Evita Robinson does not sit still. As the founder of NOMADNESS Travel Tribe, she has harnessed the power of the community of people of color traveling and living abroad to share experiences both online and off. As a producer, she's worked with Issa Rae to tell those stories through her webseries, "The NOMADNESS Project." And as a consultant, Evita helps brands speak to the $50 billion market of black travel and leisure. If you want to daydream about your next vacation, check out @nomadnesstribe. If you want to learn more about this non-stop boss, read on for our Q&A with Evita!
What is your favorite local spot close to home?
I reside in Newark, NJ. Locally, Black Swan Espresso Cafe is my go to for an Oat Milk Chai. If not there I am usually at The Wing SoHo.
You have been an expat more than once, what are some of your best tips for living abroad?
Be open to the changes you both have to make, and are going to want to make, based on the experiences you have abroad. There will be learning, sacrifice, and growth. Welcome it all. You will never be the same after, and that's a good thing.
It's breakfast time on a weekday, where are you and what are you eating?
My kitchen. Breakfast is the one meal I have a handle on most of the time. Eggs as protein, scrambled hard, some meat substitute as I am pescatarian, and my daily vitamins.
It's dinner time on a weekday, where are you and what are eating?
Whatever Hello Fresh has delivered that week for prep, or at a restaurant in NYC. I love ethnic food, so if I am out, it is something tasty...Thai, Indian, Mexican, Ethiopian, etc...give me the real stuff. Considering I am also now 4 months into Invisalign teeth corrections, I try to stay away from food based client meetings until September. Eating is a project these days.
Describe your workwear style.
Comfy and cute. I am a firm believer, and purchaser of brands, that allow form and function to play nicely with one another. I need the hybrid because so much of my life involves travel. I am me everywhere I go, so it's rare I go super formal unless an event calls for it. I hate swapping out shoes, so I have to rock shoes that let me be me at any moment.
Do you have a favorite workwear item that you can't live without?
Flats that also double as fancy, so I can be agile and fly.
You're about to give a big presentation/have a big meeting, what are you wearing:
Something bright or with a pattern. My personality has to shine through at least one part of my clothing. I prefer either a pants suit option or a dress with leggings situation. Form and function. I want to feel like I can run free while owning the room. I am a talker and walker when I present.
How do you prepare for said big presentation or meeting?
I get very quiet and focused both when I book the meeting and then about a week out. I am always on the move, so aside from my TED Talk, it's rare my prep period is more than a couple days. I walk through it once the night before, and again the morning of, then let it rip.
What are the key elements of Nomadness that keep Tribe members engaged?
We have three C's we are always innovating. Community, content, and conversation. Everything begins and ends with the community though. These people are what make our respective worlds go round for sure. We have all those things mentioned, as well as group trips, our annual Tribe BBQ reunion, and as of 2018 AUDACITY Fest: for travelers of color.
What constitutes a good day at work?
Productivity over busyness. Money coming in and my community playing nice.
How do you unwind and turn work off?
Journaling. Kickboxing is huge for me right now. Sometimes yoga. The humility I get from my two cats who care nothing of what I do. My personal relationships are also a huge balancing factor to the work.
Regardless of whether your work is your passion or your path to the weekend, what is your favorite thing to allocate time to outside of “the office?”
Travel and love.