I have many wonderful stories to share about people I met on my recent Walk to Freedom, as I meandered across the flat and rolling early spring landscape of Central Alabama, Northern Mississippi, and Western Tennessee for the preservation of Civil Rights. During the walk, I frequently asked myself what is it about my walkContinue Reading Forest, A Freedom Summer SNCC Volunteer
Ida B. Wells-Barnett is an unsung heroine of the early 20th Century. She was a Civil Rights advocate, journalist and suffragist who dedicated her life to documenting and crusading against lynchings across the United States. During my recent walk across Northern Mississippi I passed through Holly Springs, Mississippi, the town in which she was bornContinue Reading Remembering Ida B. Wells
Now that I’m back in Amherst I am just beginning to catch up on some of the interviews I participated in as part of my Walk to Freedom campaign. Here’s a link to an interview that I did with Kari Njiiri, of New England Public Radio on April 5, while in Memphis.
I walked down a beautiful red clay county road recently. The picturesque road was surrounded by privately owned tracts of land with cows far off in the distance on all sides of the road for about 2.5 miles under a mid-day blue sky with a slight breeze. These are the kinds of days I enjoyContinue Reading Red Clay Road (Autauga Road 100)
During the past few weeks on the road, I’ve met people who have offered to say a prayer for me so I may continue to have a safe journey. I’ve gladly accepted, and have participated in several prayer sessions by the road for a safe journey. I’ve been very moved and touched by this experienceContinue Reading Road Side Prayers, A Calling, and A Cross to Bear
Since arriving in Birmingham yesterday afternoon, I’ve tried to relax a little. I plan to remain here until Sunday before resuming my walk. Brothers from my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, have offered me a place to stay at the local fraternity house, which I gladly accepted, so I don’t have to worry about accomodations for theContinue Reading Rest & Relaxation
“Something is happening in Memphis, Something is happening in our world,” Martin Luther King, Jr., April 3, 1965 Those were some of the first words the late Dr. King recited in his famous Mountaintop speech delivered the night before he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee, 50 years ago. “Trouble is in the land; confusion allContinue Reading MLK50: Gospel Reflections from the Mountaintop
I’d like to thank my team for all their help with getting me prepared for this journey. I am indebted to each and every one of them for their assistance to this point of my journey. They are all wonderful people who care about me and the success of my dream. Haile Johnston, JonContinue Reading A Big Shout Out and Thank You
A short time after I appeared on WRSI’s Monte Belmont radio program a few weeks ago, I was contacted by Paul Reitano, a resident area photographer. He said he was very inspired by my story and asked if he could take some pictures of me. I told him how much I was moved by hisContinue Reading Paul Reitano Photographs
I’d like to thank the members of the Goodwin Memorial AME Zion, in Amherst, Mass., for welcoming me to their service last Sunday morning, and supporting Walk to Freedom. The service was titled “A Service of Lament, Celebration & Trust in God” was very moving for me. Many of the songs, prayers, and readings wereContinue Reading Goodwin Memorial AME Zion