Authentic travel is Kianna Naomi’s specialty. The multifaceted Youtube content has a way of making viewers feel capable of seeing the world in their own unique way.
Naomi is well-versed in masterfully capturing her travels. Her energy radiates from the screen. You want to be her friend. Her videos, while minimalistic, carry a playful charm that captivates her audience. Instead of following trendy travel destinations, Kianna intently focuses on the countries she visits and takes root for months at a time. Her deep love, appreciation, and respect for the country she’s in is apparent as she learns their language, and builds meaningful relationships.
Authentic Travel Through Simplicity
For Kianna, simplicity is key. Her content feels like an extension of herself, never overshadowed by flashy transitions or complicated angles. What makes her incredibly relatable is that she doesn’t showcase a faux luxurious lifestyle filled with overpriced and touristy hotels or destinations. Instead, she listens to her heart and travels where her passion guides her, not shying away from sharing moments of difficulty. Kianna ensures her audience understands her life isn’t a constant fairytale, but the experiences she gains through her travels are undeniably worth it.
In 2024, Kianna represents what we need more of—genuine, relatable content creators who inspire us to explore the world in a way that feels real and attainable.
Travel Noire sat down with Kianna and asked her about her travels. Here’s what she had to say:
Travel Noire: What inspired you to start a YouTube channel focused on travel, and how did you develop your unique approach to showcasing it?
Kianna Naomi: I actually started out posting fashion and beauty content when I was 14. As I grew up online, I brought my audience along for the ride—through studying in college, living in LA and eventually traveling the world. I would say my travel vlogs looked a lot like everyone else’s until I started exploring the world the way I truly desired to. That meant staying in places for months at a time, learning the language, and developing a sense of comfortability in places that were previously foreign to me.
My vlogs are unique because they are deliberately influenced by the country I’m in and the people I meet there. I am simply (and not so simply) a vessel to show the beauty that these countries hold.
TN: How has your experience been traveling as a Black woman, and would you encourage other Black women to travel authentically?
KN: It has been nothing short of divine. Of course, there are a handful of unpleasant experiences, but that’s life. I would never let those things stain the love I have for seeing the world.
To the Black girls reading this,
Please travel. You may not feel it where you are, but your energy and presence is desired and needed everywhere. Don’t let the people who don’t appreciate your presence stop you from experiencing all the beautiful things you know your future holds. Their lack of divine nature doesn’t make the world any less yours. Use your discernment, trust your intuition, and go where your heart leads you. When you travel, take your time and breathe yourself in. You are more than worthy of all the beautiful things you see around you. Know that the true beauty lies within you– it is your life and the way you share it with the world.
TN: Many people dream of extensive travel but face obstacles like time and finances. What advice can you offer for those who want to incorporate more travel into their lives within their means?
KN: Be patient and intentional with your travel journey. Step out of the race of comparing your travels to other people’s. There’s nothing dreamlike about ticking countries off an arbitrary list you haven’t even put thought into. Take the pressure off of traveling the way you’re “supposed” to or seeing the things you absolutely “must” see. Going to new places with the added pressure
of other’s expectations is not a worthwhile experience. Travel is a privilege, not a requirement. You don’t have to go anywhere if you don’t want to.
I think extensive travel being the best way to explore the world is a lie that the tourism industry feeds us. They constantly market new places and then turn around and recreate the same idealized experience in each place. An American can go to Mexico and find exactly what they’re accustomed to back home. Doing the same things you’d do at home against a foreign backdrop is not “extensive travel”. To me, that’s not traveling at all; that’s a vacation. Vacationing and traveling look very different, and you cannot rush the latter.
Extensive travel isn’t the goal; intentional travel is. You could cram travel to 15 different countries in one year and treat your travel journey like a to do list. Or, you could soak in the culture of one place that really speaks to you–truly immersing yourself in the culture. Besides, doing what works for your schedule/budget will force you to think outside the box. Your own creativity could hold the answers to your dream trip, and it might be closer to home than you think.
TN: Travel can sometimes be physically and mentally demanding. How do you prioritize self-care and well-being while on the road, and what tips can you share for maintaining a healthy balance?
KN: Ha. I’m still figuring this out. I’ll get back to you on that.
TN: Share some travel tips for those new to exploring different cultures and environments, especially when it comes to embracing diversity and respecting local customs.
KN: Keep an open mind and be patient with yourself. Being engulfed in a new environment can be intimidating. Lean in instead of away. Don’t reject what you don’t know–try the new food, learn the traditional dance, and let the foreign language overwhelm your tongue. Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone; that’s where the most rewarding experiences lie. Give yourself time to soak everything in instead of instantly searching for familiarity. Ironically, your experience in a new place will end up being a reflection of your inner world. Take this knowledge and trust that you can take yourself through the experience of unguided exploration.
TN: How do you choose your destinations, and what are some of your favorite places?
KN: I go where my heart tells me to go. I’ll hear about a country in passing, usually in a book or word of mouth, and it quietly sticks to my subconscious. If an opportunity to go to said place doesn’t present itself, I get to planning. As for my favorite places, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro easily take the cake.
TN: What future travel plans or projects do you have in mind, and how do you envision the evolution of your YouTube channel as you continue your journey?
KN: I hope that my YouTube channel will continue to be a genuine reflection of my life. Whether I’m traveling the world or on set in New York City, I want true documentation of what my life looked like at that time. In regards to future plans– after two years of constant travel, my next great task is finding a new place to call home. Wish me luck.