Source: Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
MadameNoire recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Nathan Fluellen, widely known as “Worldwide Nate,” a trailblazing travel influencer and host who is breaking new ground by creating space for Black surfers through his event, “A Great Day in the Stoke.” Nate isn’t just a travel influencer—he’s a pioneer uniting Black surfers, including women, in this historic gathering. From his HBCU roots at Tennessee State University to organizing the largest gathering of Black surfers ever, Nathan discusses his journey, the significance of representation, and his mission to inspire the next generation with a legacy of empowerment and inclusion.
MadameNoire: Let’s talk about your journey. What inspired you to become Worldwide Nate?
Nathan Fluellen: The inspiration came while I was at Tennessee State University. I was taking an international economics class, and Professor Dr. Galen Hall had published his autobiography, documenting his travels to over 80 countries. He signed it with a challenge: to see more countries than he had and become an entrepreneur. When I read that, I thought, “I can do this.” Traveling the world always seemed like something adults do because my mother had been on missionary trips around the world, and I had cousins who played basketball overseas or worked abroad. One cousin has been living in Macau, China, for about 10 years. So, when I read Dr. Hall’s challenge, I felt ready to take it on.
Source: Photos credit – Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
At the time, there weren’t many people who looked like you on the travel scene. What challenges did you face early in your career, and how did you overcome them to establish yourself as Worldwide Nate?
Honestly, I didn’t face many challenges initially. I had a lot of great experiences right off the bat, which kept me motivated to continue traveling. Tennessee State was a breeding ground for learning how to connect with people. On campus, I was known as “hustle man,” selling DVDs and Jordans, so I knew how to talk to and engage with others. When I started traveling, it was natural for me to communicate and connect with people from around the world. My energy, spirit, and love for people led to amazing experiences, and my curiosity drove me to find the adventures I always dreamed of as a kid—in different countries.
Let’s talk about the importance of attending an HBCU for you. How did that prepare you for your career?
Attending an HBCU prepared me by exposing me to a diverse group of Black people. Chicago has a variety of Black communities, but we’re still in a bit of a bubble. At TSU, I met people from Memphis, Atlanta, Detroit, California, and even overseas. It was like a real-life gumbo of different Black cultures, which shaped my personality and helped me learn how to connect and navigate various social circles. TSU was also where I saw the most beautiful Black women I’d ever seen, which made the experience even more incredible.
Source: Photos credit – Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
Let’s shift the conversation to talk about your surf competition. Amongst the things you do—hosting, travel influencing, and your entrepreneurial spirit—there’s something really big and ambitious that you’re doing: a surf competition named “A Great Day in the Stoke.” Tell us about it, how people can get involved, and what it’s like to organize a surf competition for people who look like us.
“A Great Day in the Stoke” is the largest gathering of Black surfers in history. I named it in reference to “A Great Day in Harlem,” the famous 1958 photo of 57 jazz musicians in front of a brownstone in Harlem, which was recreated by the hip-hop community in 1998. I wanted to create an iconic Black event in the surfing world. The event is about celebrating our existence and love for surfing. During the pandemic, the surf community came together in solidarity after the killings of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor through traditional Hawaiian paddle outs, which are ceremonies to honor deceased surfers. After attending a few of these, I grew tired of only coming together in reaction to tragedy. That’s when the idea for “A Great Day in the Stoke” was born—an event to celebrate us, not just mourn.
That’s a beautiful story. When will “A Great Day in the Stoke” take place? Who can compete, and how do people get more information?
The event is on September 14 in Huntington Beach, California—about 45 minutes south of LA. During the day, we’ll have a surf competition with surfers from across the African diaspora, including the United States, Senegal, South Africa, and Jamaica. The goal is to increase the number of Black competitive surfers and provide them with the experience and community support needed to compete in larger organizations like the International Surfing Association (ISA) or the World Surf League. We’ll also have free surf lessons, so attendees can get in the water, even if they’re new to surfing.
Lululemon is sponsoring our wellness zone, which will include beach yoga sessions and other wellness activities. There will be live music, DJs, and more, so it’s a full day of celebrating Black joy and excellence.
For more information, visit agreatdayinthestoke.com, and follow us on social media.
Source: Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
Let’s talk about the impressive growth in your female participants. In year one, you had six female competitors; in year two, it grew to 18. What do you expect for year three?
I’m excited about the growth among women surfers. I’ve been intentional about creating space for Black women in surfing because it’s about improving the human condition. Representation matters, and it’s easier to believe you can do something when you see others who look like you doing it. The goal is to support and encourage women surfers so they can inspire the next generation—whether it’s Gen Z or Gen Alpha—to get out on the waves. We opened up competition entries on August 1, and I’m looking forward to seeing more women sign up this year.
Source: Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
You also have a swimwear line named Kavata Swimwear. The mission of the brand is geared toward helping kids. Tell us more about Kavata and its connection to “A Great Day in the Stoke.”
Kavata Swimwear is the first Black-owned surf performance swimwear line, and it’s named after my sister, Laini Kavata Fluellen, who unfortunately passed away from triple-negative breast cancer, a type of tumor that disproportionately affects Black women. The brand is about more than just swimwear—it’s about improving the human condition, especially for Black women. We offer men’s and boys’ board shorts, and for “A Great Day in the Stoke,” we’ll have a few pieces from the women’s line available for pre-sale and pick-up at the event.
Kavata Kids is our initiative to provide free swim lessons to inner-city children. We want to inspire them with the surf culture, but also directly impact their lives by teaching them essential aquatic skills. Our goal is to get kids out of the house, off the video games, and into the pool, where they can develop their swimming skills and enjoy the full human experience. Learning to swim could lead to other opportunities, like becoming a surf or swim champion or pursuing a career in marine biology or science. We also educate them on the importance of reducing single-use plastics, which affects the ocean and the planet as a whole.
How can people get more information about Kavata Kids?
The website is KavataKids.org. We’re starting in Southern California as our pilot program this year, and as we grow, we plan to expand to other markets or partner with other swim organizations in different cities. We want to create a network of support, not competition, because the ultimate goal is to get kids in the water and help them thrive.
Source: Photos credit – Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii / Earl Gibson III – IG @gipiii
