Miami is an art lover’s playground where you can you can explore the diverse societies that make up the African diaspora: African American, Caribbean, Latin American, and African cultures. So if you want to take in some art while exploring the diverse neighborhoods that make up Miami, check out a few of the sights and events below:

(Frank Benson, Juliana, 2014-2015, Rubell Family Collection, Miami. Image: miamiandbeaches.com)

The Little Haiti Cultural Complex, maintains a 9,000 square feet market featuring art, crafts, food, and entertainment. The facility also serves as a space for artists to display a collection of their artwork. It also offers a workshop training series for local minority small business owners. And the surrounding area also hosts “Sounds of Little Haiti,” a free outdoor concert to celebrate Haitian culture which takes place every third Friday night.

The Haitian Heritage Museum is committed to preserving and showcasing Haitian art, literary works, music, and artifacts.

The Art of Black Miami celebrates local artists by providing a series of art talks and exhibitions for them to get the spotlight. On top of visiting art displays and attending talks on culture and diversity, Miami has a variety of multicultural neighborhoods that are worthy of a visit such as :

• The Historic Overtown – Once known as the black Wall Street, this area features a historic theatre, colorful murals of African American icons, the Black Police Precinct and Museum which showcases historical memorabilia of the first black police officers in the City of Miami, and more.

• Little Haiti – Area hot spots include Little Haiti cultural center, restaurants featuring traditional Haitian food, and series of live music events and classes.

(Image: miamiandbeaches.com)

• Little Havana – From Cuban specialty foods and cigar shops to Cuban arts and culture, the area is known as a cultural museum.

• Coconut Grove – For a Bohemian vibe, you can set sail on Biscayne Bay, stroll through the historic village west neighborhood, and then treat yourself to dinner at a sidewalk cafe

Art Beat Miami -is another cultural explosion of Miami art exhibits, culture, food, and music. You can also check out a list of Miami’s top artists here.

 African Diaspora Dance & Drum Festival of Florida  – a  celebratory event honoring a diverse lineup of groups representing the Caribbean, United States, and Africa, and the legacy of cultural leaders.

A visit to Nepal, India, is made extra special when you stay at the Taj Hotel’s Meghauli Serai. Located inside Chitwan National Park, which is well known for its wildlife viewing, Meghauli Serai offers guests the experience of a real exotic animal encounter right outside their door.

Room/suite prices range from $110 to $200 per night, and the safari experiences—available as a 4×4 jeep ride or a canoe excursion down the Rapti River—range from $120 to $225 per person.

There’s nothing like being on a safari and watching exotic creatures up close and personal in their own environment. Not in Africa—but Nepal.

Here are five reasons to book a room at the Meghauli Serai.

Comfortable Accommodations and Amenities

It’s not a huge hotel (there are fewer than 30 rooms for rent), which makes it feel more like a community than a resort. But even with so few guests, there were plenty of options for dining and amenities.

If you didn’t have the view outside to remind you that you’re in the jungle, you’d never know you were in the jungle. The rooms are comfortable and cool, the food is excellent, and the services at the spa provide the icing on the cake to an all-around amazing experience.

(Meghauli Serai suite. Image: Aniesia Williams)
(Meghauli Serai bathroom. Image: Aniesia Williams)

Excellent Guest Services

The amount of wildlife here certainly makes this hotel stand out from other Taj hotels. But even without the elephants and tigers roaming about, the hotel itself provided a wonderful experience.

From the moment you arrive until the time you say goodbye, you’ll feel like every single staff member you encounter here is interested in making your stay phenomenal. Not just good, but truly phenomenal. From bonfire dinners to well-planned activities, the staff here goes above and beyond to ensure every visit is the best you’ve ever had.

(Meghauli Serai lobby. Image: Aniesia Williams)

Being One With Nature

There are no major highways or shopping centers, no sounds of cars zipping by your window, and none of the typical city noises that many have grown accustomed to. Look up and you’ll see a sky brimming with stars that haven’t been shuttered by glaring streetlights. Listen closely and you’ll hear the hums and murmurs of insects, predators, and other fauna nearby.

If you’ve ever wanted to truly get away from the daily hustle and bustle, the Meghauli Serai can deliver, but without having to sacrifice hot showers, good food, and other modern conveniences.

