The First Black Woman to Visit Every Country & Continent

EPISODE 5
On this episode my guest is Woni Spotts. If you haven’t heard of her, she is said to be the first black woman to visit every country in the world. This of course this doesn’t come without controversy as another, Jessica Nabongo is going after this goal and says that she will be the first documented black woman to visit every country. Why the controversy you ask? Woni hasn’t been on social media or anywhere online until recently. Her travels began when many present day countries didn’t exist.
In this day and age everyone is posting what they do and where they go on social media. Woni felt no one would care where she has traveled to until recently. When she first started travelling, social media wasn’t even a thing. However, because of this, many are skeptical she is the real deal – even though she says she has certificates from travel clubs verifying this accomplishment.
With that Woni gives some insight to how she knows she truly is the first, the hate she has received from some of Jessica’s supporters, and how she will see this through the end. Woni also gives insight into when she traveled while in high school for 4 years doing a documentary, how she feels about airline travel then v now, what she can’t leave home without, and a lot more.
Woni Spotts
Woni Spotts was born in Los Angeles to Roger and Betty Spotts in 1964. She attended school on the east coast where she has family in the Mid Atlantic area and New York. Beginning in high school Woni was the host of a documentary which allowed her to travel extensively. After the documentary ended, she developed an eCommerce company which helped fund her solo travel.
Despite being an accomplished musician, songwriter, pianist, and animator. Woni decided not to follow in her family’s entertainment footsteps instead she decided to explore the world. Woni’s father supplemented her education with a global perspective which often clashed with the accepted narrative in traditional schools. Woni refused to sit in a classroom regurgitating spoon-fed “facts”, instead she went into the world to discover the truth.
Spotts has studied creation stories, religious beliefs, and rites of passage ceremonies from people worldwide. A fierce defender of animals and the earth we all share, led her to become a life long vegan. She continues to research and write about the many places she has visited and is deeply passionate and committed to elevating Africa, by revealing African roots hidden all over the world.
CONNECT WITH Woni Spotts
Instagram: @WoniSpotts
Twitter: @WoniSpotts
REFERENCES
First African American To Visit Every Country In The World by The Minority Nomad
You can also listen to this episode on….
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Stacie
Go ‘head sis! What an awesome feat! I’m sure she has some great stories to tell. I’m sure the podcast is very interesting.
Holly Dayz
Traveling all over I am sure she does too!
Tiffani Denham
Thanks for sharing this, I’ve definitely gotta connect with her. This is right up my alley. I hate that there’s so much hate amongst our community. Why can’t she legitimately be the first just because she never told you about it? People!
Holly Dayz
I agree. It is awesome to even have such an accomplishment. I feel you 100%
Mimi Robinson
I heard of her and her travels, but what I didn’t know was all the controversy that came along with it. Wow! People take this doing it for the gram seriously I see.
Holly Dayz
Yea, there is a ton of controversary. People seem to be going hard on the gram for sure.
Joyce Brewer
I loved hearing her story! More people need to know about her and be motivated to travel.
Holly Dayz
I am so glad! Yes, more people need to get motivated to travel. There is so much to see and experience.
Tiffany Heard
I honestly wish black women of colo could collaborate vs having a competition. I’m not sure who is the first but several things 1) Social media became big in the last couple years just because it is not on social media doesn’t mean it did not occur. 2) I would imagine that someone who is older has completed this task, people have traveled all over the world for decades. 3) We should travel not for other people but to satisfy our own souls. Lastly, who cares who is the first especially if there is tension between two people who are role models for other people across the world.
Holly Dayz
I agree with you on all of your points. As long as people are getting out there and seeing the world, it should just inspire others.
Nadalie Bardo
Wow this is incredibly inspiring! We all say we want to visit every country, but she actually did it.
Holly Dayz
It is still possible for so many out there if that is something they want to do.
Adonis Villanueva
It’s always interesting to see anyone chase milestones like this. It’s quite an accomplishment, documented or not. No matter what Woni’s motivations are I’m glad she’s done it. Congrats Woni!
Holly Dayz
It is great. I agree, quite an accomplishment.
Chris
It’s a shame just because she wasn’t on social media people don’t believe her. I think just because you weren’t the first to visit every country, you should still be glad to have visited them all. Most of us want to explore the world and few actually get to.
Holly Dayz
Plenty of people aren’t on social media. Many are and still don’t post things they do. People tend to think if you don’t post it, it didn’t happen. Terrible mentality.
Hannah
I hadn’t heard of Woni, but will connect on social media – she sounds like an inspiration. It’s a shame that some have cast shadows over the validity of her accomplishments… more than half my life is irrelevant on those terms then, since it happened before social media!
Lauren Gay
You got all the tea! Great interview. I hope this comes to an amicable resolution. I think there is room to celebrate the achievements of both women.
Renata - www.byemyself.com
It’s a great achievement, but for me, travel is not a race or a competition. I’m rather into deep travel. I’m amazed how many people have visited every country – but, honestly, I wonder how much they were able to see. I have a whole different concept of travelling.
Nicole LaBarge
I love that this story is getting out there and publicized so more people know about Woni. Well done on your accomplishment Woni.
sherianne
Such an interesting life! It saddens me that she has received such hatefulness. I hope we all learn to support one another at some point
Indrani
Wow Commendable!
This is something every woman traveler would dream of!
So good to know that she is accomplished musician, songwriter, pianist, and animator too.
Those criticising her need to take a lesson from her life.
Kiwi
I have to follow this goddess. She is the ultimate goddess every country and every continent that is amazing!
Nisha
Wow ! Kudos to Woni Spotts. So proud of her. Doesn’t matter if she was not on social media. I know of many who are not any of these platforms , yet travel the world. They don’t have to prove to anyone.
Suruchi
Wow! This is actually quite inspiring and thanks for sharing her story with us. We wish that someday we can fulfill our dream to travel around the world just like her.