May 28th 2024.
It has been nearly three decades since Elaine Lee wrote the first travel guide specifically for African American women. Now, she is back with the launch of her highly-anticipated second edition, Go Girl 2: The Black Woman's Book of Travel and Adventure.
As a pioneer in the world of travel literature, Lee's new collection of fifty-four stories, poems, and photographs is sure to inspire, educate, and entertain Black women who love to explore the world. From the chilly Arctic to the sunny Caribbean, readers will join in on thrilling adventures and uncover cultural gems in Africa, Australia, the Americas, and Asia.
What makes Go Girl 2 even more special is the inclusion of captivating stories from renowned authors such as Maya Angelou, Alice Walker, and Jill Nelson, as well as up-and-coming travel writers like Lola Akinmade Åkerström and Martinique Lewis. Lee was inspired to create this edition as a platform for the voices of modern-day Black women travelers and journalists.
"I noticed that there hadn't been another Black woman's travel anthology published since my first one in 1997, and I felt it was time for an updated and more expansive version," Lee shared in an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Go Girl 2 not only showcases the joys of travel but also addresses the challenges that Black women may face, such as racism and safety concerns. It also offers practical advice on everything from packing to solo travel, making it the ultimate guide for Black women on the move.
Lee's first travel book, Go Girl 1, was a groundbreaking work that paved the way for numerous other Black travel books. With Go Girl 2, she continues this tradition, ushering in a new era of travel media mavens and exploring the growing Black travel movement.
As an editor and freelance writer, Lee's work highlights the diverse experiences of Black women travelers. Her two travel guides invite readers on a personal and universal journey, revealing the transformative power of travel.
Lee is amazed by the growth of Black women travelers in recent years, as evidenced by the multitude of travel blogs, groups, books, and influencers. She recalls how, when she embarked on her first solo trip around the world in 1992, she had never met another Black woman who had done the same. It was this experience that inspired her to create her first RTW (round-the-world) travel book for Black women, wanting to alleviate any fears and share the excitement of traveling the world.
Lee's travel guide and anthology serve as a beacon, guiding future explorers and storytellers to unleash their inner wanderlust. She is passionate about the stories featured in Go Girl 2, which range from personal experiences of visiting a majority Black country for the first time to heartwarming tales of finding unexpected connections and miracles while traveling.
One of her favorite stories in the book is about a couple who struggled with infertility and found hope on their vacation to Gambia. Lee shares, "They used their frequent flier miles to visit Gambia and ended up stumbling upon a fertility ritual that ultimately led to them having twins."
Go Girl 2: The Black Woman's Book of Travel and Adventure is available for purchase on Amazon or at www.ugogurl.com. So, if you're a Black woman with a passion for travel, this book is a must-have for your collection.
In other exciting news, a Black traveler recently made headlines for sewing an AirTag into her braids before embarking on a solo trip to Mexico. This innovative safety measure is just one example of the many ways Black women are taking control of their travel experiences and inspiring others to do the same.
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