Episode #292: Travel as a Critical Component of Black Freedom with Briona Lamback

Episode Summary

Learn about traveling for Black culture—From Afrobeats in London to “Detty December” in Ghana to Salvador in Brazil. Briona joins Matt for a wine night from her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, and the episode kicks off with a discussion on why Baltimore is so amazing.  Briona then talks about her study abroad experience in London, discovering Afrobeats, returning to London for her Masters, and writing “The London Black Nightlife and Restaurant Guide”.  She reflects on the impact of meeting other Black travelers and interviewing them for her short film “Free At Last”. Briona shares her experiences visiting Morocco on her first trip to Africa and going to Ghana in 2019 for “The Year of Return”.  She also talks about founding her company Buoyant Travel and leading groups trips to Ghana every year for “Detty December.”  She explains why visiting the slave castles in Cape Coast is harrowing but necessary, and how travel is a critical part of Black freedom.  Finally, Matt and Briona talk about their love for Brazil, caipirinhas, and the Black diaspora culture in Salvador de Bahia.

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Briona Lamback

Briona Lamback is an award-winning travel journalist, entrepreneur, and poet who lets her love of history, food, human connection, and Black culture guide her around the globe. Her writing has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, Atlas Obscura, BBC Travel, Fodor’s Travel, and Matador Network. Briona is a mission to connect with the Black diaspora globally through travel and storytelling.  In 2017, she founded Buoyant Travel, a boutique travel company that hosts group trips and events to help Black travelers connect with local Black history and culture around the world. Briona has been featured in BBC Africa, Travel Noire, the Huffington Post and is a featured speaker at the upcoming Black Travel Summit.

What You'll Learn
  • Tips for Experiencing Black Culture and Nightlife in London
  • Tips for Visiting Ghana and Salvador de Bahia in Brazil
  • Why Baltimore, Maryland is so Amazing
Links From the Episode

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GET MATT’S TOP 10 ESSENTIAL APPS FOR DIGITAL NOMADS

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAVERICK SHOW’S MONDAY MINUTE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

JOIN BRIONA IN GHANA FOR DETTY DECEMBER
(Use the Code MAVERICK To Get a $100 discount)

DOWNLOAD BRIONA’S EBOOK “WRITE PITCHES THAT LAND

SIGN UP FOR BRIONA’S NEWSLETTER OR BOOK A CONSULT

WATCH BRIONA’S SHORT FILM “FREE AT LAST

READ BRIONA’S ARTICLE ABOUT “THE DOUBLE LIFE OF NEW YORK’S BLACK OYSTER KING

JOIN MATT AND BRIONA AT THE BLACK TRAVEL SUMMIT IN FLORIDA IN 2024
(Use Code “MAVERICK” For a 10% Discount)

WINES CONSUMED DURING THIS INTERVIEW

PLACES AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN GHANA

PLACES AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN BALTIMORE

PLACES IN LONDON MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

UNIVERSITY BRIONA ATTENDED

LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE

OTHER PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

CONTACT BRIONA

Time Stamped Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

[3:38] Introducing Briona Lamback

[4:19] Why Baltimore is Amazing

[9:38] How Briona’s Interest in Travel Developed

[11:39] Briona’s Experience in London

[15:04] Discovering Afrobeats in London

[16:02] London Black Nightlife and Restaurant Guide

[17:50] Doing Her Master’s Degree in London

[20:33] The Impact of Studying Abroad and Meeting Other Black Travelers

[22:04] Visiting Morocco on Her First Trip to Africa

[23:39] Visiting Ghana during The Year of Return

[28:35] Detty December in Accra

[33:35] Why Visiting Cape Coast is Harrowing But Necessary

[35:49] Founding Buoyant Travel

[37:53] How Travel is a Critical Component of Black Freedom

[39:55] Salvador de Bahia in Brazil

[45:11] How to Get a Discount on Briona’s Upcoming Trip to Ghana