#BKNAACP

Brooklyn
Goes to
Washington
Branch members traveled to Washington,
DC to attend the opening weekend of the
Smithsonian National Museum of African
American History & Culture.

A People's Journey
Our journey from Brooklyn to Washington began 2:00 AM, Friday,
September 23rd. The excitement in the diner was palpable. Folks
poured in, some with children, pulling luggage and wearing smiles as if
seeing family. Although most of us did not know each other we were
happy to embark on this historic journey together.

48
Brooklyn NAACP President L Joy Williams greeted us. We were also pleasantly
surprised to see NYC Public Advocate Tish James and Assemblyman Walter Mosley
who were there to wish us God's speed on our journey. Rev Agnes Blackmon said
prayer as we boarded and we were on our way.
With eyes wide as children on Christmas morning, approximately four hours later we
pulled up to the White House entrance. As we walked through the gates and into the
White House I could hear the chatter that echoed how I felt to walk into the house
where our first Black President and his family lives. The memory of Election night 2008
caused me to smile with pride.
I thought of the struggles of our ancestors who fought and died for us to have the
right to vote. I also thought that even with a Black President, that we are very proud
of, folks are still trying to deny us the right to vote in various ways.
The Dedication and Opening of the National Museum of African American History
brought tears to my eyes. Being on the Mall, listening to President Obama, and
witnessing the Dedication Ceremony with tens of thousands of people reminded me
of President Obama's first Inauguration. Everyone listened intently to everything that
was said by everyone who spoke or sang.
Although getting into the Museum was a bit of a challenge, it was worth waiting on the
long line. It seemed everyone wanted to be there for the grand opening. Before going
into the Museum, to finally get on the grounds, did indeed feel like being home.
Walking through the Museum truly takes one on a journey. However, there is so much
to see and take in at a Museum, it will require several visits/hours to thoroughly grasp
all that is there.

Reflections by
Blondell Lighty
Brooklyn Branch Member

I am looking forward to another visit where we will have more time to walk through
and feel the magnitude of our history. It is all there!
BROOKLYN GOES TO WASHINGTON | 2

www.BrooklynNAACP.org

10 young people from the MYBASE program joined Brooklyn NAACP

for the historic trip. Participants Latoya Smith, Amaya Thomas and
Nasiru
Shellow
share
their experience.
Several
young
people
from the MYBASE program joined Brooklyn NAACP for

this historic occasion. Latoya Smith, Amaya Thomas and Nasiru Shellow share
their reflections and experience.
Visiting the Smithsonian African-American Museum was breathtaking.
As a 17-year-old young lady growing in society, us youth sometimes have a
hard time and even have the wrong perspective about beauty because we
don't know our background or where we come from. To get insight on how
we all started and were treated was overwhelming but I am now confident
enough to say " I am strong, I am beautiful, I am Black and I am proud.
The structure of the museum itself was well designed, but the idea from
starting from the bottom and working your way up from slavery, to fighting
for what we think is right, and actually making something out of ourselves
was pretty clever. In all honesty it was an emotional experience for me. A lot
of adults think that "teens don't pay attention", speaking for myself .... I got
it. I got ever part of the message and overall what I got from it is if you don't
fight for what you want, what you don't want will quickly settle in. Don't take
anything for granted. There are always going to be challenges, be prepared
to fall and be strong to get back up and try again.
The Smithsonian Museum really opened my eyes to another level to where I
see and do life differently. Thank you Brooklyn NAACP for the memorable
life changing experience.
Latoya Smith

MYBASE Career and Civic Engagement program is a comprehensive workforce

development and civic engagement opportunity for young adults from Central
Brooklyn. For more information on the program visit
http://www.bsdcorp.org/2015/08/my-base-youth-civic-engagement-program

BROOKLYN GOES TO WASHINGTON | 3

The trip to the Smithsonian

National Museum of African
American Museum History
and Culture was a life
changing experience for
me. I saw things I've never
seen before. I saw many
familiar popular faces at the
opening ceremony such as
the President of the United
States. I also got the chance
to do with it with family,
friends from the MYBASE
program and members for
the Brooklyn NAACP.
I would recommend this
experience to any and
everyone who may be
considering attending. The
exhibits in the NMAAHC are
revolutionary and each one
tells a deep story. It's also
exciting to have been apart of
such an historic mission that
was formally announced on
the National Mall.
Amaya Thomas

