Dewayne Dickens Following are compiled Blog comments from the Ghana journey so that they are all in the same location: 10/5/2015 Final Ghana Trip Blog Entry: When Facing the Human Condition, Only Humane Responses Work Tulsa, Oklahoma Cindy Driver Travel is the best classroom ever. Thanks for sharing your ventures in Africa with us Britton Gildersleeve What a thoughtful analysis of the spiritual malaise that is one of the worst legacies of slavery, Dr. Dickens. And thank you - one again - for all you are doing to help us all grow more compassionate, more reflective, better. 10/3/2015 There is No Place like Home—Returning from Ghana Sterling, Virginia Louise Goudeau Thank you Dwayne for having shared your journey with me. 1 day ago Britton Gildersleeve Such a wonderful journey for us here 'at home' to follow, Dewayne. Thank you for sharing. 22 hours ago Rose Hardwick Thank you my nephew, I thank God we share the same bloodline. 20 hours ago Sandra Rana Welcome back! Please share this wonderful trip with others in Tulsa. There is a making of a wonderful short story or book from the blogs that you wrote on your journey. 7 hours ago Moises Wonderful to hear of your journey! Thank you for sharing and for including me on your updates. "Never forget your greatness of sprit since it is your inheritance!" 6 hours ago 10/1/2015 Regal Note Addendum from Day 4 Accra, Ghana Elma Jean Scott-Palmer I am enjoying reading about your experiences and our history. Continue to enjoy your trip. 3 days ago 10/1/2015 One More Day for Our Stay: Reflections on Meanings for the Day Atonsu, Ghana Katherine Mitchell Yes! You had me smiling when you went into teacher mode with #3. I know, I know... : ) 3 days ago 9/30/2015 While the Church Sleeps and Ghanaian Work Ethic Atonsu, Ghana Debra D Holmes Your words and experiences are written in a way as if I were there with you. Thanks so much for the vivid details. Your sis 4 days ago Elma Jean Scott-Palmer Very educational, thank you for sharing your experience. 4 days ago Louise Goudeau I agree with Debra's comment. As I read through each blog, in my mind I am picturing what you are telling us about. I look forward to opening my emails and seeing one from you because I know there will be a clear description of what you are experiencing . Love You. 4 days ago Katherine Mitchell Earlier I was sharing with a co-worker exactly what Debra said. I look forward to each email! Thanks! 4 days ago 9/30/2015 The Regal Walk Ayawaso, Ghana Sylvia Phenomenal is all I can say...what a moving experience... 4 days ago Theresa Edwards Dewayne, I sincerely hope that an exchange for the students will be developed. Books can't teach what you are experiencing. 3 days ago 9/28/2015 Last Bath in Ghana Elmina, Ghana Eileen Simmons Wow, Dewayne! What an intense experience! The hands in the river moved me so much! What a connection with The Ancestors. And in the 21st Century--I am not the least bit surprised that you tried to make the computer stuff (notice the tech language there) work! 6 days ago Doug Price Dewayne (and Michael)... your post certainly brought your experience to life. Your words capture the harsh realities and create pause in the mind of the reader to reflect on the nature of humanity. I am glad you are writing this blog. 6 days ago Sandra Rana Thank you Dewayne and Michael for sharing this trip with us. I hope there is a plan in the near future for both of you to share this blog and your personal experience with students and TCC employees. Your observations are intense reflections of Ghana and how they have impacted you. It has caused me to make my own reflections. 6 days ago Rebecca Marks Jimerson How exciting, significant and historical ! 6 days ago Britton Gildersleeve Oh Dewayne, I am so moved by your post(s). I can think of no one I would rather have as a guide on this intense journey. Thank you. And I love that you wrote Dream Team on the Memorial Wall! ❤️ 6 days ago Katherine Mitchell Your post brought tears. I see myself there and sense an emotional bubble - just like I did when AASA visited the slave museum in Memphis - imagining how it might have been. The enslaved Africans lived inland and had never been forced to interact with the ocean's rage and unforgiving crashes against the ocean's craggy shore. The thunderous pounding during the night frightened them in ways they had yet to experience, along with the fear of the unknown, no place to go, and no one with whom to share these things except with their god. Once entering this place of no return and exiting through the door of no return, there could only be hope for survival...or death. When one has been extracted from homeland and everything familiar - family, tradition, language, wealth, culture - served to merchants with neither dignity nor respect - to be treated as chattel is just beyond fathomable. It is awesome that TCC has been represented on the wall. Can't wait to hear more and I'm so glad that things are working out, even if they are not perfect. I am especially glad that you are eating well. Safe travels! 6 days ago Sylvia To the Leaders of the Dream Team, Dewayne and Michael-- Thank you for paving the way to help us know about this experience through your eyes. Very powerful, very moving-- Our AASA meeting went well today, and we are waiting to hear what you both have to bring back to the group. We know there is much to share. Of course, we miss your presence here but appreciate the work you do to take us all forward. Blessings! 