(Memphis) Inside an East Memphis restaurant, Regina Osei and Crystal Blair
use laptops and go through stacks of paperwork to help plan a trip for Mid-Southerners to witness history.
“I think there is a lot of excitement from Memphis and that’s why we have a couple of hundred people raring to get on the bus and go to Washington,” Osei said.
The trip to Washington is for what they call the Memphis for Obama Delegation Witness History Tour. A bus convoy will take hundreds of people to the second Inauguration of President Barack Obama.
“Many of the people who are going with us didn’t have that opportunity to be with us the last time and they thought of it as I missed it, but now they have a second change,” Osei said.
Four years ago, Osei and Blair organized their first inauguration trip after then Senator Obama made history by becoming the country’s first African-American president
“I saw tears flowing from people’s eyes and they were excited and happy, but it had a deep meaning for them because it was something they never thought they would see,” Blair said
Osei remembers the emotions, as well. “At the inauguration, just to see that sea of people, the comradery, the love of family and sense of unity and so many hundreds of thousands, millions of people, it was unbelievable,” Osei said.
They say that experience is one reason they wanted to plan another trip for Mid-Southerners to see history unfold before their eyes.
“I think this is an opportunity for us to come together in unity and unite this country under President Obama and hear what this administration does in the next four years,” Blair said.
“This is their second chance to be a part of witnessing and making history,” Osei said.
Organizers say seats are still available and one all-inclusive ticket, which includes transportation, hotel, and meals, will run you about $500. Buses will leave Memphis at Koinonia Baptist Church on Millbranch January 19 and return on January 22.
If you’re interested you can call 901.690.5209 or 901.299.1220 or visit their Facebook page by searching for Memphis Delegation.