About
Cheketa Dawson is an avid solo traveler and founder of Singles On Lifelong Adventures (SOLA). SOLA is space for those who feel the natural pull to go at it alone. Founded in 2012, SOLA was conceived during a 14-day adventure in the capital of Catalonia. When venturing out for dinner in Barcelona, the waiter or waitress always asked, “¿Estás sola?” “Are you alone?” Proud to be conquering Spain on her own, Cheketa responded, “Sí, estoy sola.” As time went on, she began meeting fellow solo travelers. But, the word sola was forever etched in her mind. She returned home and SOLA was born.
Powered by more than a decade of solo travel, Cheketa has helped countless individuals overcome their fears of traveling alone. She is a true champion of voluntourism and has worked as an English Language Assistant in the Castile and León region of Northwestern Spain. A patron of the arts, Cheketa is a staunch supporter of cultural tourism and has incorporated more than 80 museums and musicals into her travels. In addition to being a lifelong adventurer, Cheketa is also a lifelong learner. An advocate of international education, she has studied abroad in both Spain and Cuba. Seeking higher education in the travel business, Cheketa enrolled in graduate school in Atlanta, GA and pursued a Master of Global Hospitality Management while simultaneously obtaining a Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics. After earning her master’s, she advanced her studies, entered law school and embarked on a Hospitality & Tourism Law residency in Washington, DC. Cheketa enjoys sharing her passion for travel as a speaker and presenter.