Applications close on April 11, 2024:
Join us as we explore the
Civil Rights and Black Freedom Movement!
June 16-24 2024
Apply NOW!
Overview
Embark on a journey through the foundational stages of the Black-led freedom movement, commonly known as the "long civil rights movement," and delve into contemporary activism. Uncover this movement's historical narratives, triumphs, and persistent challenges. Our Seminar commences in Atlanta and traverses through Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham, Memphis, and Louisville, concluding in Cincinnati. With a primary focus on individuals who embraced Rustin's challenge, we will scrutinize their endeavors to pose pertinent questions while striving for freedom and rights in 20th-century America. Commencing with the pre-World War II discontent, our exploration will unravel the profound origins of the Black-led freedom movement. The Seminar offers interactive experiences with the movement's nature, scope, and leadership. Our program uniquely integrates site visits, meetings with contemporary witnesses, curated readings, songs, and group reflections. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with first-hand testimonials and partake in guided tours of pivotal historical sites, promising an immersive and comprehensive learning experience.
The educational narrative will emphasize four main concepts:
- Freedom and Rights
- Civil Unrest
- Learning from our Past
- Contemporary Activism
This seminar was made possible with assistance from The Heinz Endowments.
The Heinz Endowments seeks to help our region thrive as a whole and just community and, through that work, to model solutions to major national and global challenges. We are devoted to advancing our vision of southwestern Pennsylvania as a vibrant center of creativity, learning, and social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Our work is supported by reliable data based on equitable, results-focused goals to cultivate a world where all are treated with fairness and respect and have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Itinerary
Day 1: Sunday, June 16 Depart Pittsburgh For Atlanta Flight: 10:00 AM or sooner; the seminar will begin shortly after lunch.
- Lunch on your own near the museum center.
- Visit the Human Rights Museum in Atlanta
- Bus drive to the hotel and check-in
- Depart the hotel to take us to Mary Mac's.
- Dinner at Mary Mac's with Charles Person
- leave the hotel for HBCUs (Spelman College; Morehouse College; Clark Atlanta University)
- John Lewis Mural
- Tour the Hebrew Benevolent Temple
- King Historic Site/House
- Drive to Montgomery
- See Ebenezer Church and Marion Sims Statue
- Dinner on your own
- Depart hotel for Lowndes County Historical Site
- Drive to Selma
- Amelia Boynton Home
- Live Oak Cemetery and Confederate Memorial
- A session with Joanne Bland
- Lunch at the Coffee Shoppe
- Cross Pettus Bridge
- Memorial at Monument–Kaddish for Juneteenth
- National Voter Rights Institute
- Viola Liuzzo Memorial
- Group Dinner
- Michelle Browder Tour
- Legacy Museum
- Drive to Peace and Justice Memorial
- Reflection
- Group dinner
- board the bus
- Rosa Parks Museum
- Drive to Birmingham 16th Street Baptist Church
- lunch with Dr. Briggs and Rev. McKinstry
- Dinner on your own
- Departure
- lunch on your own
- Lorraine Motel/National Civil Rights Museum
- I am a Man Plaza
- Mason Temple
- Withers Collection
- 7:00: Group dinner for Shabbat
- Leave the hotel to walk to Ida B. Wells Statue and MLK 50 Reflection Park
- Stax Museum
- lunch on your own in Memphis at Wolfchase Galleria Food Court
- Drive to Louisville
- Dinner on your own
- Muhammad Ali Center
- Walk up 4th Street
- Group lunch
- drive to Cincinnati
- 3:-5: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
- Farewell dinner
- Depart Cincinnati
- Lunch on your own at Ohio Valley Mall
- Bus to Fred "Mister Rogers" Memorial Three Rivers Heritage Trail
- Bus to Freedom Corner
- Bus to Rodef Shalom
- Seminar concludes
Resources
Please see below for videos and resources relating to our Marching Down Freedom's Road Seminar.
Videos
Subject Area: Black Freedom Movement, Call for Action, Civil Rights, Democracy, Government, Human Rights Violations, Innovative Teaching Strategies, Peace Building, Poetry, Racial Justice, Racism, Resiliency, Social Justice, White Supremacy