5 days ago Rose Hardwick Thank you for making your trip so visual. It is inspiring me to go beyond my expectations in the name of our ancestors which were not slaves but kings and queens. 5 days ago Elma Jean Scott-Palmer I hope your lodging will be taken care of upon your return Thursday. So kind of your to lend a helping hand with the technology. You gave so much history about the pain and suffering our ancestors went through. I felt a deep sadness and it reminds me of what greed can do and a lack of compassion for others. TCC is a great learning institution, proud they are now recognized on the wall. 5 days ago Stella Goudeau This is an experience of a life time, and I want to thank you for sharing this information with me. In my mind, I was picturing everything you were talking about. God Bless the two of you. 5 days ago Steven S Brown So happy you were able to take a trip that millions of other young blacks Americans need to take. I think it would would make them appreciate their history and consider who they really are and perhaps change their perspective of life as they know it and were taught in school.. Praying for your safe return 4 days ago 9/27/2015 Now in Ghana Ayawaso, Ghana Sylvia Glad to hear of your safe arrival. It sounds like much to take in and observe already. Sending prayers your way. Enjoy! Sep 27, 2015 Sylvia By the way, the one star rating was an accident. I hit the wrong button The blog is a 5-star for sure :-) Sep 27, 2015 Britton Five stars from me, too! The reflection is fascinating: perhaps the TCC students would be inspired...? Our culture is so divided by its ugly racial history. I can't wait to visit when you return! Sep 28, 2015 Rose hardwick Wonderful Enjoy this wonderful experience Sep 28, 2015 Eileen Simmons I love the reflection, Dewayne. The antithesis of the Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Powerful thoughts! Sep 28, 2015 Earlene Williams Dewayne, I am so thankful to God for your safe arrival, enjoy your stay, I will be in constant prayer for all of you Love ypu. Sep 28, 2015 Sandra Rana Thank you for including me in the your Blog! I look forward to learning more about your experiences. Both you and Michael are a wonderful example of TCC reaching out to the larger community. May your journey be safe as well as enlightening! Sep 28, 2015 DeAnna Cooper This is great! Thanks for sharing. Sep 28, 2015 Pamela Scott What a wonderful experience and may God cover you there and cover you coming back home. Have a great time!! Sep 28, 2015 Louise Goudeau God Bless You. Enjoy the experience of being in the "Mother Land". Be safe and thank you for sharing this information. Sep 28, 2015 Rebecca Damron This is wonderful, Dewayne. I can't wait to read about the 'more' that unfolds as you journey on. Sep 28, 2015 Katherine Mitchell I am already imagining book cover photos. : ) I am loving your reflections and can't wait to hear all about your interactions and cultural experience. Safe travels! Enjoy yourself! Keep writing! xoxo Sep 28, 2015 Elma Jean Scott-Palmer Thankful for you and the others safe arrival. Very thought provoking about our black males, I look forward to hearing more about this when you return. Enjoy your experience. Sep 28, 2015 Theresa Edwards Dewayne, I'm glad you arrived safely. Take in as much as you can. Continue writing reflections and sending e-mail. What a striking cultural difference you've seen. Sep 28, 2015 9/23/2015 Just about Ready for Ghana Tulsa, Oklahoma D. Price This is so exciting. Very supportive of your effort and wish you every success in this brief yet incredibly meaningful journey. Sep 25, 2015 Britton Gildersleeve Ghana! How exciting! I anticipate each blog post with great excitement. I'm so happy you have this opportunity! What an adventure! Sep 25, 2015 Elma Jean Scott-Palmer What an experience, you and the other travelers will certainly be in my prayers. I look forward to hearing about your exciting trip and the many things you will learn and share with the family and others when you return. Sep 25, 2015 Earlene Williams My prayer is in the name of Jesus He will go before and behind all of you to clear all paths. Then return all safely back home. Sep 25, 2015 A. Hall This trip has such potential to touch so many aspects of your life - most of us never have such exciting opportunities. Praying for all of you. Sep 25, 2015 Katherine Mitchell My prayers are certainly with you! Your itinerary sounds wonderful and I cannot wait to see the photos and will look for your blogs. #nopressure #safetravels Sep 25, 2015 9/16/2015 Accra, Ghana: A Realistic Picture Sylvia M It is so true we cannot rely solely on what the history books record for us. They offer us gaps or do not depict what is true about the richness of us as a people. There is great value in what we can experience for ourselves. Safe travels. We are looking forward to hearing and seeing more. Sep 23, 2015

Jan C. Dewayne, thank you for sharing some of your experiences as a part of the journey to West Africa. "We were Ghanaians," just resonates in my spirit. Thanks for your beautiful and powerful descriptions of the people and the country. This will be an amazing opportunity for our students. Safe travels to you and Michael!