Today we’d like to introduce you to Nadine Duncan.
Hi Nadine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in education, spending about 20 years as a special education teacher in the Atlanta metro area before stepping into education consulting. Teaching gave me a front-row seat to the challenges and the possibilities within classrooms—especially when it comes to representation, access, and the lived experiences of both students and teachers.
Travel has always been a part of my story. Living and teaching in Abu Dhabi gave me a broader worldview, but when I returned to the U.S., I noticed the gaps even more clearly. Students needed more exposure to what was possible outside their neighborhoods, and teachers needed their own transformative experiences to bring back into the classroom.
That’s what inspired me to create the Traveling Black Women Network and later the Proof Project. Both are rooted in community, cultural exchange, and empowerment. Through TBW, I provide resources, travel guides, group experiences, and storytelling that center Black women, who have historically been underrepresented in travel spaces. With the Proof Project, I focus on giving educators opportunities to grow beyond the classroom, because I believe a well-traveled teacher creates a more inspired student.
So, how I got here is really about listening—to my students, my peers, and my own experiences abroad—and then deciding to build spaces that fill the gaps I kept seeing. It’s been a blend of my love for travel, my commitment to education, and my passion for creating community where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I faced was the negativity and doubt from some of my colleagues. Often, their vision was limited—not because they didn’t care, but because they hadn’t had the same kind of exposure or experiences that I had through travel and cultural exchange. That lack of vision created roadblocks, not only for them personally, but also for the children and youth in their care.
When the adults guiding them couldn’t imagine possibilities beyond their immediate environment, it meant the young people often weren’t encouraged to dream bigger either. That was hard to watch. It sometimes felt like I was pushing against not just a lack of resources, but also a mindset that resisted change.
Still, I’ve come to see those struggles as motivation. They’ve reminded me why representation, exposure, and access matter so much. Breaking through those barriers hasn’t been easy, but every time I see a teacher, student, or traveler light up with a new experience, it reinforces why I keep going.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work lives at the intersection of education, travel, and community. Through the Traveling Black Women Network, I create resources, travel guides, group trips, and storytelling that center the experiences of Black women travelers. I’m known for building safe, affirming spaces where Black women not only see themselves represented but also feel empowered to explore the world on their own terms.
On the education side, I run the Proof Project, which focuses on giving teachers transformative global experiences. I specialize in showing educators how cultural exchange and travel can shift their perspectives, which then ripples into their classrooms and directly benefits their students.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s formed around this work—seeing women connect through TBW and educators return home with renewed energy and stories that inspire their students. Those moments let me know the impact is bigger than a trip; it’s about long-term change and representation.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just sell travel—I combine my 20 years in education with my lived experience as a Black woman traveler. That means I’m always thinking about access, inclusion, and sustainability in a way that’s personal. I know what it feels like to not see yourself reflected in an industry, and I’ve built platforms that make sure no one else has to feel that way.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I definitely didn’t get here alone. First and foremost, my mother has been a huge source of encouragement and grounding for me. She’s not only supported me personally but has often been right there traveling with me, reminding me of the importance of joy, resilience, and family in everything I do.
I’ve also been fortunate to have the backing of fellowships like The Boss Network and Our Village United. Those communities gave me access to resources, mentorship, and accountability that pushed me to think bigger and sharpen how I run my business. They’ve connected me with women who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship, especially as a Black woman, and who genuinely want to see each other win.
And honestly, my broader community—the educators, the travelers, the women who trust me to create experiences for them—deserve a lot of credit too. Their belief in the vision has kept me motivated during the hard days and made the successes even sweeter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.travelingblackwomen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelingblackwomen
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelingblackwomen
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/NadineCDuncan
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/travelingblackwomen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travelingblackwomen
- Other: https://rss.com/podcasts/travelingblackwomen
Image Credits
Vilankulo, Mozambique
