AACRC
Spring Break Tour
March 2023
Description
The Spring Break Tour is a yearly trip sponsored by the African American Cultural and Resource Center that offers a social justice leadership experience. Students are given the opportunity to travel to various cities, visit historical sites, engage with alumni, and network with college students around the country. This year, the tour's theme was Mwamko, which is Swahili for "renaissance." To learn more about and engage with the idea of the Black Renaissance, we traveled to New York, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
Reflection
During this tour I was able to build community, deepen my appreciation for HBCU's, and establish my unique definition of Black Renaissance.
At the beginning of the trip, I did not know about half of the students, due to them coming from the Blue Ash campus. However, being on a bus together for hours on end allowed me to gain insight from their perspective and make new friends. Something else that joined us was learning about the 7 Kwanzaa principles (umoja, kujichagulia, ujima, ujamaa, nia, kuumba, imani). Each day on the bus, we focused on a principle, its significance, and how it can be lived out daily.
The tour brought us to several HBCU's - Howard, Spelman, Medgar Evers, and North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical State University to name a few. During these visits, we engaged with student ambassadors and staff who gave us tours as well as shared the history of their institution and key events that occur each year. I have always loved HBCU's and how they uplift the culture, but the personal interaction I gained expanded that love and appreciation further.
A central aspect of the trip was learning the historical context of the Black Renaissance - how our culture continues to evolve. The site that personalized this idea for me the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Located in Washington, D.C., the museum perfectly encapsulates being Black in America - the pain, pride, resilience, and everything in between. From slavery, the arts, politics, and sports, I was inspired at how far we have come as a people. I was also empowered by the truth that Black people have enriched American culture and bring irrevocable value to the country.
Impact
I could probably write an entire dissertation of how this trip impacted me, but the one takeaway that is most prominent is fearlessly living my "nia." Nia is one of the Kwanzaa principles and is the Swahili term for "purpose." Purpose establishes passion and focus, which allows you to thrive amidst any barriers or obstacles. I believe my purpose is to uplift. Therefore, I fiercely protect my own light, so that I can share it with others. Whether it be in regard to family, peers, or my career, I will always strive to unapologetically walk in my purpose and by doing so, encourage others to do the same.
