Black History Month Employee Spotlight: Jo Holbrook

In the third installment in our month long celebration of?#blackhistorymonth we're featuring one of our amazing service agents. Jo Holbrook has been a part of the World Travel Holdings' family for 13 years and in that time has made tremendous contributions that have led to numerous recognitions. Honored in 2017 with the company’s prestigious Horizon Award, Jo is often described as a wonderful role model/mentor, positive, uplifting, persistent, patient, kind, inspiring, helpful, caring, and a leader. She has also earned a spot not once but twice in our Navigator’s Club, the highest honors for our Customer Care division. Jo accomplished all this while battling and surviving cancer, becoming an inspiration to all who know her. Join us in celebrating Jo!

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Why is it important that we celebrate Black History Month?

It is important to incorporate Black History into American History; they are the same. Historically, the successes of Black Americans were not celebrated as much as others, which is why it is important to take time to do that during this month. It is also important for Americans to understand that all types of people have been contributors to American history.?Having the month of February to highlight the unspoken, the forgotten and the unknown in the Black community always provides me the opportunity to connect with a part of history I otherwise may have never known.?All humans take pride in their own personal heritage and background – Black History month is my chance to do the same.

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What got you interested in travel industry?

I was exposed to travel at a very young age and have visited 48 states to date via car. I was able to really see what the United States was all about and grew up wanting to know what the rest of the world had to offer.?Working for World Travel Holdings gives me that opportunity to see what is out there in the rest of the world.?My trip to Alaska in May as part of the Navigator’s Club reward will make it 49 states and then I will be almost done with the Continental U.S.!

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What is something you love about your black culture/heritage that you want to share with others?

I love so much about my culture and heritage - it’s a vibe!?The taste of my culture is full of flavor; it’s sweet, tangy, and spicy.?The sound of my heritage has a reverberating bass undertone with a powerful set of vocals taking the listener on an incredibly lyrical journey.?My experience as a black woman is such an epic journey of expression and freedom in a world where some would still like it to be oppressed.?The freedom of being black in America is not always welcome, but through pride, resilience, education, and respect, we persist in our demand to remain equal in all areas of the country. The culture of my Blackness is so dope it lasts for a month when most other holidays are observed for only a day.

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How do diverse teams improve how we work?

Our world is diverse, and our workplace should be as well.?All great things should come from great people and great people exist in every shade of human.