Written by Jaden Parker
On October 6, 2019, Jessica Nambowa Damarie Nassaka Nabongo became the first African American woman to travel to all 195 countries around the world. (However, it is said that Woni Spotts claims she achieved this feat through the 70s and 80s before the proof of social media.) She was born and raised in Detroit by Ugandan parents, making her the first in her family to be born in America.
She earned a degree in English Literature at St. John’s University in New York and received her graduate degree for the London School of Economics. Travel and Leisure aptly named her one of the 50 Most Notable People in Travel, and Conde Nast put her in their top 30 of powerful women in travel. Last year alone, Nabongo took 95 flights, continuing her travels throughout the world. But how did she accomplish all of this?
At the start of her journeys, Jessica Nabongo went to Japan to teach English. She saved up her money and was able to live the dream of traveling and writing to make ends meet. Today, she focuses on making the travel industry more inclusive, and she continues to prioritize experiences over material things. Want to know more? All of Nabongo’s travels were documented on her social media. You can find the links to them below:
Twitter (X) Handle @TheCMIYC
