Moving abroad is about more than finding a new place to live—it's about finding people who help you thrive. In Part 2, Ashiko shares why community has been the foundation of her life in Mérida, the importance of healing for yourself and your children, and why she believes moving abroad can be a family journey at any stage of life. We also discuss affordable healthcare, the cost of living, multigenerational moves, and how The Black Mérida Experience is helping families build meaningful connections and a true sense of belonging in Mexico.Sources to check out:

The Black Merida Experience

@Theblackmeridaexperience

www.blackmarida.mx/masterclass

TBME Summer Camp :

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/tbme-young-explorers-summer-camp-ages-5--14?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnvQYZmuA8YIb5apc66ZYoHkyMcxHjrXdmtMvtjBKVl5m9x6NkWbveYIoP658_aem_E-uPZuKL0kmuEAyaHYvq2A

Brothas and Sistas of Merida (Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/brothasandsistasofmerida/

In this episode, we sit with Ashiko, a 65-year-old freedom fighter who moved to Merida five years ago after her mother’s passing. She shares how she found serenity and became part of a supportive Black-centered community called The Black Merida Experience, a Facebook group that connects Black families, both locals and expats. Ashiko describes feeling safe in one of the safest city in the Americas, forging true bonds across cultures, and healing from a long history of oppression. She invites others to walk with her into freedom in Merida—finding belonging, resilience, and peace.

Check out Ashiko's amazing community The Black Merida Experience on Instagram:

@theblackmeridaexperience

After her divorce, Violet made the life-changing decision to move herself and her two daughters from the U.S. to Spain. In this episode, she shares how she navigated uncertainty, researched the best fit for her family, and ultimately chose a life where safety, community, and quality of life became priorities. We discuss motherhood abroad, taking leaps of faith, and what happens when you stop accepting certain dangers as "normal."

Our guest: @yourmomfriend_v

Violet's Guide to Spain:

https://stan.store/yourmomfriendv/p/book-a-11-call-with-me-s6tj8iav

Violet's Vlog:

https://yourmomfriendv.com/

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In this episode of Melanin Without Borders, I sit down with HAPPI and Cleo, a creative couple who recently made the move from the U.S. to Da Nang, Vietnam. Together, we explore what life is actually like beyond the social media highlights and travel vlogs.

We discuss their journey to Vietnam, the realities of being Black in a country where very few people look like you, and how they've built meaningful relationships with both locals and fellow expats. HAPPI and Cleo share their experiences navigating cultural differences, creating community, and finding a sense of belonging far from home.

As entrepreneurs and creatives, they also offer an honest look at running businesses abroad, balancing work and lifestyle, and why Vietnam has become an increasingly attractive destination for people looking to design a different kind of life.