Black Travel
Retirement, remote work and changing priorities are leading more Black Americans to investigate life outside the United States.
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.
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.
Moving abroad requires more than choosing a destination. Americans must consider immigration rules, U.S. and local taxes, healthcare, housing, income and what everyday life will look like after the move.
From Ghana and Barbados to Portugal and Thailand, these seven countries offer different options for Black Americans considering retirement, remote work or a longer life abroad.
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.
In the grand scheme of world travel, Saint Vincent often gets overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Some might say this little island should stay hidden to avoid the effects of mass tourism. But keeping such a beautiful place a secret would be a real shame. Saint Vincent, part of the Grenadine Islands, is a true paradise with its own unique charm and rich history.
Mention Daytona Beach, Florida, and most people will either declare its glory as the birthplace of NASCAR or as the “World’s Most Famous Beach.” Daytona Beach and its surrounding communities occupy an iconic piece of Florida’s east coast. It turns out Daytona Beach is a treasure trove of Black history sites and stories.
From the new Morgan Freeman film, Invictus, to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games, South Africa has become a lead actor on the world’s stage. What is most striking about this beautiful nation is that the South African natural landscape is as compelling as the journey through the places shaping the country’s transformation from apartheid to a multicultural democracy.
Traveling throughout the Caribbean and especially the West Indies, one can experience the cultural influences of the Garifuna people in the food, music, dance and island traditions.
