We had the good fortune of connecting with Kea Simmons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kea, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a mother and woman who has travelled to 45 countries and lived in 7 of them, I wanted to offer these same opportunities to people who don’t feel like they have this choice. Once I realized this, I created my first company, World Views, that offered travel and investment services.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My name is Kea Wakesho Simmons; I am from Charleston, South Carolina; raised on James Island, where the Gullah Geechee culture originates. During my formative years, I decided to leave high school in the tenth grade and join Job Corps in Kentucky, where I eventually obtained my GED. Following my time in the Job Corps, I returned to Virginia, which has become my second home. In Virginia, I gained confidence and grew into a more mature individual, especially after becoming a mother for the first time in 2006. To further my personal growth, I enlisted in the United States Army as a human resources specialist and served for five years, including deployments to Iraq and Korea. During my time in Korea, my passion for travel was ignited, fueling my desire to explore the world. In 2011, I left the military, and shortly after, I accepted a civilian contractor position in Afghanistan, where I worked for the next three and a half years. During this time, I assumed responsibilities for coordinating the movement of over 5,000 personnel and managing administrative procedures, significantly contributing to the mission’s success. I fulfilled contractual obligations in Estonia, Bulgaria, and Iraq for seven and a half years. Living and working in these countries allowed me to embark on global adventures, visiting 45 different countries and residing in seven. As a result of my extensive travels, I wanted to share my experiences and knowledge with the world. Thus, I co-founded the travel concierge firm World Views, where I served for five years. I offered various services through this company, including business development, humanitarian aid, and relocation assistance. One of my notable achievements was leading a group of over one hundred individuals to Kenya, where I introduced a fresh perspective on Afro-Centric-Regenerative Travel in Africa and globally. Recently, I expanded my efforts to Central America. In 2023, I relaunched my business under Traverze Culture, continuing to provide the same services. The primary objective of this initiative is to facilitate in-person tourism worldwide, showcasing the accomplishments of African people on a global scale while also advocating for changes in tourism policies alongside government officials. My plans include expanding Traverze Culture to encompass 63 countries across six continents. I aspire to raise awareness about the significant contributions of African and black individuals worldwide. Bringing this vision to reality is one of my utmost goals, and I am steadily approaching its realization.

Was it easy?
No, it hasn’t been easy at all, but what keeps me going is that this is my passion and purpose, I love what I do for a a living, and I’m grateful that I know what I want to do and I do it well.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that we’re very unique in regards to how we have combined travel with investment and relocation services all in one package in Kenya, Panama, and Belize, working alongside each government. We’re also the first African American-owned and woman-owned company to build luxury estates in Kenya for people who are interested in building a holiday home or relocating.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Because I do most of my business in Nairobi, Kenya, Here are a few places in the city that I would take my best friend to.

Day 1. Safari and Elephant Center

Day 2. Eat out at some of Nairobi’s best restaurants, like Carnivore etc.

Day 3. Real Estate Tours

Day 4. Humanitarian work

Day 5. Night out on the town at K-1 Club

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shout out my family; they are the best people ever. My son Xavier, my aunt Michelle, all of my close friends, and my Kenyan team in Kenya.

Website: https://tverze.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traverzeculture/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kea-simmons-4351b717b/

Twitter: https://x.com/TraverzeC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2023071434685501

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBKfDDm7L6q3mGp3xtwUpPw

Image Credits
credits to the Traverze Culture team, Kea Simmons CEO and Traverze past customers

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.