Rafael Peña
Verified
(He/Him)
As seen in:
HLM Media,
MSN,
Yahoo Life,
Color Research & Application,
Wiley,
Wiley Online Library,
Yahoo News,
Aol,
Flipboard,
Miami Herald,
Yahoo
and
Covers:
travel, luxury travel, food, culinary experiences, travel hacks, politics, lifestyle, aviation industry, hospitality industry, Business, black-owned business, entertainment, music, hollywood
Travel Expert & Journalist
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
Travel Noire
Have you ever used a typewriter?
No
How is social media changing news?
Social media allows news to be shared almost instantly. If you have them right eyes on your account you can dictate what the media will say.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent
What does it mean to be a journalist?
A journalist is suppose to report facts to the people. Provide experiences through words and in these days, content as well.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
One or two lines, once the email looks too long, I tune out. I have too much to do during the day.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Right now I use a MacBook Pro and an iPhone 13 Pro - I also prefer to fly Delta for all my press trips
What's your favorite social network?
Instagram
Who do you wish followed you?
Anthony Bourdain
Why did you become a journalist?
I wanted a space to be creative and work remotely. The opportunity to write in the travel space was a natural fit for me.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I never worked for a paper or studied journalism. I got to where I am by experiencing life and being great with words.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The story about two hoteliers in Baltimore. I feel that I contributed to the perception of what it means to be Black in hospitality.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
I'd say focus on what you love outside of journalism, then write about it.
When's the best time to pitch you?
In the mornings, you should try to be the first pitch I see when I open my emails.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
Anyone that's inviting me somewhere to travel or dine.
What's your favorite drink?
Old Fashion
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
In my backyard raking leaves.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I'm a fan of the New York Times and National Geographic. I aspire to write about my experiences on those platforms one day.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.