Pilgrimage to the South

30 people. 7 days. 5 states. An unforgettable experience. In November of 2022, CHOOSE 180 team members, led by Sankofa Impact and joined by Seattle Seahawks staff and legends, embarked on a pilgrimage through the American South, learning and growing along the way. Converge Media documented the journey.

Through this film, you’ll come along with us to hear from foot soldiers of the civil rights movement, current activists, and members of our team about our shared history. We visited places significant to the Black freedom struggle in Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. It was intense, powerful, and beautiful, and we can’t wait to share this film with you.

Plaque with the words "They are all honored here."

Woman holding a baseball bat at Rickwood Field

CHOOSE 180 team member looks at the camera in a museum wearing a black coat

Two CHOOSE 180 team members smile at the camera while sitting on a bench inside Studio Be

CHOOSE 180 staff walking across a street while a historic building in the background

Electrical box painted white with colorful polka dots with text "Find Your Purpose"

Photo credit: Seattle Seahawks

“I didn’t know what to expect when we first started out, but this trip has helped me revive my soul. And what I would love to take back with me is that energy.”

— Tascha R. Johnson
CHOOSE 180 Associate Executive Director

"The partnership between Sankofa Impact and CHOOSE 180 to conduct a Pilgrimage to the South was ambitious, unique, and truly life-changing. Sankofa Impact believes in the importance of place-based immersive learning, that allows us to confront the truth about our history, while also lifting up stories of Black joy and resistance. We strategized ways to move together toward a future of collective liberation. Working with CHOOSE 180, an organization focused so deliberately on interrupting systems of injustice, was a fulfilling collaboration and it was a privilege to have the journey documented along the way."

— Felicia Ishino
Sankofa Impact Executive Director

“Joining the trip to my hometown Selma, Alabama, provided me another opportunity for my family to reflect and remember the history of the city’s role in the fight for equality and social justice during the Civil Rights movement. The profound experience of firsthand storytelling and visiting historical landmarks allowed us to truly grasp the magnitude of the era, far beyond what we have read in a history book. My hope is that those who visited Selma were inspired to join the fight against inequality, discrimination, and injustice in their communities as well.”

— Ben Obomanu
Seattle Seahawks Legend

“Attending the Pilgrimage to the South alongside the staff from CHOOSE 180, who are in the community every day doing work to advance racial equity, was one of the most transformative and impactful experiences of my life. If everyone in our country had the opportunity to experience American history like we did, it would lead to a more inclusive, equitable and understanding world.”

—Becca Stout
Seattle Seahawks Managing Director of Community Engagement

Special thanks to Sankofa Impact, Seattle Seahawks, and Converge Media for collaborating on this life-changing project.

To support CHOOSE 180, visit our giving page and share how the film inspired your gift.