By Kahlil Chatmon | Photos Alijah
Kingmakers’ TFI-Oakland students and staff embarked on a powerful and immersive HBCU college tour through Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia from March 29th to April 7th. Over those ten days, our Kings not only explored prestigious campuses but also walked through the deep, rich, and often challenging history of the South.
They started in Louisiana with visits to Southern University in Baton Rouge, where they balanced campus exploration with fun at Top Golf. At Dillard University, they were welcomed by the esteemed mock trial team who offered insight into the academic excellence and pride that defines their community. At Xavier University, the Kings were treated to a powerful lecture and a classroom experience led by a group of brilliant Black men, followed by a meaningful dinner with their TFI Los Angeles brothers at the historic Chapter IV—part of the Dooky Chase legacy.
Their journey continued in Montgomery, Alabama, where the visit to the Mothers of Gynecology site left a lasting emotional impact. That evening they shared a warm, home-cooked meal filled with laughter, music, and dancing. In Tuskegee, they toured the beautiful Tuskegee University campus and the Tuskegee Airmen Museum. They reconnected with TFI LA at Alabama State, before spending a reflective afternoon at the Legacy Museum—a powerful experience that grounded TFI youth in the complex and painful history of our people in the South.
In Atlanta, they were greeted at Morehouse College by six TFI and Kingmakers alumni—Asa, Josiah, Rassan, Kenny, Qadir, and Willie Rodgers —who led a heartfelt conversation and personal campus tour. The next day included a peaceful, reflective hike with Dr. Miles Irving from Georgia State. They closed their journey in the historic Auburn Avenue District, visiting Ebenezer Baptist Church and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s home and resting place.
This tour was more than a college trip—it was a cultural and historical journey. TFI Kings were immersed in environments that taught them, challenged them, and empowered them in ways no textbook ever could.
