healing the African diaspora, and the larger global Black community. They have directly influenced my awareness of my roots, and aided in the reach and power of my magic. As a Black American people, a large part of our existence, inheritance, and purpose is entangled in the history, success, and development of the continent, Mother Africa. MM x Daughter understands this relationship explicitly, and has made it their mission to heal both the continent, Mother Africa, and its displaced descendants by creating opportunities for them to return home.

— Jeremy Scott Vinson / Aug. 2019 trip, Inaugural Daughter scholar

Traveling for the first time to Africa with Magic & Melanin was life changing! The MM staff curated an AMAZING 2 week itinerary that really captured the love and beauty of Africa—exceptional tours with even more exceptional tour guides, tasting the local cuisine, hiking through the mountains, learning and seeing so much culture, dancing the nights away…the list can go on and on. It felt like attending a family reunion with so much love and positivity from the MM staff, locals, and fellow travelers.

Seeing the land that our ancestors were ripped from was intense and freeing. I always longed to know my ancestors and culture and this was the perfect opportunity to get in touch, and I did just that, especially when we visited the slave dungeons at Cape Coast. The MM experience has helped to unleash my true power and voice that I feel everyday.

From beginning to end, it was a magical, whirlwind experience that left me ready to return ASAP!

— Rashad Ali Muhammad / Dec. 2019 trip

"There’s a lot of riches here in self-love and knowing who you are."

— Elizabeth Rabanal / Inaugural Dec. 2018 trip

Two of our Magic & Melanin inaugural participants, Johnaé Strong and Elizabeth Rabanal share testimonials from their experience taking part in Magic & Melanin's Immersion trip to Togo, Ghana and Benin.

The Magic & Melanin trips have completely changed my life, my world orientation, and taught me so much about my Blackness and history. The founder, Dossé-Via, put together a very thoughtful experience that not only exposes participants to fun, tourist attractions but also to intimate, realistic insights of West Africa. I have participated on the trips twice and each time my experience has been amazing! As a returnee this year, the MM team thoughtfully enhanced our experience by traveling to a new country and experiencing more of the continent than we had on the first trip. The beautiful sisterhood I have also gained with women from the first trip, who also returned with me on our second, is thanks to the MM experience. I am eternally grateful and I know my ancestors are proud!

— Tiffany Ferrette / Inaugural Dec. 2018 trip + Dec. 2019 trip

My journey with Magic & Melanin x Daughter was one for the books. Honestly, I knew I was being called to Africa I just did not have a clue as to how I was going to be able to afford to go. As a Daughter Org scholarship recipient I received an all expense paid pilgrimage back to the mother land. Traveling with MM was the icing on the cake, they really are something else. Along the course of the journey they provided all of us with ample opportunities to obtain knowledge and delve deeper into the history that was stolen from us. We also had a few lighter nights where we partied, ate good food, and imbibed in good spirits. Traveling to Africa (specifically Ghana, Benin, & Togo) opened my eyes to the fact that I am more than a solitary African American. It reminded me of truths I had lost touch with; one being that my roots run deep to a land that hasn't forgotten me, my roots are strong and powerful, and ancestor constantly guides and protects me. Pilgrimaging to Africa is not for the faint of heart, it gets real. However, every person of African descent should travel home at least once in their experience, it will change their life.

— Ivorie Jackson / Dec. 2019 trip, Daughter scholar

Getting the chance to spend time in what we often refer to as the "motherland" under the leadership of such a dynamically curated itinerary like Magic & Melanin offered all of the indulgences one would crave for their time in West Africa. From homemade meals of jollof rice to afrobeats dance parties with locals to meaningful conversation and insider perspective on social and political truths in various regions. As a descendant to enslaved Africans who were brought to the Americas, I have a very distinct curiosity to learn more about the crossover between African and African American existence through slave trade, culture and experience and MM offers a string of experiences that help us to connect dots, deep dive into learning and find deep joy in exploring these parts of ourselves that can seem awfully distant. Im grateful for the now two trips I've taken with MM. These trips have given me answers, family, memories and connections that I will never grow out of. I'm grateful.

— Rachel Cargle / Inaugural Dec. 2018 trip + Dec. 2019 trip

My first trip to the Motherland was made memorable by the Magic & Melanin team. They were so organized, kind and informative throughout the entire process. Even before I stepped foot on the plane, I felt like I knew exactly what to expect when I made it to Africa. From beginning to end, the team was nothing short of amazing. They took time to plan fun and educational activities throughout our two week stay. They also made sure to include plenty of local cuisine into our daily meals, which was the best part! I definitely plan on returning to Africa with MM in the future.

— Maaliyah Papillion / Dec. 2019 trip