First there was the Green Book, then there was Go Girl, the first black travel guide of the modern era. Elaine Lee is a legend who continues to inspire. The New Black Travel Movement owes everything to her and her work.

At a time when people of African descent have achieved unprecedented international influence, I applaud American Airlines for welcoming global travel expert Elaine Lee to Blackatlas.com A consummate professional on all fronts, Elaine has been my travel role model for more than two decades. I watched in awe as she put in motion her vision -- signed, sealed and delivered --- to successfully complete an around the world trip. And then, if memory serves, she did it again. I had the great good fortune, a few years back, of meeting up with Elaine in Paris for a lovely evening of champagne, an exquisite meal and joyous camaraderie. I consider a treasured keepsake the necklace she gave me that evening. She routinely travels with gifts for friends (old and new). Elaine embraces travel with every fiber of her being as the wondrous adventure and celebration of humanity that it can be. Blackatlas is lucky to have her.I have my sights set on excursions to Vietnam, Madagascar, Bali and New Zealand. In the timeless tradition of the black gospel song, I'll be looking to Elaine Lee at Blackatlas.com to "order my steps."

One thing from the book I wanted to thank you for was putting my fears of unease and non-acceptance to rest when in another country. My next adventure was to Austria and Czech Republic, but I was really, really scared how I, a black woman, would be accepted in such white, European countries. After reading your book, I feel very de-stressed and at ease with travelling. My next hurdles will be Ireland and Scotland. Thank you for inspiring me. Best Wishes,

Hi Elaine, I was in the local library the other day with my son and on the shelf was a copy of “Go Girl!” I pulled it off the shelf and showed my 10-year-old my name and essay and it was such a delight for me to see the look of amazement on his face that his mom was in a book. At the library! He was very proud of me. I just wanted to thank you again for including my work in “Go Girl” and some 13 years later allowing for such a lovely moment. I hope all is well and all your journeys have been satisfying.

I loved your article in your recent travel section. I was just making plans to use AirBNB for a solo trip to Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Munster this summer and I can hardly wait. As a single black woman who's traveled all over the world--usually alone--I am always heartened when I hear about other intrepid people of color exploring this great big world. Elaine Lee, whom I met almost 20 yrs ago, has been an huge inspiration and source of support for my wanderings. As an ethnically mixed person I am often questioned about my nationality and ethnicity here in the US and abroad I now look forward to learning about how other cultures will see me through there own lens of what race, ethnicity and culture looks like. As the world begins to look increasingly like me, I am and encouraged to know that more and more 'average' African Americans are enthusiastically taking our rightful place as global citizens. Kudos for encouraging this!