WHAT’S IN EDEN’S CARRY-ON?

01 BAG

This was a gift from a friend who imports leather goods from Addis Ababa. The brand, Liyu, supports Ethiopian designers.

02 SPICE MIX

I might not have hot sauce in my bag, but I carry a berbere blend with me, which combines paprika, chili peppers, nutmeg and corrorima [similar to cardamom]. My family is in the Ethiopian spice business, so I bring it to friends or sprinkle it into ketchup for some kick.

03 BUSINESS CARDS

Airports and lines are great places to network, so I keep my cards on hand, in my colourful Papaya & Co. case.

04 BOOK

My Soul Looks Back by Jessica B. Harris is excellent. She talks about travelling throughout Africa and writing cookbooks. This was in the 1970s when many AfricanAmericans were just starting to connect with their roots, so I see her as a trailblazer.

05 EARBUDS

I listen to podcasts while travelling, like Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History, which explores historical events from a different angle. I also like The Serve – it’s about Canadian entrepreneurs and is made by a group of young Torontobased black women.

06 T-SHIRT

No matter the airport I’m in, travellers nod at me in agreement when I wear this Black Foodie top. The plantain love is strong!

07 SNACK

I have a major sweet tooth, so I pack chin chin, a crunchy African treat that I buy from an online Nigerian pastry snack shop called Feldos.

08 SHEA BUTTER

Torontobased L’Orcam makes a supermoisturizing butter that’s solid and doesn’t leak in my bag.