Voices of Inspiration
Voices of Inspiration is a travel podcast that goes beyond the guidebook. Hosted by Amelia Old, each episode centers on the people who give a destination its soul—travelers with transformative stories, locals who call these places home, tourism professionals shaping how we experience them, and others whose work or lives are deeply connected to a place.
Through candid conversations, Amelia uncovers the moments, challenges, and personal histories that reveal what a destination is truly like. These aren't surface-level travel tips—they're stories about identity, belonging, resilience, and discovery. The kind that help you understand not just what a place is, but why it matters to the people who know it best.
At its core, this podcast is about connection: how travel brings us face-to-face with perspectives we might never encounter otherwise, and how every destination becomes richer once you've heard the voices behind it.
Voices of Inspiration
Honoring Dr. Benjamin E. Mays: Inspiring Generations and Preserving a Legacy
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Dr. Benjamin E. Mays is a towering figure in the history of the civil rights movement in America. His story, a testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for greatness, serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations. Born in the waning days of slavery, Dr. Mays emerged from the humble beginnings of a sharecropping community in Greenwood County to become a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and an advisor to U.S. presidents. His journey is not just a narrative of personal triumph but a chronicle of the transformative power of education and moral leadership.
In this episode, I sit down with the Executive Director of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays Historic Preservation Site in Greenwood, SC, Christopher Thomas. This marks the first of many on location episodes to come.
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays's legacy reminds us that the struggle for dignity and justice is ongoing. His teachings, preserved through the dedication of the preservation site and the stories shared in this episode, continue to inspire and challenge us to rise above our conditions and contribute positively to society. By reflecting on the life of Dr. Mays, we are compelled to honor the sacred flame of African-American heritage and carry forward the values of equity and compassion that he championed throughout his life.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR THIS EPISODE:
VIDEOGRAPHY, AUDIO, AND BTS : MELANIE LECH
OLD 96 DISTRICT AND THE DR. BENJAMIN E. MAYS HISTORIC SITE
