Discover Black Savannah and Airbnb Launch Strategic Partnership for Inaugural Soul & Flavor Weekend | Savannah Herald

Airbnb Named Official Destination Partner of the Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit; Partnership Expands Weekend Experience and Makes Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest Free to the Public

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Discover Black Savannah today announced a strategic partnership with Airbnb, naming the global travel platform the Official Destination Partner of the inaugural Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit and Soul & Flavor Weekend, taking place September 4–5, 2026, in Savannah, Georgia.

The partnership marks a significant step in the evolution of Soul & Flavor Weekend, which has expanded from a single food festival into a multi-event destination experience celebrating Black culture, tourism, entrepreneurship, wellness, and community.

As Official Destination Partner, Airbnb will present The Airbnb Culture & Community Exchange, a signature forum during the Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit exploring responsible tourism, authentic travel experiences, destination stewardship, and community-driven economic development.

Airbnb’s partnership also makes it possible for general admission to the Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest to be offered free to the public, allowing even more residents and visitors to experience one of Savannah’s premier celebrations of Black cuisine, culture, music, and entrepreneurship. The festival’s VIP Flavor Lounge Experience will continue to be available for $100 per ticket, offering exclusive food experiences, premium seating, specialty beverages, and enhanced hospitality.

What began as a vision to celebrate Black culture through food has grown into an entire destination weekend centered on tourism, entrepreneurship, wellness, culture, and community,” said Katina Wheeler, Founder and CEO of Discover Black Savannah. “We’re incredibly grateful to Airbnb for believing in that vision. Their partnership not only helps us launch the Tourism in the Black Summit, but it also allows us to remove barriers by offering free admission to the Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest. That’s the kind of community impact we hoped this event would create.”

“Airbnb is honored to join Soul & Flavor Weekend and the Tourism in the Black Summit as the Official Destination Partner. Savannah’s Black entrepreneurs and tourism community help make this destination one of a kind, and we’re proud to stand behind it, “ Nia Brown, Airbnb Public Policy Manager.

A Weekend of Culture, Community & Connection

Soul & Flavor Weekend invites residents and visitors to experience Savannah through three signature events:

Friday, September 4

Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit

Pittman Lounge at Enmarket Arena
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Presented by Discover Black Savannah, the inaugural Summit will convene tourism leaders, entrepreneurs, hospitality professionals, educators, policymakers, content creators, and community changemakers for a day of thought leadership focused on the future of Black cultural tourism.

Signature sessions include:

• Tourism in the Black: Culture as Currency
• The Airbnb Culture & Community Exchange
• The Influence Exchange, powered by the Soul & Flavor Flavor Crew
• Destination AI: The Future of Tourism
• Funding the Vision
• Opening the Door: Building a Tourism Business the Right Way

Saturday, September 5 | 8:00 a.m.

The Soul Run

Presented in Partnership with Certified Runz

A community wellness experience bringing together runners, walkers, families, and visitors to celebrate health, culture, and connection while kicking off the second day of Soul & Flavor Weekend.

Saturday, September 5

Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest

Eastern Wharf

Now FREE to attend, the Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest will feature dozens of food trucks, live entertainment, local vendors, family activities, cultural performances, and interactive experiences celebrating the richness of Savannah’s Black community.

Guests seeking an elevated experience may purchase VIP Flavor Lounge tickets for $100, which include premium hospitality, exclusive tastings, specialty beverages, and reserved lounge access.

“We’re not simply hosting events—we’re creating a destination experience,”Wheeler added. “Soul & Flavor Weekend invites people to experience Savannah through meaningful conversations, wellness, incredible cuisine, entrepreneurship, and culture. We’re especially grateful to Airbnb for helping us expand that vision and make this celebration accessible to more people than ever before.”

As Soul & Flavor Weekend continues to grow into one of the Southeast’s premier celebrations of Black culture, tourism, and entrepreneurship, Discover Black Savannah is currently welcoming corporate, community, and small business partners to join this transformative initiative.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit, The Soul Run, and the Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest, offering brands meaningful engagement with thousands of attendees while demonstrating a commitment to community investment, cultural preservation, and economic empowerment.

Organizations interested in becoming sponsors or strategic partners are encouraged to contact Discover Black Savannah.

Registration for the Tourism in the Black: Culture & Currency Summit is free, but advance registration is required.

For more information and to register, visit www.blksav.com/summit.

For Soul & Flavor Food Truck Fest details and VIP tickets, visit www.blksav.com/ftf.

Tourism is more than travel. It’s culture. It’s community. It’s currency.