As the world transitions from a pandemic to an endemic, travellers are gearing up for their new worldwide adventures. This means that communicators have to evolve their messaging based on the significant changes that shake up the travel industry. 

Market prediction and insights from industry experts are crucial for public relations practitioners to become proactive drivers of change. This article unpacks the top 3 trends that the travel industry can expect in 2022.

Travellers are at the First Stage of Travel 

Travel marketing experts will know that all travellers go through five stages of travel – dreaming, planning, booking, experiencing and sharing. As per Google’s Think Travel Research, most travellers are presently in the dreaming phase, where they yearn for their next holiday. 

It is now the best time to reach out to these future travellers through light-hearted, non-hard sell social content which is primarily organic and user-generated. Start a virtual conversation and engage them early; subsequently, re-engage and sell the dream. It is also helpful to monitor and be current with the latest social trends and adapt to a product suite that is best suited to the preferences of the new traveller. 

The New Travel Pattern 

After a two-year hiatus for many, travellers will make serious plans to go further, and international travel will triumph over domestic travel. In a Google’s Think Report research, 87% of future travellers will take an international trip of more than five days, compared to the 2019 average of 3.8 days per destination. Of which, 78% of travellers will prefer luxury stays and experiences. Luxury travel can be determined by 5 Cs – culture, cuisine, community, content and customisation. These travel plans are likely leisure holidays, celebrating major milestone events and longer planning and booking cycles. 

Covid Related Considerations 

Living in an endemic does not eliminate certain restrictions imposed by the destinations, and getting fully vaccinated is currently the number one motivator for international travel. The quarantine preference will be a huge differentiating factor. 

Travellers will be asking more specific quarantine questions such as the length of quarantine, types of accommodation, size of housing, the additional use of amenities, the option of a balcony for fresh air, in-room entertainment and upgraded meal packages. 

Cities take the top spots but the beach and rural destinations rank high in the top ten holiday destinations for 2022.

Travellers worldwide have begun to seek new experiences to mark 2022, the start of hopefully a brighter new year. The top holiday hotspots remain popular cities but in a recent study by Agoda, travellers are also “escaping” into nature with rural and beach destinations climbing up the charts. The one thing that remains unchanged – travellers are still choosing luxury to welcome the New Year.

Top Holiday Hotspots NYE 2021

Travellers Head to Beach Resorts, Coastal Destinations and Mountainous Terrains

Aside from the popular capital cities in Asia, travellers are venturing into world-class beach resorts in Goa (India), Bali (Indonesia), Cebu (Philippines), Pattaya (Thailand) and Jeju Island (South Korea). The adventurous partygoers are leveraging on the relaxed restrictions to visit Penang, the food capital of Malaysia. Surprising new coastal destinations that made it into the charts include Batam (Indonesia), Andaman and Nicobar Island (India), Kenting (Taiwan). For the scenic lovers, they are travelling to mountainous terrains in Khao Kho (Thailand), Bohol (Philippines) and Ninh Binh (Vietnam).

The Desire for an Extravagant Post-Covid Holiday

Travellers are investing in self-care in the post-pandemic era and opting for lavish options to celebrate New Year’s Eve. According to research from travel booking site Agoda, travellers are opting for 4- and 5-star luxury hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam. In Taiwan and Thailand, it is observed that travellers are upgrading to luxury hotels instead of the traditional option for 1- to 3-star hotels.

After a two-year hiatus, travel is resuming during the New Year’s Eve celebration with domestic travel as the main source of business. Apart from big cities with traditional celebrations, travellers have an ongoing desire to explore the world or seek refuge in natural sanctuaries. The natural appeal of stunning beaches, scenery and the freedom of open space remains wildly alluring. When travellers are finally given the chance to spend on travel, they are splurging with posh and plush options.

Today, mental health awareness is at an all-time high worldwide. Even before the pandemic, there seemed to be an increasing number of people who were more open to address and start conversations on mental health issues. One of the most frequently talked-about mental health topic is mental well-being in workplaces. Work is an integral part of adult life, but also a common source of stress for many of us. In order to gain a further, more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between work (in particular, PR work) and our mental health, PRCA APAC had recently published the very first report on mental health.