I am so fortunate to work with MYBASE (Motivated Youth Building All Self-Empowerment). Due to working
with MYBASE for about a year, I (and 6 other participants) was invited to go on the trip to Washington DC,
hosted by the Brooklyn Branch NAACP, fully funded by Bridge Street Development Corporation. My
experience was one I will cherish forever. Sure, the meetup time for the start of the trip was extremely early (we
left at 2AM) but once we got on the bus it was a blast. I managed to see many things that as a New York City
resident, I do not normally see. Washington DC was beautiful. The hotel in Arlington Virginia was truly splendid. The
hotel room was more high class than I originally imagined; and, there was an all you can eat breakfast. Honestly, I
never wanted to leave and neither did my friend.
Aside from the fun I had in the hotel room, traveling around the many historic sites that this nation treasures so
dearly was amazing. We were able to tour Capitol Hill building, and even do a tour inside the White House. The
White House itself was amazing! I took pictures of all the sights outside, the rooms previous presidents have made
their mark in, along with the scenery (portraits of past presidents and first ladies, art work, fixtures) on the inside.
The highlight of the trip for me was the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History
and Culture (NMAAHC). Prior to the actual opening of NMAAHC, I attended the Freedom Songs ceremony on the
Washington Monument Mall. Many of the people that supported the creation this museum spoke. From President
Barack Obama making a speech, to Stevie Wonder performing, to Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith having a mini
poetry battle from prominent African American poets showed their appreciation of the Museums opening.
We had tickets to go inside the NMAAHC and it was a breathtaking. When I and others from the MYBASE group
visited the fourth floor of the museum, I was astounded by what I saw. The fourth floor had a plethora of
information in regards to the impact African Americans had on all forms of entertainment. I listened to music; had
an interactive experience making music and read plenty of historical facts regarding our impact in music, dance
moves and other forms of entertainment. The third floor focused more on our dark past considering it was
discussing slavery in the 1800s along with the segregation period. I was reminded of the diversity of African people
within the diaspora, something I fortunately learned in my school which many schools disappointingly dont teach.
At the museum, I was able to read about the many riots that occurred within the early 1900s and took many
pictures to always remember some of history displayed. Now, the lower level of the museum was the most
popular exhibit. We managed to explore the many historical facts on the beginning of slavery, and our struggles in
America. This was an overwhelming and emotional for many of us. There are a multitude of things I can talk about;
however this is just a synopsis of it. Again, I cannot thank the Brooklyn NAACP and Bridge Street Development
Corporation enough for this trip and Im so proud to have worked with MYBASE. Without them, I would have not
had the time of my life, learned more about my history, and embrace myself as a proud African American citizen.
Nasiru Shellow

BROOKLYN GOES TO WASHINGTON | 4

Best thing about the trip was getting to

know other members. Wonderful
fellowship with a good group of people
with positive energy.
Even though we had a lot of issues
getting from place to place and
figuring out what was going on
everyone was willing to help each
other. If I were to get lost again I
would want to get lost with these
people.
Alicia Lowe

Midnight Breakfast
A total of 100 branch
members and friends
boarded 2 buses to
make the trip to DC.
Due to the early
departure time, we
met at Park Plaza
Restaraunt
for midnight breakfast. Public Advocate
Letitia James and Assemblyman Walter
Mosley stopped by for pancakes and to
see the group off safely.

White House Visitors

Center
Unfortunately, ever
yone who attended
the trip wasn't able
to participate in the
White House tour.
While their fellow
trip participants
went on the tour,
the remaining went
across the street to the White House Visitors
Center to explore an interactive touchscreen
tour of the White House, viewed over 90
historical artifacts and watched the film "White
House: Reflections From Within."

Happy Hour at Ragtime

Our first day
was a very long
day, but we
ended the
evening with a
happy hour at a
restaurant a
short block
from our hotel.

BROOKLYN GOES TO WASHINGTON | 5

For most of my life, I have been a

student of history in a classroom or
an observer from the other side of
the TV. The historic significance of
the opening of this museum
propelled me to want to be a part of
history and be present on its
opening day. Being able to witness
history in the making was truly an
unforgettable moment in my life.
My visit to the museum sent me on
an emotional journey from
tremendous pain and sadness of
slavery and the middle passage to
the tremendous pride felt during
the ascension of Barack Obama as
the first African American president.
Our history is intricately entwined in
American history and forever will
they be fully-featured on the mall in
Washington.
Nicole Robinson-Etienne
Getting to attend the Grand Opening of
the National Museum for African
American History & Culture walk around
the Mall with Al Green blasting from
speakers, listen to blues guitarists, and of
course see Sweet Honey in Rock perform
that song that always stirs my soul and all
the ancestors who walk around with me
-We who Believe In Freedom shall not
rest! is an experience that I will never
forget.
It was like a big beautiful family reunion! I
will forever be grateful to L.Joy and the
Brooklyn NAACP for creating a way for
me to bear witness to this incredible and
historic event.
Jennella Young

MICHELE EVANS
ARRINDELL

ROSEMARY
GIBBONS

"Thank you for

putting the trip
together, you and
your team rose to the
occasion and because
of your efforts I had
the experience of a
lifetime. Well Done!"

"I want to appreciate

all you did to organize
our trip to D.C. It was
awesome to be there
for the opening and I
enjoyed the time very
much. And I loved
knowing some of our
members better."

The African American experience is the lens through

which we understand what it is to be an American.
LONNIE G. BUNCH III
FOUNDING DIRECTOR, NMAAHC

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF
AFRICAN AMERICAN
HISTORY AND CULTURE
BY VISITING THE
WEBSITE

HTTPS : / / NMAAHC . SI . EDU