2022 Black Highway Birthright Alum, Joye Pate

I always knew I wanted Africa to be the first continent I explored outside of North America. Being from New Orleans, I was always surrounded by popular Black diasporic culture. Although it filled me up, I still wondered about the origins of traditions and cultures of Black people in New Orleans.

Continue reading

2018 CUNY Birthright Alum, Shaina Louis

“My Birthright experience freed my mind and made me realize that the possibilities for me are truly limitless; that the strife of my forebears shouldn’t be and isn’t in vain because here I am today, a living representation of them. Part of the work that Birthright has its scholars undergo is envisioning their own legacy of innovation — the imprint and influence they will leave behind. Since I once walked through the world feeling disempowered, I decided to focus my legacy of innovation on empowerment and having our people truly control our own destinies.”

2018 CUNY Birthright Alum, Shaina Louis

excerpt from Shaina’s article in Teen Vogue

2019 GrowHouse Birthright Alum, Nathaniel Page

Young Black Man Smiling

As a first-generation college student coming from immigrant parents, I feel blessed to know that my prayers were answered when I received the birthright travel experience outside of the classroom. I come from a humble beginning living in a single parent household and I feel lucky to have been chosen by Education Partner GrowHouse NYC.

Continue reading