Between 21 July and 16 August, PRCA Asia Pacific worked with YouGov to survey PR and communications professionals across the Asia Pacific region. A total of 1,187 responses were received from practitioners in Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Below are some of the more important findings we’ve gathered from the report.

Our workplace has a significant influence on our mental health

When asked how much influence the respondents think their workplaces have on their overall mental health, 46% indicated ‘Moderate influence’ whereas 34% indicated ‘Strong influence’. High workload and long hours were the top 2 factors identified as potential triggers of poor mental well-being at work. Practitioners who work extra hours experience a knock-on effect and as a result, they struggle to do things that can be conducive to positive physical and mental health.

Damaging effects of overworking in pandemic times

Overworking, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, prove to be damaging to the respondents’ mental health. Nearly half (48%) of survey respondents report that they are going through a particularly stressful period in their life, with 45% disagreeing, and 7% choosing not to answer that question. It is also worrying to see that in the last 12 months, many of the region’s PR professionals have experienced trouble with sleep, anxiety, feelings of social disconnection or similar.

Identifying mental health issues

On a more reassuring note, the report shows that majority of the region’s PR professionals are confident in being able to identify mental health issues, and are comfortable talking to colleagues about such problems. Overall, 62% agree that they are ‘very well-informed and educated about mental health’ – another 10% disagree, and the remainder are unsure.

Confiding in our colleagues about our mental health state

Out of the 71% of people who had discussed their mental health with one or more colleague in the past year, younger age groups were found to be more likely to have spoken about their mental state to someone at work. Majority of respondents (64%) indicated that it would be likely for them to talk to a colleague if they were faced with a mental health issue in the future. For those who are unwilling to do so, their main concerns were that it would be inappropriate to do so or it would bring negative impacts on their career.

Less optimistic reality with regards to seeking help

Despite a large portion of respondents indicating that they know what they ‘should’ do if experiencing mental health issues, not many actually practice it – 48% suggested seeing a mental health practitioner if they experience feelings of extreme highs and lows, but in reality, only 24% of people who had experienced that in the last 12 months sought a practitioner.

Employees’ performance in addressing mental health at workplaces

Thankfully, 68% of the respondents said that their employees have communicated with staff about mental health during the past year, although a small group have yet to do so. A narrow majority (52%) of respondents overall rated their employer as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ at providing mental health resources, but this figure varies in different markets.

Overall, the region’s PR and communications professionals are positive about their employers’ work both on general company culture, and specific mental health-related measures. The majority (83%) of companies offer at least one type of support – a number rising to 96% in Vietnam but dropping to 75% in Malaysia and Singapore, and larger companies are slightly more likely to provide mental health benefits to staff than smaller firms.

No room for complacency

Overall, respondents also agree that their organisations have been supportive during the pandemic. But a sizable number (40%) say they are not doing enough overall to support mental health – so there is no room for complacency.

Concluding statement

“Now more than ever, mental health has to be taken seriously both at home and at work. Awareness is key and communicating ways to approach mental health can be done so in a variety of ways. This can range from weekly team meetings, staff intranets, one-on-ones, monthly wellness workshops and or just basic communication that there is an open door policy between employees and employers that it’s okay to speak up if you are suffering. Participating in or encouraging activities that support mental health within the workplace are important, especially when we are in and out of work-from-home, not taking holidays as there’s nowhere to go and suffering from mental fatigue. This can be anything from getting out of the house for a walk in nature, online team activities to connect, having mental health experts available to speak to, right down to basic things such as understanding each individual’s unique situation and just asking how they are – one size does not fit all. From working mums who simultaneously have to homeschool and work, graduates whose first job out of college starts working from a packed household, to business executives who have pressure to bring in revenue in an unpredictable market – every person’s situation is different and needs a bespoke approach. Business owners and managers also need some form of training or awareness in terms of how to manage situations when staff have mental health problems and steps to take to allow employees to a) feel comfortable speaking up and b) how to best manage their needs. Singapore still has a long way to go compared to the West when it comes to normalising talking about mental health. This in itself needs to be talked about and made the norm, that essentially it’s okay, if you aren’t feeling okay – we are only human.”

