Why would someone choose train travel over plane travel as their main travel?
In this episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I’m joined by Sojourner White: the “Train Travel Queen” and award-winning travel vlogger and writer behind Sojournies.
Her 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, exploring destinations one meal, one museum, and one meaningful connection at a time.
In this episode, 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.
If you’re curious about traveling the U.S. without a car, interested in train travel, or want a more nuanced perspective on cities like Milwaukee through a Black travel lens, this episode is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
This episode is part of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, where we are archiving all 50 states, one conversation at a time! Learn what it’s like traveling while Black and how to find Black-owned businesses, shop local, plus explore Black history & culture as you visit all 50 states through curated, local Black travel insights.
We tackle questions like:
Why? Because every destination is a Black destination. Stay tuned to see when your state is featured.
Welcome to the Franny the Traveler blog! I’m Dr. Franny, a national award-winning educator, entrepreneur, author, and Black travel enthusiast on a personal mission to make every destination a Black-owned destination. As I visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50, this Black travel blog is a growing collection of Black-owned city guides, itineraries, travel tips, and reflections on traveling while Black for the conscious traveler. I’m so happy you’re here!