(Meghauli Serai outdoor shower, Image: Aniesia Williams)

Safaris That Rival Those in East Africa

Elephants, Bengal tigers, rare one-horned rhinos, over 540 species of birds, Ghariyals (a type of crocodile), sloth bears, leopards, and hundreds of other animals await you on one of several safari options at the hotel. Whether you prefer to cruise in a Jeep, 4×4, or atop of an elephant, you’ll get closer to these animals in their natural habitat than you ever thought possible.

The Meghauli Serai offers a variety of safari tours to suit every taste, including bird watching, exotic animals, and other wildlife. And while you may have to get out of bed early for some of these tours, the visual rewards are well worth it.

(Entrance to safari experience outside Meghauli Serai. Image: Aniesia Williams)

A Lifetime of Memories

The things you will see and do during your stay at the Meghauli Serai will not soon be forgotten. From up-close animal encounters to elephant rides through the jungle to guided tours and unique dining experiences, most people only dream of the opportunities that await you here. You’ll want to capture every moment on camera and treasure them for years to come.

(Safari experience canoe. Image: Aniesia Williams)

On Labor Day weekend Black Enterprise will be holding its first ever Black Men XCEL Summit, a “combination of empowerment, inspiration, networking, and entertainment” that celebrates the leadership and excellence of black men.

Leading up to the event I thought it would be fun to profile young black men who are excelling by doing what’s out of the ordinary.

Our first Q&A is with Larry Harris, who last week was sworn into the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State, which executes the foreign policy of the United States. Harris will serve in a career appointment as a diplomat.

(Larry Harris. Image: Chavez Adams)

Harris is a graduate of the University of Illinois and American University, where he earned a Master of Arts in International Relations.

I recently spoke with him to find out more about this new chapter in his life.

How did you learn about the Foreign Service?

Larry Harris: When I was a sophomore in college I was giving a speech at the United Nations on culture diplomacy. There were several foreign service officers there—that was the first time I heard about it.

Wait a minute! You’re a college sophomore giving a speech at the U.N.? How did that happen?

LH: (Laughs) My professor had asked me to introduce Guy Djoken, chairman of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Clubs, Centers & Associations, who had come to my school to inaugurate our UNESCO chapter. Afterward he asked me to come to New York and speak at the World Federation of UNESCO Clubs, Centers & Associations conference. I was completely taken aback by the invitation.

Tell me a little bit about your background.

LH: My dad is a retired Chicago city bus driver and my mother worked in medical records. I attended Chicago public schools that were severely lacking in resources and had outdated books. But I had teachers who took an interest in my education and served as mentors. My parents also had a huge impact on my life. They always said there were no barriers to achieving what I wanted and were 100% supportive of my endeavors.

Tell me about your undergraduate experience.

LH: Undergrad was fantastic—I recommend the University of Illinois highly. I formed strong bonds with my professors and remain in contact with them today. They genuinely had a strong interest in seeing their students succeed. We had professors of all ethnicities but most of my professors were white.

How does one become part of the Foreign Service?

LH: There is a testing process—a written test on American history, the U.S. constitution—a range of subjects that covers every facet of U.S. life and culture and the world as well. If you pass the written test you’re invited to the oral examination. If you pass the oral, you go through a security clearance process and a health clearance process.

I actually came in through the [Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program]. [The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program] and Rangel fellowships facilitate the entry of underrepresented groups into the Foreign Service. They ensure that the Foreign Service reflects the rich diversity of our country, so every race, religion, and socioeconomic status must be represented. The Foreign Service must look like America.

Do Fellows have to take the written and oral exams?

LH: Fellows actually get vetted twice—we go through a selection process to receive the fellowship, and then also through the exam process. The Rangel Fellowship selects 30 students from across the country every year. It provides funds to finance your graduate education, your internship on Capitol Hill, and your internship at an industry abroad. Once you’ve satisfied these requirements you enter the Foreign Service.

Do you need to know a foreign language?

LH: The Foreign Service will teach you. But I learned Kiswahili at the University of Illinois. That was the language I tested out of at the American University School of International Service.

What are your goals as a diplomat?

LH: While serving my country I hope to learn something new every day from my colleagues, from the culture, from my position. I want to build mutual understanding between my country and the country in which I’ll be serving. I want to build a more prosperous world and new bridges between nations.

Your parents must be proud of you.

LH: They’re super proud, though my mother is a little concerned. U.S. diplomats can serve in dangerous places.

You survived growing up in Chicago.

LH: (Laughs) That’s true.