Lynda Williams, Co-Founder of The Soothe

For more information on the PRCA APAC Mental Health Report 2021, click here.

In an accelerated digital age, consumers are given the freedom and tools to share their opinions  widely and easily. Add on the global agendas to combat climate change, challenging social and political issues, plus a pandemic — we can agree that we’re riding a huge wave of change. As communicators, it’s never been more important to be deeply entrenched in our clients’ brands and extend our positions from being the connector between the media and our clients, to being fierce brand guardians with strong commercial acumen. 

Market prediction and being industry experts are crucial for public relations practitioners to become proactive drivers of change. In this article, we unpack big changes that have been shaking up the industry and present the top 5 trends that PR professionals need to adapt to to  remain relevant and competitive. 

Sharp, measurable results beyond ‘PR value’ 

A decades-old point of contention in the PR industry has been how PR success is measured. Through the years, agencies have worked out various mathematical formulas to place a commercial value on earned media, often defined as ‘PR value’. But as the world becomes more sophisticated, how do smaller businesses — who may not necessarily invest in proprietary technology — measure consumer sentiment and outcome? This is where, we believe, developing tailored deliverables that are tied to commercial success is key. Whether a  campaign drives an increase in room nights over the same period, or driving page visits from a specific piece of content, PR teams need to put on their mettle and demonstrate the power of great storytelling.

Well-researched, socially-aware campaigns

In this era, consumers are not simply demanding quality products but are actively sourcing purchases that align with their personal values and commitments. With more people putting conscious consumption into practice, highlighting your clients’ ethos and commitment to social responsibility will play a big role in reaching your target audience. As consumers are constantly being exposed to advertisements and products pitching for their attention, providing meaningful creative content will ensure better reception. Finding platforms and social media channels that will give brand leaders an opportunity to voice their views can allow consumers to connect with the brand on a greater level by understanding the heart and mind behind it.

Selecting relevant and socially responsible KOLs

How long has it been since a Kardashian-endorsed product generated sky high sales? Besides, a celebrity level budget being out of reach for many brands, finding KOLs that demonstrate authenticity is becoming a rarity. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as when brands do manage to find the right one(s) to collaborate with, it could go a long way in generating brand love. PR agencies should be aware of potential KOLs on multiple levels – micro, macro, and nano – as well as what this means in multiple markets and social media platforms, as well as the average engagement levels  of influencers. Be an avid user of social media, so that you can keep an eye out for upcoming talent which could allow you to foster important relationships early on. 

Rethinking events and consumer activations

In most countries, the road to opening up after the pandemic has been slow which means the possibility of holding large scale consumer activations or events in the near future are slim. While this has definitely thrown a cog into the usual running of public relations, it has also been an opportunity for agencies to get creative and even increase their reach and effectiveness in these unprecedented times. Because of this, online and hybrid activities have become more commonplace. And while we’re all eager to see life go back to normal, it is entirely possible that many of these new changes are here to stay even after the pandemic. Therefore, PR agencies should not view this time as a temporary waiting period before returning to traditional consumer activations and events is possible. Rather, effectively experimenting with new strategies and identifying which ones will remain relevant post-COVID will set PR agencies on track to adapt to the long term changes we will see in consumers and their behaviours.

Debunking the traditional definition of PR and deep diving into digital

In an age of algorithms and data-driven marketing, a key question to ask is where PR fits in the consumer journey given these new adaptations. Consistently serving to help clients build relationships and highlight noteworthy aspects of their brand, we believe the PR role remains of high value and acts as the strongest brand guardian in a time of constant change. As PR agencies and in-house teams work more cross-functionally than ever, it provides an opportunity to connect multiple marketing functions to drive better search, earned, and shared results and build a great reputation. In fact, a data-saturated world benefits PR teams tremendously if they are able to capitalise upon it by generating relevant and meaningful content which will translate to better content that drives conversion. 

