Jessica Nabongo

Jessica Nambowa Damarie Nassaka Nabongo was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Ugandan parents who immigrated to the United States in 1969. She holds dual citizenship and developed a passion for travel early, receiving her first passport at the age of four or five. She pursued her higher education at St. John’s University in New York City, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Following this, she attended the London School of Economics, where she completed a social sciences Master’s degree in international development. Her early career included working at a pharmaceutical company for two years, teaching English in Japan, and contributing to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.

By 2016, Nabongo had already visited 60 countries. In February 2017, she embarked on a mission to visit all 193 UN member countries and the two non-member observing states. This extensive journey culminated on October 6, 2019, when she arrived in the Seychelles, marking her 195th country at the age of 35. Her travels were meticulously documented on her personal blog. The informal certification group Nomad Mania acknowledged her achievement through their random spot checks. This milestone led to significant media attention, establishing her as a prominent figure in the travel community.

Nabongo has diversified her career beyond personal travel. She founded Jet Black, a travel agency specializing in creating itineraries for small group trips to Africa. She has collaborated with hospitality businesses as a brand influencer, leveraging her extensive travel experience and storytelling abilities. Her experiences are detailed in her book, “The Catch Me If You Can.” While her assertion of being the first Black woman to visit every country was disputed by Woni Spotts, who completed her travels in 2018, Nabongo’s journey and contributions have significantly impacted the travel industry and inspired a global audience.