It is with great sadness that we report our co-founder, Norma Lee Taussig (Black) has passed away. She died July 22, 2015. She was 92. Norma helped found UnTours with her husband Hal 40 years ago, and they blazed a trail as pioneers in the industry with their apartment-based, cultural immersion travel. Norma also helped…
We are excited to announce our winner for the UnTours Giveaway! Father Thomas Lumpkin will receive a free 2-week UnTour for 2 people, including airfare. It is our way of saying thank you to a noble community leader and helping make travel accessible to all. Thomas Lumpkin, better known in his community as Father…
When I wanted to set up a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) for the UnTours Foundation, Hal said that was fine, but he didn’t want any funds invested in the stock market. That was like saying, “Of course you may host a dinner party, but no food may be involved.” He stumped me until I remembered…
Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman (left) presided over judging and participated in the award ceremony. Gabriel is second from the right. ……….Wash Cycle Laundry yet again! This time it has won first place and a $25,000 prize in a business competition sponsored by the Blackstone Group. We met Wash Cycle Laundry founder and CEO Gabriel Mandujano when he…
The UnTours Foundation loan recipient, EcoZoom, has been nominated by Smithsonian and Cooper Hewitt for the People’s Design Choice Awards. People’s Design means that we, the people, get to vote! If you’re already on board, please do vote for them right here, every day! The dirty story of cookstoves As I’ve gotten to know EcoZoom and…
In recent years, Hal has been mentioned in a variety of books. The newest inclusion is in GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL BUSINESS: The Unexpected Journey of an Activist Entrepreneur and Local Economy Pioneer by Hal’s friend, Judy Wicks. Read what happened in the late ‘90’s when Hal and Judy traveled with fellow business people to Chiapas,…
Apparently not! At least not when it comes to “crowdfunding,” which is the practice of funding a business or project by raising small amounts of money from large numbers of people. We think of it as a new idea, but the base for the Statue of Liberty is the result of crowdfunding, and I’m sure…
Elizabeth and I had a wonderful visit this week from Molly Hayward, founder of Cora. Molly is a passionate young entrepreneur from the Philadelphia area who really believes in changing how capitalism works. As Elizabeth remarked to Molly, “Hal will love you!” Cora offers an empowering perspective on women’s menstrual health, both for women here…
Photo by John Kratz cc UnTours and its foundation are two sides of the same coin – even when I am out of the loop. Earlier this year, we invested in Native Energy’s clean water project in Ghana. We like Native Energy for so many reasons including that it’s a pragmatic business dedicated to a…
While Hal and I may promote simple living, I realize that he and I have never turned down gifts of new clothing, including florescent, personalized ones! We are now prepared to join the Wash Cycle Laundry bike fleet and pick up and deliver laundry. Part of the design of the UnTours Foundation is to help…