The Rise of a Black Travel Movement
A powerful new Black travel movement has emerged over the past decade — one centered on giving travelers of color the advice, inspiration, and sense of community needed to explore the world.
What It Means to Be a Black Traveler
A Black American Traveler Shares His Experience of Visiting Africa for the First Time.
5 Amazing Black-Owned Travel Companies to Know and Support
How a New Generation of Black Travelers is Breaking Boundaries
The Black travel movement has come a long way since the days of the Green Book. Now online communities and influencers are inspiring a new generation of global explorers.
By Kellee Edwards
Few people would relish being told where they can and can’t go, but that was the reality for African Americans living in the Jim Crow era. From 1936 to 1966, The Negro Motorist Green Book and subsequent titles helped keep Black travelers safe, warning about “sundown towns” where people of color could face intimidation and violence after dark, and offering recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and businesses that welcomed them.
Thankfully, the original Green Book is no longer a necessity for the African American community. Black travelers have become an economic force, spending $109 billion on vacations in 2019, according to a recent study by MMGY Global, a marketing agency. However, concerns still remain, sparking a powerful new Black travel movement concentrated on providing travelers of color with guidance and encouraging exploration.
One formative moment was the 2011 creation of the Nomadness Travel Tribe, an invitation-only Facebook group, established by New Jersey-based Evita Robinson. “The Nomadness brand has always been synonymous with community, risk-taking, trailblazing, and trying new things first,” Robinson states, highlighting the collective that grew from just 100 members to over 25,000 strong. Users share tips and compile guides to destinations, noting accommodations, local experts, safety risks, and Black-owned businesses to support.
As Nomadness has grown, influential Black travelers have begun to motivate others to venture out into the world. My own travel journey began around 11 years ago when I aimed to become a TV host—a field long dominated by older white men. Understanding the need to stand out, I embarked on adventurous pursuits, such as becoming a pilot and scuba diver, while gaining over 100,000 social media followers. In 2016, I made history as the first Black woman to host a show on the Travel Channel, Mysterious Islands. Last year, I led the Let’s Go Together podcast, celebrating diversity and inclusion in travel.
Many others are charting new paths and in turn, inspiring more Black travelers. Toronto-based eco-explorer Mario Rigby walked from Cape Town to Cairo between 2015 and 2018, sharing his adventures on his blog. “Seeing diverse faces within exploration is essential,” Rigby says, reflecting on the significance of representation in travel.
The Travel Advisors Charting a New Course
An emerging field of experts is crafting experiences geared toward Black adventurers.
By Tanya A. Christian
In 2012, attorney Sheila Ruffin identified a gap in the travel market. After moving to St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, she realized the yacht-charter industry primarily catered to one demographic—white travelers. “I thought to myself, Wow, I should change that,” Ruffin recalls. An avid traveler herself, she established Soca Caribbean Yacht Charters in 2019, curating luxury experiences for travelers often overlooked by traditional tourism companies.
Some advisors strive to build community among their guests. Christina Rice, a certified yoga and meditation instructor in Georgia, places wellness at the heart of her OMNoire retreats for women of color. “A retreat reflects the leader; therefore, it’s vital for participants to know the retreat leader,” Rice explains, incorporating pre-trip video calls that familiarize attendees with workshops, group discussions, guided meditations, and yoga classes planned for unique destinations.
Cole Banks, the Atlanta-based founder of Sisters Traveling Solo, focuses on forging connections among her guests. She has led solo women on hiking adventures in Greece, museum tours in Morocco, and tranquil retreats in the Seychelles. The potential for friendships, such as those fostered between travelers who met in China in 2017, is an integral aspect of her trips.
As dedication to uplifting the experiences of Black travelers flourishes, it’s evident that they can explore the world freely and confidently, discovering diverse cultures and building community along the way.
