Nelson George FORT WORTH- American Airlines announced that it is launching a first-of-its-kind social networking site, BlackAtlas.com, which combines the best features of a travel site with the power of social networking to create a dynamic online community for travelers to share experiences unique to the Black community. User content will be anchored by travel video blogs and commentaries from author, filmmaker, television producer and world traveler, Nelson George, who will serve as the BlackAtlas.com travel expert at large. George is an executive producer on two returning cable shows: the third season of BET’s American Gangster and the fifth airing of VH1’s Hip Hop Honors.

He is also the executive producer of the Chris Rock hosted feature documentary, “Good Hair,” a look at hair weaves, relaxers and the international Black hair economy that’s premiering at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Unique travel content for the site is currently being collected at BlackAtlas.com. The site is scheduled to fully launch later this month.

“I love to experience new cities, new food and meet new people. I love the thrill of discovering Black culture everywhere, and so many African-Americans feel the same way I do,” said Nelson George. “I want to entice more people to hit the road by giving them a different, and hopefully fresh, angle on travel through BlackAtlas.com.” Through blogs and discussion boards, users will be able to share travel stories, videos and photos and provide travel tips.
They will also be able to make recommendations of popular destinations and businesses, connect with other travelers with similar interests. “American Airlines see BlackAtlas.com as an important connector, enabling an online community of travelers to share information about their favorite places for experiencing African-American and Black culture, food, history and events across the globe,” said Roger Frizzell, American’s Vice President – Corporate Communications and Advertising.

“As we created the site, we also found a wealth of little-known facts about African-American and Black cultural and historical contributions,” said McGhee Williams Ossee, Burrell Communications’ Co-CEO. “From a Jamaican restaurant in Milan to Santa Monica’s Ink Well Beach, there are uniquely African-American experiences enjoyed by travelers around the world. BlackAtlas.com is a forum that encourages travelers to share these stories and gives them the opportunity to better plan their next trip with a few key activities or places in mind.”

Site users will be able to share content across social networks, create profiles, rate content, save content to Favorites, create downloadable travel guides, contribute unique text, video or photos, and link to promotional fares on www.AA.com.
Initial site content will be divided into destination/city-specific and category-specific information, such as travel tips, restaurants, nightlife, historic sites, beauty and barber shops, and places of worship. George said, “I want your stories, reviews, travel tips, videos and photos on black culture—whether it’s a story right here in the U.S., or one about Ethiopian food in Norway.”

For more information, visit www.blackatlas.com