Black Broads Abroad
Black Broads Abroad
Phelena Jean
The "Divided States" is not the only option. Welcome to the masterclass on global secession. Hosted by Phelena Jean—South Central LA native and Triple OG veteran expat—Black Broads Abroad is the record of a movement. With 20 years of experience living across 5 continents, 9 countries, and 50+ solo destinations, Phelena archives the Black women in her orbit: from strippers to aerospace engineers; from Mexico to Madagascar to Saudi and Singapore. This is vetted expertise for your exit strategy. We provide the tactical briefing Black American women need to maneuver the collapse and get out.
100 Countries, 2 Continents, 1 Daughter: A Creative Entrepreneur’s Guide to Global Parenting
What does it look like to raise a child across the globe while building a creative empire? In this episode, we sit down with Davita McKelvey, a Denver, Colorado native turned global strategist and multi-hyphenate entrepreneur who is quite literally remapping the world for Black women.Davita is the visionary behind Black Travel Romances™, a massive 197-book fiction series that centers powerful Black women in love stories across every single country on the planet. A nomad at her core, she has traveled to over 100 countries and made the bold choice to raise her daughter across continents—navigating the transition from the colonial charm of Merida, Mexico to the bustling, metropolitan energy of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.In this episode, we dive into:The "Invisible Thread": Our shared history dating back to 2011, from a lost camera in Morocco to supporting each other through heavy seasons in Mexico.The Logistics of the Leap: How Davita navigated the reality of "adulting" abroad, from securing visas in Southeast Asia to balancing entrepreneurial risk with the need for stability as a single mother.Raising a Global Child: The courage of becoming a mother after 40 and deciding the "Divided States" wasn't the only option for her daughter's upbringing in Merida and KL.Romancing the World: Why she is on a mission to make Black women the norm in the romance genre and the reality of dating overseas as a single Black mother.Whether you are a veteran traveler or an aspiring nomad, Davita’s story is a masterclass in reframing global Black womanhood, one page and one country at a time.
May 10
50 min
The Fourth Exit: How This 20+ Year Veteran Expat Has Navigated Being an Educator From Abu Dhabi to London, Cairo and Back to Beijing
What does it look like to spend two decades living outside the Divided States? In this episode of Black Broads Abroad, we sit down with Kamara, a 20-year veteran expat who is currently preparing for her fourth exit. From Abu Dhabi to London, Cairo to Beijing, Kamara has navigated the global landscape not just as a traveler, but as a highly sought-after professional in the International Baccalaureate (IB) school system.In this episode, we dive deep into:The Multi-Exit Strategy: Why Kamara is choosing Beijing for the second time—15 years after her first stint there—and the logic behind "The Return."The Career Arbitrage: How being recruited by international schools leads to high remuneration, housing packages, and a lifestyle that the U.S. simply cannot compete with.Domain Expertise: The power of specialized skills in the global market and how to position yourself to be recruited by top-tier institutions.The Reality of Femicide: A raw, necessary discussion on the safety risks facing women in the U.S. and why "safety" is a primary driver for the exit.Single by Choice & At Peace: Kamara opens up about the reality of dating today, the decision to remain single, and the profound peace that comes with being completely "single by choice" while living abroad.The Global Professional Blueprint: Practical advice for those looking to be recruited into high-paying roles with a soft landing.If you’ve ever felt like your career is hitting a ceiling or your peace is being compromised in the States, Kamara’s story is the proof that the world is waiting to pay you what you’re worth and give you the safety you deserve.📲 Get The Global Exodus Strategy Suite: Text the word EXODUS to 947-837-3958 to download your strategy guide immediately.🌐 Website: BlackBroadsAbroad.com 📸 Instagram: @BlackBroadsAbroad
May 10
1 hr 4 min
The Resurrection: Why I’m Reviving Black Broads Abroad Right Now After a 5 Year Hiatus
Five years ago, at the peak of Black Broads Abroad, I lost my father. As his only child and a total daddy’s girl, that loss devastated me. I never intended to stay away for five years, but I had to put everything on the back burner to navigate that grief. During my time away, I watched the world shift and saw the digital space fill with unvetted noise that offers no real direction for our community during these crises.I am resurrecting this platform now because we are currently facing a national and geopolitical collapse. We are already in the midst of World War III and a Civil War that those in the "Divided States" seem wholly unaware of. I’m back to provide the tactical briefing and vetted sources Black American women need to maneuver this moment. This is my State of the Union—a complete clarification of where I’ve been and a hard look at why you need to get your ducks in a row and prepare your exit now.
