Recently, I had the most wonderful opportunity to engage with local leaders in Atlanta, Georgia at the Center for Civil and Human Rights in the heart of downtown Atlanta.  My overall experience at the center was largely due to my involvement with a business meeting being held there, yet I felt that The Most High had aligned certain things in my life to bring me to the destiny of that moment.  In the first moments of me standing inside the walls of the center, I felt honored, stunned, excited, impressed, anxious, and yet melancholy all at the same time.  How is that—that I could feel all of these emotions simultaneously simply by stepping foot onto the tiled floor of some random museum?  That I could not only feel these emotions but be able to name them; identify them?  I certainly don’t think it was the Atlanta heat making me overly emotional.  In retrospect, I’m believe it was the hollowed ground holding up my feet.  To know that I was in the same building that held Martin Luther King, Jr.’s papers made me feel a bit privileged.  Wait…I was.  I was privileged.  Privileged to be standing in the foyer that proceeds the entrance to a room where so many influential people have stood since the museum’s opening in 2007 just to see King’s to do list! And all of that privilege made me grateful.  Grateful to be chosen.

Although I did not have the opportunity to peruse the museum in its entirety, I had the chance to sneak a peek at the freedom mural on the second floor.  I also viewed several pieces of artwork along the wall of the museum’s entrance, which depicted influential black people during the civil rights movement. 

Several large group tours were happening throughout the two days that the team and I were slated to conduct the business meeting.  There were bunches of school children, church folk, and work colleagues, I suppose.  I wondered if they felt the same emotions as I.  I wondered, and still do, if they felt like anything was possible.  We were standing in the building that holds authentic, handwritten notes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.!  For goodness’ sake, I hope they felt something!  Some sort of inspiration to spark their interests in freedom and determination to end violations against civil and human rights once and for all.  

I wish I’d had more time to explore.  Though I know I’ll return to Atlanta soon and will have an opportunity to view the center once again, I like to think of my first experience there as the place that brought me new focus.  I can’t help but think that the legacy of our leaders was calling me to step up.  The center reminded me of why I am in this fight for freedom.  Why we all are in this fight.  To win.  I’m ready.  Let’s keep striding.