The Black Star Pilgrimage

Thanks for coming to my page.


In October 2011, I'll be taking a cultural, educational trip to Ghana, West Africa. So I set up this blog page for two reasons: ask for your support (emotional and financial) and to tell you about the journey I'm about to embark on.


But first a little about me...I'm the kind of girl who will talk to you for hours about 19th century slavery in the US and the Caribbean. I love talking about historical and contemporary issues in the Black community and have dedicated a good amount of my adult life in support of furthering my knowledge and working with teens to increase their knowledge. I currently work for Achieving Leadership's Purpose, Inc. as a Program Coordinator. ALP is a non-profit dedicated to developing leadership, civic responsibility, and increasing cultural education in youth of the African Diaspora through an intensive two-year enrichment program. I'm a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. I'm a pseudo-scholar and a small-scale nerd (call me Nerdy Nelly)


So, I've never been outside of North America. Shocking, yes! Especially considering my ethnic background. My family is from Guyana, a not so small country in South America. I grew up on things Guyanese including pepperpot, sorrel, souse, soca, calypso, and light amounts of reggae. A few years ago, I had a slim opportunity to go to Ghana on a study abroad opportunity- my schedule didn't make it easy so the opportunity passed me by.


Finally, In January 2011, I found out about this cultural trip to Ghana sponsored by the Museum of Contemporary African Diaspora Art and MVMT. With so many opportunities laid to rest in my past, I have to make this trip happen.


You're probably wondering why you should give your time (to read) and money (to donate) for this trip. The truth is that for me this trip isn't a vacation but an opportunity to make the pilgrimage home. No, it's not my home in Brooklyn or Queens or even Guyana, but my first place of origin. This trip serves as not only a cultural experience but an educational one which I intend to share with the students I work with. The program has focused on the term "Sankofa" which is West African in origin. If you're not familiar with sankofa it literally means it is not taboo to turn back and fetch what you forgot". Looking back as a means to move forward. As a Black woman deeply invested in the affairs of my folk, this trip to Ghana will weave together the strands of my history with the histories of my students, family, and even you.


Symbolized by the bird flying forward with it's head facing back, Black folk embody the sankofa bird. I'm embarking on an opportunity unknown to anyone in my family.


So with that, by July 1st, my goal is to fund-raise $2400 toward my trip which I warmly call "The Black Star Pilgrimage". This fee includes: flight, lodging, meals, and cultural events.

As the trip gets closer and closer, I will be updating this blog with more information about the trip, my own adventures in fundraising, and thanking you- the funders.