Poderoza Legacy Speaker | Joli Moniz
Joli Moniz was raised in Connecticut by loving second-generation Cape Verdean American parents who instilled in her an awareness and love of her culture. Her first trip to the Cape Verde islands of West Africa at age 15 sealed her connection with the country of her ancestors and her passion for travel.
After graduating from Miss Porter’s School in Connecticut, Joli attended the University of Virginia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and English. She later attended the New York School of Interior Design.
In 2012, Joli decided to leave her cushy job and New York home and follow her lifelong dream of spending “a year or so" in Cabo Verde and moved to its capital city, Praia. Several months later she realized she was home and could not imagine leaving, and founded the boutique travel company, A Vontade Tours. The goal of A Vontade, which means "feel at home," is to encourage people to visit Cape Verde and several other countries of the African diaspora, and to experience them in a culturally authentic way, while contributing to their local economies and providing service opportunities.
To meet the growing needs of its clients, Joli launched A Vontade Services to provide Cape Verde relocation, real estate and citizenship assistance. She also co-founded the non-profit program Cape Verde For Life that helps young men from low-income households meet their families’ basic needs so they can focus on their education, and guides their families toward self-sufficiency.
For fun, Joli enjoys traveling with her camera, creating new designs for her Coisas de Cabo Verde and Coisas from the Continent accessory and crafts collections, dancing to kizomba and spending time with her family and friends.
Visit A Vontade Tours today!
PODEROZA LEGACY
An event for middle school & high school women/girls of African Descent! This program is designed for middle and high school young girls/self-identifying girls who also identify as Black/African/Cabo Verdean.
We have incredible, inspiring speakers who are ready to have fun, inspire, empower, and encourage our young participants to follow their dreams, unapologetically.
Nominate a deserving young person for the event by sending them to this page for registration! Feel free to contact us with any questions!