Emory Global Engagement’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) organized its fourth annual ISSS Black History Month field trip earlier in the semester. This year’s schedule included visits to the King Center and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) and focused a theme of “Global at Home: Fostering Belonging and Community.”
The excursion serves as an opportunity for Emory students and scholars from around the world to explore Atlanta’s role in the larger history of the civil rights movement and to reflect on their own identities as local and global citizens.
“Perhaps many in the Emory community are familiar with our office’s immigration advising functions,” says Shinn Ko, associate vice provost for International Services and Global Engagement. “However, an equally important part of our mission is facilitating opportunities for intercultural learning and community engagement for our students and scholars. It is heartwarming to hear from participants that the field trip offered meaningful context and moments for reflection.”
This year’s attendees constituted a wide range of perspectives and life experiences but shared a common goal of wanting to broaden their perspectives.
Tatenda Masendu, a Master’s of Development Practice student from Zimbabwe says, “I decided to register for the trip because I wanted to deepen my understanding of civil rights history and connect what I have learned and heard to real places and stories.”
Aysia Hilliard, who is a second year genetic counseling student at the Emory School of Medicine, also saw the day as a chance for experiential learning. “This field trip was a great opportunity for me as a native of Atlanta and as a Black student. Opportunities like this are important for being well-rounded academically, but, more importantly, to be more grounded in what is going on outside of our own daily bubbles.”
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights
The first stop on the trip was the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR) in downtown Atlanta. Opened in 2014, NCCHR aims to educate visitors about “the history of the civil rights movement in the United States; and stories from the struggle for human rights around the world today” with the hope of inspiring visitors to change the world around them in a positive way. Attendees viewed exhibits featuring the papers and artifacts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the history of the civil rights movement in the United States, and present-day civil rights issues in a broader global context.
For Blessing Sakhala, a Master’s of Development Practice student from Zimbabwe, one exhibition — the “Lunch Counter Sit-In Simulation” — was particularly impactful. In this exhibit, visitors sit at a lunch counter, put on headphones, and are immersed in the taunts, threats and tension that student protestors faced during nonviolent sit‑ins in the 1960s.
“Being placed in that environment, even briefly, made the courage, discipline and emotional toll of nonviolent resistance feel far more real than reading or hearing about it,” says Sakhala. “It pushed me to reflect on what it means to confront injustice in my own spaces.”
After finishing the tour of the NCCHR, students and scholars gathered for lunch and to reflect on the day’s activities. Participants were joined by faculty and staff members from across Emory who helped facilitate the small group conversations.
The lunch program kicked off with welcome messages from George Waits, a learning strategy specialist at Delta Air Lines, and Naomi Francis, the assistant director of international affairs at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. A moderated discussion followed, led by professional facilitators from the LGBTQ+ Institute at the NCCHR. Students also heard from Gene Kansas, author of the book “Civil Sights: Sweet Auburn, a Journey Through Atlanta's National Treasure,” who added some helpful historical context. Students had the opportunity to discuss some of the ways in which the issues of civil rights have manifested in their home countries and why these are important in America’s history.
For Atta Domson, a PhD student in economics from Ghana, the lunch was especially important. “The conversation we had over lunch was the most impactful moment for me. It reminded me that, as an international student, I represent a much larger community of Black people — even within my small personal space. That realization encouraged me to think more intentionally about how I can use that position to create opportunities for marginalized groups.”
A visit to the King Center
The trip’s next stop was the King Center, located just east of downtown Atlanta. Attendees were welcomed by Sara Singha, who manages the interns and fellows program at the center. Singha gave the group an overview of the center’s history and mission as well as opportunities for internships and fellowships. The group then visited the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s home church, for a lecture on Dr. King’s life and legacy.
Next, the group began a walking tour which included a visit to Dr. and Mrs. King’s crypt and the eternal flame and an exhibition at the Freedom Hall. The tour, led by National Parks Service ranger Clyde Robinson, provided attendees with an up-close look at the impact Dr. King had on the civil rights movement and American history.
This year’s ISSS Black History Month field trip provided attendees with an opportunity to learn about the importance of Black history in the United States and on the lasting legacy of the civil rights era. Students and scholars were able to reflect on the importance of resilience and the pursuit of justice even in the face of discrimination and opposition. For Rongyou Gao, a student in the School of Law from China, the experience was inspiring. “History is not solely a past experience, but a present lecture and an inherent mission,” said Gao.
ISSS looks forward to continuing to offer meaningful and relevant programming focused on enriching the experiences of students and scholars at Emory.
All photos by Liliana Lim, Emory International Student and Scholar Services.