BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THE DIASPORA AND THE AFRICAN CONTINENT

Founded by two Ghanaian-Americans who grew up just outside of Cleveland, Ohio that had a passion for travel, hosting and connecting others, ROVE is growing into a community of like-minded travelers who get to immerse themselves in the rich culture that West Africa has to offer.

“We were blessed enough to have the means to travel growing up and coming home was a defining part of our experience and identity. I was always disheartened by the fact that so many of my friends who had a passion to travel had been to Europe, Latin America, Asia… but never Africa. We want to change that by making Africa easily accessible and a regular travel destination for our Rove family.”

- Ethan Boye-Doe, Co-Founder

MEET THE FOUNDERS

  • ETHAN TOMAS BOYE-DOE

    Ethan (aka DJ Ethan Tomas) is a multidisciplinary creative who has worked in entertainment and hospitality for over 10 years.

    As a DJ, artist manager and producer in Brooklyn, Ethan hosts monthly Afrobeats parties called GINJA, highlighting the sounds of the continent and diaspora.

    Raised by his mom and dad from Canada and Ghana respectfully, they instilled the importance of knowing and connecting to your roots early and often. Ethan spent most vacation time as kid in Accra and Ada (East Accra Region) where he developed a deep love and appreciate for Ghana’s culture.

    His combined passion for music and hospitality led him to start Rove with Ekow in 2019. What initially started as an informal set of trips while both Ethan and Ekow were in business school at MIT, ultimately turned into what is now the company they both share.

    @ethanxtomas

  • EKOW ESSEL

    Ekow is a tech professional who has worked primarily in the media, entertainment, and fintech spaces throughout his professional career.

    Born to proud Ghanaian parents, Ekow has always had a strong desire to connect to the country that his mother and father called home. While young, his parents introduced him to the culture regularly through food, music, and tradition. Through Rove, Ekow wants to continue demonstrating his appreciation for his heritage by showing trip goers all Ghana has to offer.

    Ekow is extremely passionate about creating economic opportunities for Ghanaians through investment and mutual aid. His goal with Rove is to show travelers that Ghana can be so much more than just a one-time vacation destination for them if they’re willing to keep an open mind. He also loves enjoyment.

    @mr_ekow