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Africa in the Americas: Tour Group Explores Cuba's African Roots

Since its founding about a year and a half ago, DiasporaES has focused mainly on Cuba— successfully taking several groups to the island.
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When the United States and Cuba first announced plans to restore diplomatic relations two years ago, Kasara E. Davidson says she and her business partner “hit the ground running” and used their combined 20 years of experience with the island to start Diaspora Enterprise Solutions (DiasporaES).

“It was an opportunity for us to learn Cuba even more and an opportunity for us to share what we know about Cuba with others,” said Davidson, who is the company’s co-owner and managing director.

The East Coast based business creates professional, educational and cultural programs for individuals, groups and organizations in cities around the world.

Since its founding about a year and a half ago, DiasporaES has focused mainly on Cuba— successfully taking several groups to the island under several of 12 permitted categories that have made it easier for more Americans to travel there.

Three backup dancers pose for a photo pose for a shot on their break in Havana, Cuba.
Three backup dancers pose for a photo pose for a shot on their break in Havana, Cuba.Mikhael Simmonds

With the death of Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro on November 26 and President-elect Trump's threat to sever ties with the island nation again, Davidson says she’s been flooded with calls from family, friends and clients, fearful that upcoming planned programs won’t happen. However, she’s optimistic that her growing travel business will not be negatively impacted.

“There were things opening up slowly for a number of years and so I don’t think him passing will make those things move any quicker and I don’t think that him passing is going to make people think oh, let’s roll them back,” Davidson told NBCBLK.

The travel aficionado added that she thinks that as more commercial businesses, like airlines and hotel chains become more involved on the island, reversing the progress already made will be even more unlikely.

Callejon de Hamel (Hamel Alley) in Central Havana, is covered in murals and sculptures all devoted to Afro-Cuban culture as well as a space for live music and dance.
Callejon de Hamel (Hamel Alley) in Central Havana, is covered in murals and sculptures all devoted to Afro-Cuban culture as well as a space for live music and dance.Mikhael Simmonds

As she prepares to head to Cuba in mid-December with two groups, Davidson is focused on ensuring all of her clients have one-of-a-kind experiences on the island, such as the one Gbenga Taylor had when he traveled to Cuba with DiasporaES over the summer.

“There’s so many situations where I had people come to me and be like you’re my brother, you’re my long lost brother,” Taylor explained. He described how hearing that from Cuban men of African descent really affected him. And, how seeing things like a group of Rastafarians gathering near an outdoor market on Obispo Street in Havana as well as women singing in the Yoruba language he grew up hearing in his native Nigeria were unforgettable.

“I knew there were Afro-Cubans. I didn’t expect how strong it [the African culture] was. That was the difference for me. It is pervasive throughout society…that just blew my mind,” Taylor told NBCBLK.

The Washington D.C. resident was part of a group of black professionals from across the U.S. who traveled to Cuba for the first time and wanted to experience the African influences on the island’s culture.

Street performers walk and dance their way through Habana Vieja (Old Havana)
Street performers walk and dance their way through Habana Vieja (Old Havana)Mikhael Simmonds

“Having the Afro-Cuban experience was so important to me... I know that we have a rich history here as a person of African heritage. I am African-American. It’s important for me to learn my roots in the Americas as they unrolled everywhere that we’ve been as people of African heritage,” said Kafi Sanders, a pharmaceutical scientist from New York City who was also on that trip.

DiasporaES specifically designed an itinerary for this group to introduce them to Afro-Cuban culture. From visits to Calejón de Hamel (Hamel Alley) and Casa de Africa (House of Africa) Museum to dance encounters where the African roots of salsa and rumba were taught along with the steps, the company says the goal was not only to introduce this travel group to the concept of Afro Cuba, but that Afro Cuba is Cuba.

The Muraleando, a cultural community center in Havana, hosts arts, dance and music classes in the community. The DiasporaES group spent the evening learning about different aspects of Cuban arts, music and dance
The Muraleando, a cultural community center in Havana, hosts arts, dance and music classes in the community. The DiasporaES group spent the evening learning about different aspects of Cuban arts, music and danceMelissa Noel

“It’s an important aspect of Cuba and it’s not a subcategory of Cuba. You know we don’t say Afro-Jamaican or Afro-Bahamian, but we do say Afro-Cuban and there’s a reason for that, but Africa is everywhere in Cuba. And, that’s a really important concept,” Davidson said. “Getting people like our clients on this trip to Cuba to see that was a really exciting opportunity for us.”

Davidson expects those opportunities for DiasporaES to create unique travel experiences to continue to grow as curiosity and conversation about Cuba grows.

“You usually see one side or another side,” she said. “You hear very kind of black and white stories about what it means to be Cuban, what it means to be Castro, what it means to be of Cuban descent in the United States, but as we have seen before it’s a complex place. You should come and experience for yourself.”

Cuba DiasporaES group
It was all HBCU love when members of the DiasporaES group saw Howard University, Morehouse College and Spelman College alumni in Habana Vieja.Mikhael Simmonds

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