California Agricultural Leadership Program

It was certainly a day for Sunshine and Vitamin C. Both the energy of the group and the climate kept us uplifted to move through the day we had ahead. 

The moment we all waited for, our first day in DC! But wait, not exactly how we planned…. 

We woke up with a message from the Education Team. After their hard work, news of positive Covid tests required a change of plans. There was much to discuss, but really, PIVOT. We had a day to focus on many emotions from previous days, and what the day ahead could bring. However, we had to prioritize health. The rest of the group took covid tests, and received negative results, WAHOO! We then began with some ways to work through what we all felt was comfortable for us to move forward. What are our needs? How should we proceed? How should we logistically work through ensuring the safety of those we had planned to meet. We had church service and dinner cancelled, time delays, and valuable people not able to attend. We missed our people! The masks came on, and so did our flexibility. 

We get ready to walk to the National Mall to find a good place to complete synthesis that some of us did not have the opportunity to express in Minneapolis. After taking a much needed photo between the United States Capital building and the Washington Monument, we PIVOT and find a suitable location on the steps of the National Gallery of Art. Without skipping a beat, we jumped back into where we left off in Minneapolis. We express our thoughts of inequality and racism. Our emotions flowed through the open air of the National Mall. As we discuss these topics, questions of social change began to arise. This synthesis felt different. Being out in the open in a powerful place where people filled to listen to Martin Luther King Jr’s speech on August 28, 1963. It felt powerful. We conclude and begin to walk to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopalian Church on M street.

In true California Ag Leadership style, we took the morning news and did a PIVOT.  A quick reach out to Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopalian Church, a visit by myself and a trusty fast walking Fellow, Jeanette McClure, to be sure the message was delivered with heart.  

We let them know that in the best interest of everyone we will not be making the service but would love to meet outside and talk. PIVOT successful.  We met with Jioni Palmer, Minister to Men at the church. Born in Berkeley and graduating from UCLA, he had an understanding of California agriculture. We walked around the neighborhood and learned the history of the church. This church was founded in 1838 and is the oldest black owned property in DC. The church is a spiritual, civic, cultural, and activism source for the community. Why the church has persisted over time is a story we are hearing again and again, the church owns the land. Ownership is the foundation that builds generational success. With a solid foundation, the church is able to focus on the community. One way they do this is to use art as therapy for victims of crime and their families. With a highly educated congregation and ties to Howard University, Reverend Lamar is well positioned to be a voice to tell the stories needed to make a difference.  

We decided as a group that we knew it was important for us to dedicate time at the Holocaust Museum. Our education team lead with grace and care. We heard from a fellow that made an important connection, she mentioned “antisemitism of our past is still connected to our present” by providing an alert about an antisemitic terrorism message that was shared to her synagogue as a warning. This set the tone for the somber visit. The Museum documented the rise of Nazism, the atrocities of the Holocaust, and the need for the victory of the Allied Forces. The spoken words throughout the Museum solidified the lessons learned.

After an emotional experience, the group was able to PIVOT into the World War II Memorial that celebrated the sacrifice and victory of liberating Europe. The memorial fountain was off, and our hearts were heavy, but we had each other. And we did what we knew we had done all day, PIVOT.

By Grant Cremers, Danny Murillo, Jacylyn Stokes