Chloe Brown Shares Emotional Summer Trip

Over the summer, the Big Ten Conference gathered a group of more than 100 student-athletes, coaches and administrators across the conference to participate in the Big Life Series, a trip to Selma and Montgomery, Alabama. The initiative was born out of the efforts of the Big Ten Equality Coalition. 

The trip included visits to the Interpretive Center at Alabama State University, the Civil Rights Memorial Center, the Alabama Department of Archives and History, and the award-winning Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Museum.  The groups also heard profound speeches from Sheyann Webb-Christburg, author and eyewitness of the original Bloody Sunday attack EJI Legacy Museum founder and social justice lawyer Bryan Stevenson. 

Representatives from Rutgers included student-athletes Chloe Brown (tennis), A’nan Bridgett (track and field), Chyna Cornwell (women’s basketball), Erica Lafayette (women’s basketball) and administrator Therno Diallo, associate director, facilities and events.

In her own words, Chloe shares the immeasurable impact the trip had on her and her fellow student-athletes. It set the group on an emotional journey of discovery about their ancestry and themselves. 

Life changing. Heart wrenching. Mind altering. These phrases hold immense weight and promise positivity. It is rare that you hear such praise about a retreat from one person, nonetheless hundreds.

The first ever Big Life Series: Selma to Montgomery consisted of a cultural experience unlike any other and a range of emotions that seemed almost too much to bear.

Let me paint a picture for you.

Rooms filled with some of the most elite athletes in all of college sports from all across country. Basketball players from as far as Georgia Tech and track stars from USC came out to bond and grow over what could be considered their greatest burden… or now, their greatest strength – their blackness.

The Big Life Series gathered 200 student-athletes and administrators to take a deep dive into the history of their ancestors or that of those they love.

On our very first day we met a woman named Ms. Sheyann Webb-Christburg. She had a vivid memory and a room-silencing tone that displayed her voice in a way that exuded gratitude, dedication, and grace. She spoke on her fears along with her bravest moments, letting us see some of the things her mind has had to endure since she marched to Selma at age eight.

Today, Ms. Christburg is known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Smallest Freedom Fighter". She shared an exchange she had with Dr. King that had a profound impact on me. Dr. King asked Ms. Christburg what she wanted most in the world, but she was at a loss for words. Christburg said that Dr. King told her, “when I ask you that question, ‘what do you want’ I want you to say freedom”.

We then honored those freedom fighters by walking the path they took on the ‘March to Selma’. We began speaking amongst new acquaintances we had made and slowly fell into rhythm as one large mass of people on the journey to Selma creating unique chants and singing freedom songs along the way. 

Our very own Erica Lafayette led the march with megaphone in hand and passion running through her veins. Erica remarked that she “took the mic because I was in an environment that encouraged me to lead and I was surrounded by kids that wanted the same experience that I did, so there was a lot of support for us to feel comfortable taking charge”. 

We visited history museums, including the Civil Right Memorial Center and the weight of the moment was enormous. One by one, at our own pace, we read, listened, and discussed the importance of our representation within textbooks today. As the large group made its way through the exhibits, there were hugs and tears shared as we recognized the struggles our ancestors faced for us to excel and be where we are today. 

Another impactful moment was our meeting with Lynda Blackmon Lowrey, author and civil rights activist. She put into perspective our capabilities, purpose, and platforms. Collectively as student-athletes, we have access to hundreds of thousands of people at the click of a button. There is a gravity that comes with understanding that reach and a responsibility to impact the world around us.

Lowrey exclaimed, “you must use your voice before you lose your voice.” This was the point in her speech that I could put my pen and paper down. I knew I would never unhear this powerful statement, it was call to action. Those words will never slip my mind throughout my journey in this life.

The other Rutgers student-athletes in attendance – Erica, Chyna Cornwell and A’nan Bridgett – came together after the retreat to brainstorm ways in which we can bring this trip to light. We will share our experience with the student-athlete advisory committee in hopes of gathering together to seek justice and understanding for all people of color.