On the morning of Saturday, Feb. 15, two buses carrying Emory students and scholars — representing countries from all around the world — departed Emory’s campus to embark on a day-long educational journey exploring Atlanta’s civil rights history. This marked the beginning of the third annual International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) Black History Month field trip.
For this year’s trip, ISSS partnered with Atlanta Global Partnerships a unit under Emory Global Engagement, as well as the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative at Emory. These new partnerships allowed for an expansion of the opportunity to additional members of the Emory community, both domestic and international.
The trip provided students and scholars the chance to learn about the important history of civil rights in America and the key historical role played by the city of Atlanta.
Prior to boarding the bus, participants kicked off the morning with a group discussion on the meaning of “civil rights” facilitated by Sharon Stroye, director of Emory’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative. This conversation primed students and scholars to reflect on the overall theme of the field trip: the importance of civil rights and the struggles for these rights both here in America and abroad.
Then, participants heard a panel discussion featuring Gene Kansas, author “Civil Sights: Sweet Auburn, a Journey Through Atlanta's National Treasure,” where they learned about the history of Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood and its role as the epicenter of Atlanta’s Black business community. Panelists also shared about the historic preservation efforts and the creation of murals intended to preserve the area’s important history and character.
During a bus tour of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood guided by Gene Kansas and Peri Frances, an Atlanta-based interpretive guide and tour director, participants saw landmarks like the Atlanta Daily World building and Big Bethel AME Church. They were also given an overview of the ways in which the Sweet Auburn neighborhood has changed over time.
Participants then headed to the King Center, where they visited the crypts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King. After taking photos near the crypts and the Eternal Flame, the group headed over to the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park’s Visitor Center. Students were greeted by Barbara Harrison, the King Center’s senior director of external affairs and strategic Partnerships, and Sara Singha, the center’s manager of internships and fellowships who shared about the King Center’s new interns and fellows program. Students then watched a film about King’s legacy and the history of the civil rights movement in America.
The last stop of the field trip was a visit to Ebenezer Baptist Church led by Clyde Robertson, a National Parks Service ranger. During their visit, participants had the opportunity to sit in the pews of the historic church’s chapel and learn about topics ranging from the significance of each piece of the church’s unique stained glass windows to the pivotal role the church played in King’s life and identity.
“To walk where Martin Luther King Jr. once walked was enthralling and awe inspiring. It was literally walking in the footprints of courage,” says Susy Wekesa, a J-1 research scholar from Rwanda.
“Walking through these historic sites, engaging in conversations with people from different backgrounds and reflecting on profound topics like the origins of hate and fear — and how they can be overcome — all on the same day made this experience especially meaningful to me,” says Adrian Lungu, an exchange student from Romania who is studying at Goizueta Business School.
After a bus ride back to the Emory campus, participants gathered one last time for a closing reflection.
“It was a very moving and inspiring time to reflect on why I am here at Emory University, why I am taking the road and what kind of change I want to bring in the world... making it an experience I won’t forget,” says Jiyoon Jang, a student from South Korea who is pursuing her PhD in nursing.
Bera Topkara, a master’s student in theology from Germany, agrees. “Listening to the individual stories of the civil rights movement has inspired me to reflect on my vocation and calling, prompting me to act for what is right and just. This stands in accordance with Emory University's mission statement, which is committed to educating and raising leaders who serve humanity as a whole.”