We just wrapped our A Tour of Black Voices in American History, and I’m still carrying so many beautiful moments from it. I keep thinking about all of the colleges that opened their doors to us, inviting us onto their campuses, into their theaters and auditoriums, and trusting us to share something meaningful with their students.
If you’re not familiar with the tour, it is a blend of storytelling, music, and history. I share the stories of African Americans who have made significant impacts on our art and culture through innovation and creativity, and along the way, I perform their poetry and music. It becomes this living, breathing experience that brings history off the page and into the room. It is the perfect mix of education and entertainment, with audience interaction and moments that people truly remember.
There’s nothing quite like standing in those spaces, feeling the energy of the room, and watching the story land in real time.
In between shows...
...we found ourselves standing in places that hold so much history, taking it in, letting it speak. We even had the chance to stay in the most beautiful historic home, The Puckett House in Columbus, MS, which felt like stepping into another time for a little while.
We had moments of rest too, spending time in Houston with friends and family, just being held in familiar spaces for a bit before continuing on.
And then there was what Harley calls “The Gamble” in Oklahoma, The Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant.
Before the tour even began, we talked about possibly ending there. We imagined what it would feel like to stop, to rest, to refresh before heading home. On the way out, we passed by and kind of fantasized about it for a moment, and then kept going.
Three Weeks Later...
...after everything we experienced, after all the shows and travel and moments in between, we found ourselves circling back.
And there we were… actually staying there.
Living out the very thing we had casually imagined weeks earlier.
It felt like we had time traveled. Like we had passed through that moment once in thought, and then returned to it later to live it in real life. It was the most unexpected and perfect way to close out the tour. A chance to rest, laugh, reset, and just be together before heading home.
Of course, life kept it real too. We got the flu and had to slow all the way down. But even that became part of the story.
It was a full journey in every sense. Meaningful, stretching, beautiful, and very real.
I shared more of the behind-the-scenes moments and reflections in a blog post (with pictures)! If you want to read the full story, click here.