Register now for the Black Men XCEL Summit and join us for a great party and celebration of black men! 

Spurs sharp-shooter Danny Green is from Long Island, so in the offseason it’s not odd to see him at various places around New York city, signing autographs and taking pictures with fans. Green made an appearance on Wednesday at Manhattan’s NBA 5th Avenue Store, which also hosted former G-League players Chasson Randle and Joe Harris on Monday. 

(Image: Courtesy of the NBA)

According to statistics being spouted from the store’s surround sound PA system, 44 % of NBA players have D-League/G-League experience and 100 of the players in last season’s NBA playoffs got that next level polishing there. 

Green is a G League product. He was drafted by the Cleveland Cavs in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft after winning a National Championship at the University of North Carolina. 

(YouTube/carolinagirl69642)

 The four-year player was waived by Cleveland (who undoubtedly regrets that decision now) and embarked on a D League/G League journey that led him to stints with the Erie BayHawks, Reno Bighorns and Austin Toros. 

Green even played in Slovenia until his game was ripe for the pickings and he caught on with the Spurs in 2011, eventually finding his niche as the super clutch, trey-draining, defensive stopper on the 2014 championship Spurs team and being blessed with the $40 million contract he currently enjoys.  

(YouTube/NBA) 

The Shadow League got a chance to speak with the NBA champion about his G League experience, playing with Tim Duncan and for Gregg Popovich – two legends of their respective crafts – and how a team-oriented, perennial playoff machine like the Spurs will handle the proliferation of Super Teams forming throughout the league. 

How did your G-League experience prepare you for life in the NBA and help you stick with the Spurs once you got a real opportunity?

“I think It was a very big part of me becoming the type of player that Pop wanted me to be. He thought I was a good player. He thought I was talented, but he didn’t think I had an edge. I think the D-League is that experience that gives a lot of guys the edge, especially myself. You kind of play with more of a chip on your shoulder to prove people wrong, especially the critics. Looking back, that experience was a lot of fun and helped me grow as a player and mature. I became more aggressive and expanded my game a little more. It gave me an edge.” 

 Did staying four years in college initially hurt you as an NBA prospect?

“I don’t think so. I actually think it helps some guys if they stay an extra year or two. For me, I didn’t have much of a choice. I wasn’t a highly rated prospect coming out of high school. Regardless of what year I left it would probably have been the same outcome for me. It was good for me to get a degree and finish school. I always wanted to graduate from college so I made sure I did that. I tested the waters in my junior year to see what it would be like and I went back to school and ended on a pretty good note, so I was lucky enough to win a National Title before I left.”

Shanti Das, aka the Hip-Hop Professional, is best known for her work on the careers of Usher, Outkast, Toni Braxton, and TLC. But now she’s working to make sure our communities are heart healthy.

(Image: Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shanti Das)

A former executive at LaFace, Arista, Columbia, and Universal Motown, Das is now a National Power Ambassador for the American Heart Association. She’s bringing awareness to its EmPOWERED to Serve campaign to improve health in multicultural communities.

“One of the goals for me being the national ambassador is to really help bring about as much awareness as I can particularly for the American Heart Association with this being a multicultural initiative,” said Das in a press release.

“I want to use my influence in the entertainment industry to spread the message and to help create healthier lifestyles and open up opportunities and access in our urban communities.”

In the first episode of “Take Me Home,” a documentary series for the American Heart Association, Das goes back to her Atlanta neighborhood to explore food deserts and the link between unhealthy diets and heart disease.

With a family history of high blood pressure and heart disease, Das felt called to speak out about the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. She’s also beginning to work with local leaders in Atlanta to bring healthier food options into urban neighborhoods.

Earlier this year, Das stopped by the Black Enterprise office to talk about her heart healthy mission:

After spending three-and-a-half days at Tony Robbins’ Unleash the Power Within seminar in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center, I am energized by the desire to release the untapped potential within myself and the enthusiasm I felt from my fellow attendees.

“Clarity is Power,” said Robbins, as he worked the crowd of more than 14,000 people from 72 different countries. He told us that positive thinking is not enough to get motivated, and it is then that I realized my attitude toward motivational speakers and/or life coaches has forever changed. Robbins, and his disciple Joseph McClendon III, teach us that there is nothing wrong with our lives—it’s our emotions and meaning that matter.

