As the Black Lives Matter movement continues garnering support on a global scale, there are plenty of ways to take an active part beyond spreading awareness through social media posts. Protests and petitions have been a crucial way to make collective demands for change, but it’s also important for us to make strategic monetary contributions that will support the Black community long term. From fashion brands to beauty businesses, Black-owned companies are starting to receive the long-overdue recognition that they so deserve (if you don’t know about the 15 Percent Pledge yet, read this). And, it doesn’t stop with online shopping — which is exactly where Airbnb comes into play.
If the online trip-booking platform serves as nothing more than a reminder of all the traveling you won’t be doing this summer, we’re here to convince you otherwise. While we haven’t figured out a way to teleport you to that beachside bungalow abroad, we can promise a much more meaningful type of virtual experience: one that actively supports Black creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs. Airbnb is currently offering a stacked lineup of virtual workshops to feed your inspirations while supporting the Black community in tandem — led by everyone from Black authors to Olympians, teaching everything from indoor gardening tutorials to high-energy workout classes.
All you need to do? Download Zoom and scroll ahead to choose your own adventure with 11 of Airbnb’s top-rated hosts. In addition to acquiring a new skillset and experiencing a unique cyber world, expect to be reminded of how against all odds the human spirit has a way of bringing us all together — no matter what stands in our way.
To help bring attention to the police killing of George Floyd, you can sign the Change.org petition here, or donate to local organizations like Black Vision Collective or Reclaim the Block via the Minnesota Freedom Fund here.
Table of Contents
Follow an Olympic Journey From the Back of a Bobsled
Cost: From $35/person
Duration:
1 hour
Group size:
Up to 10 people
Get up close and personal with a real Olympian (or, at least, as close as you can get in the virtual world). This experience allows you to chat with Lauren Gibbs, a 2018 USA Women’s Bobsled silver medalist, and learn about her journey from the corporate world to the Olympic podium — along with a little show-and-tell to boot.
Come with questions and prepare to take notes, because Gibbs’ unfiltered reflection on mindset, motivation, and overcoming adversity is something you’ll want to hold onto. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Propagate Plants With Hilton Carter
Cost: From $35/person
Duration:
1.5 hours
Group size:
Up to 15 people
If you’re trying to add a little green to that thumb of yours but can’t even keep your indoor plants alive, all hope is not lost — at least not as far as flora enthusiast Hilton Carter is concerned.
Carter is a plant and interior stylist and author of “Wild Interiors” — and his mission for hosting this digital class is to teach others about the care, bonding, and patience required when creating your own garden.Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Take A Motorcity Workout Party
Cost: From $15/person
Duration:
1 hour
Group size:
Up to 10 people
If lockdown left you feeling a little too comfy on that couch of yours, how about logging into a cardio party to get that body moving? Vibe Ride Detroit’s coach Crystal Marie is waiting to get you sweating, singing, dancing, and stepping to the city’s best beats.
There’s even the option to host a private group for up to 10 guests starting at $150 if you manage to get a crew together for this experience. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Discover Kenyan Home Cooking
Cost: From $13/person
Duration:
1.5 hours
Group size:
Up to 10 people
Self-proclaimed “Kenyan foodie” Josephine is welcoming Zoomers right into her family kitchen in Nairobi, Kenya. Take a peek into her personal recipe book and uncover the secrets to making traditional meals from scratch using ingredients and materials you probably already have around the house.
This interactive experience will walk you through special cooking techniques and can even be tailored to suit vegan and vegetarian diets as well. And, if Josephine’s exclusively 5-star reviews from 68 happy customers tell us anything, it’s that you’re definitely in for a tasty treat. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Learn Slang Sign Language And Music Interpreting
Cost: From $25/person
Duration:
1.5 hours
Group size:
Up to 7 people
If you have basic knowledge of American Sign Language and hope to deepen that understanding, this class is a pretty exceptional way to do just that. Matthew Maxey is a deaf performer merging mainstream culture and deaf awareness through sign language and music.
As long as he’s not called back on tour with Chance The Rapper any time soon, Maxey is here to act as teacher and host while you embark on the journey of interpreting some of your favorite songs using ASL. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Enjoy Meditative Yoga And Slow Life Coaching
Cost: From $18/person
Duration:
1.25 hour
Group size:
Up to 10 people
As we all learn to cope with the uncertainty of living through a global pandemic, feeling connected to our minds and bodies can help adjust to a new kind of normal. Enter: Sandrine, a certified nutrition expert and yoga instructor registered with Yoga Alliance International & SlowLife Coach.
From her peaceful home base in Tuscany, Sandrine will guide you through breathing techniques and other simple exercises while equipping you with the necessary tools for embracing the slowness of daily life — no prior experience of meditation or yoga is required. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Listen In On Story Time With A Children’s Book Author
Cost: From $6/person
Duration:
1 hour
Group size:
Up to 10 people
Atlanta-based Jesse Byrd is an award-winning children’s book author with six published works and a decade in the field.
Tune into a special performance as he reads aloud from one of his books — and then stick around to learn about the business and creative process behind telling stories for kids. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Enrich Your Mind With Lessons From Apartheid In South Africa
Cost: From $12/person
Duration:
1 hour
Group size:
Up to 15 people
Take a digital trip to Cape Town for an intimate look into its history of apartheid. Richard is a counselor, activist, and a development consultant who has worked with disadvantaged communities around South Africa before becoming a qualified guide to educate visitors about racial segregation, discrimination, and the marginalization of the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
Explore Cape Town’s attractions, heritage sites, and architectural wonders while understanding the roles these sites have played in shaping the city’s history. The goal is to leave this session with a plethora of new information and a reminder of how the human spirit can triumph against all odds.
Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Take A Track Masterclass With An Olympian
Cost: From $24/person
Duration:
1.5 hours
Group size:
Up to 10 people
For Olympic levels of inspiration from across the pond, look no further than Anyika Onuora. In addition to earning medals from the Olympic Games and beyond, Onuora also has her own podcast exploring the highs and lows of life as a sports professionals.
In addition to sharing her personal story of chasing her dreams, Onuora will take you through an exciting and intensive HIIT workout.
Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Join A Rollerskating Dance Party
Cost: From $24/person
Duration:
1 hour
Group size:
Up to 10 people
As long as you’ve got skates and about least 6×6 feet of space in your living room, you’re ready for this fun at-home rollerskating class designed to tackle stress in style.
Join skating-pro Tanya Dean, founder of Skaterobics and author of “The Power of The S.K.A.T.E.” and sharpen your own skills while learning some of her favorite groovy moves to an upbeat soundtrack. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
Learn How To Create A Podcast
Cost: From $40/person
Duration:
1.25 hours
Group size:
Up to 2 people
Jerry The 3rd, host, and founder of the Point Noir podcast, wants to answer all your burning questions about how to join the podcast conversation by launching your own show. Jerry will walk you through the various elements that are key to survival in the space and guide you through the required equipment to get you started.
All you’ll need is 1.25 hours of free time, access to the internet, and a limitless curiosity about the world of digital dialogue. Photo courtesy of Airbnb.
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