We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nubia Younge. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Nubia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
Currently, I’m being called to pivot! There is this overwhelming desire to go into investing. Specifically in land or property, as a way to build generational wealth. At the same time, I can’t deny how intimidating it feels to put such a large amount of money into something when I’m not entirely sure it’s the right move for me at this moment. I keep reminding myself to breathe, to not force the process, and to trust that the right opportunity will come when it’s meant to but deep down, I know it’s time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hey hey! I’m Nubia. I’m the founder and CEO of Black In Travel™ and Black In Tulum™ This is my second time being featured in Canvas Rebel. My first feature was back in 2023, and I’m honored to be back again!
A lot has shifted since then. After five beautiful and at times, challenging years with Black In Tulum, I made the difficult decision to close our doors in July 2025. Right now, I’m giving myself the space to breathe, reflect, and figure out what’s next. While I process and grieve the loss of something that meant so much to so many, I’m also grateful to be in a season where I can pour my heart into new projects through Black In Travel, Ori Aye Retreats, and a new venture I’m not quite ready to share yet.
My focus remains the same: to create meaningful spaces and transformative experiences for millennial and Gen X women who are ready to invest in themselves. My Ori Aye Retreats are rooted in rest, exploration, food, culture, and community, giving women the opportunity not just to travel, but to reconnect, recharge, and realign with who they truly are. At my core, I’ve always been passionate about building with purpose, creating things that outlive me and leave a lasting legacy. My path hasn’t been linear. It’s been full of lessons, pivots, and moments of doubt, but every experience has shaped me into the woman and leader I am today.
I don’t move just to move. I move when it’s aligned, when it has depth, and when it has the power to create impact beyond the surface. Taking leaps isn’t always easy, it’s often terrifying, but I’ve learned to trust the process and trust myself. Because when I build with love and intention, the ripple effect reaches far beyond what I can see in the present… creating something that will echo for generations to come.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Back in late 2020, when Black In Tulum was just starting to gain momentum, I was introduced to a beautiful Black woman visiting Playa del Carmen from Washington, D.C. A mutual acquaintance suggested we connect during her trip, so she reached out and we made plans to meet for dinner.
We sat down at the restaurant, and not even ten minutes into our conversation, she looked at me and said, “I know you don’t know me or what I do, but may I share a message from your ancestors? They’ve been trying to reach you, but something keeps blocking them.”
Without hesitation, I said yes.
What she spoke over me in that moment cracked something open. It was as if I had finally been seen, truly seen for the first time. Her words reached me in the very place I needed them most. Tears poured down my face, not from sadness, but from the relief of being held in such truth. She created a space that felt safe, loving, and sacred. In her presence, I felt like I had met someone I could deeply admire.
Her name is Risikat and from that evening on, she became my spiritual sister, my guide, and my friend. In the years that followed, before she transitioned from this earth, she poured into me with readings that reminded me of my power, my purpose, and my light. She helped me step into my greatness at a time when I doubted myself most.
Though her time here was brief, the impact she left on my spirit and many others will always remain. She was a mirror, a guide, and a gift I didn’t know I needed.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
As I was going into my 40’s something shifted. It was the moment I stopped hiding parts of myself and began sharing my stories fully, without fear of being judged or misunderstood.
I had just left the United States with a one-way ticket to begin fresh in Thailand. At first, I shared my journey through vlogs and then began writing Facebook entries called “Nubi Chronicles.” As I peeled back my layers and spoke honestly about solo travel, losing friendships, the weight of loneliness, the pain of cutting family ties, and everything in between, people started resonating with my stories.
Comments under my post were filled with “me too” messages. Readers shared their own stories, their own struggles, their own truths. I realized that by opening up, I was creating space for others to do the same. That’s when the idea for a podcast came to be and Chronicles Abroad was born.
Together with my co-host, we podcasted for three years, interviewing people from all over the globe. Over 150 episodes later, our voices reached listeners in more than 100 countries around the world. Soon, we found ourselves being featured in major publications like Travel + Leisure and Travel Noire.
By sharing my truth, I found community, and I learned just how healing it can be when we speak our truth.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I believe it’s the responsibility of any travel advisor or travel influencer to share the full picture when highlighting a destination, not just the glamorous parts. It’s equally important to educate clients and audiences about the culture of the country, city, or town they’re visiting.
Too often, destinations are marketed in a way that makes it seem like every moment will be pure bliss. While travel can absolutely be magical, the reality is that there are often cultural differences, logistical challenges, or unexpected situations that, if unaddressed can affect someone’s overall experience.
At the time, within our Black In Tulum Facebook group, we made it a priority to share real-time updates about what was happening on the ground. We gave our community practical information: what to expect upon arrival, how to navigate the area, average drive times, current prices, and even local news.
By doing this, we empowered our audience to make informed choices and set realistic expectations. Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to sell a trip, it’s to ensure travelers are prepared, educated, and able to create the best possible memories.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
From the outside looking in, it may have seemed like Black In Tulum was only about parties and events but it was always so much deeper than that. When I created the group, my vision was to build a space where travelers of color could feel a sense of connection and belonging. A place where they could soak in the jungle and ocean vibes of a destination they were often told by the U.S. wasn’t “safe” for them to visit.
Yes, we hosted events, but what unfolded was far more meaningful. For some, Black In Tulum marked their very first passport stamp. For others, it became the backdrop for milestone birthdays, new friendships, even love stories. Couples got married with the help of our concierge services. Travelers leaned on us for safety and support during difficult situations.
Over time, I became woven into the fabric of people’s lives in ways I never could have imagined. And that, that deep human connection, those life-changing memories, is the real beauty of what I built.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blackintravel.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamnubiayounge
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nubiayounge
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NubiaNyYounge
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackInTravel
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/@NubiaYounge
Image Credits
Shots by Nik
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
