FLY BROTHER Radio #010: Ronnell Perry of AfroBuenaventura

In this episode, Ernest’s guest is Ronnell Perry, an explorer and entrepreneur who pursues Black-centered travel experiences throughout Latin America. Throughout their chat, Ronnell discusses his journey from volunteering in the Peace Corps to founding an Afro-centric travel portal. Together, Ernest and Ronnell discuss volunteering in Latin America, cultural pride, identity, and a whole lot more.

Ronnell’s interest in travel began at a young age, as he grew up participating in language programs every summer. From there he went on to study international business while in university. It was then that he also went on his first major trips abroad—first to the U.S. Virgin Islands and then to Spain.

After graduating from university, he joined the Peace Corps, volunteering in rural communities in both Costa Rica and Paraguay. Throughout the episode, Ronnell discusses relationship building and ethical volunteering in these communities, how his experiences there helped him grow as a person, and the poor treatment of indigenous people that he witnessed. 

While in Latin America, he traveled as much as possible. Ronnell tells the story of some uniquely Afro-centric travel experiences he had in Colombia, which later inspired him to create AfroBuenaventura, a travel portal inspired by communities descended from enslaved Africans that disembarked at ports throughout the Americas.

Speaking about Ernest’s experiences living in Brazil and Colombia, as well as Ronnell’s experiences all throughout Latin America, the two talk about the stereotypes of being a Black American and the benefits of blending in with the locals a bit better than their white counterparts.

It’s a conversation equal parts deep and lighthearted. You don’t want to miss this one!