The beauty industry is known to be a trillion dollar industry, with Clean Beauty trending in skincare across the world.  The rise of the sustainability movement has never been more prevalent to look after Mother Earth, along with the desire to lead a cleaner lifestyle — including diet— free from toxins, nasties and anything overly processed. But what about our skin? Although there is currently no regulated definition, clean beauty products are designed with a sustainable approach to the health of the environment, planet and our skin. This includes products with non-toxic formulas, plant-based ingredients, cruelty-free certification, biodegradable or recyclable packaging, and transparent labelling. Social impact company abillion published a report on the rise and demand for clean beauty products, with countries like Mexico and the UK showing potential as “emerging vegan beauty markets”.

Evidence of the widespread clean beauty trend can be seen in the rise in demand for vegan and cruelty-free beauty products by consumers alike. Body and skincare products currently dominate the clean beauty market, comprising more than half of all beauty reviews. The abillion report spotlights consumer attitudes towards sustainable beauty and promising markets for skincare, cosmetics, hair and fragrance products. An increase in demand for sustainable beauty options was observed across product types, with body and skincare dominating the market, comprising more than half of all beauty reviews and experiencing 8.5 times growth during 2020. Similar growth rates were also reported for hair and fragrance products.

Indie beauty retailers like Tatcha, Drunk Elephant and Indie Lee were the first few brands in the market that developed a loyal following but individually could not make a dent in the overall cosmetics market. Once consumers became aware of the importance of clean beauty, the demand for conscious beauty began to grow. Eager to snatch a share of this increasingly lucrative market, big-name players followed suit. Within the past two years, Sephora created icons to distinguish their “clean” products. Shiseido announced it would acquire Drunk Elephant for $845 million, and Unilever, which now owns Ren, said it would buy Tatcha for a reported $500 million.

Flexitarians have the highest level of engagement with beauty products, followed by vegetarians and omnivores. According to the report, plant-based members have the lowest concentration within the clean beauty segment but have the highest engagement with food-based products. This shows the higher likelihood of flexitarians pursuing a more holistic sustainable consumption module outside the food space than individuals who identify as plant-based or vegan.

The report outlined a sharp growth in consumer interest for sustainable beauty products. Driven by the awareness of cruelty-free, environmental and health concerns, demand for skincare, cosmetics, hair and fragrance products has grown significantly in the past year. With sustainable and conscious living becoming an increasingly important social issue across all industries, the clean beauty industry is here to stay and help consumers transition to a more eco-friendly and self-aware lifestyle.

This year V&V is partnering with Talking Philanthropy 2021 ahead of their upcoming philanthropic thought-leadership virtual forum, which is taking place on the 14th of May. Organised by the international fundraising and philanthropy advisory firm, Global Philanthropic, the forum will bring together some of the world’s leading organisations and academic institutions.

This year the conference will focus on the theme of Asia-Pacific: Supporting a Philanthropic Ecosystem. The forum aims to bring leaders from around the world and the region to spotlight the structural issues surrounding philanthropy in APAC and provide a macro perspective on the key issues that need addressing in order for philanthropy within the region to flourish.

The multi-regional event will be co-hosted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the National University of Singapore, and the Centre for Strategic Philanthropy, University of Cambridge Judge Business School. Noteworthy partners of the forum include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Foundation, and the conservation charity; BirdLife International. 

Throughout the day, there will be a series of panel discussions, research presentations, and case studies, discussing each of the following sub-themes in the context of Asia-Pacific philanthropy:

According to Ben Morton Wright, Group CEO and Founder of Global Philanthropic, “Philanthropy in Asia is at a critical tipping point. Governments of emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific are crucial to unlocking the philanthropic potential in the region, making them the target focus for world leaders in philanthropy. Talking Philanthropy 2021 will be a game-changer to help us all address the world’s greatest inequalities during these challenging times.”

