The Afro-Latinx identity is more than a label – it is geography, culture, history, and lived experience all at once. Our guest, Diva Green, the founder 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 of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, you’ll discover:
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.
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!
