Keepers of the Culture Youth Pilgrimage FAQ

About the Program

What is the Keepers of the Culture Youth Pilgrimage?

We take high school students on an 11-day journey through the American South, visiting

the places where history actually happened. It's not about memorizing dates from a

textbook – it's about standing where heroes stood, walking where they walked, and really

feeling the weight of our shared history. We're talking about developing real leaders who can tell these stories and make change happen in their communities.

Who founded this program and why?

Dr. Tony Anderson! The whole thing started when I took my 11-year-old daughter Ava to

AfricaTown after reading "Barracoon.

"Seeing her connect with that history in such a powerful way – it hit me that teenagers need this kind of experience. They need to get out of the classroom and actually touch history, you know? That's when I knew I had to create something bigger.

What's your mission with this program?

Here's the thing – I want to show these young people that despite all the challenges they

face, just like Kazoola who organized AfricaTown, they can achieve their dreams with

willpower and persistence. It's about understanding "the game" that's being played so they

can navigate it successfully. When students really get this, they go on to succeed beyond

anyone's expectations. We're creating storytellers, advocates, and agents of change.

Program Details

How long is this whole experience?

The main journey is 11 incredible days on the road, but the experience starts way

before that with our pre-trip meetings and continues long after with community

presentations and ongoing projects.

Where exactly are you taking these students?

We're hitting 7 cities and 11+ historic sites that will blow their minds:

- Memphis (Beale Street, Lorraine Motel, National Civil Rights Museum)

- New Orleans (Whitney and Laura Plantations, Lafayette Square, French Quarter)

- Mobile (AfricaTown Heritage Museum – this one's special to me!)

- Montgomery (Legacy Museum, Memorial for Peace and Justice)- Tuskegee (Tuskegee University)

- Tallahassee (Florida A&M University)

- Greensboro (North Carolina A&T University)

Each stop tells a different part of our story.

How many students get to go?

Our cohorts are intentionally small – 32 students with 11 amazing staff members and 2 professional drivers. That's 45 people total, which means every student gets real attention and support.

What kind of students are you looking for?

We are looking for curious students. Students in grades 10-12 who ask questions, who are already engaging on social media, who have that spark of wanting to know more. They don't need to be history buffs already – they just need to be ready for their minds to be opened. I am also looking for creatives. Students adept at leveraging social media to tell stories.

Application and Selection

How do students get selected for this?

We're working with youth organizations, schools, faith-based programs, and community

groups like ADAMH of Franklin County and Ubuntu Institute in Columbus. These

organizations know their young people and can spot the ones who are ready for this kind of

transformative experience.

What are you really looking for in applicants?

Beyond the basics, I'm looking for students who are ready to be challenged, who can handle deep conversations about difficult topics, and who are prepared to come back home and share what they've learned. Social media savvy helps because storytelling is a huge part of what we do.

The Learning Experience

What will students be reading and watching?

We're diving deep with some powerful materials:

- Books like "Up from Slavery," 

 "Barracoon,"

"How the Word is Passed" 

and Films and Documentaries like: 

"Rosewood"

 "The Descendants," 

"The Clotilda,

and "The Woman

King"

- Plus genealogy exploration – helping students connect their own family stories to the bigger narrative. 

What will students create during the trip?

This is where it gets exciting! They'll be documenting everything:

- Daily video journals on their phones

- Social media content for Instagram and TikTok

- Reflective writing and discussions

- Interviews with historians and community leaders

- And when they get back, they'll present to their families and communities

What skills will they actually develop?

By the end, these students will be able to think critically about history, tell compelling

stories, create digital content, speak confidently in public, and most importantly – they'll

understand their power to create change. That's the real goal.

Safety and Logistics

Where will students stay and how will they travel?

We're keeping everyone comfortable and safe. Hotel stays with two students per room

(separate beds, of course), and chaperones in adjoining rooms. We'll be traveling by charter

bus with professional drivers who know these routes.

How do you ensure everyone's safety?

Safety is everything to us. We maintain a 1:3 adult-to-student ratio, which means lots of

supervision and support. Our staff includes a psychologist, wellness expert, nurse, and

experienced educators. Plus we have comprehensive insurance and emergency protocols in

place.

What about meals?

We've got it covered! Hotel breakfasts to start the day, student-choice lunches with

chaperone guidance, and group dinners at some really special places – like Itta Bena in

Memphis. Food is part of the cultural experience too.

Our Amazing Staff

Who's going to be working with these students?

I've assembled an incredible team of 11 people who are passionate about youth

development: psychologists, wellness experts, nurses, educators, historians, community  activists, and a professional videographer to capture everything. Every single staff member

has to read all the same materials and be ready to engage with students throughout the

entire journey.

The Investment

What does this experience cost?

It's about $6,000 per student, and honestly, that's a bargain for what they're getting. Our

total budget is $200,000, and every penny goes toward making this transformative.

Where does that money actually go?

Here's the breakdown:

- The biggest chunk (37%) goes to our amazing staff and supplies

- Lodging takes about 26% because we want students comfortable

- Transportation is 16.5%

- Food is 15%

- Insurance and admissions make up the rest

Are there scholarships available?

Absolutely! Students earn stipends in two parts – first after completing pre-trip

requirements, then after submitting their post-trip work. We also have sponsors who can

cover individual students or support the program in other ways.

How You Can Support Us

What sponsorship opportunities are available?

We've got options for everyone:

- Sponsor an individual student for $6,000 – change a life completely

- Meal sponsorships for $2,025 – feed the whole group

- City sponsorships for $10,000-$15,000 – support all activities in one location

- Presenting sponsorships for $25,000+ – get major recognition and speaking opportunities

What do sponsors get out of this?

Beyond the incredible feeling of supporting something meaningful, sponsors get recognition in our materials, social media shout-outs, and for our bigger sponsors, real branding opportunities and chances to speak at our events. You'll also get access to all our

documentation and student presentations.

The Organization

What's your legal status?

We operate under The Imprint, which is a 501(c)(3), so donations are tax-deductible.

Everything is above board and professional.

When does this all start?

We're launching in July 2026! Our website is being built by Christopher Coley and should be

ready by late August 2025.

Impact and Documentation

How are you capturing this experience?

We're documenting everything! Professional videographer, student-created content,

interviews before, during, and after. We're creating a documentary that will help share these students' transformative experiences with the world.

How will you measure success?

Success looks like students who come back changed – more confident, more knowledgeable, more connected to their history and their power. We'll track this through their reflections, interviews, community presentations, and honestly, by watching how they show up differently in their lives afterward.

Get Involved

How can people reach you?

I'm always happy to talk about this program! Please fill out the form on this site! 

What kinds of partnerships are you looking for?

We want to work with anyone who believes in the power of education to transform lives –

schools, youth organizations, community groups, corporations, foundations, faith-based

organizations. If you see the vision, let's talk about how we can work together.

---This isn't just a trip – it's a transformation. These students will become the keepers of our

culture, carrying these stories forward and creating change in their communities.