"Footsteps" is designed to fulfill the mission of the April 4th Foundation, Inc. "Tell the Story, Pass it on." We share Dr. King's vision with high school students from area churches and they participate in the our "Footsteps Youth Leadership Summit on Civil Rights" sponsored by the April 4th Foundation.

In the past three years, Footsteps participants have studied the events and the lives of Civil Rights Leaders and Organizations that were active in the 1968 Sanitation Strike. Participants have visited historic Mason Temple, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Slave Haven. The Memphis Redbirds held a special luncheon in their honor. They were welcomed at B. B. King's where they learned of Beale Street's heritage and the role it played in Dr. King's last march. Footsteps participants were also blessed with the opportunity to meet, experience and learn from living legends: Reverend Samuel Billy Kyles, who was standing on the balcony with Dr. King when he was assassinated; John T. Fisher, the organizer of the Memphis Cares rally; and Dr. Hattie Jackson the wife of Pastor H. Ralph Jackson and the author of, "65 Dark Days in 68." The students in 2010 visited Dr. Christine King Farris sister of the late Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. In 2011 they visited Dr. Joseph Lowery and for 2012 with your help we will take them to Washington D.C. to visit the King Monument.

The initial class had 20 high school students, the second year that number doubled and the program has continued with strong participation. All were selected from area churches. Most events are held at LeMoyne-Owen College.

The 2012 Footsteps Youth Leadership Summit on Civil Rights promises to be an exciting week-long experience.

Registration and nominations for the 2012 class will begin in May 2012.