Traveling While Black: 4 Companies You Need to Know About

By Cenithia Bilal

I’ve traveled with numerous people from very different backgrounds to many countries. I’ve seen firsthand the stark differences between my own experiences and the experiences of someone who isn’t a person of color. It’s not that my time in these countries was rife with prejudice or racism, but rather it was so subtle I often thought I was imagining it. But looking back, I recognize key moments of discrimination: the Venetian restaurant that refused to seat me, the sales associate that followed me around in a clothing store in Athens, the New Zealand family that looked at me sideways throughout my homestay. I don’t have any regrets about where I went or where I stayed, but I do wish that I had the resources that exist today. Here are four black-owned companies that are making travel possible, accessible and enjoyable for black people.

Travel Noire

Created by Zim Ugochukwu, Travel Noire is a massive online community for black travelers. It provides users with immense resources, ranging from finding remote work to traveling alone. In addition, the company curates travel experiences to incredible places like Marrakech, Johannesburg and Bali.

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Solo travel is one of the best gifts you could give yourself! If you’ve never ventured abroad alone, we’ve pulled together the Solo Travel Starter Kit to get you on your way. Get four expertly curated pieces of content from Compass, our coaching system, for just $25. What’s included? **The Solo Travel Checklist: 5 new strategies for navigating a new destination alone **Video Masterclass with Ngozi Opara on Using Solo Travel to Level Up **Audio Lesson on Finding Epic Travel Deals **Italian Escape: A 7-day, 6 night itinerary through Florence, Burano and Venice. Want in? Head to the link in our bio! #travelnoire [Offer ends Friday, Nov 17th & no subscription necessary]

A post shared by Travel Noire (@travelnoire) on Nov 14, 2017 at 9:07am PST

Black Girls Travel Too

When Danny Rivers Mitchell found herself constantly explaining that black women travel just as much as any other ethnic group, she decided to create a platform to showcase that. Black Girls Travel Too is a community that offers tips, tools, and trips to inspire black women to experience the world.

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There is an unspoken bond you create with friends you travel with. ~Kristen Sarah~ •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Ms.@dineostyled in St. Francis Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Tag @blackgirlstraveltoo to be our next featured traveler. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #stgrancisbay #easterncape #southafrica #journeywithinyourself #internationaltraveler #passport #passportheavy #blackgirlstraveltoo #blackgirlstravel #blackgirlsrock #blackgirlpower #blackgirlmagic #travel #traveladdict #travelonpurpose #traveonfleek #travelgram #travellife #travelnista #wanderlust #wander #adventurous #explorer #jetsetter

A post shared by Black Girls Travel Too® (@blackgirlstraveltoo) on Nov 13, 2017 at 9:53am PST

Up In The Air Life

Up In The Air Life offers luxury travel for professionals of color. This includes networking events across the world and travel experiences to places like China, Brazil and Egypt. Not only can you travel to incredible locations, but you can also make valuable professional connections at the same time.

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@bettinahtianah..When in Milan 🇮🇹 📍 Duomo Cathedral

A post shared by Luxury Travel Company (@upintheairlife) on Nov 15, 2017 at 7:47am PST

Tastemakers Africa

Tastemakers Africa only offers trips to the African continent, including Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria. The company also offers concierge services in numerous countries and tours that give travelers the most authentic experiences.

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• that new new • @spiritedpursuit in Tete, Inhambane, Mozambique

A post shared by Tastemakers Africa (@tstmkrsafrica) on Nov 9, 2017 at 3:56am PST