Journeys for the Soul Tours

Ms. Bland has often expressed her dissatisfaction with the portrayal of historical events in textbooks, particularly when it involves a history she lived through. To share a more accurate narrative, she began leading tours in Selma in 1993 through a local nonprofit she cofounded. In 2007, Ms. Bland expanded her mission by launching Journeys for the Soul, an independent venture offering comprehensive tours that delve deeply into the pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for voting rights in Selma.

Journeys for the Soul tours offer insights only someone as intimately connected as Ms. Bland can provide. These tours include visits to significant landmarks such as Brown Chapel, the Dallas County Courthouse, the New Live Oak Cemetery, and the site for Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center. Her goal is to leave participants informed and inspired to be change agents for civil and human rights everywhere they go.

Alabama was the front line for both sides of a struggle that came to define post-war America. No visit to this historic state would be complete without due regard to the people who risked everything to overcome its institutionalized injustice.

Jo Ann Bland, Founder & Chief Operating Officer; Child Selma Marcher

April and May have been busy months for tours. Tour reservations have included groups from San Diego, CA, Atlanta, GA, Durham NC, and the Seattle Seahawks! Thanks to The Alabama Tourism Department, Journeys for the Souls also hosted the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The three-hour tours, personally conducted by Ms. Bland and other foot soldiers, can cater to any group size, from private tours to larger bus groups. Participants frequently report how quickly time flies, a testament to the engaging storytelling and passion.

Additionally, Ms. Bland and her sister, Mrs. Lynda Lowery, offer lectures. Funds raised via Journeys for the Soul support the work of Foot Soldiers Park and Education Center. For more information on booking and pricing, prospective visitors can visit the Journeys for the Soul website here.