Black|Brown Puerto Rico Pilgrimage
On his 2nd voyage in 1493, Christopher Columbus landed on the island that the Taino people called Borinquen. Fifteen years later, Caparra, Puerto Rico became the first European settlement in what we now call the United States territory. A beachhead for western colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, the land and people of Puerto Rico have a critical story to tell, as we forge into an age of decolonization.
Together we will journey through the story of Taino resistance and genocide, African enslavement and subversive faith, abolition, Jim Crow annexation and the current-day struggle of environmental disaster trailed by economic colonization. Our pilgrimage will center the experiences of Black Puerto Ricans to understand the full-weight and consequences of colonization. Our experience will incorporate story-telling, spiritual formation, coping and resilience training, as well as times for strategic visioning.
Black|Brown Puerto Rico Pilgrimage Information
More about Freedom Road Pilgrimages
Seven Pillars of a Freedom Road Pilgrimage
REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 30, 2023
PILGRIMAGE DATES
April 28 – May 4, 2024
COST & WHAT IS INCLUDED
Double Occupancy: $2,835
Single Occupancy: $3,840
Includes: Hotel accommodations, tour bus, welcome dinner and boxed lunches, lectures and experiences.
Does Not Include: Airfare to Puerto Rico, breakfasts, and most dinners.
PREVIEW SCHEDULE
April 28. Arrive in Puerto Rico
April 29. Welcome Dinner
April 30. Orientation and journey begins with an introduction to the Taino origins of Puerto Rico, as well as the people’s resilience strategies and current-day struggles.
May 1. We will learn from the subversive faith and resilience of enslaved Africans in the historically black town of Loiza.
May 2. Our learning community will spend time in Old San Juan investigating the impact of U.S. annexation at the zenith of Jim Crow and eugenics.
May 3. If physically possible, we will visit the city of Ponce on the south side of the island to consider the current-day forms of colonization; with particular focus on the challenge of annexation without full state-hood.
May 4. Our journey will conclude with a final debrief and coping and resilience training.
*Plan for flights at, or after, 4pm AST
Schedule is subject to change.
COVID-19
Freedom Road require that all participants be vaccinated + boosted, and provide a vaccination certificate, unless medically ineligible. If you are medically ineligible, we will ask you to provide a negative COVID test 48 hours in advance of travel. All participants will be asked to provide their COVID vaccination certificate in advance and take an at-home test prior to travel.
At the time of travel, the pilgrimage will follow all suggestions and regulations from the CDC and pilgrimage sites as it relates to COVID-19. At all times, please feel free to take actions that feel safe and comfortable for you. This may mean wearing a mask, when it’s not required, if that means you feel more comfortable.
Please note that the COVID landscape is constantly shifting and changing, and as a result, the pilgrimage practices will shift and change in order to prioritize health and safety. We thank you for your flexibility and understanding!
REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL JUNE 30, 2023
COST & PAYMENT
Participant Fee:
- Double Occupancy: $2,835
- Single Occupancy: $3,840
Includes: Hotel accommodations, tour bus, welcome dinner and boxed lunches, lectures and experiences.
Does Not Include: Airfare to Puerto Rico, breakfasts, and most dinners.
Deposit: due upon registration
- Double Occupancy: $315
- Single Occupancy: $427
Monthly Installments: July – February 2024, due by the last day of the month.
- Double Occupancy: $315 per month
- Single Occupancy: $427 per month
Payment in full is also available
- Double Occupancy: $2,835
- Single Occupancy: $3,840
CANCELLATION POLICY
Payments are non-refundable, but may be transferred to a new guest should you not be able to travel. Please note that any changes must be communicated by March 31, 2024 in order for transfers to be honored.
In the event that the pilgrimage is postponed, participants will have the option for a refund or to transfer their payment to the rescheduled travel dates.
