In the vibrant world of travel influencers, Black women are making waves and offering fresh perspectives on globetrotting adventures. And when we say, “Book that trip,” we can’t help but recognize the women who fill our feeds with the inspiration to do so.
These trailblazing travel influencers capture breathtaking destinations and weave powerful narratives of enjoyment, leisure, and joy. From serene beaches to bustling cityscapes, these creators provide a unique lens through which we can experience the beauty and complexity of the world. It’s not just the photos that entice us. It’s the glimpses into local cultures, hidden gems, and the personal growth that comes from the second-hand exploration of new destinations.
Whether you're seeking travel inspiration, practical tips, or a vibrant community to connect with, following these Black women travel influencers will enrich your Instagram feed and ignite your wanderlust.
Jordan Aminah (@thebeautifuljordan)
Jordan is a dynamic travel influencer who stopped our scroll with her solo travel adventures to Juneau, Alaska — ever tried a reindeer hot dog? We love to see Black women try new things and explore the world through a fresh and lively perspective.
@thebeautifuljordan Welcome to Juneau, Capital of Alaska!🇦🇽❄️🦀🏔️ I picked this trip up to try something new and it turned out to be one of my favorite trips ive done so far! Alaska is beyond underrated! A while ago I heard about Tracys King Crab Shack and her world famous deadliest catch crabs. So when I found out we had super long layovers there I decided, imma get some 🦀! I also went whale watching🐳🐋Juneau is one of the best places to whale watch and I had the experience of a lifetime. I will detail this whole layover in another video. Please visit Alaska and add this to your list! #juneaualaska #juneau #tracyskingcrabshack #alaska #flightattendant #layoverdiaries #blacktravel #blacktraveler
Destiny Owusu (@ohwawa_)
Known as “Miss Enjoyment,” Destiny has been gracing our feed with a creative approach to travel and storytelling from London, Mexico, back to NYC.
Gezelle Renee (@gezellerenee)
With an eye for detail and a heart for adventure, Gezelle Renee captivates her followers with stunning photography and insightful travel tips. Her Instagram feed is a vibrant tapestry of global experiences, from Turkey to Thailand, with plenty of moments to add to your Pinterest board.
Skylar Marshai (@skylarmarshai)
If you follow Skylar Marshai, you know that her travel journey and storytelling are nothing short of mesmerizing. From her style to her creative documentation of her adventures, we love to see a Black woman expressing her passion for travel from coast to coast, land to sea, and beyond.
Oyin Edogi (@sweetlikeoyin)
Oyin not only catches flights, but she also puts on the best fits and the flyest makeup routines. Her content is filled with colorful destinations that will inspire you to pack your best looks and see that world.
Chelsea Davis (@chelseadoestravel)
Creator Chelsea Davis has traveled to over 100 countries by the age of 30 and did so through solo travel and making travel a priority. If you need the inspiration to stamp up your passport, she’s your girl.
Dr. N’Dea Bmekween (@bmekween)
TikTok creator Dr. N'Dea Bmekween is a dynamic content creator celebrated for her engaging and relatable videos. Her content captures the wonder of travel while providing helpful tips for aspiring travel influencers and content creators to make a living out of their passion.
@bmekween It’s totally possible to travel for free, you just have to plan and capitalize on these opportunities. If you want to learn my strategy for applying and winning travel scholarships, I teach you the details in my ebook “how to get paid to travel” #freetravel #travelrewards #travelcreditcards #biltrewards #hiltonhonors #scholarships #travelscholarship #paidtravel
Ciara Johnson (@hey_ciara)
Ciara quit her job “to travel the world solo,” and now she’s sharing her worldwide exploration through inspiring content for aspiring nomads.
Asiyami Gold (@asiyami_gold)
Asiyami’s seamless blend of travel, fashion, and lifestyle creates a sophisticated and inspiring feed. Add her to your summer travel mood board.
Lee Litumbe (@spiritedpursuit)
Lee Litumbe, the face behind Spirited Pursuit, is dedicated to exploring travel, adventure, and cultural experiences. A must-follow for a digital travel guide!
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Adrian Marcel On Purpose, Sacrifice, And The 'Signs Of Life'
In this week's episode of xoMAN, host Kiara Walker talked with R&B artist Adrian Marcel, who opened up, full of heart and authenticity, about his personal evolution. He discussed his days transitioning from a young Bay Area singer on the come-up to becoming a grounded husband and father of four.
With honesty and introspection, Marcel reflected on how life, love, and loss have shaped the man he is today.
On ‘Life’s Subtle Signals’
Much of the conversation centered around purpose, sacrifice, and listening to life’s subtle signals. “I think that you really have to pay attention to the signs of life,” Marcel said. “Because as much as we need to make money, we are not necessarily on this Earth for that sole purpose, you know what I mean?” While he acknowledged his ambitions, adding, “that is not me saying at all I’m not trying to ball out,” he emphasized that fulfillment goes deeper.
“We are here to be happy. We are here [to] fulfill a purpose that we are put on here for.”
