Let’s talk about something that’s been brewing in me for a long time — and maybe you’ve felt it too.
You ever look around on a plane, in a lounge, or overseas and think… where are we?
I’m Briony. For more than a decade, I’ve worked in aviation, globe-trotted to 30+ countries, and built a career helping people see the world through my lens. But in all that time, one thing kept hitting me: I wasn’t seeing many people who looked like me in the places I was going — or in the conversations shaping travel culture online.
I Bring My Black Everywhere:
Why I Started This Movement
So I started saying:
I Bring My Black Everywhere.
If you’ve followed me for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen the phrase. People ask me all the time:
“What does that mean?”
“What made you start this?”
And now, it’s not just a phrase. It’s a movement.
Why I Started Saying It Out Loud
Let’s rewind about 10 years. I was new to aviation, living my dream, flying across continents, soaking up new cultures. But there was a quiet, nagging truth that followed me everywhere:
I wasn’t seeing us.
Not in the lounges. Not boarding the flights. Not even when I landed.
And when I got home, the questions started rolling in:
“Why would you go there?”
“Do they even like us there?”
It came from family, friends — even people I dated. I could feel the curiosity, but underneath it was hesitation. Fear. The unspoken message:
“You don’t belong there.”
I noticed the patterns. The absences. The ways international travel still doesn’t feel fully accessible or welcoming for everyone.
Let’s be real — a lot of Black Americans still don’t have passports. And for many who do, the journey stops at the Caribbean. Why? Because it’s familiar. It looks like us. And we’ve been taught — sometimes directly, sometimes subtly — that the rest of the world might not.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that “luxury,” “adventure,” or “passport stamps” belong to somebody else. That showing up Black and proud in a foreign place is somehow risky.
But here’s the thing: our presence matters.
Our Identity Is Complex — and That’s Okay
Being a Black American is layered. Unlike many Black folks from other parts of the world, we don’t always have a clear ancestral map. Our lineage is real, but complicated. Our culture is rich, but our place in the global narrative can feel… shaky.
I’ve been abroad, spotted someone who looks like me, felt that tug of recognition — and been met with blank stares. I’d nod, smile, say hi… and get nothing back. Not shade. Just a reminder: sometimes, our Black isn’t their Black.
If you know, you know.
Back home in Dallas, that warmth is automatic. Black folks cross the street to say hi. We dap each other up in the grocery store. There’s an unspoken acknowledgment:
I see you. I got you.
That connection doesn’t always translate across borders. And that’s okay — but it’s exactly why this movement matters.
The Black Travel Dollar Is Powerful — Let’s Act Like It
Here’s what’s wild: Black travelers in the U.S. spend over $109 billion on travel annually. That’s not a typo.
We’re traveling. We’re investing. We’re showing up. But travel media and marketing still act like we’re not here.
We deserve to be in the ads. On the brochures. At the tables. In the lounges.
Not just for campaigns — but in real life.
We deserve joy, rest, and global experiences without explanation.
“I Bring My Black Everywhere” is about shifting that narrative. It’s about visibility. Because Black is global — and we deserve to feel welcome everywhere.
What “I Bring My Black Everywhere” Really Means
It means I show up.
I take up space.
I don’t wait to be invited — I book the trip anyway.
This movement is about representation, joy, and audacity. It’s not just for influencers or first-class travelers. It’s for you — for us. For anyone who’s ever felt like travel wasn’t made with them in mind.
Because I’ve felt the silence. I’ve lived the gaps. I’ve known the discomfort of being unseen — and the joy of carving out space anyway.
“Black” is more than skin. It’s legacy. It’s identity. It’s a badge we wear with pride, even when the world doesn’t always make room.
Whether It’s Your First Trip or Your 50th…
I want this space to remind you: you belong here. You don’t need all the answers. You just need the belief that the world is yours too.
Because it is. We do.
✅ Share this blog with someone dreaming about their first trip.
✅ Help your friend get their passport.
✅ Start dreaming big again.
✅ Show up. Take up space.
✅ And when you do — bring your Black everywhere.
✅ Follow me for more unfiltered, joy-filled, soul-centered travel content.
✅ Planning a trip? Book me as your travel advisor here.
