“Incredible!” “Amazing!” and “A once in a lifetime opportunity” was how students described their spring break field trip to Memphis, Tennessee. The trip included students enrolled in Dr. Melissa Fulgham's African American History class.
Those who attended were Khadijah Anderson, Khayliee Anderson, Tabatha Baker, Jordyn Baker, Kaden Baker, Sarah Dierflinger, Malaysia Doddy, Melissa Fulgham, Karmisha Jernigan, Lawren McCowan, Melody Mott, Kim Nichols, and Noah Pettey.
Karmisha Jernigan noted, “This experience was absolutely amazing! Dr. Fulgham provided a once in a lifetime experience for me. From the Civil Rights Museum to the Little Rock High School, the endless amount of history I was able to see left me at times speechless and in tears. I got a chance to sit on the steps of the same high school that nine students bravely dared to walk into history. I got a chance to eat jerk chicken and plantains. I got a chance to sit on a bus like Rosa sat on. I got a chance to see the famous duck march at the Peabody Hotel. This experience changed me. I would like to thank Dr. Fulgham and my college, NTCC for this experience and I greatly appreciate you!”
The group left the NTCC campus on Wednesday, March 13 and drove to the Texarkana Post Office to take pictures, with one foot in Texas and the other in Arkansas. The Texarkana State Line Post Office is the nation's second most photographed federal building. The U.S. Capital building is the only federal building more photographed.
They enjoyed coffee at the nearby Rabbit Hole. Lunch was at Kontiki, an African restaurant in Little Rock.
After lunch, the group visited Central High School in Little Rock, the first high school in the nation involved in implementing the Brown v. Board of Education ruling. When the governor at the time attempted to block the integration of nine black students into the high school, President Eisenhower sent in the 101st Airborne to help with the integration. After visiting the high school and learning about the struggles of integrating the school from a National Park Ranger and Dr. Fulgham, the group visited the Little Rock Nine monument and posed among the statues.
That evening, the group pulled into Memphis.
Tabatha Baker commented “This was an amazing opportunity. To me this was a once in a lifetime opportunity! I learned and saw so much on
this trip! I will never take African American History for granted. The things our ancestors went through to make sure the future generations to come would have freedom is what strength and courage looks like. So grateful for those who helped make this opportunity happen. May God Bless them back abundantly! Thank you!”
On Thursday, March 14, the group visited the National Civil Rights Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, and then enjoyed lunch at Central BBQ. In the afternoon, the group visited a location on the underground railroad at Slave Haven, then moved on to the Memphis Rock and Soul Museum, another Smithsonian affiliate museum. The group rested their weary feet at the Peabody Hotel and watched the famous duck master lead the ducks from their stay in the hotel fountain to their rooftop penthouse. That evening, the group had the opportunity to ride the city trolley to the world-famous Beale Street, enjoying live music and dinner.
In the morning, of Friday March 15, the group visited the 10th largest pyramid in the world – the Bass Pro shop in Memphis. Browsing, watching the live alligators, and even arcade shooting until hitting the road for the return trip home.
Lawren McCowan called the trip “powerful. I am thankful for the opportunity to go and experience history that was about me.”
NTCC’s history department offers African American History, Mexican American History, Texas History, and United States History to meet the 6-hour requirement for American history, allowing students to take the options that interest them and dig deeper into the stories that make up American history. The Memphis field trip is offered for students enrolled in the African American History courses.
For more information about class offerings and history field trips offered, please contact Dr. Melissa Fulgham, Division Chair, at mfulgham@ntcc.edu.
