When I found out I was selected to attend the Destinations International Annual Convention in Chicago as a scholarship recipient, I was thrilled—but I honestly had no idea just how impactful it would be. This wasn’t just a conference. It was a four-day journey full of eye-opening conversations, unforgettable moments, and meaningful connections. Every single day brought a new memory I’ll carry with me for a long time.

It was also my very first time in Chicago, and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to experience the city. From the moment we landed, the vibe of the city was intriguing. A few of us scholars linked up right away and started exploring—eating Harold’s Chicken (which lived up to the hype), walking along the pier, and biking by the water with a local who gave us an impromptu tour of the city. It was the perfect welcome. That first night, we all gathered for dinner at Fat Backs and it hit me: I was surrounded by people who looked like me, shared my ambition, and were just as excited to be there. The conversations were easy, the laughs were real, and it already felt like the start of something special.

On the second day, things got a bit more real in the best way. At the Social Impact Committee Meeting, we each shared our three core values—mine were empathy, inclusivity, and faith—and I’ll never forget how powerful it felt to speak those out loud in front of industry leaders who actually cared. Being able to talk amongst the 30 under 30 recipients and other industry leaders was one of my many highlights, being in the room and in conversations I couldn’t imagine being in, in that moment. We also heard from amazing speakers like Billy Ocasio and Sharyne Tu, both of whom left such an impression on me. Sharyne’s story especially stuck—growing up on the South Side, working in her family’s laundromat, and becoming a tour guide and photographer. Her journey was all about resilience and redefining what’s possible, which hit home for me.

That day also had one of the most unexpectedly joyful moments: dancing with the Red Clay Dance Company. We literally danced away our nerves, and the energy in the room shifted completely. It made space for the Soul Children of Chicago to come in and blow us away with their voices. I couldn’t stop smiling—everything felt alive. Especially during our recognition ceremony, us 11 scholars being highlighted for receiving this scholarship, and walking across a stage in front of many other conference goers, recipients, CEOs and everything above felt like I was on the moon and truly I couldn’t be any more grateful for that moment, it meant the world to me personally knowing my hard work has paid off to moments like these. Closing out the first day festivities with Destinations CEO, Don Welsh welcoming everybody to the event and looking forward to an exciting & engaging week. Later that evening, we attended a welcome ceremony at the historic Old Post Office. With live music and delicious food, it was the perfect way to unwind and feel welcomed by the city.

And then came Thursday, which had its own emotional weight. Justin Wren’s keynote was powerful. His story—from chasing Olympic dreams to facing addiction, then turning his life around by building clean water wells in developing countries—was incredibly moving. It reminded me that service isn’t just about helping others; it can also be what heals us. Later that day, I attended a panel from my University’s very own city “Visit Baltimore” where they talked about building destinations where everyone feels welcome, seen, and accepted, and I remember thinking: these are the parts of conversation in businesses, DMOs, companies I want to be a part of!

Another big highlight was learning about the Community Vitality Wheel during the Lexicon session with Ava Wells and Andres Weisenborn. It gave me language and structure to things I’d always felt but never knew how to express—how the places we live, work, and visit are all deeply connected. Later that night, I attended the “Black Leaders Reception” and had the chance to speak one-on-one with industry professionals who were open, honest, and full of wisdom and humor. They didn’t sugarcoat the journey—it takes patience and persistence—but they made it clear that success is within reach. It was very comfortable talking about business ideas over a slice of Chicago deep dish pizza!

Friday was the perfect wrap-up. We met with high school and college students from around Chicago to talk about the future of the tourism industry, and it felt like such a full-circle moment. Together, we threw around words like “creative,” “inclusive,” and “bold” to describe the kind of industry we want to build. It was inspiring to see so many young people excited about shaping the future, and I felt lucky to be a part of that conversation.

One of the most powerful closing moments came from Andre Norman, whose story took him from prison to becoming a mentor and motivational speaker. His honesty and presence were unforgettable, and his message—that we all have the power to change our story—was the perfect sendoff.

The last night at the House of Blues was pure joy. Music, laughter, dancing, and so much love in the room. It was the kind of celebration that felt well-earned—not just for making it through the week, but for showing up fully and being open to everything it brought.

Looking back, I’m so grateful. Thank you Ava Wells for being every bit of support and guidance for us throughout this conference, and thank you to Destinations International Foundation for choosing me, for seeing potential in me, and for giving me this opportunity to step into rooms I once thought were out of reach. I left Chicago not just with more knowledge about the tourism industry, but with more clarity, more confidence, and a deeper sense of purpose. I know now that my voice belongs in these spaces—and that who I am and what I believe can help shape the future of this field.

And honestly? I had so much fun. Meeting new people, being in Chicago for the first time, soaking it all in—this was an experience I’ll never forget. Every day was a new memory, and every moment reminded me why I’m on this path. Thank you!