Recap

WOW it's been 9 days of learning, meeting historians, new relationships

travel, smiles

laughter, whispers, songs, story telling, eating, sharing and family! The students on this trip are trailblazers in their own right as they sacrificed their spring break to embark upon a journey that they won't just remember forever but that they can share with family and friends.

Although I knew many of these stories it was great to get in depth accounts and perspectives from individuals who walked that walk. Hearing from Dr. LaFayette first hand was incredible!

Learning about Ernest Withers and getting to know the man behind the photos I've seen for years was fascinating. Hearing accounts of the Little Rock 9 (10) was sad yet inspiring. Seeing the campus of Tuskegee University and remembering the lives of Carver and Washington

was nostalgic. Learning about the life of Bayard Rustin and his role in the March on Washington, slave reenactment

walking the Petus bridge in Selma

, going to the Freedom Rides museum and meeting Bruce Boynton

and hearing his story of getting the inside of bus stations desegregated, attending Ebeneazer Baptist Church and meeting Julian Bond and having him share Greek jokes with me.... I could go on and on 

I can't thank January Boten and the planners of the #UofICRP for allowing me to tag along and share in the awesomeness of this experience. I'm forever grateful (plus You You not pictured) Home in 3.5 hours!