Unlock Black Journeys: Black Travel & Black-Owned Businesses in All 50 States

Ep. 07 | NY: Afro-Latinx identity is more than a label - it is geography, culture, history, and lived experience all at once. Our guest, Diva Green of I Got Your Black, breaks down the misconceptions around being Afro-Latinx, why Haiti belongs in that conversation, and how mindful Black travel can become a powerful form of activism.Growing up in Brooklyn with Panamanian and Jamaican roots shaped the way Diva sees place, community, and belonging.

From Crown Heights and the Panama Parade to the West Indian Day Parade and the evolving Caribbean enclaves across New York City, she shares how culture is preserved, transformed, and sometimes threatened by gentrification - and why that makes community organization more urgent than ever.In this episode, you’ll discover:📌 What Afro-Latinx actually means, and why it is not a race or just a language category📌 Why Haitian identity is so often misunderstood in discussions of Latinidad📌 How Brooklyn, Panama, and the wider Caribbean diaspora shaped Diva’s worldview📌 The story behind I Got Your Black and how a trip to Paris sparked a mission to support Black communities around the world📌 What mindful Black travel looks like in practice, from respecting local customs to spending money intentionally📌 How immersive group trips create deeper connections by putting local people, artists, and business owners at the center

📌 Afro Latino-Owned / Black Owned Businesses to Support in NYC Diva also shares the neighborhood-by-neighborhood guide to Afro-Latinx New York, from Flatbush and Bushwick to Queens, Washington Heights, El Barrio, and the Schomburg Center. Along the way, she names the food spots, bookstores, creators, and cultural institutions that make these communities vibrant, colorful, and unforgettable.If you care about Black travel, Afro-Latinx history, or finding better ways to experience a city without extracting from it, this conversation will change the way you move through the world. Essential listening for travelers, culture lovers, and anyone ready to explore with more intention.In this episode, I sit down with Diva Akira Green, a destination storyteller, content creator, and the Founder of I Got Your Black. Driven by the belief that mindful travel is both her ministry and chosen form of activism, she uses her platform to serve as a conduit, connecting travelers to underrepresented Black and Brown communities globally.______________________________________________

CONNECT WITH DIVA GREEN OF I GOT YOUR BLACK

• Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/igotyourblack_/
• Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@igotyourblack
• Website: https://lnk.bio/Igotyourblack_

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Ep. 06 | Solo: How much of the United States can you actually see without a car? Do you really need a car to travel the United States?

This episode is for you if you hate driving or can't drive!

I’ve traveled to 40 states without a driver’s license, and in this special solo episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I’m sharing how I travel the U.S. without a car.

If you’ve ever wondered how to travel without a car, how to get around if you don’t have a car, or what you can use instead of a car, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the car-free travel strategies that have helped me explore 40 states, including trains and buses, public transportation, rideshares, walking, guided tours, and help from friends.

Inspired by my recent experience at the All Fifty Club Convention, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of traveling across the country without driving.

PODCASTS MENTIONED IN THIS VIDEO:

• She Choose Trains Over Planes: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/ep-002-she-chooses-trains-over-planes/

• Journey to 50 States & 50 Countries: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/episode-1-chased-50-states-and-50-countries/

In this episode, I cover:

• How to travel the U.S. without a car: The transportation options I use to get between cities and explore destinations without driving.

• How to get around if you don’t have a car: Using trains, buses, public transportation, rideshares, walking, and guided tours depending on the destination.

• What to use instead of a car: How I mix and match different transportation options rather than relying on just one.

• How to plan a car-free trip: Choosing walkable urban home bases, grouping nearby destinations, and planning transportation before I go.

• How to make car-free travel work: Why flexibility, community, and a willingness to plan differently have helped me reach 40 states without a driver’s license.

_______________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Ep. 05 | NJ: What if your next travel adventure did not require taking a single day off from work? What if your workday could take you somewhere new?

Have you ever looked at your workday and thought, “I could be somewhere else right now?”

In this episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, we are unlocking the idea of work and wander: using the flexibility of remote work, hybrid work, and/or working from home to turn an ordinary workday into an opportunity to explore. Whether you work from home once a week or work a fully remote job, there are ways to make room for travel without needing to take the day off. 

We talk about how to take advantage of the freedom that comes with working remotely and strategies for balancing work and exploration.

Since our podcast guest, Ugo (founder of Ugo Went There), is from New Jersey, this takes center stage as we unpack why the state deserves more love, the areas you may not hear about when people talk about New Jersey, and the Black-owned businesses and communities worth seeking out. We also talk about the differences between growing up in North Jersey and Central Jersey, and how those experiences shape the way we understand place, identity, and home. 

If you have ever thought, “I would love to explore, but I have to work,” this episode is for you.

