When his children are not on a farm mountain in a beautiful and multicultural learning environment in Nicaragua, a typical day for Leslie W. Stewart, IV, and his family of five includes fresh food, a safe environment, and at least eight to nine beaches within walking distance. It’s everything the Brooklyn-native dreamed of when he decided to stay in Nicaragua after his Peace Corps assignment in the Central American country.
“We feel blessed to be able to call Nicaragua home, especially with all the violence and conflict occurring in the United States,” he tells Travel Noire.
Stewart, the founder of the real estate company Invest Nicaragua, is not alone. He is part of a growing movement of Black expats who are leaving the U.S. and, in some cases, Europe. For Black Americans and African diasporans in Europe, many of them are on a pursuit of happiness that involves cultural connection, economic opportunity, and a better quality of life free from the echoes of discrimination. They are part of a movement called Blaxit, a term that combines “Black” and “exit” to describe this growing movement of contemporary emigration among Black people.
The Big Picture For Black Expats
According to the Association of American Residents Abroad, there are an estimated 4 to 5 million Americans living abroad. While there’s no precise data on the number of Black Americans who have joined the Blaxit movement, there is strong evidence that more people are considering it due to the growing number of resources that weren’t available even 10 years ago.
Social media groups, such as the Blaxit Tribe – Black Americans Who Want to Exit the US & Move Abroad, have over 50,000 members. By simply searching the words “Black Expats” on social media platforms, dozens of groups will come up, revealing that Black expats can be found in every corner of the world.
While most American expats report relocating for a better quality of life, more affordable healthcare, and a lower cost of living, Black Americans have an extra layer that involves escaping systematic racism.
Which Destinations Are Growing In Popularity Among Black Expats?
Hotspots for Black expats include Ghana, thanks to the country’s “Year of Return” and “Beyond the Return” campaigns, which have invited the African diaspora to return home to their roots and invest in the West African country. Recently, Ghana awarded citizenship to more than 520 African diasporans.
Other African countries that are on Black Americans’ radar include Senegal, Benin, Gabon, South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya, to name a few.
Europe is also popular among Black Americans. While controversial, France has long been regarded as a haven for Black Americans. Historical records show that Josephine Baker, James Baldwin, and Black American soldiers chose France because they were treated better there than at home in America.
Other countries that Black expats have their sights on are Spain and Portugal, where a developing community of support and resources exists for prospective Black expats.
“2026 marks 5 years [since relocating to Portugal], so I will be starting my process to apply for citizenship soon,” said Kamra Clemons, an expat living in Lisbon. “I’ve noticed that I feel healthier because I’ve been leaning more into the Portuguese lifestyle of taking it easy while trying to unlearn some of the American hustle culture.”
For those who want to remain relatively close to home, options include Panama, where there is a welcoming Afro-Panamanian community, as well as Mexico and Nicaragua, in Stewart’s case. There are also growing Black expat communities in destinations you might not expect, such as the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
A Breaking Point At Home
For Sherry T, she found herself unable to afford working and going to school. It was exhausting trying to improve her skill set through education while also maintaining financial independence.
At the height of the pandemic, she relocated to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, in 2020, where she held a full-time job and started a part-time social media company. Building that social media company has allowed her to sustain herself financially while attending school full-time in Hurghada, Egypt.
“While the cost of living was the primary reason for leaving, the current political climate is why I am choosing to stay,” Sherry says. “When I was living in the United States, I didn’t have many affordable options to live, and I felt limited.”
It’s been six months since she relocated, and Sherry has noticed a dramatic improvement in her quality of life.
“I immediately recognized the food was better. My tolerance has changed because when I come back home, I can taste the difference,” the Dallas native adds. “I feel safe here. I’m a Christian, and this is a Muslim country. People respect my religion here, and I feel protected as a Black woman.”
Measuring Success As A Black Expat
Kamra Clemons In Lisbon, Portugal
Since relocating to Lisbon, Clemons founded AfroFlavors, a food tour that highlights African history and culture through food in one of Europe’s most diverse and vibrant cities. She tells Travel Noire that her business is “blooming” and aside from her company, Clemons measures her success as an expat by her health, overall well-being, and her confidence.
“I recently went to the doctor this year and they examined me for things they don’t normally do in the US, just as preventative measures, such as ultrasounds,” says Clemons. “Everything is fine with my health, and I appreciate their attentiveness and proactiveness.”
She adds, “I feel safe to the point I can just dilly dally, and not have to worry about things. Overall, I’ve learned to bet on myself more here and take risks like starting and bootstrapping a business.”
Leslie W. Stewart, IV, In Nicaragua
For Stewart, his success is measured by the joy that comes from his family and the satisfaction that he derives from helping others through Invest Nicaragua.
“Being here allows me to live a family-first lifestyle, in an incredibly safe environment where kids can be kids and the beauty of nature constantly surrounds us,” says Stewart. “I’ve learned a second language, integrated into a different culture, and have had the opportunity to meet individuals and families from around the world who live or visit here.”
His company helps individuals, investors, and families who also want to live in a beautiful beachside community, especially during a time when Nicaragua is constructing a Pacific Coastal Highway.
“This will connect all the beaches on the Pacific Coast, along with Costa Rica. This has been amazing to witness firsthand and is vastly improving the connectivity and accessibility to all the wonderful beaches and areas the country has to offer,” says Stewart.
Tensions And Complications Black Expats Face
Even by carving out a better life than what Black expats say America can offer, many of them still face challenges. Language barriers have proven to be costly, particularly when seeking or hiring help with visa applications or obtaining a long-term residence.
In some instances, cultural misunderstandings and not understanding the rules of a host country have landed Black expats in serious trouble, even getting kicked out of some countries. Other problems that are arising include frustration from locals in many host countries, who say that expats are also driving up the costs for basic needs such as shelter and food. Locals in Costa Rica, for instance, are calling for stricter measures to address the housing crisis.
Some Black expats report having some guilt about deciding to leave. At the same time, their families remain home, where they face challenges with gun violence, a rising cost of living, loss of jobs, and political violence. There’s also the guilt associated with economic privilege and the realization that people who want to leave are unable to do so because of financial constraints.
Black Expats Reclaiming The World
Clemons, Sherry, and Stewart demonstrate that Black expats are reclaiming space and doing so in a responsible manner that benefits both local economies while prioritizing their physical and emotional well-being.
By voting with their feet in the Blaxit movement, they are reshaping what home and belonging mean. They each prove that while no destination is free of flaws, living abroad can soften the edges of systemic racism, ease the ache of inequality and discrimination, and calm the body’s constant alarm of survival, ultimately leading to better overall health.
