TRAVEL TO BIRMINGHAM

November 11, 2023 - Candace Hurley

Woke up this morning ecstatic to go to Birmingham, Alabama. I have only read about Alabama in the context of the Civil Rights Movement. Our task was to visit Magic City Acceptance Academy. Joji picked me up and then drove to pick up Chris Means. It was an easy introduction and I sensed I was in the presence of greatness right away. Chris talked about his history and briefly noted his accomplishments. When prompted by Joji to share, Chris admitted he had spent the night writing for his assignment due for his PHD program. As the weekend unfolded, I began to understood that Chris is gifted with lending practical insights to an assignment. I was impressed and intrigued by how and what Chris presented. I had questions floating around my head about this motley crew. However, Chris’s shares and input put me at ease on this adventure to Magic City. We all had superpowers to offer this project. We embarked on our trip from LaGuardia airport and landed on sacred Birmingham soil eager to look, listen, and learn from Magic City Acceptance Academy and from the city of Birmingham.