In this first episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I’m joined by Ebony Walden, an author, filmmaker, consultant, and speaker based in Richmond, Virginia.

In this conversation, we explore her journey across all 50 states and 50 countries and what she has learned about Black travel, belonging, and navigating space across the United States and beyond.

Ebony shares what it means to move through different places as a Black traveler, how safety and freedom show up in unexpected ways, and what it looks like to find connection and cultural immersion across borders. We also talk about how travel becomes a tool for reflection, storytelling, and transformation.

If you’re curious about the Black travel experience across the U.S. and around the world, or you’re looking for meaningful insights on the best destinations for Black people to find comfort and community through the lens of someone who has deeply traveled both domestically and internationally, this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

📌 What it’s like to travel across all 50 states and 50 countries as a Black woman

📌 How safety, belonging, and freedom shape the Black travel experience

📌 Where and how to find immersive Black cultural experiences across the U.S.

📌 How travel can become a practice of reflection, storytelling, and transformation

📌 The toll travel can take on your body, mentally and physically

📌 Why Ebony advises people to explore their home first before exploring the country or the world

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RELEVANT LINKS FOR TODAY'S EPISODE

🔗 A Black Woman's Guide to Visit All 50 States, State-by-State: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/a-black-womans-guide-to-visit-all-50-states/

🔗 15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/black-women-traveling-all-50-states/

🔗 Check out her award-winning documentary: https://blackbeyondborders.com/

🔗 Pre-Order her Book, Where I’m From: https://amzn.to/4v2V13S (affiliate link)

🔗 For all things: https://linktr.ee/allthingsebonywalden

CONNECT WITH EBONY WALDEN

Website → www.ebonywalden.com

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/ebonywalden80/

Youtube → https://www.youtube.com/@ebony.aroundtheworld

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebonywalden/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@ebony.aroundtheworld

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/ebony.walden

Substack → https://substack.com/@ebonywalden

CONNECT WITH DR. FRANNY

Website → https://frannythetraveler.com/

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

YouTube → ‪@frannythetraveler

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

ADDITIONAL LINKS

📧 SUBSCRIBE to Unlock Black Journeys: The Newsletter

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

🎙️CHECK OUT all episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/💜 Enjoying my content? LEAVE A TIP here

https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/products/unlock-black-journe

📗 PURCHASE my Support BLACK Greenbook & Framework

https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

NOTE: This contains affiliate links. If you book through my links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

Welcome to Unlock Black Journeys, the podcast archiving the Black experience across all 50 U.S. states, one conversation at a time. Through real stories, people, and places, we explore Black identity, community, culture, and impact. Each episode is grounded in a U.S. city, explored through a theme, and expanded through reflections and curated Black travel insights.

This is a legacy project rooted in one belief: every destination is a Black destination, with stories waiting to be explored, honored, and unlocked.

FOLLOW UNLOCK BLACK JOURNEYS

Join the newsletter: https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

Read the blog: ⁠https://frannythetraveler.com/⁠

Check out episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

Follow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

Purchase: Support BLACK Green Book: https://amzn.to/4vskd3R

In this special prologue episode of Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast, I share the story behind my journey to all 50 states and the deeper purpose that led me to create this podcast.

What started as a personal travel goal became something much more meaningful. As I moved across the country, I found myself questioning what it really means to experience a place, whose stories are centered, and whose are missing. I began to reflect on how Black travelers have historically navigated space, safety, and belonging, and how those realities still shape our experiences today.

This episode is my starting point. I share the moments that shifted my perspective, the gaps I noticed in travel narratives, and why I felt called to begin documenting and reclaiming these stories.

This podcast is more than travel. It is storytelling, reflection, and a living archive of Black experiences across all 50 states.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:

📌 How my journey to all 50 states evolved into something deeper than travel

📌 The “why” behind creating Unlock Black Journeys: The Podcast

📌 What it means to experience a place with intention and awareness

📌 What you can expect from this podcast and the stories to come

RELEVANT LINKS

🔗 A Black Woman's Guide to Visit All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/a-black-womans-guide-to-visit-all-50-states/

🔗 15 Black Women Traveling to All 50 States: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/black-women-traveling-all-50-states/

FOLLOW UNLOCK BLACK JOURNEYS

Join the newsletter: https://unlock-black-journeys-with-dr-franny.kit.com/9e3080bde9

Read the blog: https://frannythetraveler.com/

Check out episode recaps: https://frannythetraveler.com/post/category/podcast-episode/

Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/franny_the_traveler/

Follow on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frannythetraveler

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/princess-francois

Purchase: Support BLACK Green Book: https://amzn.to/4vskd3R