This past fall break, I had the opportunity to visit Washington DC with my parents. In my first visit to the nation’s capital, I got to experience the electrifying rush of one of the most important locations in the country. During our brief trip, our main focus and reason for going was to see the National Museum of African American History and Culture. We spent a day and a half taking our time exploring every part of the museum. The museum followed the in depth history following African Americans beginning with the trans Atlantic slave trade through present day as well as staples in black culture. My experience at the museum was of great significance to me for two reasons in particular. The first is that it fed my love of history and US history specifically. There was so much information packed into the museum, some that I knew about already and some that was new to me. I was able to take as much time as I wished to read through many events and stories relating to black people. The vast amount of history proves that African American history is American history and not mutually exclusive. The second reason and most important to me that it was influential is that it gave me an opportunity to interact with history of my ancestors as well as others who share the same generational story as mine. There is a special connection I felt being in a museum created with the purpose of sharing my history and culture as the sole goal. In addition to the rich sense of culture at the museum, my parents and I also got to spend time in one of the nearby black neighborhoods. We got to see Howard University,  one of the most prestigious universities in the country and a top Historically Black University (HBCU). This is a school that I have admired for many years so having the opportunity to see it in person was very exciting to me. In addition to the other tourist sites that we visited, we had dinner at a restaurant called Oohh’s & Aahh’s. Walking into each of the two locations prompts greetings from staff saying “Welcome in, family”. I knew we were in the right place to eat because 1. we were amongst good company that although we were not related by blood, we were related by common experience and culture and 2. the food was amazing and I could clearly tell it was made with love and from the soul (soul food). My time in Washington gave me the push to continue being my true authentic self, and expressing my pride in my culture and history of my people in every setting that I choose. The photos above show some of my special moments from my time in Washington DC.

Dunkin Donuts and my laptop are two items that are more important to me now than I ever could have imagined. Prior to the end of August, I only rarely went to Dunkin Donuts and only drank coffee on very rare occasions. Coffee has now become an integral part of my daily routine. It provides me a sense of warmth and also serves an extra boost of energy during the midnight hours of my day. With Dunkin Donuts being so close to campus, I am able to make frequent trips, whether to get coffee or a Coolatta. My computer has also become a big part of my life here at Ohio State. This one device can be used as a means of communication, a textbook, and my connection to the world through the internet. It amazes me because at the turn of the century, just 17 years ago, personal computers were much harder to come by. Now universities around the world are run by them and it is necessary for students to have.