Catch Her At Home
SPRING 2020 EDITIONA DIVINE ENTHUSIAST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EDITOR / PRODUCER | NATALIE MILHOUSE
PHOTOGRAPHER | JUSTIN “JMILLZ” MILHOUSE
WARDROBE | KAFTAN DRESS SOURCED FROM UGANDA
MAKEUP ARTIST | WHITNEY MARIE
LOCATION | JESSICA’S HOME - DETROIT, MI
JOURNEY WITH JESSICA
195 Countries | 9 Territories | 31 Year | 1ST Black Woman
What started as a journey of self-fulfillment quickly turned into a one-of-a-kind experience that transcended into an unintentional worldwide impact, inspiring many people. In the 6th Edition of Divine Enthusiast Magazine, our latest Spotlight Enthusiast, and the very first black woman to travel to every country, Jessica Nabongo reflects on her journey, discusses the idea of borders and boundaries, and how she finds home in people, not space.
Q
WE KNOW YOU GET THIS QUESTION A LOT (LAUGHS), BUT HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU FULFILLED THIS JOURNEY OF TRAVELING TO EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD?
A
Honestly, after finishing my journey in October, at this point, I’m just exhausted. I took a small break for one month, but I’ve still been traveling. I just got back from Uganda, and I have more travel coming up just in the next few days. So, I’m just perpetually exhausted. But overall, I mean, I obviously feel great, like I reached this goal that I’ve had since my early 20s. So to be able to be 35, and having finished my goal of visiting every country in the world, it’s amazing.
Q
THAT’S AWESOME. SO BEYOND THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT, THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE DO AT ALL, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO KNOW THAT YOU’VE MADE HISTORY BY BEING THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN TO HAVE DONE IT?
A
You know what’s interesting? I think it’s tough for me because I can’t step outside of myself and see my journey through the eyes of everyone else. So for me, it’s like okay, I did this thing. And I think this thing is more important to other people than it is for me, which is great! And even towards the end, I talked a lot about our journey, because I realized, probably when I was around 40 countries to the finish line, that this journey is so much bigger than me. Beyond being the first black woman, this journey has inspired people of all races and genders all over the world. I think that’s been the most essential part of it. So again, it’s amazing to be a history maker, but even more than that, I’m just excited and happy for the inspiration that so many people globally got from the journey.
“We’re right here in Detroit. I look outside my window, and there’s Canada, but what does that really mean? It’s another country, but there’s no border there. If we didn’t have these modern mechanisms that block people from moving freely, there wouldn’t be a Canada or the United States, or even all of these fictitious borders that they created in Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia.”
Q
TAKE US BACK TO THE MINDSET YOU WERE IN WHEN YOU DECIDED TO SET THIS GOAL.
A
In February of 2017, I was in Bali, Indonesia, which was my 60th country, and was reflecting on my life to that point. While a lot of people will look at my life, and particularly my career, and feel like I accomplished a lot, I didn't feel like I had accomplished anything that was important to me. I had wanted to visit every country in the world for several years since my early 20s, but it was really in February of 2017 when I decided like, alright, I'm going to do this, and I want to do this by the time I'm 35.
I didn't create a plan immediately. I just set out on this journey. I think a lot of times, people get paralyzed in the planning process, but for me, I just decided to go and do it. When I really reflect on the fact that I've been to 195 countries and nine territories, it's unbelievable. Now that it's complete, I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do next.
Catch Her at Home
We caught Jessica Saturday morning while making her traditional breakfast, which consisted of a smoothie and fresh fruit. Greeted with a warm welcome, it was evident that we stepped into a culturally conscious space upon entering her condo. Distant views of Canada appeared in our sight as the morning sun cascaded through the windows and into Nabongo's apartment. The unmistakable scent of a Baies candle filled the room with the aroma of tangy coolness and notes of black currant berries. The vibe was sealed with the sounds of Nigerian multi-instrumentalist Fela spearing through the record player. While we had a moment to experience Jessica in her element, we explored the origin of her travels, how she defines freedom, and the idea of home and space while discovering a few essential items that make her home complete.
Q
ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS AND POSSIBLY LIMITATIONS FOR SOME PEOPLE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE IS THE IDEA OF TRAVELING ALONE. HOW DID YOU GAIN THE CONFIDENCE TO TRAVEL ALONE?
A
I've been to 89 of 195 countries solo. But the biggest thing for me is that I'm not afraid of other people. I think we live in a country where there's this constant fear-mongering. I am a good person. I assume that everyone is good because most people in the world are good. That's something that I've learned from traveling to every country in the world. I have no reason to be afraid to travel to a new country by myself because I don't fear strangers.
Q
SO WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE PERSON THAT WANTS TO TRAVEL BUT MAY FEEL LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING THEM BACK?
A
As far as what I’ll tell that person who wants to go - there are two things. #1 - travel is just to leave your home. So you can go to the other side of your city, go to a new restaurant, rent a car and drive 100 miles from your house. If you haven’t even explored your own home country, do that first. You speak the language so you can feel comfortable to communicate with other people then work your way up to traveling internationally. #2 - The other thing is just go. Don’t wait for anyone else to go somewhere you want to go. You’ll end up waiting years.
““We’re all in this together. There is one single planet we are standing on. Borders are invisible. ””
Q
IN ONE WORD, DESCRIBE WHAT YOU’VE GAINED FROM THIS EXPERIENCE.
A
If I had to say what I gained from my experience in one word, it would be love. My friend always says love is the only imperative. I think if we as humanity globally really focused on love, we’d be in a lot better space right now. I’ve been on the receiving end of so much love from strangers. For example, people welcoming me in their hotels, restaurants, and just into their lives in a way that blew my mind. It showed me that we are more similar than we are different, and again, most people are good.
Today, Jessica operates multiple businesses - Global Jet Black and The Catch in addition to managing a personal blog, spearheading crucial conversations such as her #catchmeonmyperiod ongoing discussion. Nabongo continues to travel around the world and openly shares her story and journey. Keep following her journey @THECATCHMEIFYOUCAN
