Journey to Myself: How Embracing the World Taught Me to Live

It all started with a leap of faith. I am living proof that stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unparalleled growth. In 2012, I made the life-changing decision to leave my corporate job and travel solo across Central and South America and then onward to a Kenya trip that shifted everything. That choice was the beginning of an ongoing adventure of over a hundred countries that reshaped my life and worldview in unimaginable ways.My passion for travel was ignited early on as a child during my stays in Turkey and South Korea, due to my grandparents’ and mother’s military service. These formative years taught me empathy, fueled my curiosity, and sowed the seeds for a lifetime of exploration. These experiences were invaluable, guiding me towards a life of cultural appreciation and global connectivity. A last-minute cancellation turned a group trip to the Dominican Republic into my first solo adventure at the age of 25. Unanticipated and initially unwelcome, it morphed into a period of self-discovery, cultural immersion, and personal growth. It was during this time that I fell in love with Latin culture, cured my depression with the beauty of learning Salsa and Bachata, and studying Spanish—setting the stage for my exit from corporate job, subsequent travels throughout Africa and my mission in life.

I used to view Africa through a lens clouded by media-instilled stereotypes of war and famine. Despite my wanderlust, I hesitated to venture into a land misrepresented and, in many ways, unknown to me. It wasn’t until I befriended a Kenyan family in North Carolina who shared with me the true beauty of their homeland that I dared to explore what I now consider my ancestral roots.

The most transformative moment arrived following a spontaneous decision to visit Kenya with the Ochola Family and I now consider East Africa to be the best place in Africa to travel. Stepping onto African soil shattered my misconceptions and propelled me into what felt like a spiritual homecoming. This experience was so powerful and enlightening that I immediately became determined to bring this awakening to others including students, couples, solo travelers and family trips to Africa.

Inspired by my journey in Kenya, I founded Jelani Gives—a nonprofit dedicated to bringing greatness and empowerment to Black youth, by connecting them with their African heritage. As the vision evolved, Jelani Travel came to life, extending these enriching experiences to the Black community. Even when the pandemic altered plans, Jelani Gives adapted by supporting youth education and sponsoring U.S. passport fees to keep the dream of travel alive for many while Jelani Travel expanded for adults with custom experiences for everyone.

My travels are more than a personal indulgence; they are a path to healing, celebration, and the reclamation of identity for those of the African diaspora. By creating curated experiences for joy, healing, and cultural understanding, I aim to facilitate a universal homecoming, helping individuals rediscover their heritage and embrace their collective history.

My work, my travels, my very essence are a continual journey towards understanding, acceptance, and self-realization. Seeking African citizenship in Sierra Leone is not just a dream come true but a step closer to fully embracing the identity that travel helped me uncover. Through my story and my travels, I hope to inspire others to explore, to challenge their preconceptions, and to find the greatness that lies within the journey itself.

By Ashley N. Company
Our Chief Curator