Black Broads Abroad

Phelena Jean
  • 5.0 (29)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

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.

  1. Jun 7

    Permission to Leave: Dr. Qrescent Mali Mason on Sabbatical, Survival, and Black Women's Liberation

    What does it mean for a Black woman to truly leave? Not a vacation. Not a long weekend. But a full, intentional departure from the grind, the performance, and the burning plantation of a nation in freefall? This week, I sit down with my dear friend and one of the most important philosophical minds of our generation, Dr. Qrescent Mali Mason. A proud Spelmanite, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Haverford College, and former President of the International Simone de Beauvoir Society, Qrescent stands in a history-making trifecta of Black American feminist philosophers alongside Angela Davis and bell hooks herself, who personally passed the baton to her. During her sabbatical, Qrescent did what Black women rarely give themselves permission to do. She left. Mexico. Ghana. Jamaica. She moved through the world entirely on her own terms and came back changed. We talk about what that reclamation actually looked like, what she had to unlearn about productivity and performance, and why the sabbatical needs to extend far beyond the university into nonprofits, executive leadership, and every space where Black women are running on empty. We also go deep on the femicide epidemic, the 4B movement, Black women's exit planning from the Divided States, the polycrises reshaping how we survive and heal collectively, and the new book. And we talk about bell hooks, the love story she helped architect, and what true liberation actually looks like for a Black woman in the world today. This one is personal, urgent, and long overdue. Follow Black Broads Abroad: Website: blackbroadsabroad.com Instagram: @blackbroadsabroad Facebook: Black Broads Abroad Connect with Dr. Qrescent Mali Mason: Instagram: @waxingqrescent

    57 min

  2. May 31

    Why This Harlem-Raised Doula Reset in Curaçao and Settled in Germany

    In this episode of Black Broads Abroad, Phelena sits down with Sundari Malcolm—a holistic doula whose work spans birth, breathwork, yoga, grief, and death, and who is the founder of A Healing Doula Academy and author of Grief Gems. Originally from Brooklyn and raised in Harlem, Sundari’s life has been defined by profound transitions. After spending seven years as her mother’s caregiver and losing both of her parents within a four-year span, her career trajectory shifted entirely into helping others navigate life's biggest thresholds. But healing her own life required radical movement. Sundari converted a school bus into a tiny home to travel the U.S. during her first marriage, realized that life wasn't serving her, got a divorce, and packed her bags for Curaçao. It was during that critical year in the Caribbean that deep healing took place, setting the foundation for her next chapter: meeting her husband and relocating to Germany, where she has now been living for several years. Phelena and Sundari get completely real about what happens when you stop tolerating a country that forces you into survival mode, and how to build a life of true personal sovereignty abroad. In this episode, we dive into: The Curaçao Pitstop: Why spending almost a year in Curaçao was the non-negotiable space Sundari needed to heal after her divorce, connect with her lineage, and reset her life before ever moving across the Atlantic. Leaving the "Divided States": The moment the fog lifted and Sundari realized staying in America was about survival, not love, and why she has no intention of ever going back. The Reality of Germany: The unfiltered truth about the bureaucracy of moving to Germany, navigating life and dating as a Black woman from Harlem, and the literal six-hour train rides required just to get Black hair care overseas. Grief and Career Trajectory: How the devastating loss of both her parents directly informed her work as a doula, what people get completely wrong about grief, and how she navigates serving a primarily non-Black clientele in Europe. A Shared Room for Loss: Phelena shares her own profound experience of losing her father, creating a raw, powerful space where two Black women discuss what it means to become unwitting doulas for the people they love. Connect with Sundari Malcolm: Website: https://ahealingdoula.com Instagram: sundaribliss Book: Grief Gems

    1h 53m

  3. May 24

    From Copenhagen to a New Era: A Conversation with Career Diplomat Shani Moore

    The global landscape is shifting—and it’s time to talk about where we position ourselves next. In this powerful, unfiltered episode, we sit down with the brilliant Shani Moore, a career diplomat who has navigated the world through a massive global lens. Shani spent a staggering 23 years with the United Nations, including major assignments in Copenhagen, Denmark, and missions spanning from Tanzania and South Africa to Latin America. But as shifting political tides target global institutions and public sectors under the current administration, Shani’s time with the UN came to an unexpected close—placing her squarely within a stark national emergency. Today, an estimated 600,000 Black women have been economically sidelined in America. As the most educated demographic and fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., Black women are finding their expertise strategically devalued in the federal and public sectors. Instead of looking at this crisis as a defeat, Shani and I dive into why this moment underscores a massive, strategic "Black Brain Drain" from America. In this episode, we unpack: The Reality of Global Diplomacy: What it truly looks like to spend over two decades navigating complex international systems, finding freedom outside of the "Divided States," and building real community with other Black women overseas. The Currency of Black Americana: How we are treated abroad vs. at home, and the unique peace of living outside the American pressure cooker—recalling the shifts felt from Obama’s first term to the present day. Leveraging a $1.6 Trillion Economy: Black America’s financial footprint is a global titan, on par with G20 nations and outpacing emerging economies. How do we pool that massive influence to pivot globally and protect our own intellectual property? A Radical New Playbook: We explore the institutional and legal viability of positioning Black Americans as modern-day Asylum Seekers through the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Shani's journey is a masterclass in global positioning and resilience. Tune in for a raw, deeply necessary conversation on how we exit systems that no longer serve us, take our intellectual power across borders, and build a sustainable future on our own terms. Don't miss this masterclass in global autonomy. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share this with a sister-friend who is ready to pivot.

    1h 51m

  4. May 17

    Put Down the Cape, Pick Up AI: Tech, Transnational Reality, & Preserving IP with Cinnamon McCann

    What happens when you trade the American hustle for life in Portugal, only for reality to meet you across the Atlantic? In this episode, we sit down with tech entrepreneur Cinnamon McCann (@driven_spice) to demystify the realities of executing the "Exit" option. From navigating a major healthcare scare in Europe and learning to shed the "Strong Black Woman" cape to survive, to the economic realities of a 15% currency loss against the Euro, Cinnamon drops a heavy dose of due diligence. We cut through the polished aesthetic of travel influencers to discuss the unglamorous reality of foreign bureaucracy, municipal offices, and government websites. Plus, Cinnamon breaks down her framework for how Black women can protect their professional IP and leverage APIs to package their expertise for B2B and SME markets. If you are ready to put down the cape, stop bowing to false prophets, and pick up AI, this masterclass is for you. Connect with Cinnamon McCann: LinkedIn: Cinnamon Automates Instagram: @driven_spice YouTube: Driven Spice

    43 min

  5. May 10

    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.

    51 min

  6. May 10

    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

    1h 5m

  7. Apr 26

    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.

    1h 16m

  8. 05/31/2021

    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

    48 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Phelena Jean
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Phelena Jean
  • Show Website
    Black Broads Abroad

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