2026 BOOKED Trips Maya Angelou Travel Scholarship

The Maya Angelou Travel Scholarship for Women of Color 

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP

Inspired by the life and work of the iconic Maya Angelou, this scholarship honors women of color who embody her spirit of exploration, creativity, and social justice. Like Angelou, who traveled the world, drawing inspiration from various cultures to fuel her art and activism, we seek to empower women to embark on transformative journeys of discovery.

Maya Angelou was a renowned singer, dancer, poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist. Angelou’s work took her around the world including Egypt, Ghana, and various countries in Europe. From 1954 to 1955, Angelou toured Europe with a production of the opera Porgy and Bess and became active in the Civil Rights Movement serving as the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 1961, Angelou moved to Cairo, Egypt where she wrote for the weekly newspaper, “The Arab Observer”, then to Ghana, where she taught at the University of Ghana’s School of Music and Drama and worked as a feature editor for “The African Review”. Angelou returned to the United States in 1964 to help Malcolm X build the Organization of African American Unity and went on to write seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years.

Just as Angelou drew inspiration from her travels to fuel her writing and artistry, we believe that BOOKED Trips’ book-inspired journeys can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. By exploring destinations through the lens of literature, recipients of this scholarship can deepen their understanding of the world, connect with diverse cultures, and ignite their creativity. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Fill out your application here by 11:59 p.m. ET on January 29, 2026. Application Sections:

• Applicant Information & Demographics
  • Contact Information
  • Race and Ethnicity
  • Age
  • Geographic Location
  • Applicant photo. This picture will be used in the scholarship announcement if you are selected.
•  Applicant Essays
  • Tell us about yourself. Describe how your own creative pursuits, commitment to social justice, or passion for exploration reflects Maya Angelou’s legacy.
  • What aspects of a BOOKED Trips experience most appeal to you and why do you hope to attend the 2026 BOOKED Trips South Africa experience?
  • What are your biggest barriers to travel at this time? (e.g., financial limitations, lack of time, accessibility issues, etc.) How would this travel scholarship alleviate those barriers?

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION & AMOUNTS

SCHOLARSHIP TIMELINE AND DEADLINES

• The scholarship opens at 9:00 a.m. ET on December 15, 2025
• Scholarship applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
• Scholarship awardees will be notified by email no later than Monday, February 16, 2026.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Applications are open to women of the global majority regardless of geographic location.
• Applicants must be women 21 years of age or older at the time of application.
• Applicants must have a clear understanding of and demonstrated interest in BOOKED Trips focus on book-inspired travel that fosters connection, community, and global awareness.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate a connection to Maya Angelou’s values of creativity, social justice, and exploration. This could be through personal anecdotes, creative projects, or involvement in social justice work.
• Applicants must clearly explain how this scholarship would significantly impact their ability to travel and experience a BOOKED Trips journey.
• Priority will be given to women who have never traveled with BOOKED Trips and have experienced significant financial hardship in the past year that has prevented them from traveling.
• Applicants must be able to travel in 2026. Scholarship funds cannot be rolled over to future years or used retroactively.

SCHOLARSHIP INCLUSIONS

• The selected trip book mailed to you before the trip (mailing to U.S. addresses only. International applicants will be given a stipend to order the book from a local bookstore).
• All book-inspired trip activities led by local guides, experts, and creatives as listed in the selected itinerary.
• Single occupancy hotel room in 4-star or above hotel accommodations throughout the trip.
• Roundtrip airport transportation on designated trip dates.
• Some meals including all breakfasts, an opening and closing dinner, and other meals as listed on the trip itinerary.
• A virtual city guide with recommended activities, restaurants, and more.

SCHOLARSHIP EXCLUSIONS

• International airfare
• Additional hotel room nights
• Visas (if required)
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Souvenirs and other incidentals
• Any trip costs beyond the scholarship amount ($900).

Have additional questions or issues? Email jalisa@bookedtrips.com