(Tony Robbins. Image: Flickr/Randy Stewart)

“We don’t live how we want, we live how we think we should,” he said, “there’s a common force that’s driving and shaping all our emotions and actions. It determines the quality of our lives, and ultimately our destinies.”

Gathering the Courage to Do the Infamous ‘Firewalk’

By the end of day one, I felt ready to face my fears, and the anticipation of learning how to conquer them over the course of this seminar had my heart racing. But first, the firewalk. Walking across a bed of hot coals was just as much of a challenge as it was a vehicle to overcome my fears. Although some UPW participants said they didn’t remember the walk, I remembered it vividly, along with the instructions that were drilled into my head (although I did forget to repeat the mantra, cool moss).

(Image: Darcel Church)

I was determined—why would I sign up for this seminar if I wasn’t going to take full advantage of everything it had to offer? As I chanted, “yes” over and over again and clenched my fists, I walked across the coals with my head held high and the feeling that the only thing holding me back from doing anything I want, is me. The feeling was invigorating, and once I [wiped off my feet and] celebrated I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. The weight of feeling like I am an underachiever, and not taking advantage of the gifts I was given. One of the most important things I learned that weekend was not to fight fear or ignore it. If you keep fighting fear, it will get stronger, and you will get tired, and there will be no progress.

Obtaining a New Mindset Among Entrepreneurs and Influencers

Joseph McClendon III had us adjusting our body language, shaking our asses, and vowing to flush out our system and live a healthier life. After repeating the words, “I Freaking Rock!” over and over again, everyone in the room believed they were amazing. I was inspired by the incredible UPW team and speakers such as Dave Asprey, the Bulletproof coffee entrepreneur; The Iceman, Wim Hof, a Dutch daredevil; and cardiac surgeon Dr. Steven Gundry, who all consider themselves ordinary people, but have done extraordinary things. For more than 50 hours, I laughed, danced, cried, and sang with people I had never met before. I witnessed more than 14,000 people, cheering each other on without discrimination, or negative energy.

(Image: Darcel Church)

It has been more than a week, since the event ended, and my fellow “Unleash The Power” attendees are still hyped by their experiences, and have remained in a peak state. I am in awe of all those who post about their progress and how dedicated they are to staying connected with one another. Each day, I can feel my fears dissipating as I get stronger and stronger. I am unleashing the power within.

The Black Chef Series kickoff event took place in Harlem on July 24^th . The exclusive event showcases the talent and culinary creations of African American chefs and has been held annually for the past three years. Black Enterprise’s Executive Managing Editor Alisa Gumbs served as host.

(Alisa Gumbs with the featured chefs. Image: AVBrown Photography)

The kickoff was held at the BluJeen restaurant. Guests paid $65 per ticket to feast on a four-course meal that began with a cocktail reception. Other menu items included fried green tomatillos with dashi collards, smoked fat crab Louis; bacon wrapped pork tenderloim; and among the dessert offerings: banana nut-bread pudding; avec cremasse du haitien; and sweet potato crema pasticerra cake.

(A Fried Okra Cocktail, served at the event. Image: BlackChefSeries/Facebook)

The featured chefs included:

Vaughn Moore, the executive chef and owner of Mere Violas:

(Image: Vaughn Moore/Facebook)

Russell Jackson, Owner-Operator at SubCulture Dining:

(Image: Russell Jackson/Facebook)

Lance Knowling, Chef/Owner at Blujeen NYC:

(Image: Lance Knowling/Facebook)

Darrell Burnette, Chef/Owner/Operator at Belle Harlem:

(Image: Darrell Burnette/Facebook)

Knowling and Jackson, along with chefs Maxcel Hardy and Alize Beal founded the Black Chef Series. In 2015, co-founder Beal said about the event, “Our guests can expect to indulge in delicious food, great people, and amazing wine.  You will have the opportunity to meet and converse with influential professionals during the communal style dining experience. You get to build business and personal networks, so bring a lot of business cards.”

Black-owned Harlem Brewing Company served as the official brew and cider partner. Cutlery was provided by another black-owned business, iFork, which makes an innovative fork that never touches the table’s surface for a more hygienic dining experience.

The nonprofit partner of the Black Chef Series is The Black Man Can—an organization forced on celebrating, educating, and inspiring boys and men of color.

Additionally, a percentage of the evening’s proceeds from ticket sales went to various charities as per the event’s website.

Additional reporting by Kandia Johnson.