Talking Philanthropy aims to inspire attendees and speakers to begin conversations with governments and philanthropic practitioners to revisit regulation and ensure a conducive environment for philanthropy and identify areas for further research. The complimentary event is free for all to attend and one can register for the forum through the following link – https://asiapac.globalphilanthropic.com/talking-philanthropy/

As #EarthDay2021 rolls around this week, sustainability is at the forefront of everybody’s minds. Yet, it’s not enough for companies to talk about sustainability just one day out of the entire year, which is why we’ve rounded up a list of top brands that walk the talk year-round. With sustainability at the core of their brand values and offerings, you can rest assured that every penny you spend with them will be guilt-free.

Singita

Every aspect of Singita’s day-to-day operations is centred around its 100-year purpose to preserve and protect large areas of African wilderness for future generations. They’ve highlighted clear sustainability targets for 2025, including using renewable technologies with the goal to become carbon neutral, water saving measures and waste management.

One of their most notable projects is the drive of clean solar energy in the Kruger National Park. 78% of the power required to run Singita Kruger National Park was provided by solar energy, resulting in a remarkable reduction in carbon emissions. In addition, Singita’s ongoing conservation efforts are undertaken alongside its non-profit partner funds and trusts where progress is evident through the transformation of the areas under Singita’s care. This includes the recent birth of the first black rhino calf in Tanzania in decades at Singita Grumeti.

Inge Kotze, Singita’s General Manager of Conservation, strives to form strategic partnerships in conservation and supports projects that promote the preservation of Africa’s biodiversity. She also oversees an all-woman Conservation team who are responsible for Singita’s Biodiversity and Sustainability initiatives, as well as its Community Partnership Programmes.

TiNDLE 

TiNDLE is founded on the belief that doing one’s part for the planet should be easy, enjoyable, and most importantly delicious. Comprising only 9 ingredients, TiNDLE Thy uses 74% less land, 82% less water and produces 88% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional chicken. Currently available across a range of cuisines at 11 different restaurants in Singapore, eating green has never been more delicious.

This April, TiNDLE has partnered with homegrown heroes, ecoSPIRITS and Brass Lion Distillery, to bring a sustainable edition of 28 HongKong Street’s Proper Dinner series. The limited time menu will feature Chef Melvyn Tan’s TiNDLE spin on the bar’s iconic Fried Chicken n’ Waffles topped with homemade herb butter. With every component of the dish made from scratch by Chef Mel himself, this version may just be the most sustainable and freshest take on the nostalgic American bar food in Singapore. Complete your meal with a Brass Ring Cocktail, a low-waste, gin-based cocktail by Chris Saw, Singapore’s reigning Sustainable Bartending Competition winner.

VIVANT

The world’s first live streaming wine experience platform, VIVANT is redefining how consumers learn about wine and supporting a more sustainable future for the industry, featuring the world’s best tasting wines from responsible winemakers practicing sustainable, organic, and biodynamic viticulture. VIVANT only works with responsible winemakers who take care of their little piece of the planet and pledge to keep it free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in order to produce better quality wine and improve the environment for future generations.

Patina

Opening in Q2 this year, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, will advance the establish trend of purposeful travel; from zero-waste kitchens and recycling marine plastic, to offering free dive lessons to local children to nurture next-generation respect for the environment, this resort is driven by its commitment to perpetuality. 

At the 100% solar-powered kids’ club – Footprints – kids will have the opportunity to turn recycled ocean plastic into models using 3D printing and sign up for free diving lessons to nurture next-generation awareness of the local ocean environment. The resort will also be offering free PADI dive certifications for local Maldivian children.

Ambitious in its plans to tackle marine plastic pollution, Patina Maldives will be implementing a comprehensive coral propagation project, as well as leading regular team and guest clean-ups – with 10kg of marine plastic collected for every stay.

March is one of our favourite months, with a special day dedicated to women and women only. This International Women’s Day, we’d like to give a special shout-out to women who are leaders in their field, inspirational icons for young girls everywhere and living, breathing evidence that there is nothing women can’t achieve.  

