In October 2019, Jessica Nabongo from Detroit, USA became the first documented black woman to have visited every country in the world. Today, she uses her platform to inspire other travellers, giving tips on the best way to go about travelling and what she has learned from her experiences, especially in countries that have typically low rates of tourism.
1. About Jessica
A first generation American to Ugandan parents, Jessica was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating in English literature from St. John’s University in New York, she worked in pharmaceutical sales before leaving to move to Japan to teach English, and later completing a graduate degree at the London School of Economics.
Travel had been influential for Jessica’s since her first international trip to London and Uganda at the age of six, and over time she realised that travel, writing and photography were essential parts of her life. She created her website, The Catch Me If You Can, and has traveled to more than 100 countries and territories across six continents. She also created Jet Black, a boutique luxury travel company that hosts group trips and curates itineraries to countries in Africa, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and The Catch, a luxury lifestyle brand inspired by her global adventures.
2. Her work
Working as a writer, entrepreneur, public speaker and travel influencer, Jessica’s career interconnects her passions and talents. She uses her story and experiences to educate and inspire others to travel and experience the world around them, especially those who are hesitant or nervous to do so. She talks about her experiences of being black in different countries, and the kind of people she meets, using her blog to build a community of travel lovers or and enthusiasts, as well as those who want to travel more and are looking for tips on how to do this.
To hear more from Jessica about travelling, her favourite places and her travelling experiences as a black woman, listen here.