On Passion vs. Survival
Adrian spoke candidly about the tension between passion and survival, describing how hardship can sometimes point us away from misaligned paths. “If you find it’s constantly hurting you… that’s telling you something. That’s telling you that you’re going outside of your purpose.”
Marcel’s path hasn’t been without detours. A promising athlete in his youth, he recalled, “Early on in my career, I was still doing sports… I was good… I had a scholarship.” An injury changed everything. “My femur broke. Hence why I always say, you know, I’m gonna keep you hip like a femur.” After the injury, he pivoted to explore other careers, including teaching and corporate jobs.
“It just did not get me—even with any success that happened in anything—those times, back then, I was so unhappy. And you know, to a different degree. Like not just like, ‘I really want to be a singer so that’s why I’m unhappy.’ Nah, it was like, it was not fulfilling me in any form or fashion.”
On Connection Between Pursuing Music & Fatherhood
He recalled performing old-school songs at age 12 to impress girls, then his father challenged him: “You can lie to these girls all you want, but you're really just lying to yourself. You ain't growing.” That push led him to the piano—and eventually, to his truth. “Music is my love,” Marcel affirmed. “I wouldn’t be a happy husband if I was here trying to do anything else just to appease her [his wife].”
Want more real talk from xoMAN? Catch the full audio episodes every Tuesday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and don’t miss the full video drops every Wednesday on YouTube. Hit follow, subscribe, and stay tapped in.
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Self-Validation, No Meals After 5 P.M. & The Wellness Rituals That Helped Lizzo Take Her Power Back
Don't let the "weight release" fool you, Lizzo's transformation wasn't just physical. It was spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. In her Women's Health cover story, the "Good As Hell" artist opened up about the low point that became the catalyst for radical change in her life, inside and out.
In the summer of 2023, Lizzo found herself at the center of what she calls painful allegations when some of her former dancers filed a lawsuit against her. The 37-year-old singer has denied their claims, and though she has experienced "backlash my entire career," going through such legal woes coupled with public scrutiny proved to be detrimental to her mental health, leading her to one of the darkest periods of her life.
She told Women's Health, "I got very paranoid and isolated. I wasn’t even talking to my therapist. I wasn’t present. I wasn’t open. I wasn’t myself anymore."
After spending months in isolation, Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, decided to go to a tour stop on the Renaissance World Tour. She was nervous that the public would shun her, boo her, or reject her, but instead, she was embraced. It shifted something in her and after feeling so in the dark, she saw the light again. "It made me feel like, wow, maybe I don’t want to die," she shared with Women's Health.
"That was the kick-starter to me being like, ‘Okay, Melissa, get your ass in gear and take your f*cking life back.’"
Her first step in Operation Get Your Life Back? Cutting out the external noise. She gave her team total control of her social media and stopped looking at comments. "My validation was from external sources, people telling me they loved me, or that I look good, and accepting me," she explained. "But if that’s all I’m getting my validation from, when it changes—and it will, because people are not always going to like you—what happens? Where are you going to get your love from?"
Lizzo continued, "I can convince myself that I’m beautiful, my body fine, no matter how big or small. But reminding myself that you can’t let others tell you who you are—that was hard work."
Lizzo started going to therapy again, she started practicing quigong meditation, reading books, journaling, and doing sound baths. She released unhealthy relationships, drank echinacea tea, and began incorporating Pilates as a means to "feel sacred" and "be gentle" with herself.
But what many have interpreted as a "weight loss transformation" after she popped out sharing she met her "weight release" goal earlier this year, Lizzo has clarified that it has been something deeper for her than the aesthetic of a smaller body. "I wanted to be big-girl skinny," she told the mag. "Every big girl knows what I’m talking about. Big-girl skinny is 250 pounds." According to her, it was her back issues that inspired her to take the physical part of her wellness journey seriously.
I DID IT! #weightrelease
@lizzo I DID IT! #weightrelease
Through her friend Kelly Rowland, she linked up with her now-trainer Marvin Telp and developed a fitness regimen that prioritized strength and intention. Her weekly schedule now includes moves like single-leg deadlifts, reverse flies, and lateral lunges, along with infrared sauna sessions and cardio. Add to that a change in eating habits after realizing her vegan diet no longer served her (to be fair, she wasn't doing the vegan thing the "healthiest" way).
All the meat substitutes, bread, cashew cheese, and soy left her bloated and lightheaded, so now she's switched things up a bit to fill the nutritional gaps. When it comes to diet, it's heavy on the protein and vegetables for Lizzo. A typical day eating looks like scrambled eggs and cauliflower hash browns for breakfast, Thai chicken salad or lettuce wraps for lunch, and turkey meatloaf with greens for dinner.
She also has a strict cutoff of no meals after 5 p.m. to support her GERD and give her body the time it needs before bed to digest her food sans the acid reflux. Of her relationship with food and wellness, she told Women's Health, "There's a balance. I think that's what true health is."
Read Lizzo's full cover story with Women's Health here.
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