Solo, On Purpose: A Guide for Black Women
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
By Jackie B Grice
When I board a plane by myself, I’m not escaping my life - I’m leading it.
I’ve traveled solo for board meetings, conferences, and quiet “recalibration” weekends when my spirit needed more listening than noise. As a Black woman, CEO, and coach, those trips have been the most honest mirror I know: time to hear God clearly, make brave decisions, and remember who I am outside of everybody else’s expectations. For me, solo travel is self-care that affirms my dignity and joy in a world that doesn’t always extend them.
The numbers say we’re out there - and we’re spending with intention
Black travelers aren’t a niche; we’re a force. MMGY’s latest “Black Traveler” insights estimate the U.S. Black travel market at $145 billion, reflecting growth in both trips and spend. That momentum underwrites better options and safer, more inclusive experiences, opportunities we should claim boldly and on our own terms.
Why I go alone (and why you might, too)
Clarity. Solo travel gives me strategic distance. I’ve outlined new offers, mapped org charts, and, on a beach at sunrise, decided to say no to good so I could say yes to great.
Confidence. Every successful solo day raises my “I can handle it” ceiling. That courage comes home with me.
Community on your terms. I choose when to connect deeply, with local entrepreneurs, with sisters abroad, or with myself, without negotiating the itinerary.
My solo playbook: How I plan trips that feel both safe and free
1) Begin with belonging.
I research neighborhoods where Black culture is visible, such as Black-owned cafés, bookstores, beauty supply shops, churches. I also scan communities like Sisters Traveling Solo and NOMADNESS to sense-check neighborhoods and vendors. (Even if you’re not joining a group trip, their feeds and forums are gold for on-the-ground intel.)
2) Build a safety net before you fly.
Enroll in STEP, the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, so the nearest embassy can reach you during emergencies and send location-specific alerts while you’re abroad. It’s free and quick.
Share your digital breadcrumbs. I put my live itinerary and lodging details in a shared note with two trusted contacts. Many platforms now include safety features for solo guests, use them. (Airbnb, for example, has a Solo Traveler safety experience and continues to expand safety education.)
Use hyper-local awareness tools. GeoSure’s neighborhood-level safety scores help me compare areas by time of day and risk type - useful for picking dinner spots or deciding whether to ride share or walk.
3) Choose lodgings that say “welcome.”
I prioritize places with strong recent reviews mentioning lighting, staff responsiveness, and neighborhood walkability. If I’m arriving after dark, I arrange a car in advance and ask the front desk or host about late-night entrances and nearby 24-hour options.
(Airbnb periodically publishes solo-safety tips you can adapt to any stay.)
4) Plan your first 24 hours like a pro.
Daytime arrival, a no-fail first meal, a gentle walking route, and one anchor experience (spa, gallery, rooftop) keep momentum high and decision fatigue low.
5) Pack for sovereignty.
A small crossbody, portable charger, eSIM/roaming plan, photocopies of ID, and a “travel altar” (journal, playlist, scripture cards) keep me powered, grounded, and present.
The soul of going solo
For many of us, solo travel isn’t a trend; it’s a reclamation. It’s saying: I can rest, explore, and invest in my dreams without waiting for a committee to agree. Essence’s coverage has rightly framed this as liberation, especially for Black women whose joy is too often policed. When I travel alone, I practice the same self-leadership I teach: set your values, choose your vision, then align your calendar with both.
If you’re new to it, start here
The “One-Neighborhood Weekend.” Pick a city you’ve wanted to taste (Chicago, Montreal, Lisbon), then live in one neighborhood for 48 hours, same café each morning, same evening walk, so the unfamiliar becomes friendly.
A women-only escape. Ease in with a women-only hotel floor, ship sailing, or retreat, these are rising for a reason, and they can be a supportive on-ramp.
Purpose + play. Anchor the trip to something meaningful (art exhibit, author talk, church you’ve streamed, a Black-owned spa) and build delight around it.
Community, curated (for us, by us)
Sisters Traveling Solo (STS): Trips, meetups, and a community designed specifically to empower women of color to see the world confidently.
NOMADNESS: A global travel tribe centering BIPOC travelers through community and events like NOMADNESS Fest.
Essence city guides & travel features: Regular roundups of solo-friendly destinations and women-only experiences that reflect our lens.
A final word from the road
Going solo sharpened my leadership, deepened my peace, and expanded my world. It didn’t make me less connected; it made me more present with the people I love and serve. And in a $145-billion marketplace that we’re actively shaping, our solo itineraries are more than trips - they’re statements. We belong everywhere we decide to put our feet.
Connect With Jackie
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