And before that, I’d only been to two other states outside my home state of California. Now, I’ve always loved the idea of traveling but didn’t quite have the opportunities and freedom that I do now as an adult. As I started traveling more, I found myself interested in so many different places, traveling to all seven continents, having amazing adventures, widening my worldview and learning more about myself in the process—but I was also wary. 

“This place looks so cool and fun,” I’d think as a watched other travelers having the time of their lives.

But then I would wonder, “how is it over there for people who look like me?”

I would go online to find answers, specifically from other black folks. But I would often be met with secondary sources—nonblack people relaying their own perception of black people’s experiences, especially in places where you don’t see a lot of black people.

While I didn’t totally discount these opinions, I know that no one understands the nuances of anti-black discrimination as well as other black people.

I knew about the Green Book—the annual guide that many black travelers used to know which places across the US were safe and which places needed to be avoided.

So, when I created the Wanderlust in Melanin community, I wanted to bring this idea to the 21st century and include not just the United States, but the entire world.

Black people deserve to feel safe and comfortable wherever we travel to and spend our hard-earned dollars. So the goal of Wanderlust in Melanin is to bring you firsthand experiences from black travelers for black travelers about the best destinations, vacation spots, hotels, restaurants—you name it, we’re going to talk about it.

If you’re on board and want to be a part of this community, please join us!

- Kristina Lauren, Founder of Wanderlust in Melanin