In this episode of Black Beyond Borders, host Ebony Walden interviews Royal Williams, who shares his journey of living abroad in Colombia. Royal discusses his motivations for leaving the U.S., his experiences as a English teacher, and the challenges and joys of living in Medellin.

She also delves into her entrepreneurial venture, Yup, She Travels, which connects travelers with the Afro-Colombian community. The conversation highlights the importance of community, cultural identity, and the complexities of navigating relationships as an expat. Royal offers valuable advice for those considering living abroad, emphasizing the need for connection and intentional engagement with local cultures.

Connect with Royal online at www.yupshetravels.com or on Instagram @yupshetravels

Key takeaways:

• Royal's journey began with studying abroad in Spain.
• She found a sense of belonging in Colombia's Afro-descendant community.

• Cultural connections have deepened his understanding of identity.
• Navigating relationships as a Black American in Colombia can be complex.
• Community is essential for a fulfilling expat experience.
• Intentional engagement with local culture enriches the experience.
• Online tutoring has been a sustainable income source.
• Royal emphasizes the importance of finding community before moving abroad.

In this episode of Black Beyond Borders, host Ebony Walden chats with the co-authors of We Quit America: Our Exit from a Country Designed to Kill Black People, Ronnie Galvin and Yanique Redwood.

Yanique and Ronnie talk about their new book, their motivations for leaving the U.S., the changes they made to adapt to their new life, and how they have redefined their relationship with work to prioritize personal well-being.

They also discuss the joys and challenges of living in Jamaica and the transformations in their identities since moving away from the United States. The discussion culminates in advice for others considering a similar path, emphasizing the importance of vision and community.

Buy the Book: www.wequitamerica.com

Follow Ronnie and Yanique on Instagram: www.instagram.com/We.Quit.America

Yanique Redwood

Dr. Yanique Redwood is the author of two books We Quit America: Our Exit From a Country Designed to Kill Black People (2024) and White Women Cry and Call Me Angry: A Black Woman’s Memoir on Racism in Philanthropy (2023). She is an expert on racial equity and racial justice and has spent her career writing and speaking on these topics for nonprofit and philanthropic audiences.

She resides in Washington, DC and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Ronnie Galvin

Ronnie Galvin is the author of We Quit America: Our Exit From a Country Designed to Kill Black People (2024). Galvin was most recently the Managing Director for Community Investment at the Greater Washington Community Foundation. Prior to this role, he served as Vice-President for Racial Equity and the Democratic Economy at the Democracy Collaborative.

In addition to his professional endeavors, he enjoys Soca and house music, DJ’ing, reading biographies and non-fiction books, and debating social and political issues with friends.

He resides in Washington, DC and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

In this episode of Black Beyond Borders, attorney, developer and social entrepreneur Aisha Bullard shares her family's transformative journey from Richmond, Virginia to Dakar, Senegal. Aisha discusses the motivations behind her family's move, the cultural adjustments they faced, and the entrepreneurial venture (opening The Original Drip Coffee Shop) she embarked on in her new home. She reflects on the joys and challenges of raising a family in a different country, the importance of community, and the unique experiences of being Black in Senegal. Aisha also offers valuable advice for those considering a similar path, emphasizing the importance of connection and adaptability.