Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomiko Harvey
Hi Tomiko, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up in Memphis, vacations weren’t a thing for me. My mom just didn’t have the money for that. Travel felt like something other people did. But I was hooked once I finally got a taste of life outside my hometown. Seeing new places, experiencing different cultures, and realizing the world was so much bigger than I had imagined changed everything for me. I knew I wanted travel to be a big part of my life, but I had no idea it would eventually become my career.
Fast forward to today, I’ve been a content creator for 11 years, and as a 53-year-old in this space, I’ve had to navigate both ageism and the lack of diversity in the creator industry. Brands continue to prioritize younger influencers, often overlooking the spending power and influence of older creators, particularly Black women. The travel industry alone sees Black travelers spending $109.4 billion annually in the U.S., yet many brands fail to tap into this market properly or collaborate with Black content creators in meaningful ways and I have made it my mission to educate brands on the power of Black creators.
Diversity in the content creator space is more critical now than ever. We see brands making statements about inclusivity, yet their influencer campaigns often lack true representation. Instead of waiting for brands to figure it out, I’ve taken the approach of educating them on why Black creators deserve a seat at the table. Through my work with destinations and tourism boards, I help them see that working with diverse creators isn’t just a trend,
Beyond content creation, I co-founded the Black Travel Alliance (BTA) to hold the travel industry accountable and push for real change. I also serve as the Conference Director for TBEX North America, where I work to ensure that travel professionals, including underrepresented creators, get the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.
One of my biggest passions is encouraging married women and mothers to reclaim travel for themselves. Too often, women pour all of their energy into their families, putting their own needs on the back burner. Society has conditioned us to believe that traveling alone or with friends is selfish, but I push back on that narrative. It’s okay to take a trip without your spouse. It’s okay to enjoy a vacation without the kids. In fact, it’s necessary. Travel isn’t just about getting away—it’s about reconnecting with yourself, experiencing joy, and remembering that you are more than just a wife or mother.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to empower women, especially Black women, to take up space, own their voices, and build lives that allow them to thrive—whether that’s through travel, content creation, or entrepreneurship.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. The content creator space, especially in travel, is heavily skewed toward younger, white influencers, making it harder for Black creators, especially those over 40 to secure brand deals and partnerships. Ageism is real in this industry. Many brands want to work with 20-something influencers, despite the fact that Black women over 45 are one of the most powerful consumer demographics, spending nearly $109.4 billion annually on travel. Yet, we’re often overlooked in marketing campaigns.
Another challenge has been diversity in the creator space or the lack of it. While brands love to talk about inclusivity, their influencer campaigns often don’t reflect that. Many times, Black creators are brought in as a box-checking exercise rather than as integral parts of a campaign. Instead of waiting for brands to figure it out, I’ve taken on the role of educating tourism boards and companies on the importance of diverse storytelling and representation. Black travelers are not a niche audience; they are a major force in the industry, and brands that fail to recognize that are leaving money on the table.
Beyond that, building a business that isn’t reliant on brand deals was a struggle at first. I quickly realized that to create long-term financial stability, I needed to learn SEO and digital strategy. That knowledge has allowed me to monetize my content beyond social media, build sustainable revenue streams, and teach other creators how to do the same.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I wear many hats, but at my core, I’m a content creator, SEO consultant, speaker, and advocate for diversity in travel media. My work spans across digital marketing, content strategy, and brand partnerships, all with a focus on **helping creators and destinations bridge the gap between social media influence and long-term business success.
What I Do & Specialize In
I specialize in **SEO-driven content strategy**—helping creators and tourism boards understand how to make their content work for them beyond social media. Many influencers rely solely on brand deals, but I teach them how to leverage SEO to build sustainable revenue streams through their own platforms. That’s how I’ve built my business my website **Passports & Grub** is not just a blog; it’s an income-generating machine that allows me to work with brands on my terms.
In addition to content strategy, I’m also the **North America Conference Director for TBEX**, the largest travel conference for content creators and industry professionals. In this role, I help shape the conference experience, ensuring that creators have access to education, resources, and networking opportunities to grow their businesses.
Beyond that, I co-founded the **Black Travel Alliance (BTA)** to push for better representation of Black travelers and creators in the travel industry. We work to hold brands accountable and ensure that diversity isn’t just a marketing buzzword but an actual commitment backed by action.
What I’m Most Proud Of
One of my proudest accomplishments is proving that age is not a limitation in the content creator space. At 53, I’ve built a seven-figure business in an industry that often prioritizes younger creators.. I’ve also helped other creators, especially Black women, see that they don’t have to rely on social media alone; they can own their platforms and rank on Google search.
What Sets Me Apart?
What sets me apart is my deep understanding of both content creation and business strategy. Many creators focus solely on social media, but I take a long-term, SEO-first approach that ensures sustainability beyond the latest algorithm change. I don’t just teach people how to grow their audience I teach them how to turn that audience into a business.
I also don’t wait for brands to catch up I educate them. I’ve worked with tourism boards and brands to help them see the value in partnering with diverse creators, not just for representation but because it makes business sense. Black travelers spend billions annually, yet brands often overlook us. It’s my job to make them see why that needs to change.
At the end of the day, my mission is simple: **help creators and businesses build strategies that work, push for real diversity in the industry, and make sure that people—especially Black women—see that they have the power to create their own success.**
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
If you’re just getting started out as an influencer, the best thing you can do is treat it like a business from day one. Too many creators focus only on social media and brand deals without thinking about long-term sustainability.
Here’s what I wish I had known when I was starting out:
1. Own Your Platform
Social media is great, but you don’t own Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, and the algorithm is not in your favor. Instead of relying solely on social media, build your own website and start learning SEO. A blog optimized for Google can drive traffic (and income) for years, long after a post disappears from someone’s feed.
2. Diversify Your Income Streams
One of the biggest mistakes I see new creators make is relying only on brand deals. Brands can be inconsistent, and you never want your income tied to whether or not a company decides to work with you. Instead, think beyond sponsorships: affiliate marketing, ad revenue, and digital products are all ways to create multiple revenue streams that make your business sustainable.
3. Network & Conferences
Success in this industry isn’t just about content; it’s about connections. Go to conferences like TBEX, attend industry events, and connect with other creators and brand reps. Relationships open doors that algorithms never will.
4. Advocate for Yourself
If you’re a Black creator, you will face challenges when it comes to getting fair pay and opportunities. Many brands still overlook Black content creators despite the fact that Black travelers alone spend over $109 billion annually. It’s our job to educate brands on our worth and not settle for low rates or one-time campaigns that don’t provide real value. It’s ok to say No.
With all of that being said please own your voice, own your platform, and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re “too old” or that diversity doesn’t matter. You belong in this space, and if you’re willing to do the work, you can absolutely build a thriving business that gives you freedom and financial stability.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.passportsandgrub.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomiko.harvey
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomiko-harvey/
