What happens when three friends and committed community stakeholders come together with a resonating idea? You get change agents stepping into the role of travel agents—creating a journey with the potential to impact lives across generations and leave a legacy that endures for years to come.
What began as a simple conversation has evolved into a shared vision, fueled by purpose, collaboration and a belief that meaningful change is possible when people unite around a common goal. Together, they are charting a course toward a brighter future—one that extends far beyond a single trip and reaches into the hearts, minds and opportunities of those who will follow. So, who are these change agents, and what trip are they organizing?
Kuumba Academy Founder and Charlotte Black Pride Co-Founder Jermaine Nakia Lee, along with retired revitalization specialist and civic leader Tom Warshauer and faith leader and newly retired Freedom Center for Social Justice Founder Bishop Tonyia Rawls, have come together to offer “Legacy to Liberation” to curious community members, history buffs and LGBTQ+ civil rights advocates a trip that is sure to inspire present and future community change agents.
Legacy to Liberation: An LGBTQ+ Leadership Pilgrimage & Community Activation Project.
The project is a two-day trip, August 28-29, to Montgomery, Alabama. It includes visits to Museums and spaces that honor the past and inspire our continued fight for justice. Participants will visit The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum and The Freedom Monument Sculpture Park (part of The Legacy Museum). Individuals taking part in the trip will be required to drive themselves or look into the possibility of carpooling. Hotels and two meals will be included.
Lee is enthusiastic about the groundbreaking trip and to be in a position to assist in “designing an experience that transforms history into action.”
“It’s exciting to be working alongside two of Charlotte’s most respected LGBTQ+ community advocates – Bishop Tonyia M. Rawls and Tom Warshauer – with leadership support from The Lee Institute of Charlotte, an organization nationally recognized for cultivating courageous civic leadership and meaningful community dialogue,” Lee says.
“I’m calling it a pilgrimage,” he continues. “It isn’t simply about visiting the legacy sites – it’s about equipping Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ leaders with the wisdom, courage and organizing strategies of those who fought some of America’s greatest battles for justice. I believe it’s especially important for Black LGBTQ+ leaders because we live at the intersection of multiple struggles, [but] this experience isn’t only for African American leaders. It’s for anyone who understands that justice is interconnected. Throughout history, LGBTQ+ people have stood alongside movements for racial justice, women’s rights, labor rights and HIV/AIDS activism. We have always shown up for others. This pilgrimage reminds us that the struggle for human dignity does not belong to one community alone – it has always been a shared pursuit.”
Co-Organizer Warshauer agrees with Lee’s statement of collaborative civil rights efforts. “Historically we’ve supported each other in our quest for freedom and need to continue to support each other in immigrant rights, Black rights, working rights, LGBTQ+ rights – we are all engaged in those struggles, while wearing multiple identities.”
Warshauer expressed his desires for the trip and the potential for bridging gaps between generations and across racial and ethnic identities.
“My hope is this trip will teach us things about others, ourselves and forge new friendships that will strengthen our ability to do the work we need to do to create a world with freedom and equality that we all should have,” Warshauer said. “It’s important for all of us to know the history we didn’t learn about the Black experience in America, the Civil Rights Movement, and important for LGBTQ+ people in particular to know that we were involved in this.”
Bishop Tonyia Rawls concurred with the sentiments of both her co-organizers and added, “The trip is a strong indication of Charlotte’s unrelenting efforts to break through barriers like race, class, gender, ableness. These things have kept us separate for far too long. Our needs are similar. We all want equal protection under the law and the assurance that as LGBTQ+ people, we too have the inalienable right to life, liberty and the unfettered pursuit of happiness. I look forward to the journey!”
Legacy to Liberation is an opportunity organizers want community members to be able to attend without hardship. In response to interested participants, the journey all three spoke of has recently gone through a price drop as a matter of accessibility; going from $500 to a mere $75 per person (including entry to the sites, hotel and meals). Organizers will assist those looking to carpool in connecting with those driving to Alabama for the inaugural experience.
For more details, text Legacy to Liberation organizers at 980-309-1318.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
