Black Travel
Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.
— Maya Angelou
This collection of Black Travel stories brings to life the full narrative of Black history and heritage through the lens of travel. Here, we share the journeys, perspectives, and voices of Black travelers who explore the world with curiosity and resilience. Each story captures the unique challenges and joys Black travelers experience, from discovering places of cultural significance to navigating complex racial dynamics across different borders.
Through these narratives, readers will see Black history illuminated as travelers connect with diasporic communities, visit historic sites, and uncover stories often overlooked in traditional travel narratives. World Footprints is proud to amplify these voices, offering insights and inspiration that reflect the richness of the Black traveler’s journey. This category stands as a testament to the power of travel to bring understanding, pride, and a deeper appreciation of Black history across the globe.
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park & Preservation District in Atlanta, Georgia, shares the story of how a young Black boy born into the segregated South became a national icon for Civil Rights. The park consists of several blocks along Auburn Avenue. Here you’ll find the Visitor Center, Martin Luther King, Jr’s birth home, and the BEHOLD monument. Other historic sites include Fire Station No. 6, The King Center, where Dr. and Mrs. King are buried, and Freedom Hall. The historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
There’s something about Martha’s Vineyard in August that feels like a reunion — not just of families, but of ideas, artistry, and culture. Tucked inside this summer tradition is one of the most important cultural gatherings happening anywhere: the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF).
New Orleans has been the backdrop of many dark chapters in American history, but perhaps none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811. We will explore the history of America's largest slave revolt with author Daniel Rasmussen who organized his research in his book, American Uprising: The Untold Story About America's Largest Slave Revolt.
Yolanda ‘Yollie’ Copeland is a woman with a mission. The retired sheriff’s deputy, who moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 2013, is committed to making sure that the city’s rich Black history isn’t erased. She does it by tooling around town in an advertising-covered, low-speed electric vehicle, wearing a bright yellow shirt, shoes, and hat, and sharing her love for the area and the people who shaped it.
JEconomy Hall is an important institution in New Orleans that speaks about hidden history of free black brotherhood. If author Fatima Shaik’s father had not rescued the records and books from early Economy Hall meetings that lay in a dumpster, we may not have known of the hidden history of free Black people in New Orleans.
On April 4, 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated as he stood on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, TN. Now the home of the National Civil Rights Museum, this historic structure not only immortalizes this unforgettable moment in time but showcases more than 400 years of African American history.
Montgomery was the spark that lit the fuse on the long-simmering fight by African Americans for their civil rights. It began a movement that is still ongoing today.
Relocating abroad offers an exciting opportunity for Americans seeking adventure, financial freedom, or a fresh start. However, moving overseas requires thoughtful preparation, from navigating visa requirements to understanding tax obligations and cultural differences. This guide provides essential advice and resources to help make your transition as smooth as possible.
As Donald Trump’s re-election prompts deep reflection among many Black Americans. A growing number are exploring life outside the U.S. Over the past few weeks, friends and family have reached out, expressing a genuine interest in relocation. As co-founders of World Footprints, Ian and I have spent decades traveling the world, sharing stories of culturally rich destinations that offer beauty and belonging. For those preparing to take this leap, we’ve created a list of seven welcoming, safe countries for Black Americans, including tips on residency and local considerations to make the transition easier.
In death, Susan B. Anthony and Fredrick Douglass share a cemetery. In life, they both lived in Rochester, NY, for many years. Susan B. Anthony's former home now serves as a museum telling her life story. In nearby Susan B. Anthony Square Park, a bronze sculpture called Let's Have Tea, created by local artist Pepsy Kettavong, shows Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass sipping cups of tea. Rochester's pride in these two outstanding residents shines bright.
When Allen Bartimioli planned a trip to his ancestors’ homeland, he never imagined he would find himself face-to-face with a cousin he didn’t know he had. Like many Americans, the Arizona pastor and his wife, Ellen, had done some genealogical research and had taken a 23andMe DNA test. Allen’s showed Italian and Sicilian ancestry—no surprise, given the family stories. According to Bartimioli lore, Allen’s paternal grandfather returned to his roots in Italy after World War II.
Best known as the nation’s oldest city, the mention of St. Augustine, Florida conjures up images of a centuries-old fort, swaying palm trees, glistening beaches, the Fountain of Youth, and an abundance of fresh seafood waiting to be devoured. But there’s so much more to Florida's Historic Coast and much of that lies within the area's Black history.