Because sometimes you do not need to take time off to travel. You just need to make room to wander.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to work remotely and travel without using PTO by turning a workday into a day trip
• The importance of building community instead of waiting for community to find you
• How where you grow up shapes the way you experience and understand place, including the differences between North Jersey and Central Jersey
• Why New Jersey deserves more love, including the destinations and places you may not hear about
• The Black-owned businesses, communities, and experiences worth exploring across New Jersey, and why meaningful travel can happen close to home

_______________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH UGO

Follow on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ugowentthere/ 

Follow on TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@ugowentthere

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Ep. 04 | IL & FL: Do you want to travel but feel pressed for time or money, or both?  You are not alone!  Between work, family responsibilities, limited vacation days, and the cost of travel, finding the time and money for a traditional vacation can feel impossible.

But what if you did not need a week off to have a meaningful travel experience?

In this episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, we are unlocking the power of the micro trip also called a micro-cation: a short, intentional trip that proves you do not need unlimited time to see the world. Whether you have one day, one night, a weekend, or a few extra days around a holiday, micro-travel can help you explore new destinations, experience Black culture, and make the most of the time you already have.

I am joined by Akylah Cox, founder of Go Kylah Go, a travel brand that helps busy professionals maximize limited PTO through thoughtfully curated weekend getaways, destination guides, and practical travel hacks. Through her Girl on the Go adventures, she has built a community of more than 70,000 travelers who believe you do not need unlimited vacation time to see the world.

Outside of travel, Kylah is an engineer by background, works in operations management, and is currently completing her MBA part-time, living proof that you can build a career while still making room for adventure.

There is a reason micro-trips, or micro-cations lasting four days or less, have surged in popularity. According to industry data, 73% of Americans are planning or have taken a micro-trip, while 57% of Americans did not take a leisure trip longer than four nights in a recent year, making short getaways the dominant form of leisure travel.

If you have ever said, “I want to travel, but I do not have enough time,” this episode is for you.

Because you do not need a week off to see the world.

You might just need a micro-trip.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

📌 What a micro-trip is and why short travel can still create meaningful experiences

📌 Why do you not need unlimited PTO or lots of money to travel more

📌 How to use Kylah's FLOW framework to plan a micro-trip when you are short on time

📌 The 4 types of micro trips that you can take

📌 How to maximize limited PTO and make travel fit around a busy schedule

📌 The benefits and drawbacks of taking shorter trips

📌 Our top micro trip recommendations for Black food, Black culture, underrated destinations, and more

📌 How to choose a destination that makes the most sense for the amount of time you have

📌 What it means to navigate identity and culture shock while quickly moving through destinations

_______________________________________________________

CONNECT WITH GO KYLAH GO

Website → https://gowithkylah.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gokylahgo 

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@gokylahgo

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/gokylahgo/

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Ep. 03 | WI: Our guest's journey started with a late-night Google search that led to a 52-hour Amtrak ride…and sparked a passion that’s taken her across 20+ train routes in the U.S. and around the world, from Alaska and George to Uzbekistan and India. Through her vibrant videos and slow travel storytelling, she’s grown a community of over 350K people, exploring destinations one meal, one museum, and one meaningful connection at a time.

I’m joined by Sojourner White: the “Train Travel Queen” and award-winning travel vlogger and writer behind Sojournies.  We explore train travel as a powerful way to experience the United States, alongside Sojourner’s perspective on navigating Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a Black woman.

Sojourner shares what it’s like to move through the country by rail and how slowing down changes the way you see people, places, and the journey itself. We also unpack her experience being Black in Milwaukee, what it reveals about visibility, segregation, culture, and community, and how those realities shape the way she moves through the city.

This conversation highlights how both transit and destination shape the Black travel experience, and how travel can become a tool for reflection, storytelling, and deeper cultural understanding.

If you’re curious about traveling the United States without a car, interested in train travel, or want a more nuanced perspective of traveling while Black in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN

📌 What it’s like to travel across the United States by train as a Black woman

📌 How train travel creates a slower, more intentional connection to place

📌 What Sojourner’s experience reveals about being Black in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

📌 How safety, visibility, and belonging show up in both transit and destination

📌 Why and how train travel can transform how you visit all 50 states

📌 What are her top Amtrak travel destinations & Amtrak routes, including the California Zephyr

📌 Recommendations for Black-owned businesses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so you can shop Black-owned and support Black-owned businesses and shop local

CONNECT WITH SOJOURNER WHITE

Website → https://sojournies.com/

Instagram → https://instagram.com/thesojournies

Youtube → https://youtube.com/@Sojournies

LinkedIn →  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sojournerwhite/

TikTok → https://tiktok.com/@sojournies

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/Sojournies

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

#02 | USA: We explore a black woman's journey across all 50 states and 50 countries and what she has learned about Black travel, belonging, and navigating space across the United States and beyond.

I’m joined by Ebony Walden, an author, filmmaker, consultant, and speaker based in Richmond, Virginia.

