Meryanne Loum-Martin
At PeopleDem property we believe in celebrating our community by spotlighting black excellence in property. Today we are celebrating Meryanne Loum-Martin.
Meryanne is the director of Jnane Tamsna, a 24-room boutique hotel in Marrakech and the first Black woman hotelier in Morocco. Born in Côte d’Ivoire, she spent her childhood in Ghana, France, New York City, London, Paris, and Moscow. As the daughter of a Senegalese diplomat and a mother from Guadeloupe, both lawyers, Meryanne had a privileged upbringing. Still, being one of the few Black girls in many elite spaces gave her a deep awareness of racial and social disparities insight that shaped her values and life choices.
A naturally creative soul, Meryanne dreamed of becoming an architect. But in university, the mathematical demands of architecture proved too limiting. So, she pursued law, following in her parents’ footsteps. She eventually built a successful legal career in France, where her proudest moments included offering pro bono support to political refugees. That desire to serve, she says, came from her great-grandfather a lawyer, French congressman, and activist.
Yet the creative itch never left her. When she helped her parents purchase and restore a home in Marrakech, she found herself drawn back to design. That house, fully envisioned by Meryanne, eventually became a set of acclaimed villas featured in Vogue, Forbes, Architectural Digest, and The Wall Street Journal and a retreat for global tastemakers.
Inspired by this unplanned success, she took a leap and left the legal field to open Jnane Tamsna. With five houses, five pools, a tennis court, and Gary Martin’s nine-acre garden, the hotel is a masterpiece of design and serenity. Each room is unique no TVs, no minibars filled with art, antiques, and quiet spaces to read or reflect.
Sustainability is central to Jnane Tamsna’s mission. Meryanne and her husband run a foundation focused on biodiversity, conservation, and social impact. They grow organic food, buy locally, and recycle with artisan partners. The hotel’s gardens are also a model of water-saving green innovation.
Meryanne’s journey is one of courage, creativity, and impact. From legal halls to luxury hospitality, she has built a life of meaning, beauty, and purpose. She is a powerful example of what Black women can achieve across law, design, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility.
