Why Brown and Abroad?

When I initially started my video series I just expected it to function as a way to chronicle my life and sporadic travels abroad. As time went on I learned my videos were serving as more than just a way to document a moment in time about my life. Soon, I had women from all over the world messaging me with their questions and concerns. Some were practical questions like how to go about getting a job in China or the visa process. While other questions were more pointed about racism and stereotypes of black women in Asia, practical questions about hair care products and makeup came up often, and of course safety concerns are always on any woman’s mind.

It wasn’t long before I realized I was actually in a unique position to not only share my journey, but to also inspire and inform women in a similar position in life, or those who would like to be. So many times, as women we are taught to be fearful of the unknown and not to stray too far from home. Traveling solo, moving abroad for the hell of it, are not choices women are historically conditioned to do, and that oftentimes goes double for women of color. Being a brown woman abroad can come with a unique set of challenges and issues, like navigating not only your own internalized limitations, but also the historical and cultural expectations of the world we live in.

My desire is to create a space for women of color who might not otherwise see themselves and their experiences illuminated in today’s travel movement.