Meet four of the black explorers traveling the world

Of course, it’s easier than ever to travel, but a trip to the same place can be a very different experience for different people. Some people have to go through lengthy visa application procedures and bureaucratic steps, while others have to pay more attention to safety and comfort. Until recently, this difficult side was rarely represented by the people going through it; the diversity of travelers and their travel experiences were not seen.

We spoke with four Black creators who are expanding their audiences’ horizons in several ways. British creators Temwa & Anjola, Toba, as well as Nigerian creator Tayo Aina, are part of the Black Voices Fund program on YouTube. They have taken their followers on adventures all over the world, documenting everything from budget and recommendations, the simplicity of bureaucracy, the openness of society, to their experience as a solo or family traveler in vacation. We chatted with them about their travels!

Why do you travel?

Tayo: Before I started traveling, I never imagined that this would be possible for someone like me (a Nigerian) who comes from a country with one of the worst passports. Now I travel to show people that no matter where you are from in Africa, you can travel and make money doing what you love. I travel to tell stories and change people’s perceptions of different places in the world.

Toba: I travel because I’m an adventurer, I love exploring new places and having new experiences. It’s also a great way to break down misconceptions and share my experiences with the world. Initially, when I started traveling, I had false preconceptions about certain countries and people, which 9 times out of 10 are completely wrong. So traveling has opened my mind to more, I’ve grown, I’ve made friends I never thought I’d have, and I’ve experienced the world from new perspectives.

Temwa and Anjola: I want to show what it’s like for us and how, as a couple, we strengthen our relationship through meaningful experiences and trips, and now that we are parents, we take our children on these adventures. Because life/travel doesn’t have to stop after kids!

Why did you start your YouTube channel?

Tayo: I started my channel when I realized there weren’t enough people telling stories about Africa from our own perspective. I see myself as the African discovering the world, sharing my views and perspectives on places, all based on my own unique experiences.

Toba: Although I wanted to create many different channels on YouTube, it was the journey that called me. Packing up, leaving, being free and not knowing what tomorrow holds is why I started traveling. It’s a way for me to share my experiences and document them.

Temwa and Anjola: One of the main goals is to inspire and show the reality of travel, to try to balance these two things. We rarely see black couples traveling and going on adventures together. To me, our content is about representation – to show you what it’s like for us, as a traveling black family. And so far so good! We’ve had a lot of success because we see how we get people to book that ticket!

When you upload a video to your channel, what do you hope your viewers walk away with at the end of the video?

Temwa and Anjola: When we go live, we hope our viewers are encouraged by seeing a young Black family pushing the boundaries of what we are often told family life is supposed to look like. It can be full of fun, date nights, pure joy, all amidst the sentimental and more difficult times that life brings.

Toba: I hope viewers come away with new perspectives, having seen the world through my lens, experienced something different, gained value, and most importantly, been entertained.

Tayo: I hope they leave feeling inspired to do what inspires them and driven by the passion to pursue their dreams. I also want to convey a positive feeling and leave people with hope.