We’re looking forward to introducing you to Farrin Stanton. Check out our conversation below.
Farrin , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Dawn is the most precious part of my day, and how you treat it sets the tone for everything that follows.
It’s a ritual that took root over seven years ago, inspired by a dear friend while traveling in Southeast Asia. She introduced me to “morning pages,” sharing how the practice helped her gain clarity and hold up a mirror to her own life. That conversation sparked a journey that has filled countless journals since.
Now, my mornings are built on a non-negotiable foundation of three things:
Journaling/Prayer/Meditation: I start by giving thanks & dumping all the thoughts from the night before or the mental clutter that greets me in the morning. It’s my ultimate form of self-care, a practice that brings direction and flow. These moments are filled with prayer, reflection, and meditation as I allow myself to be expressive unapologetically.
Reading: Even a few pages allows me to find peace, perspective, and often, a spark of direction for the day ahead. And many times, I’m left with a little inspiration from an author’s words.
Movement: Whether it’s stretching, lifting weights, running, or a brisk walk, moving my body is non-negotiable. Removing any stagnant energy so I may start fresh.
As a business owner, it’s easy to get pulled in a dozen directions from the moment the day begins. This 90-minute( give or take depending on the day) practice is how I pay myself first. No matter what happens later, I’ve already invested in my mental health and my success.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Farrin, the founder of Be HUEmane. We exist at the beautiful intersection of travel and education, helping our community see and explore the world with purpose.
I believe travel is one of the most powerful forms of education. It’s not just about places; it’s about the imprint of a new flavor, the impression of a rhythm, and the connection made with a stranger. I’ve seen a traveler try rambutan for the first time in Southeast Asia and have their entire perspective on food open up. I’ve witnessed the profound moment someone steps onto the African continent and exclaims, “I’ve never been anywhere this Black, with this much diversity,” forever expanding their understanding of their own identity. These are the experiences that can even spark a desire to relocate, to deepen a connection that travel first made possible.
In my travels, I discovered that yoga is a profound tool for connection, one that complements our travels perfectly. It was how I built our connection with the morning movement. Practicing yoga grounds us and allows us to engage more deeply with the places and people we encounter, creating a universal language of mindful movement wherever we go.
This philosophy of deep, intentional connection is what we bring home. I share it by teaching at two studios in the Baltimore area and have extended it through Be HUEmane’s own Black-owned yoga brand, offering thoughtfully eco-friendly designed mats, blocks, cork props, and bags. To ensure everyone has a place to start, we hosted a summer series of free community classes.
For us at Be HUEmane, it’s not just about destinations; it’s about the imprint of new flavors, the impression of a rhythm, and the connection made with a stranger. That’s why, in a digital age where AI can outline a trip in seconds, we offer something different: curation with conscience. We intentionally partner with local businesses and non-profits to move beyond simple itineraries and curate genuine cultural exchanges, ensuring we positively contribute to the communities we visit.
This commitment to connection drives our future plans. We are thrilled to be releasing our 2026 travel and yoga schedule this quarter, offering more ways to explore the world with purpose. To be the first to know, follow Be HUEmane on your social media platform of choice( Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok) and subscribe to our newsletter.
You can also join the conversation on WOBL 1010 AM radio every other Friday from 10am to 12pm, where we discuss topics related to our community & travel in our rapidly changing world. These are just a few of the ways you can stay connected to our ever-evolving journey.
Our mission is built on a simple but profound belief: travel should be a HUEmane exchange ( Hues seem to be forgotten in conversations about humanity) , one of ideas, resources, and mutual respect. It’s about leaving with a real connection. Be HUEmane is our call to action, and it’s the truth we live in every journey we create.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Elmina Castle, in Cape Coast, Ghana. 2023.
I’ll never forget it. Though it was my fourth time on the African continent, it felt, oddly and profoundly, like my first. This was West Africa, the land to which so many Black Americans are ancestrally tied, a connection frayed by the violence of the diaspora.
The castle itself is a brutal monument of an ugly history. Built by the Portuguese, it was one of the first structures of invasion, a ground zero for the transatlantic slave trade. And standing there, I realized my expensive American education hid this history from us. It had offered only a sanitized, savage narrative, a story of anonymous people snatched from a nameless land. Many of us can recall the trifold imagery of the slave boat plastered in all of our history books as “the beginning of slavery”.
But the truth, the story I learned from the descendants and felt in the very walls, was different. These weren’t “savages.” They were doctors, lawyers, nurses, mothers, and fathers. They were people with lives, purpose, and families, who were ripped from them.
I walked the same tunnels where they were forced to walk in shackles, where spiritual warfare was waged upon them to break their spirits. I saw the altars they built in the darkness, praying to their deities with the few items they had. Then, I stood in the courtyard, directly beneath a church named the “Propagation of the Gospel,” and looked down the hole in the church where the Portuguese would shout scriptures, hymns and other obscenities to break the mentality and spirituality of Africans. The dissonance was chilling, a place of worship built literally on top of a dungeon of suffering humans.
