Travel
The first Black-owned hostel brand is celebrating its anniversary with its largest offering ever

Wanderstay, America’s first Black-owned hostel brand, is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its boutique hotel. Founder Deidre Mathis is celebrating by announcing her biggest offering in order that recent customers can check out the space.
Curious travelers will reach Houston stay in one among Wanderstay’s themed rooms, inspiring with music, sports and even safari. Tucked away within the cultural district of the East End, Mathis intentionally designed this space to bring fun and excitement back to luxury adult accommodation.
Guests can enjoy this Black-owned oasis for over 50% off the regular rate, supplying you with a 2-night stay for just $149 plus tax. Although the possibility to get this deal ends on April 15, buyers have one yr to benefit from this never-to-be-repeated offer and participate within the Wanderstay. More information, including the discount code, may be found on Wanderstay’s social media accounts.
To highlight this recent offer, BLACK ENTERPRISES spoke with Mathis in a fast Q&A session about pursuing her wildest dreams, securing funding, and the hostel community.
How to get from the hostel to the hotel? It looks as if a very different ball game.
We opened the hostel in 2018. I made history because the first black woman to run and own a hostel within the US, but I already knew then that I desired to expand my hotel brand. As I got older, other travelers did it too and also you realize that hostels are mainly great while you’re younger. When I used to be older, I wanted something more upscale that would not break the bank. So I created a hotel that met what my friends and I were now searching for.
Explain your purpose and mission at Wanderstay. Many people hear the word “hostel” and have some negative associations in mind. How do you combat and dismantle the narrative? What could make a hostel feel prefer it’s five-star?
When we first opened, people asked, “Why a hostel and why Houston?” I replied, “Why not?” Honestly, there was no hostel option. I take a look at the statistics; There are plenty of tourists and events in Houston, but there are not any options for this kind of accommodation. When it involves breaking the stereotype, I didn’t need to do much because our target market, hostelers, were searching for us. But I still love introducing it to Black and brown individuals who would otherwise never give it some thought.
How has this experience before the COVID-19 pandemic shaped your enterprise journey?
We opened at a really special moment. Before the pandemic broke out, we had only been in business for a yr and a half. We just needed to turn around hard and we did it in a short time. We are positioned two miles from the medical center so we could accommodate nurses and family visitors. We all the time tell people who when the going gets tough, take into consideration how you may change to save lots of your enterprise. We maintain our brand standards of cleanliness and community, and folks proceed to make use of us.
Can you explain your view on raising equity funding for this enterprise, especially when this avenue for Black women entrepreneurs is in danger??
So I fully funded each of my projects with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, which is a unicorn, right? First of all, as within the case of the hostel, many start-ups use SBA loans, including people who open businesses in specific, area of interest industries. I used to be in the suitable place at the suitable time. When I moved to Houston, I began networking and met as many individuals as I could.
In 2016, I entered as many pitching competitions as I could. I did about 18 – and won all of them. People then began to take notice. So after I began searching for money for my business, I had local banks willing to support me. When I had my second location, I picked up the phone and said, “Hey, I’m ready to grow,” and the banks said, “OK, let’s do it.” So I tell people, if you happen to want an SBA loan, be energetic in your city and tell people what you do.
What experiences have you ever delivered to your guests? How do you would like to influence and shape the best way Black people travel?
I really like how most days I sit at my desk and talk over with my guests. They are so pleased with me and completely satisfied after they discover we’re Black owned. When you provide good customer support, skin color doesn’t matter, but guests know that you just appear like them they usually’re much more excited to share your story. We have also implemented many security measures to make sure this safety.
We are a hotel, but what we actually offer is a spot for the community.
What was the most important obstacle you overcame to realize this dream? Has it ever felt unattainable? What do you’ve gotten to say to other Black women who’ve lofty dreams?
Sometimes I believe: wow, not only did I even have this dream, but I made it come true. Not once, but twice… but I need people to realize it wasn’t easy. In 2014 I made a decision to open it and toiled for 4 and a half years. I didn’t earn or receive any rewards. But I made business plans, checked my funds and made contacts. Four years of achieving this goal gave me every part I needed when it got here time to finally open.
You bring the world to you with Wanderstay. What do you wish them to go away with?
We have so many things in common on this world, but I believe all of us feel alone and disconnected. When people can look me in the attention and talk over with me, they get something out of it. You do not get this in traditional hotels. I need people to go away Wanderstay feeling like they’ve just left a family or friend behind and might’t wait to see them again.
Travel
TSA prohibits these 7 items from checked baggage

