Reflections on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage 2026 — Bonus Episode

In this episode of The Academy Podcast, host Shalom Agtarap sits down with leaders from The Academy for Spiritual Formation Civil Rights Pilgrimage to reflect on the sacred work of remembrance, community, and spiritual transformation.

Drawing from experiences across Alabama at sites central to the Civil Rights Movement, Safiyah Fosua, Kwasi Kena, Diana Cason, and Johnny Sears share how pilgrimage moves history from the head to the heart. Together, they reflect on resilience, lament, beloved community, storytelling, and the ongoing call to “keep showing up” for justice and healing.

The conversation explores the power of proximity to sacred spaces, the importance of communal witness, and the ways faith communities can practice remembrance through prayer, storytelling, worship, journaling, and courageous presence. As voting rights and the legacy of the Voting Rights Act face renewed challenges in this time, this conversation invites listeners into the sacred work of remembering — listening to the stories of the Civil Rights Movement, honoring the courage of those who kept showing up, and asking how faith calls us toward justice, healing, and beloved community today.

Together, the group reflects on pilgrimage not as tourism, but as a spiritual practice — one that invites participants to listen deeply, bear witness to painful histories, and discern how God may be calling them into deeper engagement with justice, reconciliation, and beloved community.

Show Notes

Episode tracks: “Far Side of the Sea,” “Versailles,” and “Fearless” by Amy Stroup, used with permission.

Audio editing and production by Tim Savage.

A special thanks to the staff of The Upper Room, the Academy team, and everyone who helps bring this podcast to life.

For more information and resources, visit academy.upperroom.org/resources

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The next Two-Year Academy begins October 26, 2026. Learn more about Two-Year Academy #44 and apply here. If you missed our discernment session, hear directly from Academy leaders as they share insights, answer questions, and offer space for reflection and discernment.

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