Where I'm from - by Ebony Walden (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Eat, Pray, Love, this soulful travel memoir blends poetry, global adventure, cultural connection and personal transformation with reflections on race, identity, and belonging.

In 2010, twenty-nine-year-old poet Ebony Walden quits her job to go to on an eight-month solo journey across fifteen countries and five continents. Propelled by a sense of purpose and adventure, she moves from teaching English and volunteering in places like Guatemala and India to conducting poetry workshops in Kenya, walking the ruins of Machu Picchu, and paragliding over the Swiss Alps.

Along the way, Ebony writes "Where I'm From" poems with the people she meets--intimate reflections that capture family, identity and culture, weaving their voices into her own unfolding journey. But each destination also challenges her in unexpected ways, forcing her to reckon with the hardships of growing up in New York in the '80s and '90s. Through breathtaking landscapes, unexpected setbacks, and profound encounters with strangers, Ebony begins to understand that travel is not just about seeing the world--it is about allowing the world to change you.

Part travel memoir, part coming-of-age story, Where I'm From invites readers to take their own journey beyond borders and come home to themselves.

Review Quotes

"Where I'm From will tantalize you with the sights, sounds, and tastes of five continents. But you will leave with so much more. This memoir offers lessons from the author's travels that apply to all of us, whether or not we get a chance to travel the world as she did."--Yanique Redwood, PhD, MPH, author of White Women Cry and We Quit America

". . . a vividly detailed travelogue, social commentary, and chronicle of an emotional journey that would change the trajectory of her life. . . . Engaging, informative, and thought-provoking."--Kirkus Reviews

"A beautiful testament to the transformational power of travel. From chosen family to the kindness of strangers, this is a heartwarming reminder that travel can fill the void left by absence with joy and purpose."--Lola Akinmade, travel writer and international best-selling author of In Every Mirror She's Black

"A bold and beautifully written journey of self-discovery across continents and within the soul. Walden reminds us that our stories, no matter how complex, are worthy of reflection, understanding, and pride."--Dr. Lynette Charity, author of Escape Plan: Dreaming My Way Out of the Projects

"A soul-stirring journey around the globe, inspiring us to explore our inner landscapes as we experience the people and places around us."--Rev. Dr. Lacette Cross, author of Faithfully Free: A Womanist Journey of Sex, Faith and Becoming

"Ebony draws readers in with her imaginative blend of travel, poetry, personal history, and adventure, while her mesmerizing command of language pulls you effortlessly from one page to the next."--Elaine Lee, author of Go Girl and Go Girl 2: The Black Woman's Book of Travel and Adventure

About the Author

Ebony Walden is an author, filmmaker, and speaker who has traveled to nearly fifty countries and all fifty US states. She is the founder of Ebony Walden Consulting, a racial equity-focused consulting firm, and the creator of Black Beyond Borders, a documentary series and podcast exploring culture, creativity, connection, and cuisine across the African diaspora. Ebony also writes Beyond Borders, a weekly Substack newsletter on travel and transformation. She lives in Richmond, Virginia.