The transport safety administration (TSA) warns travelers that electronics containing lithium-ion batteries aren’t any longer allowed in checked baggage. Summer Agency Advisor resembles a passengerS, that the ban is in force. Prohibited items include a cell phone Battery charging housings, lithium batteries, cellular batteries, laptop batteries, external batteries and portable batteries. However, travelers can still Bring these items in your bags.
“Stock (uninstalled) lithium-ion and lithium batteries, including power loading and cell phone, must only be worn in hand luggage. When the cache is checked on the gate or on the plane, all spare litter batteries and power supply should be removed from the bag and store with a passenger within the aircraft cabin, they have to be protected with a passenger circuses.
Tsa He implemented a ban Due to the hearth risk created after recent incidents including the exploding of lithium-ion batteries in flight. Officials determined that the overheated Bank of Power caused a hearth that broke out on a Russian plane in South Korea in January, which led to the evacuation of 179 passengers and 6 crew members. IN November 2024, a Southwest flight from Denver was forced to evacuate the passenger The phone caught fire.
Portable chargers and power supply can Experience thermal escapeby which the battery cell overheats all of sudden. Thermal escapes can occur if the battery is flawed, overheated, filled, incorrectly packed or exposed to water.
Air crews are trained to answer battery fires when it appears within the plane’s cabin. FAA encourages passengers Notify your air crew Immediately, if their devices overheat, expand, smoke or smoke in the course of the flight.
TSA reminds passengers of these changes before the brand new real identifier Travel requirements that got here into force on Wednesday, May 7. All passengers will need to have RIdentification in accordance with ID EAL Travel business flight. Real identifiers are marked with a star within the upper right corner. TSA states that passengers who present unreal identification in accordance with ID may face a further safety examination.
(Tagstotranslate) travel
Travel
What should you know about the deficiency of the air traffic controller

Trump administration is promising Nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers after the last Mishaps from the control tower ia track of failure Early this yr.
You need a bigger number of controllers who direct planes to an increasingly crowded sky, will not be a brand new problem or one which shall be quickly solved.
How big is the lack of controllers?
The federal aviation administration has about 14,000 air traffic controllers. Last yr, over 1800, the largest number in almost a decade was employed, and the government is on the right track to rent much more this yr. Despite this, about 3,000 more is required to totally support the system.
What are the impact?
Talks meant that controllers were often forced to work compulsory time beyond regulation, sometimes six days every week. It led to Fear about fatigue After highly publicized close connections between planes, which were in keeping with the orders of the controllers. FAA agreed last summer to extend the minimum rest time between the changes. In some areas with high traffic, including New York and Florida, FAA The number of flights has been limited Due to the lack of controllers.
Why is 1000’s missing?
It is a demanding and stressful work with unpredictable hours and a high rotation indicator. Many don’t do it for the first few years. And experienced controllers are in the face of a compulsory retirement age of 56 years.
Is this just recent concern?
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has been concerned for over a decade, telling Congress in 2015 that the deficiency was at the crisis level. He said then that Faa didn’t hit his targets of employment for five years in a row. The union again said last spring that the number of fully certified controllers fell by 10% from the place where it was 10 years ago.
What’
Is the Trump administration plan?
The administration desires to “unload” the controller’s working force and announced the program last week to speed up employment and provides the existing controller extra money in order to not retire. Since the training and certification of recent employees takes years, transport secretary Sean Duffy said that it could still take at the least three or 4 years to satisfy the current needs.
How to turn into a controller?
Most of them undergo several months of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahomie, although about a 3rd of the candidates not quite. Others learn to work in the army, and a handful of universities offers the same training at the Academy. Exercises then work as development controllers in towers at airports or radar centers until they’re ready for certification. This last step often takes two to 3 years.

What are the requirements?
FAA claims that interns have to be able to go anywhere in the US during work and weekends. Candidates have to be a US citizen, under 31 years old and might pass a medical exam, past control and skill assessment. FAA claims that lower than 10% of candidates are accepted for the training program.
(Tagstranslate) @Ap
Travel
Newark airport listed as “they are not safe” because the air traffic controller warns leaflets to leave

The air traffic controller warned that Newark airport is “not safe” for travelers because rage is delayed for a lot of days.
An unidentified aviation security employee told the NBC News Tom Costello correspondent that the international airport in Newark Liberty must be avoided “at all costs”. According to the second most busy airport in the New York region suffered many delays and appeal.
“This is not safe. It is not a safe situation for flying audience now,” Costello reminded the worker’s warnings.
Costello added: “A really amazing statement, unimaginated. He just told me and separately:” Don’t lie to Newark. Avoid Newark in any respect costs. “
Newark airport often sees over 40,000 passengers every single day, According to United Airlines. NY and NJ Port Authority Authority Dashboard Reported that the airport is the host of virtually 4 million passengers a yr.
However, the ongoing problems related to employees of the Federal Aviation Administration resulted in the delay of the airport. In addition to construction activities limiting its capabilities, the airport recorded 20% loss in air traffic controllers.
United announced the cancellation of 35 flights from the predominant center of the east coast to alleviate this problem for its passengers. The general director of United, Scott Kirby, has been revealed for years how the company is in favor of higher staff and technology in EWR.
“United is involved in doing absolutely everything in our power to minimize the influence that it will have on customers, which is why we unilaterally cancel 35 flights a day from our Newark schedule from this weekend,” Kirby said in a press release. “Further cuts are disappointing to the already reduced schedule in Newark, but because there is no way to solve the closest problems related to FAA work, we believe that there is no other choice to protect our clients.”
Kirby talked to the secretary for transport Sean Duffy with an urgent need for more air traffic controllers. Duffy also offered $ 5,000 bonuses for brand new employees because the system reaches its breakthrough.
“You start to see cracks in the system,” Duffy explained at a press conference on Thursday. “Our task is to see the horizon what problems are and fix them before the incident occurs, which we seriously regret.”
However, Trump’s administration implemented serious FAA cuts, because frequent leaflets apprehensive greater look after air failures. FAA continues to be delaying in the personnel of the air traffic controller, and airports like EWR are already feeling results.
Travelers in New York should proceed to change travel plans in the event that they include some flights to or from Newark airport.
(Tagstranslat) air traffic control (T) Neviark International Airport (T) Federal Aviation Administration
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