A Life-Changing Expedition to Washington, D.C.

May 22, 2019

Students from the Project Success trip to Washington, D.C. in front of the White House.

At the end of April, Project Success embarked on our fourth global expedition to our nation’s capitol with 50 Minneapolis high school students to visit the historic, political and cultural center that is Washington, D.C.

On Project Success global expeditions, students have opportunities to see themselves in new ways and build lasting relationships that propel them toward the futures they imagine for themselves.

Students at Howard University.

Our group visited Howard University, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), and important monuments and sites in the city.

The NMAAHC provided our students a space to learn about the richness and diversity of the African American experience in the United States, what it means to their lives today, and how previous generations helped shape our nation.

They also visited Howard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that stand as both a historical and cultural institution, as well as a potential future path for our students. At Howard, our students had the opportunity to hear from an impressive panel of current Howard students who answered questions around campus culture, fields of study, scholarships, internship opportunities and how they each decided Howard was the best fit for them.

A trip to Busboys and Poets was another highlight for many students; they heard from nationally known spoken-word artists and also had the chance to perform their own poetry on stage.

During the trip, students reflected on their experiences in Washington D.C.:

  • “Don’t be afraid to speak up. Nobody else can tell your story except you,” said Zubeda. “This trip was life changing. Thank you.”
  • “For me the most important experience was being able to learn in a space where everyone looks like you,” said Demetrius.
  • “I learned from this trip that while we may have to fight 10x harder, we can and will succeed,” said Serana.

This particular trip was made possible through a Project Success partnership with the Minnesota Vikings helping students to explore their own identity and future pathways.