Rafael Peña shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Rafael, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I start my day with prayer, stretching, and meditation. It brings a lot of balance before the day even starts. Just recognizing and paying respects to Jesus first will bring peace to any chaos you may encounter throughout the day. Just enjoy staying centered and being mentally prepared for life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a travel writer and startup founder, my work has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Miami Herald, Charlotte Observer, and Cruise Critic. I’m from the Bronx and I left my career as an event coordinator in New York City to travel the world, I’ve built a reputation as a leading voice in Black and Brown luxury travel—reshaping narratives around global exploration, cultural immersion, and international relocation.
I’ve become an authority in the Black travel industry, earning invitations to speak at some of the most prestigious travel conferences, including Nomadness Fest, Black Travel Summit, and the Black Travel Expo. When I am in front of these audiences I share my insights on global mobility, luxury travel for BIPOC communities, and the redefinition of the American Dream beyond U.S. borders, inspiring our people to explore new possibilities.
Beyond journalism, I’m also the founder of BLUX Travel Club, a platform dedicated to helping BIPOC travelers experience culturally integrated luxury travel through personalized itineraries, relocation consulting, and curated high-end experiences.
As a writer, speaker, entrepreneur, and now tech founder, I’m putting myself at the forefront of transforming the luxury travel landscape for BIPOC travelers. My work is not just about seeing the world—it’s about changing how the world is seen and experienced.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When my wife and I moved to Thailand it was the most life-changing experience I’ve ever had. All my life I grew up in New York City, only understand one way of life. Not realizing that New York City was not a normal place. Living in Thailand made me realize the benefits of slowing down, taking your time, and appreciating all the elements that God has surrounded us with. It was a humbling experience and I would recommend it to anyone living in America. Take a break from chasing the joneses and see what life is really about.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Put all your faith in God and loving yourself will never be a challenge.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
That luxury travel has to do with the amount of money you spend on a vacation or excursion. When the truth is just to be able to travel is a luxury. Then when you get to any destination, whether a local city or somewhere international, the real luxury is getting to know it’s people, walking up to a cart and trying some street food, or walking into a social gathering with locals and having a conversation with a stranger. That’s what luxury is, having an experience that no one else in the world would have because they aren’t you.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
The people that see my lifestyle online and don’t dig into the stories I write, won’t understand my purpose. So the images on my social are for inspiration. When people see my wife and I in different destinations I want them to be inspired. To know that they have all the tools already to live the kind of life we live. Im not rich in money I’m rich in experience. I demand to be respected and I don’t accept less from anyone or any entity. That’s not about being difficult, that’s about making sure you don’t treat people that look like me with disrespect. That’s what I truly stand for. So I’ll take all the heat for my people but I know I’m making the world better for the journalists and creators that come after me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://iamrafaelpena.substack.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/iamrafaelpena
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/iamrafaelpena
- Twitter: https://x.com/iamrafaelpena
- Youtube: @iamrafaelpena
