Fleace Weaver, founder of Black Girl Travel has a bone to pick with Bravo. Apparently, their new show, To Rome For Love, is a hijack of her own work and ideas, and after looking at the show’s premise, I tend to agree.

Look at Fleace’s sizzle reel. There’s no question this is based on HER work.

I met Fleace over five years ago and know that she’s been in this space for a decade, and is responsible for helping black American women, long maligned and dehumanized and de-feminized in the U.S., rediscover their beauty and confidence by hosting tours to Rome and other remote locales. She’s the reason why so many black women know that American beauty standards don’t speak for everyone else, and her motto has always been, “go where you’re celebrated, not tolerated.” (The woman that took Fleace’s place “claims” she’s been taking her clients to Italy for years…but I have never heard of her doing such a thing, and I specifically researched this space for my book and to promote others inspiring black women to date interracially)

I also know that Fleace has ALWAYS had the idea that what she does should be a reality show, and she’s been working for years behind the scenes to make it happen. So when Bravo rolls out with this Waiting-to-Exhale bootleg version of her idea, I’m gonna stand with her and refuse to watch and promote this show.

Fleace Weaver, founder, Black Girl Travel (Bella Italiana)

A dirty secret ya’ll don’t know–production companies are notorious for bringing women like me and Fleace in to meetings and juicing us for ideas and then turn around and cut you out of their plans. In Fleace’s case, she walked away because she wasn’t confident that the producers would not, once again, make us a hideous cartoon of reality ratchetry, that damages our image globally and perpetuates harmful and hurtful stereotypes.

So if Fleace says she was wronged, she won’t need to tell me twice. I’m formally asking all my female followers to pass on on To Rome For Love, and support a REAL sister out here doing REAL work and changing REAL lives for the better.

Post a comment below and show your support for Fleace and Black Girl Travel!

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