GO SOLO
The Comment That Started It All
Introduction
Before traveling alone, I didn't always feel like I had permission to put myself first. In my world, I didn't witness many women, especially Black women, making that choice. Maybe they were out there, but I didn't see them. And then I read five words in the comment section of an online article that made it very clear just how small the world wanted us to be:
"Black girls shouldn't travel solo."
These words weren't just a general warning about solo travel. To me, it felt like a declaration to limit my dreams and potential before I could even begin exploring them. This sentiment is one all women can relate to, as society often tries to place boundaries around our autonomy.
Book Framework
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This first part of the book is about what changes when you stop letting hesitation run the show and finally choose yourself.
Part I - Mindset
This section is your practical roadmap. We’re moving from the “why” into the essential “how” of solo adventure. Because while mindset builds the foundation, strategy is what gets you out the door.
Part II - Action
This is where the transformation kicks in. Solo travel was never just about the destinations—it was about discovering who you are when you move through the world on your own terms.
Part III - Integration
Meet Cole
I'm Coleitha "Cole" Banks, the founder of Sisters Traveling Solo, a global travel brand and movement created to empower women, especially Black women, to explore the world solo. What started as a Facebook group in response to someone saying, "Black women shouldn't travel solo," has evolved into a multi-million dollar company over seven years that has reached over 150,000 women through curated trips, community engagement, and travel education.
My journey has landed me on the Forbes Next 1,000 list and named me as FedEx's Global Entrepreneur of the Year. I have been featured in various media outlets, including Travel + Leisure, Essence (most recently, September 2025), Black Enterprise, Sweet July, and Money Magazine. Today, I live as a full-time entrepreneur and a mom of three year old twins.
Destinations From The Book
South Africa
"We drove 2.5 hours to a small coastal town where the tour was based, and as I sat in orientation in the ‘Great White House’, it hit me: I am about to get in the water with sharks."
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Tanzania
"The same woman who once nervously ate at a diner alone would eventually find herself standing at the mountain side of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania years later. "
Morocco
"In Chefchaouen, Morocco, the Blue City, I met a shopkeeper I’ll never forget. His personality was magnetic, so bubbly and animated that it pulled people in. "
London
"The highlight was indeed going to that US vs. Canada women’s soccer match. The energy inside the stadium was electric—fans cheering, flags waving, people high-fiving....."
Malaysia
"I'll never forget eating with my hands for the first time at a local restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. It was something I'd never done before, but being alone made it feel natural......"
Greece
"I set up a lounge chair by the pool, grabbed a blanket from my villa, and arranged the snacks I'd picked up from the little convenience store I’d gone into earlier, and settled in."
Work With Cole
Looking for a speaker, podcast guest, or partner for your next event? Or just want to reach out? Fill out the form below—I’d love to connect.