Travel Destinations Where Being Black is Celebrated

For many African-Americans, Juneteenth is our official Independence or Freedom Day and not July 4th. Juneteenth is the day when we celebrate our freedom to be unapologetically Black.

Living in San Francisco, California it’s rare to see others of African descent, which can be depressing. I’ve often found my freedom to celebrate my Blackness by traveling outside of the United States. That’s not to say I don’t feel I can freely express my Blackness in the States. There are just some travel destinations where I feel more at home in my Blackness.

That’s why I hella love visiting these travel destinations where being Black is celebrated or the norm.

Cartagena, Colombia

Colombia has the fourth largest Black African population in the Western Hemisphere following Brazil, Haiti and the United States. Thus, it’s not a surprise that Cartagena is one of the top travel destinations where being Black is celebrated. Black beauty is everywhere in Cartagena!

Take a stroll through the Gestamni neighborhood to see empowering murals showcasing Afro-Colombian women. Also, no visit to Cartagena is complete without visiting Palenque, the first free town of Africans in the Americas, located right outside of Cartagena. Here they honor their ancestors by remaining a pure Black town and celebrating their cultural roots on a daily basis. If you do decide to take a trip to Cartagena, book a tour with Experience Real Cartagena for an authentic Black experience of Colombia. You will not regret it!

Interested in going to Cartagena? Join us in January 2020 –> click here for updates!

Johannesburg, South Africa

Cape Town is a naturally stunning city, but there is something magical about being in Johannesburg that will give you life. It’s a city where Black excellence feels like it is normalized. This is especially true when you’re in the artsy Maboeng district that is filled with young Black business owners who are thriving. After only a few days in Maboeng, I felt like I was welcomed like a long-lost sister into this community where everyone knew and greeted each other with hugs and smiles. You don’t get that experience in many U.S. cities.

Havana, Cuba

Cuba immediately captured my heart and has yet to return it. I traveled solo for my first trip and felt completely safe. So much so that every time I visit it feels as if I am returning home to my motherland.

There is a strong Afro-Cuban presence in Havana and you don’t have to go far to see people who look like you. To really embrace the Afro-Cuban culture, don’t miss the weekly rhumba dance party that happens every Sunday at Callejon de Hammel. This brightly-colored alley filled with murals and sculptures depicting Afro-Cuban deities quickly fills up with people dancing and singing in celebration of the Afro-Cuban culture. It truly is one of the best block parties that happens on a weekly basis.

There are so many other travel destinations where being Black is celebrated or the norm. Make it a goal to find them and go be unapologetically free to be Black.

Happy Juneteenth!

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