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Bethlehem Catasauqua East Penn Northampton Northwestern Salisbury Whitehall-Coplay

Washington, D.C., trip provides area youth to learn about Black history

Published January 28. 2025 12:09PM
by Lori Patrick Special to the Bethlehem Press

In the spirit of keeping history alive, co-organizers Frankie West and Bill Rowe planned a two chartered bus trip to Washington, D.C., Jan. 11 from Bethlehem. The goal and mission was to bring kids from Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem along with students from Allentown District schools to Washington to visit several important landmarks and institutions.

“We want to let the younger generation see and learn about Black history as it isn’t being taught in schools today like it should be,” West said.

On the trip the group toured the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Spending the most time there, the young people were able to see Black history from the beginnings of the slave era to segregation periods and up to more modern culture of television and music.

It was a moving experience.

“We are here to educate and inspire, and set the table for the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. March in Bethlehem on Jan. 18,” Rowe explained. “We want them to understand normal people can achieve extraordinary things that can change the course of history and help their brothers and sisters out.”

After visiting the museum, the group took a walk to the White House and even though it was hard to get close that day due to upcoming change of administrations, they were able to have a beautiful view from the south lawn. Next was a walk by of the Washington Monument where they learned how it was built.

On the path of monuments, they reached the focal point of the tour, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, where West took time to discuss the principles and ethics of Dr. King. Then the group went on to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History for its final visit of the day.

Many students mentioned that they enjoyed all the activities and appreciated the opportunity to learn more about Black heritage and history.

On the cold winter day, three meals were provided and everyone was given a T-shirt featuring a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “An individual has not started living until he can rise above narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”

The bus trip included singing and an opening prayer by Tina Singleton.

West and Rowe were able to organize the experience with the support of both sponsors and donations. If you wish to be a part of future passion projects by West and Rowe, contact Elevate Foundation bill@elevatefoundation.net.

PRESS PHOTOS by LORI PATRICKUnder the towering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, trip co-organizer and volunteer Frankie West speaks about the principles and ethics that drove King’s stalwart but nonviolent movement.
Trip organizers Frankie West, on left, and Bill Rowe, front center, in front of the White House with group members. Due to the changing of administrations, that was the closest they could get.
The group’s tour on a cold day includes a visit to the 555-foot-tall Washington Monument, which was completed in 1884. Flags surrounding the monument are at half staff in honor of President Jimmy Carter’s passing.
The purpose of the trip was to visit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial prior to the Jan. 20 march in Bethlehem to honor Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement. Frankie West has led the local march for the past 35 years.
Frankie West speaks under the towering statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Bethlehem Boys and Girls Club members, Allentown School District students, Elevate Foundation volunteers and chaperones enter the National Museum of African American History and Culture, a beautiful building included in the Smithsonian Institution.
A group of kids wearing their Elevate Foundation T-shirts look at the statues and Declaration of Independence displayed on the wall inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The quote on the back of the T-shirt says, “An individual has not started living until he can rise above narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Brian, Dieruff HS, and William, William Allen HS, inspect a dinosaur display part of the fossils exhibit in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Co-Organizer and volunteer Bill Rowe tests students’ knowledge about historic figures displayed on the wall inside National Museum of African American History and Culture.