On the Road with Ms. Bland!

It’s been a month to remember for Ms. Bland!

On May 17th, Ms. Bland served as the keynote speaker at an event in Youngstown, OH, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. Much like numerous cities nationwide, Youngstown grapples with the threats of academic segregation within integrated schools. During her speech, Ms. Bland drew from her early activism experiences to motivate attendees to leverage their power, positions, and influence to create “good trouble” and drive positive change. Co-hosted by the NAACP Youngstown and Mahoning County, the event was highly successful.

Following the trip to Ohio, it was on to Marion, IL where, on Tuesday, May 21st, Ms. Bland was the guest of honor at “A Conversation with Jo Ann Bland”. The evening, sponsored by the Healing Illinois Initiative and the nonprofit Connect 360, showcased Ms. Bland’s lifelong dedication to fighting for rights. Through an engaging Q&A session held at The Pavilion in Marion, approximately 200 guests gained deeper insights into Ms. Bland’s remarkable journey.

At the end of the event, Ms. Bland received two proclamations. The first was from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who declared May 21, 2024, as Jo Ann Bland Day in the State of Illinois. The second was from the City of Marion. A heartfelt thanks to the Healing Illinois initiative and Connect 360 for providing this invaluable platform to shed light on the need to preserve our precious past and build our future.

No one tells the story like Ms. Bland and the foot soldiers who lived through the movement. As always, we invite all of our readers to visit Selma and see for yourself on one of our Journeys for the Soul tours. 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. For more information on booking and pricing, prospective visitors can visit the Journeys for the Soul website here.