Imagine if the descendants of some of the most iconic figures in history gathered to fellowship and find commonality. This event took place two days in February 2024 in Washington DC, and it was a happening! An electrical experience of epic proportions, this was an amazing motivational experience for me. I felt so honored to be in the presence of the bloodline of some of my personal She -Ro’s and Heroes, Harriet Tubman, Ida B Wells, Frederick Douglass, Emmett Till, Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. The joy of meeting the descendants spoke to our resilience as a people and gave me so much internal and external pride. It was like being in a living museum where the past met the present.
The very next morning 2/13 all descendants hit the ground running as we were scheduled to tour the Capitol building to visit Statuary Hall. Upon entering the lobby of the hotel, to board our awaiting transportation, I searched the room for familiar faces that I thought may be a descendant as the lobby was quite crowded. I was full of genuine pleasantries and smiles. The first person I saw was Tina, I walked up to her and introduced myself, she had an inviting pleasant smile, little did I know she was the descendant of none other than the amazing Harriet Tubman. I was in absolute awe of her. Tina’s descendant represented to me a powerful force and will to change what was morally wrong. Harriet Tubman had no phones or Internet to speak of, but she went about leading slaves to freedom on the faith of the creator and doing what was right. She once said” she would have freed more of our people if they only knew that they were slaves”. I love Harrett’s brave spirit! She reminds me so much of my Auntie Rosa!!
I was speaking to anyone that passed my way in the lobby and introducing myself as Rosa Parks’ niece when a dapper young man walked up to me and introduced himself and began to give me a historical account of who he was and why he felt it was necessary to meet the Descendants. He said Hi, I am Charles Sims, and he began to tell me that his ancestor and Great Grandfather, Senator George was responsible for creating segregation laws. These laws were known as Jim Crow laws which separated the use of facilities and services, prohibited intermarriage and denied suffrage. He shook my hand and apologized for his ancestors roll in divisiveness. In the name of my aunt Rosa Parks and myself I accepted his apology. The dialogue must begin with us ! He spent the day with the descendants as we toured the Capital Building, we also conversed regarding reconciliation and learning from the past and how important it is to keep from repeating antiquated behaviors. We both agreed on changes that need to take place in this country if we are to more forward and we are the instruments to facilitate that change.
Then onward to Union Station where we met Mr. Robert Grasty from Amtrak he is Executive Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer; he gave a noteworthy speech about (DEI) diversity equity and inclusion …..
Later that evening the descendants were invited to the White House where we met with Vice President Kamala Harris, she spoke to us how she felt we were on the right track by picking up the baton and carrying on with our ancestor’s good works. We then listened to a poignant speech by the descendant of Frederick Douglass, Kenneth Morris regarding our historical journey to Washington, DC. Later that evening we received a surprise invitation from the Congressional Black Caucus to meet for dinner and fellowship. I met with congresswoman Terry Sewell of Selma Alabama, author of the Rosa Parks day act (HR 308) making December 1st a Federal holiday for Rosa Parks, the day my aunt sat down and stood up for us all. She will be the first woman to have a federal holiday named for her. We spoke about the importance of the bill passing and what we could do to help that process. Get out and vote!! I also met with congresswoman Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and many other members of the caucus, what a fabulous evening!
The next day 2/14 we were off to tour the Smithsonian Museum of African American history and culture it is a must see for anyone travelling to the DC area. All of the descendants in attendance ancestors were on full display with honor and pride at the museum.
We were next transported to the Lincoln Memorial for tour and photos. While moving up the steps climbing up towards the statue of a seated Lincoln I spotted a homeless woman pulling 2 carts full of her belongings, no one else seemed to notice her. I had to ask myself have we become so desensitized to human beings that are struggling right before our very eyes? are we afraid to actually see them? For if we look into their eyes we just might see our own reflections staring back at us. We could be them. We could be one of the homeless Is that why we don’t look or pretend not to see them? At this time no one knew about the 2672 project as I had not yet mentioned it to anyone in the group. We established the 2672 project in December of 2023 to mitigate or prevent homelessness though economic empowerment. I watched the reactions of people around me as I noticed the homeless woman and no one looked her way this only motivated me more, and I realized that the 2672 project is the morally right thing to do.
The last stop of the day was at the beautiful Waldorf Astoria Hotel where we were hosted by Robert F Kennedy human rights organization to a beautiful dinner to fellowship and network. The dining area was beautifully decorated, fit for Kings and Queens. Amongst the guests was Mr. Hill Harper, actor, businessman, turned politician running for State Senate in Michigan and is a resident of the Historical Boston Edison District, city of Detroit. I also met a fabulous lady who turned out to be none other than the senior vice president of communications at RFK Human Rights.Org, Ms. Amy Reid and one of the international litigators, Ms. Angelita Baeyens , they happened to be standing together. I walked up and introduced myself and begin to tell them about the 2672Project. I noticed there was a small group gathering and listening to me describe our project. Several folks from RFK stopped me to tell me they had once met my aunt, I listened intently to each story. She left an indelible impression on everyone she met. I finally met Kerry Kennedy the activist, lawyer and daughter of Robert F Kennedy. She was very delightful and kind. But my favorite part of the evening was when Kerry Kennedy stood up and said today is February 14 th and it’s a special guest’s birthday today! we had been so busy I had forgotten it was my birthday until my grandsons, Jayden and Jordyn called me to say” Granny” Happy Birthday !!i I blurted out OMG it’s my Birthday! My grands just called me! my day is now complete!!t was Absolutely Fabulous because the staff dimmed down the lights and brought out a cake and all the descendants and all the guests at the Robert F Kennedy human rights organization sang happy birthday to me. I was overwhelmed and thanked everyone for their well wishes, the acknowledgement warmed my heart!
In conclusion, the descendants gathering was a success for we discussed our individual diverse accomplishments and look forward to discussing potential common projects in the future. I sat back and contemplated what the descendants could do collectively. I think we will become a force to be reckoned with we’re just beginning to realize the full potential of the gathering. As my aunt, Rosa Parks used to say” we have come a long way, but we have so much work to do “no truer words have ever been spoken…