Ebony shares what it means to move through different places as a Black traveler, how safety and freedom show up in unexpected ways, and what it looks like to find connection and cultural immersion across borders. We also talk about how travel becomes a tool for reflection, storytelling, and transformation.

If you’re curious about the Black travel experience across the U.S. and around the world, or you’re looking for meaningful insights on the best destinations for Black people to find comfort and community through the lens of someone who has deeply traveled both domestically and internationally, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

📌 What it’s like to travel across all 50 states and 50 countries as a Black woman

📌 How safety, belonging, and freedom shape the Black travel experience

📌 Where and how to find immersive Black cultural experiences across the U.S.

📌 How travel can become a practice of reflection, storytelling, and transformation

📌 The toll travel can take on your body, mentally and physically

📌 Why Ebony advises people to explore their home first before exploring the country or the world

_______________________________________________

RELEVANT LINKS FOR TODAY'S EPISODE

🔗 A Black Woman's Guide to Visit All 50 States, State-by-State: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/a-black-womans-guide-to-visit-all-50-states/

🔗 15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/black-women-traveling-all-50-states/

🔗 Check out her award-winning documentary: https://blackbeyondborders.com/

🔗 Pre-Order her Book, Where I’m From: https://amzn.to/4v2V13S (affiliate link)

🔗 For all things: https://linktr.ee/allthingsebonywalden

CONNECT WITH EBONY WALDEN

Website → www.ebonywalden.com

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ebonywalden80/

Youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@ebony.aroundtheworld

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebonywalden/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@ebony.aroundtheworld

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ebony.walden

Substack → https://substack.com/@ebonywalden

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

[PODCAST TRAILER] Welcome to Unlock Black Journeys, the podcast archiving the Black experience across all 50 U.S. states, one conversation at a time. Through real stories, people, and places, we explore Black identity, community, culture, and impact. Each episode is grounded in a U.S. city, explored through a theme, and expanded through reflections and curated Black travel insights.

This is a legacy project rooted in one belief: every destination is a Black destination, with stories waiting to be explored, honored, and unlocked.

FOLLOW UNLOCK BLACK JOURNEYS

Join the newsletter: https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

Read the blog: ⁠https://frannythetraveler.com/⁠

Check out episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

Follow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

Purchase: Support BLACK Green Book: https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

#01 | PROLOGUE: In this solo episode, I share the story behind my journey to all 50 states and the deeper purpose that led me to create this podcast.

What started as a personal travel goal became something much more meaningful. As I moved across the country, I found myself questioning what it really means to experience a place centered on missing. I began to reflect on how Black travelers have historically navigated space, safety, and belonging, and how those realities still shape our experiences today.

This episode is my starting point. I share the moments that shifted my perspective, the gaps I noticed in travel narratives, and why I felt called to begin documenting and reclaiming these stories.

This podcast is more than travel. It is storytelling, reflection, and a living archive of Black experiences across all 50 states.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

📌 How my journey to all 50 states evolved into something deeper than travel

📌 The “why” behind creating Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast

📌 What it means to experience a place with intention and awareness

📌 What you can expect from this podcast and the stories to come

RELEVANT LINKS

🔗 A Black Woman's Guide to Visit All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/a-black-womans-guide-to-visit-all-50-states/

🔗 15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/black-women-traveling-all-50-states/

FOLLOW UNLOCK BLACK JOURNEYS

Join the newsletter: https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

Read the blog: https://frannythetraveler.com/

Check out episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

Follow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

Purchase: Support BLACK Green Book: https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

Welcome to Unlock Black Journeys, the podcast archiving the Black experience across all 50 U.S. states, one conversation at a time. Through real stories, people, and places, we explore Black identity, community, culture, and impact. Each episode is grounded in a U.S. city, explored through a theme, and expanded through reflections and curated Black travel insights. This is a legacy project rooted in one belief: every destination is a Black destination, with stories waiting to be explored, honored, and unlocked.

🎙️ SEASON 1: Black in Motion — How We Experience Place

This season explores:

🚆 Movement — how we navigate and show up in spaces

🌿 Moments — the experiences we create along the way

🧠 Meaning — the stories we carry, reclaim, and redefine

From iconic cities to overlooked corners of the country, this season examines what it means to travel, move, and exist while Black in America.

This isn’t just about travel.

It’s about presence.

It’s about perspective.

It’s about seeing ourselves in places we were never taught to look.

Welcome to Unlock Black Journeys.

#BlackTravel #BlackHistory #TravelPodcast #BlackCulture #Storytelling #BlackOwned #TravelWhileBlack #USTravel #BlackStories #CulturalTravel #BlackPodcast #TravelStorytelling

📲 STAY IN THE LOOP:

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/ 

Instagram →  https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/ 

YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler 

📺 Watch all episodes of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast

https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler 

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

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