Drinal Foster, Black Girl Wanders

Black Girl Wanders is a charismatic, gutsy, independent, free-spirited, 40-something Vice President in Corporate America.

Located in the mid-west as a corporate transplant (a native from the Pacific Northwest) she’s been a galvanizing travel inspiration & a positive influencer to those in her personal and professional networks.

With a series of travels achievements already under her belt (i.e. 20-City Birthday tour, a 12-month Caribbean Island tour, European Tour) then building up to her current travel goal, travel to 100 countries all while holding down a thriving career. She’s become a “guru of the long getaway weekend” which has afforded her the opportunity to feed her adventurist spirit.

Black Girl Wanders first flirted with the idea of international travel in early 2015 on a girl’s weekend getaway trip to the Dominican Republic. In just 4 1/2 years, she managed to travel to 43 countries and 5 continents primarily as a thrifty, solo, black woman explorer. She’s developed quite the love affair with traveling, curating breathtaking vacations for herself.

Some interesting facts about this travel influencer:

1. She’s traveled via plane to 80% of the Caribbean Islands
1. She’s swam with Stingrays off the coast of Grand Cayman
1. She’s visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu
1. She’s journeyed 10,000 feet above sea level to the summit of Monserrate in Colombia
1. She’s hiked through Guatemala’s rainforest to visit an Ancient Mayan city
1. She’s visited the “middle of the world” (the equator) through Ecuador
1. She’s taken selfies with Kangaroos and Koalas on the other side of the globe
1. AND lastly, she’s well known for her colorful Chuck Taylors & hashtag “travelingchucks” anytime she’s ready to catch a flight to a new destination.

Her current travel goal is to continue documenting her travels to 100 countries, joining the #roadto100countries travel movement. While her lifestyle is not just dedicated solely to travel - she’s also a fashionista, philanthropist, amateur photographer, business leader and a biker; she truly marches to the beat of her own drum.

Her wanderlust has kept this adventurous soul daydreaming about overseas - new countries, new communities, new cultures & new people, new experiences & new memories.  While continuing to indulge in traveling the globe, this traveler extraordinaire also teaches in the classroom to young scholars and facilitates travel workshops for adults in her community, teaching others how to travel the world.

Black Girl Wanders is a member of Global Minnesota whose mission is to advance international understanding and engagement for all Minnesotans.  She’s also on the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport Travelers Advisory Committee.