Regrounded

Years ago, I went on a journey that forever changed me—as an educator, a parent, and a citizen. Through my work with Teach For America, I traveled to Alabama to walk in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the many who marched for justice alongside of him.

We crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge singing “We Shall Overcome,” stood in the Birmingham square where Bull Connor turned dogs and fire hoses on peaceful student protestors, and visited the Safe House in Greensboro where Dr. King hid from the KKK just two weeks before his assassination.

That experience stirred deep admiration, confusion, and rage within me—admiration for those who risked everything for justice, confusion over how people could harbor such hate, and rage that after years of schooling, I had never been taught the full truth of our history.

When I returned home, I made a promise: my own children would never be surprised by this history.

This trip to Atlanta reignited and reground me that promise—and allowed me to begin bringing those lessons to life with my girls.

Exploring Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward & Sweet Auburn

What We Read

On our first night, we read My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris (Dr. King’s sister), illustrated by Chris Soentpiet. The story captures the childhood of “ML” and his family growing up in Atlanta. Reading it before visiting Sweet Auburn Avenue made the next day’s walk almost magical—history unfolding as we walked.

What We Watched

We also watched the 1998 animated film Our Friend, Martin—a gem with an all-star voice cast (Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Susan Sarandon, Oprah, oh my).

Despite being nearly 30 years old, it captivated everyone and sparked meaningful conversations about race, justice, and how far we’ve come—and still have to go.

Where We Stayed

Our Airbnb was in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward/Sweet Auburn neighborhood, just steps from the Atlanta BeltLine and Dr. King’s Birth Home, National Historic Park, and final resting place.

While Patrick spent long days at the Child Care Success Summit downtown, the girls and I explored a city that felt vibrant, welcoming, and full of purpose. Each of them declared at some point that they wanted to live here—and I could see why. The neighborhood felt like an embodiment of Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community.

Day 1: Walking Through History

We packed lunches and set off for an urban hike along Auburn Avenue to downtown. Because of the government shutdown, we created our own self-guided tour of MLK’s Birth Home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the historic fire station.

We spent time at the King Center, where Dr. King and Coretta Scott King are laid to rest. The monuments to nonviolence and the Beloved Community offered a peaceful counterbalance to what is happening in our own communities today.

Afterward, we walked to Centennial Olympic Park for a picnic lunch, then explored the Atlanta Children’s Museum. I originally wasn't sure if it would engage CE, but she ended up spending nearly an hour testing her paper rocket’s aerodynamics, while the younger two were enthralled by the giant ball machine and simple machines exhibit. It was significantly smaller than Chicago or Indianapolis’s museums—but full of curiosity, creativity, and hands-on exploration.

Day 2: Service, Nature, and the Atlanta BeltLine

Chattahoochee & Atlanta BeltLine

After our volunteer shift, we explored Discovery Park at the River Line along the Chattahoochee River, learning about its rich ecological and historical roots.

In the evening, we wandered the Atlanta BeltLine at Irwin, a 22-mile loop of repurposed rail lines connecting 45 Atlanta neighborhoods through art, parks, and local businesses. It’s urban design at its best—community-building through movement, connection, and creativity.

A Morning of Service

Inspired by Dr. King’s call to serve, we drove to Mableton, GA, to volunteer with Sweetwater Mission, helping distribute food to local families. (Shout-out to Hands On ATL for offering volunteer opportunities for all ages!).

The girls were focused, empowered, and proud—so much so that I even slipped in a little math without a single eye roll.

A Lesson in Kindness

We ended the day with a pizza dinner at Glide, where a stranger offered up his seat as we juggled three tired kids. When we thanked him, he smiled and said,

“Kindness doesn’t cost anything. It’s meanness that costs us.”

A perfect reminder that in the city of the Dreamer, love lives on.

Why Atlanta Belongs on Every Family Learning Trip

Atlanta is more than a destination—it’s a living classroom. Between the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park, the BeltLine, and countless service opportunities, it’s a city that teaches compassion, resilience, and community in motion.

“I give Atlanta a 9 or 10 out of 10. There are so many cool places, and the BeltLine is really fun!” -KG, age 7

“Atlanta was a 9.5. I love the BeltLine! There were so many people, trees, and hills—and the pizza was amazing. The children’s museum was awesome!”- CE, age 9

Kids’ Ratings