Her name is Jessica Nabongo and she has to become the first documented Black Woman to visit every country in the world. As of October 31th, 2019, Jessica has visited 10 territories, all 195 countries, including Palestine and the Vatican. (205 destinations in total). In 2022 Jessica Nabongo launched her new book, ‘The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World,’ a travelogue that documents her travels and offers travel musts. It tells of the good, the bad, and the the fascinating travel tales of over 450 flights and that add up to over 1 million miles! It reads like a novel with capturing adventures, exotic cultures, and stories of personal connections. If you ever wanted to travel the world this may be the book that inspires you to start your trek!
In May 2022, Jessica started going viral on the internet again with buzz talk about the launch of her new book. ‘The Catch Me If You Can: One Woman’s Journey to Every Country in the World,. She the list of her interviews reads like a socialite event, featuring her on, National Geographic, CNN, CNBC, TMZ, USA TODAY, and countless others! The interviews were featured live on Facebook and YouTube as well as TV. Pre- COVID she captured the media, and with ingenious planning and marketing she managed to do it again 3 years later.
In case you never heard of Jessica Nabongo let’s get you aquainted. She is no novice to travel which began at the tender age a 4. Her Ugandan parents instilled in her that the world was her oyster and to embrace it in the fullest. This global trek began in 1988 in the U.S., (Detroit, Michigan is her birthplace), but it did not become a mission until 2017 when Jessica decided to try to visit all of the countries in the world after she read about Cassie De Pecol. Having 60 countries under her belt, her quest began.
View this post on InstagramJessica considers herself a wanderlust, writer, entrepreneur, podcaster, public speaker and travel influencer but if you begin to research her and study her journey you will see she is so much more. Jessica could be considered an activist, spreading the word on the harmful effects of single-use plastics and the problems they are causing around the world. She tries to speak to people on how plastics are damaging our ecosystem. She does her part and is educating others on the severity of this issue on a global scale. This first generation American born grew up in Detroit, attended St. John’s University in New York City and completed a graduate degree at the London School or Economics (after living in Japan). She was earning a six-figure salary in pharmaceutical sales, owned a condo, wore designer clothing and accessories but felt a void. So on a leap of faith she quit her high paying job, moved to Japan and taught English. After receiving her master’s degree in London she began working at the United Nations living in Italy and Benin. Working abroad made it much easier for her to travel. Jessica chronicled all her travels on her website and her Instagram. Her 175K IG followers draw inspiration and live vicariously through her travels. And these travels did not come cheap. Jessica received support both spiritually and financially and everything in-between from friends, 780 grassroots supporters (including the GoFundMeTeam), tourism boards, hotels, travel brands, tour companies, Hertz Europe and even Google Pixel. Her website’s support page reads like the credits on a blockbuster film! But we must note Jessica did work and pay for quite a bit of her journeys. She is proud to say she is a content creator and uses that influence and knowledge to work with brands and run her own luxury travel business called Jet Black. Her business savvy also allowed her to plan and organize her travels to get more bang for her buck. Take for example these key facts:
- Jessica is part of all of the three airline alliances which allows her to collect all her travel miles.
- She uses travel credit cards (allowing her to use four hundred and fifty thousand points in 2018).
- She signed up on websites like airfarespot.com the flightdeal.com, secretflying.com giving her access to great travel deals!
- She signed up for Rewards deals with Starbucks, hotel chains, car rental companies and online travel websites.
Jessica chose to enlighten people. Through her experiences she wanted to show and change the way people think about traveling to different countries,( for example, if you have a moment read about her experiences in Haiti) By sharing her journey on social media she demonstrated that people are just that… people. That most people are not racist. That most people are not misogynists or hate women’s rights. And as a woman, a Black woman, Jessica showed the world that she could travel safely and travel solo. She hoped that her experience would give other women and other black people the confidence to travel to other countries without fear and doubt. Jessica wants her story to inspire others to take a leap, travel the world and dream bigger.
Jessica final travel destination, Seychelles had originally planned for May 15th 2019, on her 35th birthday. but the deadline was changed to October 6th 2019, in honor of her late father’s birthday.She arrived in Seychelles with over 50 friends and family.
By 2019 this educated and determined Black woman has been featured in Money, Travel and Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Forbes and countless other online magazines and blogs. Good Morning America, the BBC and CNN have all taken interest in Jessica’s achievements in 2019 and celebrated her book launch in 2022. I.M.I. recognizes Jessica’s efforts and marketing team in creating a powerful travel influencer and female entreprenuer. Well done Jessica Nabongo!
