Our Founder

Innovative Entrepreneur & Community Advocate | Founder, Elevate and Explore Black Nova Scotia Inc. | Championing Underrepresented Narratives in Tourism | Featured in New York Times + Travel Noire

René Boudreau is a passionate entrepreneur and fervent advocate hailing from Truro, Nova Scotia. With a blend of innovative entrepreneurship and dedicated community advocacy, she’s been fortunate to wear many hats - from pioneering tourism strategies that elevate the representation of Black travelers in Nova Scotia to strengthening the bonds of our African Nova Scotian community.

Our Story

We are an innovative tourism business that encourages more Black travellers from across the world to visit Mi'kma'ki, Turtle Island (Nova Scotia, Canada), and encourages people from all backgrounds to explore our beautiful province. We target a new market of residents and visitors who have been historically underrepresented.

African Nova Scotians have been living in Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia) for over 400 years and are descendants of Black Loyalists, Jamaican Maroons, Black Refugees and Caribbean Immigrants. Given the depth of our Black population and the rich history that has shaped our province, we have a unique opportunity to attract more Black travellers and share our stories with both locals and tourists alike.

“When I tell people I’m from here, they usually respond with, There’s Black people in Nova Scotia!?”

- René Boudreau, Founder & CEO