Apr 26
1 hr 15 min
How This Mississippi Born Theologian Came to Open a Soul Food Restaurant in Tokyo
In episode 40, I interview LaTonya Whittaker. LaTonya has been a fixture and a leader within the African American community in Japan for 15 years. She along with her husband David are the founders of the prominent Soul Food House restaurant in Tokyo that has long been a central destination for the Black community to gather. In many ways, the inspiration to build Legacy Foundation Japan comes from the relationships and opportunities unlocked at Soul Food House. The restaurant is a unique place that both Tokyo veterans and new arrivals frequent to eat love-filled food, connect with the culture of home, and network as well. A native of Mississippi, LaTonya holds a master’s degree in Divinity and Counseling. Her work and passions have always revolved around bringing people together. LaTonya is the visionary behind the Legacy Foundation Japan. To keep up with LaTonya's journey follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/SoulfoodHouse/ and check out her website here: https://soulfoodhouse.com/ For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
May 31, 2021
47 min
Why This Pan-Africanist Humanitarian Chose to Pursue a Career in Social Impact Causes and Now Calls Somalia Her Home
In episode 39, I interview Delphine. Delphine is a Pan-African optimist. Strategist. Doer. Advocate for the broad spectrum of the ‘underdog’.  Avid world traveler. Lover of dance, art and all things creative. At her core she is passionate about truth, culture and all things Africa. Born and raised Cameroon and relocated to the United States as a teenager. She is an international humanitarian and development affairs professional currently working in Somalia. With a multi-lingual background in English, French, Spanish, Bamunkah and Pidgen English/Creole, she has worked and travelled in over 2 dozen countries around the world. She holds a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and a Bachelor of Science degree in African Languages and Literature and certificates in Leadership and Global Health. To keep up with Delphine's journey follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/verydelphine/?hl=en For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
May 17, 2021
44 min
Why This Photographer Said Peace Out to the Divided States and Moved to Johannesburg
In episode 37 I interviewed Stephanie O'Connor. Stephanie is a photographer and creative consultant, originally from South Dakota, who spent her professional life in Atlanta, New York, Johannesburg, and now Los Angeles. She has worked with brands such as Addidas, Hypnotiq, Sunglass Hut and major artist that include Talib Kweli and several Afrobeat musicians on the continent. A free spirit by nature, after earning her degree in Computer Information Systems she started her career and she soon realized that her creativity was not being fed in this profession. Shortly thereafter, she studied for her MFA in photography at the Academy of Art University. Now residing in Los Angeles, California, Stephanie spends her free time gardening and as a freelance photographer. To keep up with Stephanie's journey follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/connervarin/ and check out her website here: http://www.connervarin.com/ For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
May 3, 2021
57 min
How This Third Culture Kid Converged Her Afro-Arabic, Sudanese, British Background to Create Cultural Impact in Media, Politics, Fashion and Beyond
In episode 36, I interviewed Rozan Ahmed. Rozan is an ambassador, advocate, activist, champion of the arts a cultural practitioner, and preservationist. Born in West London to Sudanese parents, her formative years were abruptly disrupted, when while living in Kuwait she suddenly became a refugee and her father and uncle were taken hostage when the gulf war broke out. As the youngest appointed editor in British publishing, Rozan joined RWD magazine and took lead in discovering, cultivating, and pioneering the UK’s biggest urban music & lifestyle publication. Throughout Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and more, Rozan developed a series of monumental campaigns surrounding arts and peace and has been recognized by the United Nations, the Government of Sudan, and the Government of Southern Sudan for orchestrating the country’s