Civil Rights Pilgrimage to the south

In May 2025, the fellows took part in the Institute for Common Power’s Truth and Purpose Learning Tour through Georgia and Alabama. During this immersive experience, the fellows explored the critical role that Southern Black communities played in shaping and advancing federal voting rights legislation. Through site visits, discussions with local leaders, and historical analysis, they gained a deeper understanding of how grassroots organizing and courageous activism in the South laid the groundwork for national change.

They also met civil rights foot soldiers—veterans of the movement who weren’t just witnesses to history, but active participants in shaping it. These individuals risked their lives alongside leaders like Dr. King, John Lewis, and Ella Baker. Their powerful stories brought the Civil Rights Movement to life, highlighting the grassroots courage that shaped history and continues to inspire action today. For the Action Academy leaders, these conversations were more than history lessons—they were living connections to a legacy of courage, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of equality.