From Burnout to Balance: Nubia Younge’s Empowering Luxury Retreats for Black Women
Have you ever dreamed of traveling abroad or leaving the United States altogether? Meet Nubia Younge, a multi-hyphenate entrepreneur and travel expert, who once yearned to explore the world and delve into her own identity. Today, she is giving the gift of travel to other Black women, helping them become expatriates and navigate international experiences filled with meaning—free from doubts and reservations.
Younge’s journey wasn’t easy. A single mother from challenging backgrounds in Boston, she didn’t get her passport stamped until she was 32. Yet, she has since visited over 40 countries and lived extensively in Mexico and Thailand. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience and thriving spirit of Black women abroad. “What community means is being seen. When I left for abroad, I started to see people who looked like me. It felt like home,” she shares in an interview with ESSENCE.
The Turning Point: A Pursuit of Joy
Younge’s path to becoming an expat was sparked by burnout—a familiar sentiment among many Black women. After being laid off from a corporate job in 2017, she reached a turning point. “I was tired of being tired,” she recalls. With her children grown, she took a leap of faith: withdrawing her 401(k) funds, purchasing a one-way ticket to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and sending her son to live with his father. She embarked on what she calls her “Eat, Pray, Love” journey, searching for happiness, freedom, and love.
Her travels led her to establish platforms such as Black In Tulum and Black In Travel. These initiatives connect Black travelers, digital nomads, and create a sense of community across the globe. Younge’s newest venture, Ori Table, is a lifestyle brand focused on luxury retreats that promote sustainability and personal investment. The name, taken from the Yoruba tradition, translates to “divine alignment.”
Curated Experiences: Luxury Retreats for Empowerment
Younge’s retreats are designed to be intimate experiences, typically accommodating just eight people. “You’re investing in yourself, in rest, and in the environment,” she explains. The retreats not only soak in luxury but also include workshops that encourage personal growth, tailored to individual aspirations, whether it’s entrepreneurship or simply finding peace.
“Ori Table started from my understanding that Black women deserve rest, wealth, and alignment,” she explains. These curated experiences focus on wellness, cultural immersion, and transparent storytelling in safe spaces. “I want retreat participants to feel secure and heard. Many have given so much of themselves to others; now it’s time to invest in themselves,” Younge emphasizes.
The Birth of Black In Tulum
The idea for Black In Tulum sprang from Younge’s observation of a growing community of Black travelers in Tulum. Noticing an absence of social networks for Black individuals there, she organized a free beach brunch, which became a hit. This led to the creation of a Facebook group that grew from 25 members to an astounding 28,000 in just four years.
Recalling her journey into the travel sector, Younge reflects, “Despite lacking a professional background in travel, my passion for hospitality and connecting people drove me.” The global pandemic served as a catalyst, prompting her to innovate further, and establishing Black In Tulum as a significant hub for Black American travelers.
A Life of Immersion: Traveling 200 Days a Year
Younge now spends up to 200 days each year traveling, immersing herself in diverse cultures and experiences around the world. While she understands that such freedom is a luxury not everyone has, she encourages Black women to release the burdens holding them back. “Family, fear, and finance are the three Fs that can hinder personal growth,” she explains.
Through her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of confronting societal conditioning and disillusionment. “I got emotional realizing the level of survival that Black women live in,” she says. Leaving America forced her to shed misconceptions, revealing a world where people thrive and joy is abundant.
A Safe Haven: Acceptance Abroad
Younge speaks candidly about her identity as a queer woman, sharing that acceptance is more pronounced abroad. “Thriving is about joy for me,” she states, explaining how dignity and acceptance can illuminate life in ways that America sometimes obscures. “I want to highlight that joy is everywhere, especially among our Black and queer communities,” she adds.
Through her journey since leaving America, Younge has not only learned to love herself but has also embraced her role as a community builder. “I had to navigate the world alone, but not lonely,” she affirms.
For those interested in discovering life-changing experiences similar to Younge’s, learn more about her luxury retreats here.