The first of a two-part series: A tough, honest and powerful discussion with two recent Travel Weekly contributors about their personal experiences in the travel industry and the need for more Black representation in travel.

This episode features Margie Jordan, a travel agency owner and vice president of the TRUE Global Network at CCRA, who recently wrote an essay on traveling while Black, and Kier Matthews, a sales director at Classic Vacations, who contributed his insights to a column, “Black traveler, Black travel professional.”

Jordan and Matthews talk about several aspects of being a Black executive in the travel industry, covering topics including hiring and retaining Black talent, filling pay gaps, and why it’s uncomfortable, but important, for Black travel professionals to speak out about their experiences.