Meet Cole Banks, the woman behind the Facebook group Sisters Traveling Solo that inspires Black women to travel alone.
By Heather Newgen
Cole Banks started the Sisters Traveling Solo (STS) Facebook community to encourage Black women to travel alone after she stumbled upon an article discouraging Black women from traveling by themself. She frequently traveled solo and wanted to help prove that sisters can safely and affordably travel solo. STS’s mission is to connect, empower, inspire, and support sisters. Beyond the steady increase in travel among African Americans, up $63 billion from $48 billion since 2011; STS has been a forerunner in leading women to discover, heal, and explore themselves through travel.
Cole Banks, Founder of Sisters Traveling Solo
In just a few years, here’s what Banks has accomplished so far.
STS Facebook group has more than 70,000 members.
Since 2016, STS has planned 51 trips and taken more than 370 sisters to 17 countries; 7 more will be added to the list in 2020.
STS Cultural Trips have helped generate more than $250,000 in revenue for women-owned businesses globally.
STS started as a passion project for Cole. In 2018, she left her corporate job at The Coca-Cola Company to focus on Sisters Traveling Solo full-time. Now, her office can be anywhere she wants it to be as she continues inspiring people to get out of their comfort zone and live the life they truly want—especially when it comes to travel.
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STS is not only inspiring Black women to jet set around the world, but it’s shattering negative generalizations and creating a wonderful community of like-minded travelers.
The Voluntourist: How is Sisters Traveling Solo breaking stereotypes?
Cole Banks: We are breaking a number of stereotypes: that women should not travel alone, that black women should not travel alone, that black women don’t travel but more importantly that women can’t get together and have fun without drama. What I love about our trips is the sisterhood amongst our members. On our trips, it is pretty amazing to see these sisters form a bond and sisterhood that can take many years to find. It is the common bond of travel that connects them and creates an environment of comfort and trust on day one of our trips. In addition, outside of our Sisters Traveling Solo community, we promote sisterhood by intentionally partnering with women owned businesses where we travel.
The Voluntourist: Why is it important for Black women to travel alone?
Cole Banks: I feel it’s important for Black women to travel alone because we need that mental break from our everyday routine; putting others’ needs before ours, compromising on things we truly want, and escaping the weight that society puts on us, just as Black women. We have to take time for mental breaks that allow us to sit in our own thoughts, to reflect, destress, and just enjoy our own company. Also, you don’t have to travel out the country or even out of your own state to do this. Solo travel can be done in your own city.
The Voluntourist: How the group empowers women of color?
Cole Banks: We empower women of color through our community that allows them to see what’s possible when you stop waiting on other people. Our community is a visualization of what it looks like when you put yourself first.
The Voluntourist: How has Sisters Traveling Solo helped generate more than $250,000 in revenue for women-owned businesses globally?
Cole Banks: We have contributed more than $250,000 in revenue to women owned tour companies in Africa (only). For our cultural trips, we only work with and support women owned tour businesses to help us host the trips for our clients. We have done this is in 3 countries; Ghana (2 times), Morocco (3 times) and Tanzania (2 times). We ask these women tour owners to also find ways for us to support small women owned businesses and organizations that help local businesses during our trip. For instance, in Morocco we supported an organization that helps women in Morocco who are divorced, abused or single mothers learn skills that will help them become independent; in Ghana we support Mama Esther who has a fabric making shop that she runs in the back of her home; and in Tanzania we learn about a day in the life of a woman who is a seaweed farmer.
The Voluntourist: what are the misconceptions about traveling alone and has how traveling solo has changed you?
Cole Banks: One misconception is that traveling alone is not safe. But, I tell our members to follow your instincts just like you do when you’re at home and if it doesn’t feel right then, don’t proceed. Also, I hear that it’s not fun. My response to that is…if I can’t enjoy my own company then I’m doing something wrong. Through solo travel I have gained a better understanding of myself. It has helped me understand that the only person who limits what I can do is me. And, most importantly it has helped me understand that I belong everywhere; in every country, in every meeting, and at every table.
The Voluntourist: What tips can you offer on affordable travel?
Cole Banks: Look for deals. Be flexible with your travel schedule. Be willing to fly out of another city that is a major hub (ie New York). Follow the popular flight deal sites on Facebook and Instagram. Set up travel alerts on airline sites. Look for alternative lodging solutions like airbnb and hostels which can potentially reduce the cost of the overall experience. Also, consider staying outside of the city centers and near public transportation.
The Voluntourist: What inspired you to quit your full-time job to do Sisters Traveling Solo full-time?
Cole Banks: Sisters Traveling Solo didn’t really inspire me to quit my job. I was able to do both. The reason I left my job was because Sisters Traveling Solo grew so fast that I could no longer maintain both. And, after running out of vacation time, doing both was no longer an option.
Interested in joining Sisters Traveling Solo? Click here or check out the Sisters Traveling Solo website https://www.sisterstravelingsolo.com/home.