There is one thing Black women too rarely enjoy that can have wondrous personal impacts, not only on self-esteem but also on mental health: traveling alone. Of course, family vacations or weekend getaways with friends and significant others can offer a break, but we often don't afford our minds, bodies and souls what is necessary to heal and grow. It's a form of self-denial that is easy to ignore but the cumulative effects can include heightened levels of stress, anxiety, weight gain or any number of ailments associated with too little time to recalibrate away from life's demands. Don't let that be you.

By Nneka M. Okona

Two years ago I was preparing for the greatest trek to end all treks: a transcontinental move from the Deep South to Madrid, Spain. Although there were a myriad of things I could’ve been preoccupied with — making sure my Spanish was up to par, dealing with three new roommates, navigating a huge, sprawling city by public transportation I wasn’t familiar with, making new friends — I was consumed with one thing: my stuff.

By Britta Floyd

I’m writing this post from Switzerland. Upon arrival, my hotel had champagne waiting for us in the lobby and my crew did a toast with me to celebrate such a surreal journey. I spent the day boating and wandering around Zurich, one of many European cities that I’ve had to the pleasure to experience. I sit in my room at the end of the day with tired feet and my things sprawled all over my ultra trendy room with blackout curtains; these are the things I’ve learned to appreciate. I sit there alone having just spent the day walking around with a complete stranger that I may never see again. I relive the view of the Alps from a Zurich river, window shopping on Bahnhofstrasse and searching for the perfect shot to post on my Instagram.

by Nicolette Oladipo

In 2012, I moved to Taiwan as a bright-eyed, childish, unassertive, somewhat immature 22-year-old with residual high school insecurities finally striking out on my own. Earlier this year, I left Taiwan matured, confident, and with many good, bad, and ugly experiences under my belt. I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything; however, I know several of my positive experiences would have been impossible for me to recognize or enjoy had I not changed my mindset and attitude toward certain situations while abroad. Therefore, I'd like to share some tips I believe will assist Black women love every minute of their time abroad, namely in Asia, whether they've moved or are on vacation.

by Jaimee A. Swift

by Juhanna Rogers


During my first class in graduate school, my professor asked which of my college experiences had the most profound impact on me. At that moment I began to think about traveling as a critical learning experience. So I asked myself what traveling has taught me about being an African American woman. Elaine Lee’s 1997 book, Go Girl: Black Woman’s Guide to Travel and Adventure, was one of the first pieces of literature I came across that explored and exposed the highs and lows of traveling as a Black woman. The contributing writers to Lee’s text illustrated how regardless of the country, language, or time spent abroad, being identified as a black woman means something far beyond one’s American identity. These personal narratives solidified how travel challenges and affirms ideals on what it means to be a woman of African descent. This was further solidified during my first travel experience to the Bahamas with my mother, as well as the trips I’ve taken to the Latin Caribbean, Central America, and United Kingdom since. During all of these journeys, I too have learned unique lessons about what it means to travel as a Black woman.

by Nneka M. Okona


There's a lot of hype recently about Black women wanting to venture out and see the world. This is great… except we’ve been here, there, and everywhere in-between. We’re artists, entrepreneurs, mothers, teachers, lawyers, and doctors with a passion for life and experiencing different locales and cultures around the globe. A 2011 report issued by Mandala Research overwhelmingly supports this notion, as well. According to their findings, 59 percent of African American travelers are Black women. Couple that fact with 13 percent of us (Black men included) take six or more trips a year and we know it’s a viable conclusion we’re seeing the world one flight, one trip, one vacay at a time.

Originally posted on The Style Optimist

A few weeks ago I traveled alone for the first time to Paris. It was a dream come true and then some. You see, learning to be alone is somewhat of a new concept for me within recent years. When I expressed to family and friends my plans to travel to the city of lights alone, I received many questions as to why I would do that or even consider it. I had already made up my mind, so their thoughts didn't deter my plans, but I did travel with caution. I thoroughly enjoyed my solo trip to Paris. Not once did I feel alone, unsafe, lonely or regretted my decision to travel solo. Below are a few things I learned through this experience.

by Krystalyn Azikiwe (@CafeUzuri)

Two weeks removed from my return, I sit pondering the possibilities of my next trip abroad. I have officially been bitten by the travel bug and taken hostage by wanderlust. My inaugural solo trip abroad took me to the sanctity of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, the hustle and bustle of City Centre in Nairobi, and the mesmerizing white sands of Mombasa. With barely any itinerary in hand I let the wind be my guide.

by Arielle Nicole Newton

I was a freshman in college when I first traveled abroad. Before then, I had never left the country. Upon entering Northeastern University in 2009, I declared a combined major in Political Science and International Affairs. Interested in global law, I figured it best to actually step into foreign countries, learning about cultures vastly different than my own.