The program began with the Freedom Walk led by Louisville drummer Shahid Adbullah Shabazz. After boarding the boat, Judith C. Owens-Lalude gave a welcome and presented an overview of the program. (See Photos below).

Then Dr. Toni-Mokjaeti Humber gave brief remarks about CSUP’s Diversity Ambassadors and introduced some of the students to talk about their experieces on the trip. It is important to note that Dr. Toni-Mokjaeti Humber’s scholarship has made a major contribution to African Diaspora studies. She is the author of Where Black is Brown: The African Diaspora in Mexico. Dr. Humber, a professor at the Ethnic Women’s Studies Department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, her research is designed to further the understanding of Africa’s influence and contributions to the diverse cultures and histories of the Americas. It especially is designed to foster greater understanding among African American, Latino, and Indigenous communities about their historical connections, common struggles and triumphs, and their intermingled blood that has produced beautiful and dynamic peoples of the Americas.

As we ate Pineapple Boat and Flat Bread lunch, we listened to a lecture on the history of slavery in Kentucky and the importance of the Ohio River to the Underground Railroad, by Dr. Alicestyne Turley-Adams, Director, Underground Railroad Research Institute, Georgetown, Kentucky.

The Judith C. Owens-Lalude performed her one-woman play, The Long Walk: From Slavery to Freedom, a story about Clarissa and her young son, George Henry, who are runaway slaves struggling to seek freedom through the Underground Railroad. The Long Walk is Recognized by the National Underground Network to Freedom, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior.

Slavery On The Ohio River provided a rich educational cultural experience. We also had time to take pictures, and to network with other Cruise participants.

To learn more about the j. camille cultural academy, go to:  http://www.judithcamille.com

You have my permisssion to download and use the images below. Please credit all images that you use as follows: Photo by Aukram Burton, RamImages.com

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