Hello lovelies, what an amazing week I had! I can not begin to tell you all the fun I had with Toyota and the well thought out Let’s Go Places Black History Month Tour! It was the very first time that Toyota ever did something like this but let me tell you, I hope I get the chance to do it again next year. So for over a three-day period, journalists and bloggers got together and toured some of the most historic places on the East Coast representing how African-Americans have contributed to the progress of our country and America’s history.
We began our tour in New York City, then Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and ended up in Washington, D.C. All the cities had something cool to learn about, the food was amazing and the history. While cruising through these cities, we also got to test-drive brand new Toyota vehicles on the road that came with standard Toyota safety sense, technology innovations and ofcourse navigation lol. I had the pleasure of driving the Avalon Hybrid limited, RAV4 Platinum, Highlander SE and the Prius 3. It was an amazing and memorable experience, I learned a lot and made some new friends along the way! More details and pics inside…
First Stop New York City!
We all flew in and got settled in at the Hudson Hotel then the next morning we were off to visit Madam CJ Waker estate(private residence) and then later we toured Harlem, New York! Our tour guide Neil Shoemaker(Harlem Heritage Tours) was quite the character but was filled with so much knowledge about this city. He showed us places where Malcolm X spoke and walked and gave us historical facts about the jazz era and so much more! Later we dined at the popular Minton’s in Harlem.
Friend and fellow blogger Ari Adams
Madame CJ Walker estate
Harold Doley Jr, Owner of the Madame CJ Walker estate
Madame CJ Walker’s crest
Next Stop…Harlem, NY
Harlem Heritage Tourism
Tour guide Neil Shoemaker, my new friend
Harlem projects
Mosque where Malcolm X spoke
Group shot in Harlem, NYC
Dinner at Minton’s read my review here
Next morning we were off to Philadelphia, PA!
Standing in front of the historical Mother Bethlehem AME Church they also hold tours where you can see artifacts, murals and learn about the history of the church.
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church was founded by Minister Richard Allen in 1794
While in Philly, you have to get a Philly Cheesesteak right? LOL!
Arriving in the 2017 Toyota Avalon for the Belmont Mansion tour. Belmont Mansion is located in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. A lot of runaway slaves hid here and it’s known as one of the stops during the underground railroad, built in the eighteenth century. It was owned by the Peters family.
After an exciting day of touring, we ended the night at South Kitchen & Jazz Parlor
Our final destination…Washington, D.C.
We checked in to the W Washington D.C.
Quick stop to the Watergate Bldg where Toyota made a contribution($10,000) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help historical buildings and sites. Job well done!
Then we headed to the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American Heritage and Culture
Ingrid and I excited to head inside this fabulous place,Yay!
Her face tells the story!
The one and only Oprah, what a media maven!
Michelle Obama’s dress, so pretty!
The night ended with cocktails and dinner at Georgia Brown’s
I will NEVER forget this experience and I want to thank the staff at PRecise Communications and to Toyota for this great opportunity! I don’t know if I could ever have done something so well thought out and thorough! All the cities were wonderful to visit, full of history and more! I came back home and told my family we should do something like this, so that they too can learn about their African-American culture & history and pass it on! xoxo
Velvet Maxi Dress courtesy of Pinup Girl Clothing
