Welcome
The VICtor Awards are part of the Black Travel Summit's efforts to recognize outstanding individuals in the Black travel space. The first of its kind, candidates are awarded in 9 categories and selected by members of the community for their achievements, persistence, and influence.
2025 APPLICATIONS CLOSED: August 31st, 2025
THE CATEGORIES
Creator of the Year
Honoring a dynamic content creator whose voice, vision, and storytelling have elevated Black travel narratives across digital platforms.
Journalist of the Year
Recognizing an outstanding journalist whose reporting and storytelling have amplified Black narratives and reshaped how travel is covered in media.
Corporate Professional of the Year
Celebrating a leader within the corporate travel space who has championed inclusion, innovation, and impact in the global Black travel movement.
Startup of the Year
Awarded to an emerging Black-owned travel-focused business making waves through bold ideas, cultural authenticity, and community-centered impact.
Advisor of the Year
Highlighting a travel advisor or consultant whose expert guidance and cultural insight have transformed how Black travelers experience the world.
Brand of the Year
Presented to a brand that has meaningfully engaged with the Black travel community through partnership, representation, and purpose-driven initiatives.
Photographer of the Year
Recognizing a visual storyteller whose lens has captured the beauty, complexity, and vibrancy of the African Diaspora in travel.
Tour Operator of the Year
Honoring an operator curating transformative, culturally immersive experiences that connect travelers to the global Black experience, and Black travelers to global experiences.
Ally of the Year
Presented to an individual or organization outside the Black community that has demonstrated genuine, ongoing support for Black travelers and travel professionals.
PR of the Year
This award honors a public relations professional or team who has strategically amplified Black voices, brands, or movements in travel, culture, or community. From press placements to crisis management, we’re recognizing those who’ve not only shaped the narrative—but made sure we owned it.
The Sankofa Impact Award
Inspired by the West African principle of Sankofa, this award honors a visionary who bridges past and future–to uplift the Black travel ecosystem–by drawing on ancestral knowledge and cultural legacy. Their work creates more inclusive pathways, deeper connections, and lasting change in the global travel community.
Pathway
Two tailored tracks designed for where you are in your journey
Foundations Pathway
For new or early-stage founders still shaping their business fundamentals.
Focus: Brand clarity, early operations, financial basics, and customer discovery.
Growth Pathway
For active founders preparing to raise capital or scale operations.
Focus: Investor readiness, growth strategies, team leadership, and expansion.
THINGS TO KNOW
- Individuals may nominate themselves or other individuals/organizations for any of the awards above.
- Individuals may nominate more than one person/organization.
- The VICtor Awards will be awarded during the Black Travel Awards Gala
- Category nominee finalists benefit from free entry to the Black Travel Awards Gala for themselves and a plus one.
- Category nominee finalists also benefit from discounted Practitioner/Traveler or Corporate passes (based on category affiliation).
2025 TIMELINE
Submissions open
July 15, 2025Submissions close
August 31, 2025Judging commences
September 1, 2025Nominees announced
September 15, 2025Submissions open
July 15, 2025Submissions close
August 31, 2025Judging commences
September 1, 2025Nominees announced
September 15, 2025The application takes about 5-10 minutes. Please respond thoughtfully.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
GENERAL INFORMATION
- This is a high-impact 8-week program supporting travel entrepreneurs at different stages. We offer resources, mentorship, and access to a global network to help you grow your business — whether you're just starting out or ready to start raising capital.
- We welcome applications from travel founders around the world. You can apply solo or with a small team, whether you're building your first idea or scaling your business.
- We have two tracks:
- Tier 1: Foundations – for those starting out
- Tier 2: Growth – for those preparing to fundraise or scale
- You’ll select your track when you apply.
- Yes, 100%! This program was created with you in mind. Many of our applicants are new to the founder world. We'll support you with resources, mentorship, and clear guidance each step of the way.
- Set aside about 20–30 minutes. You’ll answer questions about your personal profile, your business, your goals, and your growth plans.
- We recommend drafting longer responses in a separate doc first.
- No — the program is virtual and open to founders globally. However, we do require that you’re available for live online sessions and the in-person pitch competition if selected.
- That’s okay! Use the explanations below to guide you. We’re looking for clarity, ambition, and founders ready to commit and grow within the program.
- There is no fee to apply or participate in the accelerator. If selected for the final in-person competition, your travel and accommodations will be covered by our partners.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS (ALL APPLICANTS)
- You’ll share your business name, vision, traction (if any), and goals. There are no trick questions — just honest prompts to help us get to know you.