Piya Thamchariyawat, Creative director of EDG Design

The design world is a male-dominated one, but women designers are making waves of their own and gaining due recognition. Principal and Senior Creative Director at EDG Design, Piya Thamchariyawat is an award-winning designer with an astounding portfolio of concepts and projects around the world. Building on twenty years of experience with EDG, Piya directs design for the firm’s Middle East, Asia and Australasia projects and leads the firm’s global conceptual projects.

Piyanuch pairs innovation with style, operational savvy with design impact to create signature guest experiences. She has a keen understanding of how to take a project from her mind’s eye, to a sketch, to a drawing set and through to opening. Thanks to her strong understanding of the importance of the human experience, the savvy designer has a knack for developing deep-rooted conceptual DNA for each project she works on, ensuring strong, interesting stories are reflected through her expert design.

Alicia Pan, Girlboss and Co-founder of Yoga Movement

Co-founder of Yoga Movement (YM), a yoga teacher with over 500 hours of training under her belt, and a former singer-songwriter, Alicia has carved a multifaceted career and legacy for herself. A go-getting boss lady who can definitely kickass (figuratively AND literally – she’s into Muay Thai and boxing, and dabbles in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), Alicia’s success is no accident, even if it wasn’t the path she envisioned initially.

When YM opened its doors in 2012, Alicia had small aspirations: to deliver yoga to the people in a small-scale boutique studio. Demand boomed, and quickly exceeded their first studio’s capacity. One thing lead to another and before long, Yoga Movement has grown into an iconic fitness-lifestyle brand with over 100,000 yoga enthusiasts clocking a whopping 25,000 visits a month, and six studio concepts under their belt to date — including their brand new Orchard Flagship Studio.

VIVANT’s Women in Wine Live Experience

To celebrate the occasion this year, VIVANT will be directing the spotlight onto women winemakers who are brewing up their own success in the field. The “Women in Wine” Live Experience invites all wine enthusiasts to hear from female wine leaders, who will be sharing their inspiring journeys that has brought them to where they are today, as well as highlight the multifarious opportunities offered by the wine industry.

Meet established women winemakers from different wine horizons, like Claire Lurton, owner of Château Haut-Bages Libéral (Bordeaux), and Amélie and Cécile Buecher, owners and winemakers at Vignoble des 2 Lunes (Alsace). The experience also features an exclusive conversation with Paz Levinson, star sommelier of Anne-Sophie Pic Group.

Cherie Spriggs, Head Winemaker at Nyetimber

The first ever woman to be named ‘Sparkling Wine Maker of the Year’, Cherie Spriggs is writing new chapters in wine-making history. Her illustrious career in the art of winemaking began in 2007, where she joined the team at Nyetimber, England’s leading producer of sparkling wine. Since then, Cherie has played an instrumental role in the brand’s growth, including their recent expansion to Asia. Her feat is testament to her skills as much as it is to Nyetimber’s dedication to excellence. The team is expecting to produce two million bottles a year by 2030, up from one million today, with the entire industry producing at least 20 million bottles.

As we welcome back our national pastime of dining out with open arms, some of us are a bit more tentative than others. These days, dining in an enclosed space with strangers may seem slightly daunting at first, so to ease ourselves into it, we’ve been dining and drinking alfresco more often than not. The gorgeous weather we’re having these days doesn’t hurt either. So, enjoy your brunch with safe distancing and a side of sunshine at some of our favourite spots:

1. Wildseed at Alkaff Mansion

Cosied at the ground level of The Alkaff Mansion and surrounded by sprawling canopies, lies Wildseed café, a pet-friendly floral café and patisserie. Wildseed serves as a conduit for pet owners and families to congregate. Offering a hearty selection of brunch items, freshly baked cakes and luscious pastries, the blooming café that rests in the hill of Telok Blangah makes for a true escape from the bustling city.

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2. Open Farm Community

Open Farm Community is a farm-to-table restaurant with a garden brimming with herb and vegetable produce used in its European-fusion dishes. It boasts sweeping garden views from its terrace, or you could grab a seat on its timber-decked patio alongside your well-behaved pup. Around the grounds are play areas for restless children.

