The Journey Begins

About the Book

Travel with a slave family as they seek freedom in Canada, and experience slavery in The Journey Begins. Geared toward school age children, these two historical plays in one book bring history to life.

In “Seven Stops to Freedom,” follow Josh Acres as he escapes from slavery in Mississippi and meets his wife, Anna, and son, Malik, in Kentucky. They travel north to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and eventually into Canada. This story reveals the mystery, danger, and adventure of the famous invisible Underground Railroad spearheaded by the legendary conductor Harriet Tubman.

Share heartbreaking moments in the life of slave Sojourner Truth as “Contact in Harmonia” relives her past. Born into American slavery with the name Isabelle, she gains her freedom, changes her name to reflect her life’s purpose, and travels the nation educating people about the sins of slavery.

Celebrating the oral traditions of ancient West African storytellers, these dramatic productions have been performed hundreds of times in the United States and abroad. The Journey Begins presents an accurate and in-depth view of the African American experience through literature and the performing arts.

About the Author

Von Washington Sr., has directed or performed in more than 400 theatrical productions and has written more than twenty-five plays. He currently directs the Multicultural Theatre Program at Western Michigan University and Washington Productions Inc., a theatre company founded by him and his wife Fran. Visit him online at www.washprod.com.