We had the good fortune of connecting with Ijeoma Alston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ijeoma, how does your business help the community?
At it’s core, Atlgemz is about impact and I highlight places that deserve more attention. Whether it’s a small Black-owned restaurant, a unique travel experience, or an underrated city that people might overlook. By sharing these gemz, I’m helping businesses grow, communities thrive, and people expand their experiences.

On a larger scale, Atlgemz is changing the narrative about who travels, where we go, and how we experience the world. I also advocate for brands and tourism boards to invest in diversity, not just as a trend but because its good business.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: help businesses grow, inspire people to explore, and shift perspectives in the travel and food space.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Atlgemz started purely as a creative outlet. Just me sharing food and travel gemz I loved. I wasn’t thinking about growth, strategy or where it could lead. I was simply having fun and still am. But overtime, I realized my passion for uncovering gemz was resonating with people.

What sets Atlgemz apart is my storytelling. I don’t just show places, I bring people along for the experience. I make my audience feel like they are right there with me. My ability to capture the essence of a place and share it in an engaging way is what keeps people coming back for more.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without God. All the glory goes to him. Every opportunity, every moment of growth, and every connection has been part of His plan, and I’m beyond grateful for the path He’s laid out for me.

One thing I’ve learned along the way is that consistency and authenticity matter more than anything. When you focus on what you genuinely enjoy, people connect with that energy. I never set out to grow a brand, I just kept sharing what I loved, and everything else followed naturally. Thats something I remind myself of even now: if you stay true to what you love and trust in God’s timing, opportunities will come.

Atlgemz has grown in ways I never expected, and I’m excited to continue discovering and sharing gemz with my audience. More than anything, I want people to know that travel and food are meant to be enjoyed, and there’s always something new to experience if you’re willing to explore.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
When I first started Atlgemz, and even now, my support system—my honey, my friends, and my family— have always encouraged me to keep going. In the beginning, when I couldn’t fully see the vision, or feeling too nervous to record in public, they reminded me I had something special. Their belief in me has never wavered, and it’s played a huge role in my growth. And of course, I have to shout out my incredible Gemz—every like, comment, share, and message reminds me why I do this. Their support has turned Atlgemz into more than just a brand; it’s a thriving community, and I’m beyond grateful for every single person who’s been part of this journey.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atl.gemz/?hl=en

Facebook: Atlgemz

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atlgemz

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.