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3. The Knolls at Capella Singapore

Be swept away with majestic seaside views at this refined alfresco spot in Sentosa. Guests can expect a Mediterranean-inspired menu that sits in complementary contrast to the colonial Asian detail and classic antiques of interiors designed by Yasuhiro Koichi.

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4. The Summerhouse

Tucked away in the “idllyic Seletar countryside” is The Summerhouse — a romantic dining room with their picture perfect Garden Domes. Make it a night to remember for two with an ethereal experience under the night sky, and a delicious menu to boot.

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5. The Halia

Halia – Malay for ginger – is located in the one-hectare Ginger Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens where over 250 species of ginger with their stunning foliage and colourful flowers thrive. Channelling picnic vibes without the hassle, the open-air terrace lets you admire the stunning scenery of Singapore’s first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. 

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Barely a month ago, the world was rocked by the death of George Floyd – yet another Black life unfairly taken, and one that proved to be the breaking point and wakeup call not just for the USA, but the world. Globally, protests continue for racial justice and police reform; with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, standing in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement to fight systemic racism.

Education or re-education, learning and un-learning, are the first steps in understanding the individual’s place in the system. Then only can the movement be purposefully pushed forward in the hopes of creating lasting change. Here are some of the resources the team has found useful in our own journeys over the past four weeks, as we stand together to support true equality.

READ:

Layla Saad is a globally respected writer, speaker and podcast host on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation and social change. Meaningful and relevant, her book, entitled Me and White Supremacy, is a 28-day guide focusing on combatting racism by helping readers identify and dismantle white supremacy and biases within themselves.

A bold read for anyone who wants a deep dive into the truth of systemic racism in the United States is this book by Ijeoma Oluo. A New York Time Bestseller, So You Want To Talk About Race is a contemporary take on America’s racial landscape and the complexities of issues faced by African- Americans.

Written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, national correspondent for The Atlantic, Between the World and Me is a riveting analysis into racism in the United States. The book takes you through a historical journey through real events in American history as experienced by the African-American community.

WATCH:

Directed by filmmaker Ava DuVernay, 13th is a thought-provoking documentary that takes a deep long look into the history of United States’ prison system – revealing racial inequality, prejudice, and the disproportionate number of African-Americans who have been incarcerated. Available on Netflix, this powerful film tells an important story to all who will watch and listen.

Based on James Baldwin’s uncompleted manuscript, I Am Not Your Negro is a documentary explored through the notes and letters of Baldwin in the 1970s. The memoir touches on racism in the United States as well as the deaths of Baldwin’s close friends and civil rights leaders, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and Medgar Evans.

Based on the events of a true story, When They See Us is a web television miniseries that premiered in 2019. The series tells the story of the wrongful conviction of five African-American teenagers, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise and Raymond Santana, after a jogger was brutally attacked in Central Park in 1989.

LISTEN:

Hosted by journalists of colour, this podcast tackles the subject of race head-on. The fearless conversations explore how race impacts every part of society – from politics, pop culture to history, sports and everything in between.

Slay in Your Lane: The Podcast comes from multi-award-winning authors Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené, who rose to prominence with their pioneering guide to life for young Black Women. The podcast explores topical news and popular culture from a Black British female perspective while expanding upon many of the same themes addressed in the book.

This podcast digs into stories that are not always shared out in the open. Hosts Leila Day and Hana Baba start conversations about what it means to be black and how we talk about blackness. It’s a celebration of black joy with a mission to dig deeper into stories that we don’t hear enough about.

Foreseeable is a podcast by Global-is-Asian, the flagship digital platform of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Each episode addresses a different social or cultural issue in Singapore, with local and international experts sharing their thoughts, opinions and predictions. Tune in to their episode on racial integration in Singapore, particularly poignant in the current international climate.

Step inside the confession booth of Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham, two culture writers for The New York Times. They devour TV, movies, art, music and the internet to find the things that move them – to tears, awe and anger. Episodes like “Being Black in the Age of Wokeness” and “Still Processing: Being Biracial” are not to be missed.

Check out the rest of our blog here for the latest updates on current affairs, travel and wellness trends.