- It’s the reason customers choose your business over others. Think: What makes your brand or offer different, special, or memorable? Keep it to 1–2 sentences.
- KPIs = Key Performance Indicators. These are numbers that show how your business is doing (like revenue, user growth, retention, etc.).
- If you're early-stage, just share what you're tracking or want to track — we’re not expecting investor-ready data.
- This means you’ve tested your idea with real people — maybe through surveys, interviews, sample sales, or pre-orders. You don’t need 1,000 customers to prove you’re serious — we want to know if you’ve tested your assumptions.
- A media kit is a 1–2 page overview of your brand (your story, logo, photos, audience). A pitch deck is a presentation (PDF or link) explaining your business idea and how you’ll grow.
- If you don’t have either, don’t worry — it’s optional, and you’ll learn how to create them in the program.
- You’ll still be added to our ecosystem for future programs, events, and learning opportunities. We want to grow with you, even if it’s not quit time yet.
FOUNDATION PATHWAY
- Yes. Pathway 1 is built specifically for new entrepreneurs like you—whether you're still shaping your idea or just getting your first customers.
- Although these elements make for a stronger case, we’re mainly focused on your potential, not just your polish. Share your mission, your passion, and what you've done so far. Show us how you have already brought your vision to lift— that’s what we care about.
- Yes, 100%! This program was created with you in mind. Many of our applicants are new to the founder world. We'll support you with resources, mentorship, and clear guidance each step of the way.
- Share with us your how you got your first batch of clients or followers, how you successfully launched a small pop-up activation, how you surveyed 20 potential customers to refine your product development research, or how you built a functioning prototype.
- We will share foundational founder readiness including business basics, branding, marketing, customer discovery, and financial literacy.
- We care more about your potential than your polish for our Foundations Pathway. Be honest, share your vision, and tell us where you're stuck — that helps us support you better.
GROWTH PATHWAY
- No. You just need to be ready to learn about funding, build a strategy, and start positioning your business to grow.
- Yes. Tier 2 is designed for founders who are ready to scale, raise investment, or formalize their business structure and growth plans.
- Yes. We welcome applicants at various funding stages. You’ll be asked about your past and current fundraising activity in the application.
- It’s not required, but strongly encouraged for Tier 2. If you don’t have one yet, don’t worry — you’ll get support to build one during the program.
- Showcase measurable success under each of these categories to highlight where your business is gaining momentum and how you're positioning for the next stage.
- (1) Customer & User Growth,
(2) Marketing & Reach,
(3) Partnerships & Sales,
(4) Operational & Product Monthly
- That’s okay! Use the explanations below to guide you. We’re looking for clarity, ambition, and founders ready to commit and grow within the program.
- There is no fee to apply or participate in the accelerator. If selected for the final in-person competition, your travel and accommodations will be covered by our partners.
FAM TRIP INFORMATION
- The FAM (Familiarization) Trip is a sponsored travel experience to Brazil for the top accelerator finalists. It includes visits to local startups, business immersion activities, and cultural experiences. Only selected finalists from each tier will be invited to participate.
- The trip is fully sponsored. This includes international travel, in-country transportation, lodging, meals during official programming, and all business-related activities.
- The FAM trip is designed to expose founders to Brazil’s innovation ecosystem, connect with global peers, and build partnerships with organizations like ACATE Brasil and the Government of Santa Catarina. It also prepares participants for the pitch competition at the main Black Travel Summit.
- Depending on your passport, you may need a tourist or short-stay business visa. We will support you in the visa process if selected and provide documentation or invitations as needed
- Expect a mix of immersive site visits, startup networking, mentor sessions, and cultural programming. This is a professional engagement — coming dressed to impress is recommended for most activities. Consider the program to be a launchpad for future partnerships, press, and investment opportunities.
- Yes. As part of your participation, we ask all selected finalists to share a minimum of one public post (reel or feed) highlighting your experience. We’ll provide guidance and any essential information. Additional content is welcome but not required unless otherwise outlined in your acceptance materials.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
For anything else, reach out directly to both:
Our 2024 VICtor Awards Winners
- Journalist of the Year
Tenille Clarke
- Brand of the Year
Marcus Hammond
Black Food Truck Festival
- Corporate Professional of the Year
Kira West
Expedia Group
- Advisor of the Year
Amina Dearmon
Perspectives Travel
- Startup of the Year
Xavier Pickett
BuddyPass Trips
- Creator of the Year
Mercedes Arielle
Calculated Opulence