Shawn Dromgoole is a black man who grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood in Nashville, TN. As his neighborhood gentrified, he felt less and less safe walking alone. He remembers one time when police followed him home, not believing he lived in the neighborhood. Another time, Shawn visited a store near his home, where he and his grandmother enjoyed antiquing. When Shawn arrived alone, store owners asked him to leave and threatened to call the police.
After the death of Amaud Arbery in Georgia, Shawn’s fear of walking in his own neighborhood became even more overwhelming. “I wanted to go on a walk and couldn’t,” Shawn said. “I couldn’t make it past the front porch.”
Shawn shared his fears on social media, and to his surprise, dozens of neighbors responded saying they would walk with him--75 people showed up to the first walk!
What began as a chance for Nashville neighbors to support Shawn and get to know each other turned into a national movement with walks across the country. We Walk With Shawn is now a multi-faceted project focused on strengthening communities by connecting neighbors, discussing important topics, and empowering Black and brown people through walks and conversation.
This October 29 and 30, Shawn will host two walks in Albuquerque. The first will take place Saturday at 5PM, beginning at 1st Congregational Church (2801 Lomas Blvd NE) and walking down Lomas to Bataan Park. The second will be Sunday at 9:30AM, beginning at the Church of the Good Shepherd (7834 Tennyson St. NE) walking down Tramway Terrace NE and returning to the church. Shawn will also deliver the sermon at Church of the Good Shepherd following the walk. Both walks will be short and on roads that are wheelchair-accessible.
Folks unable to participate can still support Shawn’s trip by giving to his Gofundme at https://gofund.me/7c22b7d7