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    United States

    15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States and Redefining Travel

    This is a celebration of Black women traveling to all 50 states, each journey a reminder that every destination is, and has always been, part of our story. Across cities, small towns, and everything in between, these Black women are visiting all 50 states in the U.S., redefining what travel looks like through culture, community, and connection.

    A Black Woman’s Guide to Visit All 50 States: My Journey

    If you’ve ever thought about the goal to visit all 50 states, you’re in the right place! This is more than a bucket list for me. It’s a personal commitment to experience the fullness of this country through its cities, small towns, food, culture, and the histories we were not always taught. It is part of a larger goal I set for myself to visit all 50 states and 50 countries by age 50.

    Spend a Day in Black-Owned Lower Manhattan, New York City

    Lower Manhattan is often framed as the financial capital of the world: we're talking Wall Street, big skyscrapers, fast-paced energy. But beneath that polished surface lies something deeper: one of the most significant Black historical landscapes, much of it that exists six feet under. We are talking about the Ellis Island for enslaved Africans, according to former Mayor David Dickens, our first NYC Black mayor.  We are talking about the African Burial Ground. We are talking about a Black-owned Lower Manhattan.

    Spend a Day in Black-Owned Upper West Side, New York City

    Upper West Side and Black culture are not two things that typically go in the same sentence. When I think of the Upper West Side, I picture brownstones, doormen, Central Park West, Columbus Circle, and people in suits. White people in suits. So it’s no wonder there have been more than one post on Reddit asking if there are any Black-owned businesses and where Black people hang out in the Upper West Side. I’m here to say: Yes, there are Black-owned businesses in the Upper West Side. Not many, but they exist. Yes, Black people hang out here. No, you don’t have to go all the way up to Harlem or Manhattan Valley to find them. That is why I am creating this Upper West Side Black mini travel guide.

    5 Black Facts about Upper West Side, NYC: San Juan Hill

    Lincoln Center, formerly San Juan Hill, was never a place I associated with a Black and Brown story. But it reminded me of something important: Black history is everywhere, even in places that feel out of reach or unrelated to our communities. Like many New Yorkers, I always saw Lincoln Center as a world of glamour, ballet, opera, symphonies, red carpets, and high culture. It felt like a place you dress up for, not a place where you learn about the people who once lived on the land beneath the plaza. I certainly did not feel like it was accessible until they introduced their pay-as-you-wish initiative. Everything shifted when I received an email newsletter about a series of events honoring San Juan Hill, including a documentary screening. The phrase “a lost neighborhood” stayed with me.

    5 Black Facts about Harlem, NYC: Gay Harlem Renaissance

    Have you heard about the Gay Harlem Renaissance? Fam, I had not. Where was this in our history textbooks!?!? Not going to lie, the New York Historical Society was never on my radar as a place telling our full stories. But one day, while wandering the neighborhood, I spotted the museum again and thought, Let me look this up. When Google told me they had a Gay Harlem Renaissance exhibit, I literally stopped in my tracks. That was my sign. I had to go back.

    Traveling While Black: Tulsa, Oklahoma Black Owned Guide

    Known as “the world's largest small town," Tulsa, Oklahoma offers a wonderful mix of both Native American and African American culture and history, plus a blend of Midwestern and Southern charm. It is rich in Black history from Black Wall Street to the Tulsa Race Massacre. Interestingly. it was also known as "the Oil Capital of the World" due to the the rapid growth of the oil industry. By 1920, Tulsa served as the base for over 400 petroleum companies.

    Traveling While Black: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Black Owned Guide

    Known as “the birthplace of America,” "The City of Brotherly Love;" "The Quaker City;" "The Cradle of Liberty," Philly has a lot to offer in terms of history & culture. It is the 1st world heritage city in the United States; 2nd largest city on the East Coast; and 3rd most populous downtown in the USA. Consider visiting Philly because it's the literal home to history; With tits murals, mosaics, museums, and more, it's known as the “Mural Capital of the World.” Also, it is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own unique set of restaurants, murals, shops, customs, and experiences.

    10 Black History Sites & Neighborhoods in NYC You Don’t Expect…But You Should!

    Harlem. Bed Stuy. Flatbush. These are all areas often associated with Black History in New York City. However, do you ever think of Bowling Green, Greenwich Village, or Flushing, Queens? Black History truly exists everywhere if you know where to look for it!

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants & Food Spots: Harlem Edition

    Harlem is known internationally as the Black Mecca of the world! Ever since the Harlem Renaissance—an early 20th-century boom in music, literature, dance and art—this neighborhood has been synonymous with black culture.

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants in Brooklyn: Little Haiti Edition

    Within the Little Caribbean is a smaller enclave known as Little Haiti. Little Haiti exists because when Haitians first moved to the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, they were isolated in part due to speaking French-Creole versus English, which is spoken by other Caribbean countries. Although Haiti is geographically part of the Caribbean, the Haitian community has

    My Top 5 Black-Owned Restaurants in Brooklyn: Little Caribbean Edition

    The vibrant Caribbean flags waving proudly from street poles, windows, and dollar vans. The sounds of Kompa and Soca blasting from parked cards. The smells of spicy food filling up the neighborhood air. These are the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of home -- the Little Caribbean.

    Traveling While Black: Rhode Island Black Owned Guide

    DISCLAIMER: In an effort to shed light on a lens that I travel everywhere with, I decided that it was important for me to explicitly talk about My Black American Traveler Experience. I want to stress that everyone has their own experiences and biases traveling to any country. Therefore, my experience may not be your own. In specifying the Black American

    7 Must-See Spots in New York City’s Hidden Gem: City Island, Bronx

    Have you been frequenting the same spots in your hometown but looking to change it up? The pandemic has made me re-fall in love with my city and try to branch out of my everyday routines exploring the city. One place I rediscovered was City Island, located in the Bronx, NYC.

    13 USA Destinations Every Black Woman Should Visit in their Lifetime

    Traveling while Black in the United States is...complicated. Although we are no longer banned from places legally, there are still many places Black travelers do not feel safe because of either past history or current racial incidents. This is why The Negro Motorist Green Book was created in 1936 to help Black travelers find places they would feel

    Dr. Princess Francois.

    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!

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