10 Black Travel Bloggers to Follow Right Now
On January 1, 1863, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all people held as slaves “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” But, as we’ve learned through the course of history, law doesn’t make it so.
It wasn’t until June 19, 1865, a full two and a half years later, that a Union General arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the end of the war and inform 250,000 enslaved African Americans that they are now free. Juneteenth now commemorates this end to slavery in the United States.
So in honor of this momentous holiday, I’m highlighting 10 inspiring black travel bloggers to follow right now. Because despite black Americans contributing $63 billion to the tourism economy in 2018, the tourism industry still severely lacks representation. From bias in social media algorithms to shadowbanning to lack of brand partnerships and features, black influencers face an uphill battle. And it’s all of our jobs to fight.
Oneika Raymond isn’t short on accolades and for good reason. The Emmy Award-winning (that’s right, EMMY) journalist, speaker, and television host views travel through the lens of race, politics, and privilege. In fact, she’s dedicated an entire section of her blog to Travelling While Black. I particularly love her unique take on subjects, writing about things I never would’ve considered, and her ability to confront her own privilege.
2. JetSetSarah
Meet your new style icon. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon is a Caribbean travel expert with a specialty in style and fitness and an Instagram that will give you wardrobe envy. As someone who loves board sports, I can’t wait to take her advice about combining your passion for travel and fitness. And as someone who hopes to travel forever, her talks about traveling and adventuring into her 50s is truly an inspiration.
This family travel blog follows the motto “if kids live there, kids can visit,” and I couldn’t agree more. Most of us are told that starting a family means the end of traveling, but The Traveling Child is here to prove all those naysayers wrong. With the ins and outs on how to afford traveling with kids and comprehensive lists on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat with kids in tow, this is your one-stop-shop for how to be that badass family.
ChubbyDiaries is all about redefining what travel looks like by empowering plus-size travelers to explore the world. One of the ways they’re accomplishing this is with the Inaugural Chubby Diaries Travel Awards, the first and only plus-size travel awards. Another way that I especially love is sharing stories of plus-size people in areas of travel where they’re particularly under-represented like van life and fashion.
One of the pioneers of the black travel movement, Francesca Murray is breaking barriers left and right. She’s published a best-selling guidebook and worked with top brands like Sephora and Target. But she’s perhaps best known by followers for empowering women to go natural with creative travel tips for black haircare and skincare.
Dr. Nadeen White is #goals. An award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author, AND a physician, she can do it all. In her luxury travel blog, Dr. White covers everything wine and food, making for a truly mouth-watering Instagram. And in the spirit of Juneteenth, be sure to check out her Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide featuring Black-owned Businesses.
This traveling couple says they’re not the coolest people you’ll ever meet, but I beg to differ. Eulanda and Omo grew up on different continents, him in Nigeria and her in the United States, then met in the United Kingdom where they bonded over their shared love of travel. And they crafted my favorite quote of the bunch: “Identity is not static.” They believe that we evolve with every new experience, and to that I say, “Bravo!”
I admire Outdoorsy Diva as someone whose beliefs match my own. She believes that you are not defined by one thing, meaning that being outdoorsy doesn’t make you less feminine, being feminine doesn’t mean you can’t be outdoorsy, and being black doesn’t mean you have to restrict what you enjoy. As a single black mother, Lauren has faced more trials and tribulations than I can imagine, but she teaches her followers to not live in fear, to take up space. And as an avid hiker, I appreciate that she teaches how to be an ally in the outdoor community. Follow her to learn how to step out of your comfort zone.
Wow, talk about inspiring. After finishing breast cancer treatment, Bisa Myles was given a survivorship plan that included a lot of doctors and a lot of tests. But you know what she did? She created her own plan. “I made travel a priority and part of my healing.” Now, she has a thriving travel blog and provides resources for those in similar circumstances.
10. Minority Nomad
Erick Prince is on a quest to become the first African American man to visit every country in the world, and I am here for it! Not only does he have an amazing goal, but his stories offer a different perspective for this solo female traveler. And as a professional photographer, you know his Instagram is on point. Full of life and locals in almost every photo, his feed is not one to miss.