Inspired by the love our founder, Chanel West, carries for her very own guardian angel, Isaac’s Angels was born. Centered around bringing light to the issue of the lack of diversity in traveling, Isaac’s Angels aims to bring people from all backgrounds outside their comfort zones while bridging communities and cultures together through love, language, and laughter.
Chanel West is a Chicago native, born and raised on the south side of Chicago. Like many millennials, she found herself with a college degree, limited professional experience, and a head full of dreams. Trial, error, (and getting fired from a handful of jobs) led her to a multi-seasonal position with an academically focused summer program as an academic facilitator and resident counselor at The University of California-Berkeley. That was the spark that ignited her interest in the field of education. This led her to China were she fell passionately in love with the idea of international teaching and cultural exchange. Since then, she has earned her Masters Degree in Early-Childhood Education and Administration, enrolled into further higher education for an EdS. in Early Childhood Development, traveled to five out of seven continents, and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in France, Ecuador, Thailand, Costa-Rica, and – of course- in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
It didn’t take long to realize that being African-American and a woman outside The United States often carried stereotype, stigma, and dogma that threatened not only her professional life but personal experiences abroad. Ultimately, it was understood that these perspectives were not based on her personally, but misunderstanding, confusion, and fear. Realizing that this was not only unique to African-Americans but other people of color and marginalized communities, the mission to change the narrative through travel was created.
Isaac’s Angels carries that same mission in order to diversify travel while bringing communities and people of different cultures together. Through travel, there is opportunity to be immersed into communities both domestic and international that we otherwise would not venture into. Being able to share a space and partner alongside other individuals from a world-wide community bridges cultural gaps, strengthens our global community, and fosters understanding.
What People Say
It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.
J. K. Rowling
Isaac's Angels 