North Columbus News

When he listened to Lynda Blackmon Lowery speak about her experiences as the youngest person to participate in the Selma to Montgomery Marches in 1965, Cullen Brown was struck by two things: how young Lowery was and how recent her memories were.

“There are people who are still alive, who are still speaking, who didn’t have the right to vote,” he said. “That was the most meaningful thing. These people are still alive. These people, who are younger than my grandparents, had to go through this. History really isn’t as far away as we think it is.”

Brown, a rising third-year finance major at The Ohio State University, and more than 125 of his peers from other Big Ten schools spent several days in Alabama over the summer, touring famous sites in Selma and Montgomery, including the First Baptist Church of Selma and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

This is the third year that the Big Ten Conference has hosted the trip to the heart of the civil rights movement as part of its Big Life Series. Brown, a men’s lacrosse player, was excited to learn in community with other student-athletes.

“People wanting to go on this trip are applying themselves,” he said. “Student-athletes aren’t going because they’re getting dragged. The people at these events are the top of the top athletes in the Big Ten, which is one of the best conferences in the country for almost every sport. And, on top of that, to take a weekend off from your workouts to learn about history? Those people are incredible to be around.”

Brown recommends the experience “100%” and was thrilled to travel with his fellow Buckeyes. He was joined by Nyah Funderburke (women’s swimming), Lillian Warren (rifle), Chase Davenport-Milles (men’s gymnastics), and Ayush Shah (fencing).

“It’s obviously awesome to represent Ohio State,” he said. “We’re such a big school and we’re very active when it comes to doing things in the community. It’s always cool wearing the Block O to events.”

Brown said that the site that impacted him most was the Legacy Museum in Montgomery.

“One of the most powerful things was reading historic legislation and acts in state constitutions,” he said. “They didn’t allow for biracial marriage or relationships. My mom is white and my dad is Black. That hit home for me, knowing that people like me weren’t accepted and were against the law in a lot of states. It’s crazy to think that I wouldn’t be sitting here today if things hadn’t changed.”

A lot of subject matter weighed heavily on trip participants, who were encouraged to share their feelings. Some spoke with friends while others, like Brown, kept detailed journals about their experiences.

“I didn’t want to forget anything because it’s a lot to take in,” he said.

Brown met other student-athletes who, like him, are Black and playing predominantly white sports.

“It’s interesting hearing their perspectives because they’re going through similar experiences,” he said. "Talking with someone from the University of Nebraska who plays softball about being one of two Black girls on her team – she’s going through something similar."

Brown is president of RAS (Redefining Athletic Standards), a club for Black male student-athletes at Ohio State focusing on community engagement and personal development.

His experiences in Selma align with one of RAS's goals for fall: voter education and registration.

“I want to help people who don’t know where to start or where to register,” he said. “Getting them materials, keeping them educated on voting rights.”

Brown emphasizes that elections significantly impact college students' lives.

“I want our age group involved," he said." We’re next generation decision-makers; local or national decisions affect us all so utilize your right.”

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