NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y (WKBW) — Philadelphia-based artist Ken Johnston is embarking on the final stretch of an 850-mile walk in honor of the Underground Railroad. Johnston is heading from Niagara Falls to Owen Sound, Ontario, a city known as the northern terminus of the historic Freedom Route.
Since 2018, Johnston has walked thousands of miles across the eastern United States to trace Black Heritage trails, including from Alabama to Memphis, and Philadelphia to Niagara Falls, each with a desire to explore what he calls the "Deep Power of Memory."
"Tracing the footsteps of Harriet Tubman, it's taken me through a lot of Underground Railroad communities," Johnston said.
Johnston's journey is an invitation for others to connect with their family history and reflect on the historic fight for freedom.
WATCH: Philadelphia artist commemorates Underground Railroad with an 850-mile walk
"Some families lived on both sides of the border in this area for over 100 years," Johnston explained. "They may have been transnationals, they lived on one side, then moved to the other side when things weren't safe for them, and then came back. That's the story of the Underground Railroad here in Western New York."
Owen Sound is home to a community who have celebrated Emancipation Day, marking the end of slavery for more than 160 years in British colonies. For Johnston, reaching the city is more than just an endpoint, but a powerful reminder.
"It's a movement initiative," Johnston said. "And the goal is to explore the deep power of memory that the Black Heritage trails offer."
Johnston invites everyone to join him for part of the walk on Saturday, July 19, at 8:30 a.m.
