Entrepreneur Nubia Younge is helping Black women explore the world and discover themselves through luxury travel experiences. From her own journey of self-discovery, Younge now guides others on how to become expats and travel internationally with confidence.

Younge’s path includes overcoming obstacles,from being a single mother in Boston to traveling to over 40 countries and living in both Mexico and Thailand. She demonstrates that Black women can thrive abroad while building community. “What I realized community means is being seen and being represented. When I left abroad, I started seeing people who look like me, and it just felt like home.It felt like family, no matter where I was in the world.It brought a sense of joy, you know, a sense of joy that the unfortunate reality is, in the United States, people don’t walk around with that kind of joy,” Younge told ESSENCE.

Younge’s decision to become an expat was fueled by burnout.”It wasn’t until 2017 that I got laid off by corporate America. And at that point, girl, I was tired. I was tired of being tired. I was 38, going on 39, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to sit across from another person trying to prove my worth to get this job; I’m not doing it.’ At that point, my daughter had already left for college. My son was about to graduate from high school,so I withdrew my 401 (k) funds,bought a one-way ticket to Chiang Mai,Thailand,and sent my son to live with his dad to complete his high school education. I said I left on my what I like to call a pursuit,the pursuit of all things,the pursuit of happiness,freedom,love,all of the things,to see what was out there. For me, it was my Eat, Pray, Love journey,” she said.

Building Community Through Travel Platforms

“What I realized community means is being seen and being represented…it just felt like home.”

Her experiences led her to establish Black In Tulum, Black In Travel, and Black in Tulum, platforms where Black travelers and digital nomads can connect and build community. Her latest project, Ori table, is a lifestyle brand rooted in the Yoruba tradition, emphasizing “divine alignment.”

“Thes retreats are going to be very intimate,usually eight people total,in luxurious places around the world where you’re investing in yourself,you’re investing in rest,you’re investing in the environment” – she explains of her intent around sustainability – “but we’re also doing maybe a workshop or two within the retreat centered around giving your life even ‘more.’ if your ‘more’ is wanting to be an entrepreneur, scale your business or whatever,” she explains, “Than we’ll discuss those things, becuase as women who have often given the best of ourselves to others, it is actually we who are most deserving.”

She adds, “Ori Table started from my understanding that black women deserve rest and wealth and alignment, all of the things. I needed to exude and live the same life that I’m telling women they should tap into. I thought, ‘Let’s just start doing these intimate, curated experiences.’ No more than 10 people. Think boutique accommodations,wellness,spa experiences,cultural immersions,Sister Circles,and workshops and panels on rest. I want people who attend my retreats to understand that they are safe with me, and I’m going to provide a space to share stories transparently.”

She continues, “I’m getting emotional because when I tell you I didn’t understand the level of survival that we (Black women) live in until I was gone, and how there where many nights I cried because I was just in a state of what I felt like was loneliness? You’re shedding all of the things that you thought were life, and then you realize you’ve been lied to all your life, because America teaches you not to go to these places because it’s “unsafe.” And then you get there and you’re welcomed.The food is fresh, and the air is clean. There are so many different ways to look at life, and people are happy.”

Thriving and being seen is essential to Younge, as she felt like her personhood wasn’t being accepted and valued while she was living in America. She revealed to me that she identifies as queer and has found more acceptance abroad. “I believe thriving is joy.It’s connection,and it’s again,I can’t continue. I have things as we’re being seen,so like,I thrive best in areas where I’m acknowledged. It’s not about what I do, but just for who I am as a person. I thrive in spaces where I feel joy and happiness. I love seeing our Black men smiling. I love seeing our queer people out there.Like being proud,” she says. “I come from an era where, in the 90s, when I came out, you didn’t even see depictions of queer black women at all.”

Younge continues, “I believe that this journey that I have been on, as I packed those bags and I left, brought me back to myself. I had to learn how to love myself. I had to learn how to thrive and navigate this world alone,but not lonely.