DETROIT (WXYZ) — A 39-year-old who made history as the first Black woman to travel to all 195 countries around the world says we are all more alike than different.
Hearing 39-year-old Jessica Nabongo's full list of travel destinations means hearing the names of all 195 countries in the world. She is the first black woman to visit them all.
“I started traveling abroad with my family when I was 4 years old and came back from Antarctica a week ago,” Nabongo said.
Nabongo, a former employee of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, rests on her Ugandan-Strait roots, the wind beneath her traveling wings.
“I realized that over time, it was less about me. I became the role model for many people, and I am grateful for that because it allowed many people to get rid of their fear. And I’m not just talking about black women, you know, women of all races,” Nabongo said.
She visited most countries alone and with an open mind and heart. She says we are much more alike than different.
“I tell everyone: 'Is there racism in the world? Yes, there is racism in the world. Did I let this stop me from seeing the world? Absolutely not.' So for me, I really try to encourage people. Don't try to figure out which countries are best for black people. Go anywhere you want. Go with a positive attitude, go with positive energy and you will receive that in return.
In her new book, “The Catch Me If You Can,” Nabongo takes readers on her journey in the order in which she experienced it and through the lens of her own camera.
“It’s 100 stories from 100 countries, and it was amazing putting them together,” she said.
With dozens of additional flights this year for his book tour, Nabongo is also focused on his next chapter: finishing his trip to the United States.
“So my 40th birthday is in May and I'm on a mission to finish my last six states before my 40th,” she said.
The latter six states are Alaska, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska.
Nabongo told Forbes in 2018 that the secret to finding a job anywhere was to have a graduate degree from an internationally renowned school. She got hers from the London School of Economics.
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