first celebratory concert highlighting the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Through her continued support and cultivation of African culture, music & fashion, Rozan launched ‘Africanism’-- a platform to redefine the continent’s artistic authority – at home and abroad. Continuing with fashion, and merging her humanitarian efforts, Rozan’s most recent endeavor (‘The Magic Drive’) focuses on sustainable luxury/tourism and ‘expansion education’ to ignite the creative potential of orphans and other children in crisis in Kenya, and beyond. To keep up with Rozan's journey check out her website: https://www.rozanahmed.com/ and follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamrozan/ For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
Apr 26, 2021
54 min
Why this Detroit Native Joined the Peace Corps and Retired in Madagascar
In episode 35, I interviewed Lisa Lee. Lisa is a 64-year-old, twice divorced, retired computer nerd with two grown children (David and Dawn). Both of her kids live in Oakland, CA, a city where she lived for over 30 years before joining the Peace Corps in 2017. Originally from Detroit, Lisa was also a professional genealogist for many years and started a successful website, www.GotGenealogy.com, where she taught family historians of all levels how to maximize their searches utilizing online resources. Lisa  joined the Peace Corps when she was 60, which was her way of doing an early retirement. Peace Corps taught her how to teach English, and during the process, Lisa discovered just how much she loved teaching. Though she intended to retire in Madagascar, she’s now teaching at an elementary school, and at the University of Mahajanga. To keep up with Lisa's journey follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malagasy.lisa For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
Apr 19, 2021
1 hr 4 min
How This Domestic Abuse Survivor Went From Being Overweight and Depressed to Moving From Paris to LA and Being the First Black Female Gym Owner in DTLA
In episode 34 I interviewed Nadege NDjeBayi. Nadege is a fitness entrepreneur and the first Black woman to own a gym in Downtown LA. Originally, from Paris France, Nadege underwent a drastic transformation when on January 20th 2018 she had a very bad car accident that locked her lower back and caused her to become bedridden. After gaining 40 pounds and losing confidence she decided to make a change. Through intense pain, she competed in fitness competitions in France and won 5th place after just one month of preparing.  After working for several years thereafter as a celebrity fitness trainer in Paris, Nadege applied for the “Diversity Immigrant VISA” lottery, granting her the opportunity to move to Los Angeles, where she now resides. To keep up with Nadege's journey follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nadege_ndjebayi/?hl=en and her gym in DTLA: https://www.instagram.com/themethoddtla/?hl=en For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
Apr 12, 2021
44 min
From Southwest Philly to Paris: How This Self-Proclaimed Hood Chic Went From a Pennsylvania Attorney to Becoming a Law Professor in France
In episode 33, I interview Channel Andrews. Channel is a Philadelphia native and attorney based in Paris, France, where she teaches law at Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II). Prior to moving to France, she served as Assistant Counsel in the Governor’s Office of General Counsel in Pennsylvania. Her legal expertise includes Administrative Law, Comparative International Law, and Constitutional Law. Channel’s courses at Panthéon-Assas teach French students the foundational principles of the American government and legal systems. She also assists European students with navigating the admissions process to enroll in LLM programs in American law schools, and assists European attorneys with administrative guidance, and test-taking strategies for American bar exams. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and son. To keep up with Channel's journey follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/nelly.esq/?hl=en For more information about Black Broads Abroad follow: https://www.instagram.com/blackbroadsabroad/ / or visit the website: https://www.blackbroadsabroad.com/ To support the podcast, become a member @https://www.patreon.com/BLACKBROADSABROAD
Apr 5, 2021
33 min
Load more