The “Door of No Return.” is something that everyone impacted by the diaspora should experience. I stood there, knowing it was the last piece of Africa, millions had ever touched. They called it that because there was no return for those who passed through that door. But I had the life-changing experience of participating in a powerful reclamation ceremony as I returned through the door to honor my ancestors and all who made an ultimate sacrifice.
To be there with my sister, my parents, and close friends, to see their tears and share that silence, is etched into my forever. A local chief prayed over us, poured libations on the earth, and welcomed us home.
That journey redefined everything. It replaced a muddled history with a painful, personal truth. It reshaped how I see my own place in the world, not as a descendant of a void, but as a living part of a story of profound resilience.
The energy of that place, the conversations it sparked, and the life changes that followed have forever altered how I view myself, my history, and my responsibility to it. This experience led us to Portugal earlier this year, to hear their side of the story and what changes have been made systematically to honor their muddled past. There were many more lessons learned, a conversation for another day.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The day you plant a seed is not the day you eat the fruit. This truth echoes a pivotal conversation from many moons ago, when my cousin casually asked me, “Are you going to do those same types of things back home?”.
Her question stung. I had been proudly sharing my work with global non-profits, and her words held up a mirror to a blind spot I hadn’t acknowledged. She uncovered one of my most unrecognized fears, that somehow in my quest to see the world, I had abandoned the very community that raised me. I was raised by parents for whom service was a priority, and I was applying that value on a global scale. Yet, she was right. After moving abroad, I had not curated any service activities in the United States. Her question tapped into my deepest, most unrecognized fear: that in my quest to see the world, I had abandoned the very community that raised me. I had traveled the globe, teaching language across four countries and three continents, cultivating service activities to positively impact remote communities, and learning and sharing movement with travelers from near & far, yet none of those efforts positively impacted the soil from which I had grown.
This moment uncovered a barrier between my global self and my local soul.
In true fashion, as the daughter my parents raised me to be, I began to make changes. Although the pandemic reshaped my business, it created an opportunity to foster relationships in Baltimore. I was able to volunteer with the Reading Partners of Baltimore, applying my language skills to support communities that mirrored my own. I cultivated connections within the Professional Travel Agent Association of North America to help grow and foster as many domestic connections as I have International. And I brought the joy of movement to my neighbors through a community yoga series, free yoga challenges, and pop-up yoga events for the community. I even stepped into the role of co-host on a legacy Baltimore radio show, honoring the city’s history.
It was my cousin’s words that reminded me of a fundamental truth: as incredible as it is to impact global communities, I must apply that same dedication to the home that cultivated me. My greatest fear was being a stranger to my own roots. Now, my greatest mission is to ensure they continue to flourish.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There are several that are popular mentions but I’ll share some of my favorites:
The Lie: “This Destination is ‘Dangerous’ for Tourists.”
This is often an opinion based on isolated incidents, outdated information, or/and misplaced fear of the unknown. It can discourage travel to culturally rich, developing nations and steer people only toward “safe,” sanitized, and often more expensive destinations.
The Truth: There are dangerous parts of every country, including your own. Born and raised in the amazing city of Baltimore, Maryland, many Baltimoreans know our city has a muddled history. But I will stand 10 toes down for it. With basic research, common sense, and awareness of specific neighborhoods or scams (not whole nations), many so-called “dangerous” countries offer incredibly warm and safe experiences. Fear of the unknown may be crippling, don’t let it back you into one corner of the world.
The Lie: “You Need to Pack for Every Possible Scenario.”
This lie fuels over-packing, stress, and possibly baggage fees. Lists often include “just in case” items that add weight and complexity, implying you’ll be unprepared without them and oftentimes you do not need any of it.
The Truth: Versatility is key. Almost everything you forget can be purchased at your destination, often giving you a more local experience. The freedom of moving lightly far outweighs the minor inconvenience of not having a specific item.
The Lie: “This is a Five-Star, Luxury Resort.”
The term “five-star” is largely unregulated. A hotel can often self-appoint this title based on its amenities (pools, spas, etc.), not the quality of service, maintenance, or overall experience. A “luxury” resort in one country may be a standard 3-star in another.
The Truth: True luxury is defined by impeccable service, attention to detail, and an exceptional experience, not just a checklist of facilities. A genuinely high-end property will have independent certifications and consistent reviews that back up its claims. Be sure to check hotel reviews, the bad and good ones to help shape your opinion. Or you could book with us to plan your travel as researching properties is part of our discovery process.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I find my deepest sense of peace beside moving water. It is one of the world’s most powerful gifts. The world is made of mostly water and it’s Water is a force that is both strong and soft, clear and muddy. Its temperament dictates its character: it can be light and comforting, or heavy and damaging. To witness these varied bodies of water across the globe is one of my greatest joys, a consistent source of serenity. When I can, I enjoy beginning my mornings in meditation and prayer by the water’s edge, where the world feels most at peace. There, I am able to watch waves crash against the shoreline, I am able to observe birds as masterful hunters, and I witness countless kinds of wildlife coexist in a delicate, flowing balance. The peace in the wee hours of the morning by the water is always felt, regardless of where I am in the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.Behuemane.com
- Instagram: @be_huemane
- Facebook: @be_huemane
- Youtube: @behuemane
- Other: Tiktok- @BeHUEmane
