Free Passport from MinorityNomad.com
One of my favorite stories is the real moment I became interested in travel. Around the junior high my family lived next door to an elderly Serbian woman who had immigrated to the U.S. in the 1950’s. I would help her with her trash and yard chores in exchange for her husband’s old National Geographic’s and Readers Digest. I was hooked.
This was the start of my travel lust. In those pages I saw the world. And growing up poor and black in the U.S., it seemed impossible for me to see it. As you all know, I was wrong. Now I travel the world for a living. Inspiring and motivating others to do the same.
A goal of this website has always been something quite straight forward. Get the U.S. passport ownership rate above 50% before I die. Depending on who you ask, we’re around 35% give or take. It’s only this high now because of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. Canada is around 60%. The UK is around 75%. This lack of exposure and interaction with other countries has resulted in a lack of understanding and a propensity for conflict. So I’m putting my money where my mouth is. One passport at a time.
For the entirety of this websites life, I’ll be giving away free passports to my readers. Every quarter (3 months for those educated in the U.S. hehehe) I’ll choose one adult whom I’ll purchase a passport for. This person can be from any walk of life or background. My rules for students are a bit different.
Students have to be between the ages of 13-17. From a U.S. minority community. African-American, Latino, Asian American, Indian American etc etc. And in good academic standing at their school or vocational program.
THIS CONTEST IS FOR NEW PASSPORTS ONLY!!!!
Eligibility requirements From the US STATE DEPARTMENT:
- Two photographs of you taken within the last six months (2X2 inch Passport photos).
- Applicable Fees
- Proof of U.S. citizenship.
- A valid form of photo identification (such as a driver’s license. Minors don’t need as long as parent has one)
From the contestants:
• US Citizen legally capable of acquiring a US Passport
• Subscribed to the MinorityNomad Newsletter
• At least two comments using Facebook on MinorityNomad.com. Separate articles.
• One blog post share on Facebook
• In case of minor, parental consent and form.
• 500-1000 word essay telling me why you want a passport and what you’ll do with it. Winners Essay and photo will be posted on Minoritynomad.com
• 60 days to complete application and interview to get a passport from the announcement date of the winners. Basically, when you win you have 60 days to get everything done with the US state department. If you don’t then i’ll give the passport to someone else.
• STUDENTS ONLY: Proof of good academic standing. Letter from guidance counselor or teacher/instructor with contact information for verification.
From the Minority Nomad:
• I’ll cut a check to the U.S. state department on your behalf and send it to you certified mail 14 days after notification of win.
• Post your essay and picture on my site as a featured reader
• Personal step by step directions and assistance on getting your passport
• Lifetime travel advice and planning assistance.
Winners have 90 days to complete the application process or the win will go to someone else. All decisions will be made solely by myself. I’m not easy to impress so make sure you put some time in that essay if you want to win this. If you don’t win your essay will carry over to the next quarter automatically but comments and shares won’t. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments below or message me directly on Facebook, Twitter, or Email. I WILL give away for than two passports a quarter if this program gets big. So TELL YOUR FRIENDS and family. I hope I start sending out dozens.
CURRENT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: June 31st 2020 with winner contacted September 15th 2020
