Nearly 40 high school students in the Kansas City area came together last week for a final planning session for their upcoming Civil Rights Tour of the South.
The students, from urban University Academy and suburban Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, will visit cities from Atlanta, Georgia, to Birmingham, Alabama, to learn about the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s and 1960s, and to explore racial relationships in the United States today. The trip culminates in crossing the Edmund Pettis Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where students will learn about the famous march prior to crossing the bridge together.
This one-of-a-kind trip begins March 13 and will provide a way for Jewish and African-American high school students to come together to explore and reflect upon the Civil Rights struggle through an experiential tour of the South. Students will look at how the movement has shaped our society today, learn how the Jewish and African-American communities worked together during this time, and engage in a service project in one of the communities we visit.
During the final planning session, students had the chance to learn more about each other, as well as an opportunity to meet and talk with long-time K.C. activist Alvin Brooks. During the discussion, Brooks shared a lifetime of history in Kansas City in an effort to educate students and strengthen their relationship with each other.
Civil Rights Tour Origins
The project came about as a result of an earlier partnership between the two schools.
“We began working with University Academy last year as part of an annual social justice project for our Upper School students. After a yearlong look at voting rights, and active volunteer work regarding voting issues in Kansas City, Missouri, we decided to continue expanding our school partnership to encompass the Civil Rights Tour of the South,” said Todd Clauer, HBHA Upper School principal.
“We have an incredible partnership between the two schools. They have learned from each other and had open, honest conversations about racism and related issues. This trip is going to take their relationships and awareness to new heights,” said Howard Haas, HBHA head of school.
Continued Haas, “This has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I am very much looking forward to watching these young minds grow from this important experience.”
University Academy teachers agree:
“The most exciting part about this process is the opportunity students have to get to know each other, and seeing the schools work together for the common good,” said Josh Burdette, University Academy teacher.
The students, who have met throughout the year to plan the trip and get to know each other, have great expectations for the trip:
“I’ve taken two trips down South, but it will be my first time talking about Civil Rights and visiting those areas. If we were only going with our classmates, I would only hear things from one perspective. I look forward to getting to see it from a whole different perspective and see what the HBHA students think … especially from a Jewish perspective,” said University Academy junior Che Williams.
“On its own, the trip is going to be incredible, but I think all of us going together [from University Academy and HBHA] will get that much more out of it since we are going together. I think going on the trip together will really strengthen our friendships,” said HBHA sophomore Gabrielle Abrams.
During the final planning session, Brooks encouraged the students to make the most of their time together during the trip.
“This is a great opportunity of a lifetime. I hope you all will take the opportunity to learn about each other and remember that all people are created equal,” said Brooks.
If you are interested in supporting this unique student trip, contact Howard Haas at or 913-327-8176.
