Black History Road Trip Tour Hosted by Toyota

I feel extremely honored that I was able to participate in the Black History Road Trip Tour this adventure was very enlightening and filled with life changing experiences. Over a 3-day span I visited the most historic places on the East Coast representing how African-Americans have contributed to the progress of our country and America’s history.

I'm thrilled that I'm able to share this journey with you!

Our first destination was to Irvington, NY which is about 45 minutes outside of Manhattan to Madam C.J. Walker estate, the Villa Lewaro is a 34-room 20,000 square feet mansion. She was the first American female and first African-American female self-made millionaire, and "the world's most successful female entrepreneur of her time." The mansion is an Italianate villa house designed for Walker by Vertner Tandy, the first African-American architect registered in New York.

For about two decades the owner Harold Doley has worked to restore the home and grounds, before our tour of the estate we had the pleasure to meet Mr. Doley and thankfully he was able to clear up a misconception that the NY Post released on February 18th.

"Further, after at least two years of negotiations we have concluded an easement agreement that protects the Villa in perpetuity, so that it would remain as is. That easement is with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Additionally, we have been working with Guy Hermann of Museum Insights to have the Villa serve as a museum in-line with Madam Walker’s wish that it always remain a symbol to "her people"."

So have no fear the Villa Lewaro is not in any jeopardy. This was my favorite stop on the tour because it took my inspiration to a new level. She believed in her brand and made things happened during the struggle when she purchased this home it was the most expensive zip code in her area and she was also charged with the "Black Tax" which was double what caucasians were paying (around $250,000). It hit me, if Madam C.J. Walker can thrive during that time, what is holding me back? I will no longer make excuses, sit on ideas, I will strive to make an positive impact on my community, this is GO time.

Walker Family Crest

Backyard view of the mansion 2017

Vintage shot

Driving to Harlem in the 2017 Toyota Prius

Born and raised in Harlem, New York City, Neal Shoemaker set up Harlem Heritage Tours in 1998 to show visitors what he calls a “city within a city that tells the African-American story.” Mr. Shoemaker brought Harlem and black history to life. This tour is very interactive filled with music and speeches from Malcolm X.

Next up, Philly where we visited Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church. The Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1794 by Richard Allen, an African-American Methodist minister. The congregation has been located at the corner of Sixth and Lombard Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, since that time, making this the oldest church property in the United States to be continuously owned by African Americans.

Next up was the Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont Mansion, The Historic Belmont Mansion was the home of the Peters Family. Judge Richard Peters and his son Richard Peters Jr. worked to abolish slavery and abolish the Fugitive Slave act. Cornelia Wells and her daughter Jane also lived here. Judge Peters purchased and freed them; she earned her freedom through three years’ services as a cook for the Peters Family.

Our journey ended at our Nation's Capital with our first stop at the Watergate Office Building where Toyota made its second contribution to the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help save endangered historic sites.

Then we ended the day at the newly-opened Smithsonian National Museum of African-American Heritage and Culture, of which Toyota is a founding sponsor.