While I agree that travel is a personal journey for meaning, I also believe that it’s an excellent way to analyze your past and present. Black History Month has long been billed as a look back at the contributions of African Americans in the US.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]As an international traveler, I find Black History Month to be a constant reminder of our community’s position globally — both positively and negatively AND in the past as well as the present.[/perfectpullquote]

Some aspects of travel go unnoticed by many. While the awkward stares and comments might be well known, it’s the nuance of the “black” identity and experience that makes travel so exciting, and at times, frustrating for us. So, through my work as a photographer, I’ve compiled this photo essay to give you a brief glimpse into how black history, identity, and culture shape the way the world sees us and how we see it.

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Erick Prince is a photographer, philanthropist, and world traveler who’s on a quest to become the first African American to visit every country in the world and he’s ticked off 93 so far! Show him some love in the comments below.