Dear Friends,
Some of the parallels or lessons I’ve learned from tracing the footsteps of Harriet Tubman over four years between Maryland and Canada, is you need money to conduct rescues of the souls of history whose stories evoke the power of memory. For Tubman it was memory of family and friends on the Eastern Shore who she believed should be free that made her return 13 times, bringing more than 70 people to freedom.
In three and a half weeks, I will be returning to the south, joined by my friend and native Texan, Frank Thompson, where together we plan to walk 51-milees from Galveston to Houston to commemorate the U.S. national Juneteenth holiday.
We are seeking to raise $2,000 in donations or in-kind support to aide us in our 51-mile journey across Southeast Texas following the proposed Emancipation National Historic Trail. We are fundraising to assist with travel costs, rental vehicle, hotel room nights, and a driver to follow us on the road in case of an emergency. We are also seeking contacts with local descendants whose families are connected to Galveston or Freedmen’s Town in the 4th Ward of Houston.
The walk will be Thompson’s first long distance hike across his home state honoring his ancestors who settled in Galveston and Houston between the late 1800s and the early 1900s. “I grew up in Texas going to Juneteent celebrations and didn’t learn the full history until I was in college. For me this walk is a chance to reconnect with my Texas roots including ancestors who were probably part of the original Juneteenth exodus.”
To donate to our Juneteenth Walk to Freedom initiative, click on the GoFundMe link here, or the photo below.
Tax deductible donations can be made to Walk to Freedom through our partner the Kennett Heritage Center.
Thank you for your donation.
