Our story
Black Nomad is a digital platform for black people and other people of color to share their experiences, resources, and tools for travel..
Founded in 2013 by Auzzi "Orville" Aiken, Black Nomad was created as an acknowledgment and overall celebration of the unique experience of being a black explorer. With his desire for exploration and individual liberation, Auzzi began the documentation of his travels through Brazil and many other South American countries; this Nomad-like lifestyle expanded to 81 countries and more than a hundred cities on six continents over a four-year period. Through various social media accounts, Auzzi has been able to share his black travel experience with thousands of people of color around the world and has inspired many to do the same.
Black Nomad intends to expand it’s community of black travelers by creating a space for us to connect and express our thoughts and share our conversations and interactions with the people we meet along the way. We intend to make international travel simpler and show that you don't need a lot of money to see the world or to create unforgettable moments and connections with the places you see and the people you meet. We highlight the nuances of travel: we don't just mentioned tourist attractions and well-known landmarks, we delve deeper into the culture, history and everyday life of the countries we visit. Real people bring real experiences to life for others by sharing encounters and genuine conversations with locals and strangers that become friends. Travelers share what they learned, what they felt, what they created, what they took with them, and what they subsequently left behind.
Whether you're a first time traveler or a seasoned explorer, by reading these stories Black Nomad hopes to inspire others to go outside of their comfort zone; to explore themselves as they explore the world. What do you have to offer? Leave your mark and pursue your own adventure.
Auzzi Orville Aiken
Co-Founder
Is a first generation Jamaican-American born in Miami, Florida. Auzzi grew up in both Kingston Jamaica and Miami, Florida splitting his childhood between both cities. Auzzi attended Howard University in Washington D.C and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government and African Studies with a concentration in International Relations in 2012. After University Auzzi worked in various sectors of law as a paralegal. In 2013 he decided to leave America and move to Rio De Janeiro to teach English Ito inner city children in Rochina the largest favela in South America. His passion for putting the community service while fully immersed into the cultures he encounters led to create Black Nomad. Black Nomad is an acknowledgment and overall celebration of the unique experience of being a black explorer. With his desire for exploration and individual liberation, Auzzi began the documentation of his travels through Brazil and many other South American countries; this Nomad-like lifestyle expanded to 81 countries and more than a hundred cities on six continents over a six-year period. Through various social media accounts, Auzzi has been able to share his black travel experience with thousands of people of color around the world and has inspired many to do the same.
A. Sokoya
A. Sokoya is a first generation Nigerian-American born in Washington, DC. Growing up, Sokoya was extremely interested in history, political affairs, and international events. After receiving his Bachelors of Arts Political Science and Economics Sokoya went on to work to increase minorities’ access to voting before he attended law school. During law school, he travelled abroad to explore other cultures and learn from international institutions. His combined passion for helping the less fortunate and understanding people and their unique, cultural identity guide Sokoya’s travel philosophy: travel should be the motion through which you turn the pages of the world’s book. Through Black Nomad, Sokoya aims to give other people the opportunity to appreciate the culture and history of other people in a fun and exciting way.