We’re home! After three full weeks on the road, our family tour has finally wrapped. It’s hard to describe the whirlwind that just unfolded—but as we sit here back home, tissues in hand and cough drops within reach, it’s hitting me just how big this adventure was.

We’re currently in recovery mode. The girls took turns with fevers, low energy days, and a lingering cough that just won’t quit. Rob and I caught our own version of the flu, and there was even an urgent care visit in the mix. Touring with kids is no small feat—but even in the hard moments, it’s something I wouldn’t trade.

We closed the tour with a celebratory stop at Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant, OK. It was our first time visiting, and wow—it’s a city within a city. Me and Rob enjoyed a quiet drink together while the girls had a blast in the arcade. Harley affectionately dubbed it “The Gamble,” and that nickname stuck. From high-end restaurants to a bowling alley, movie theater, pools, and a full arcade, this is one spot we’re already planning to revisit.

Chocktaw Resort - Durant, OK

Before that, we wrapped our final show at Del Mar Community College in Corpus Christi, TX. We couldn’t leave without dipping our toes in the Gulf of Mexico! The beach day was breezy and playful—a beautiful way to cap a month of working hard and traveling long.

Along the way, we stayed in a mix of hotels and Airbnbs. One of the most memorable stops was in Columbus, MS, where Mississippi University for Women graciously hosted us in the Puckett House—a Victorian Queen Anne style home built by Mr. Puckett for his family in the early 1900s. The bricks were made by his own contracting firm, and the house was later moved to campus where it now serves as a guest residence. From the turret to the multiple parlor rooms, intricate woodwork, and sprawling layout, it echoed with old stories and hospitality. It reminded me so much of Bishop’s Palace in Galveston with its long center stairwell, dining rooms, and prep areas. It was an absolute joy to stay there.

Anitra @ The Puckett House - MS Univ for Women; Columbus, MS

We also had a little rest stop in Houston where we got to see friends and family. A highlight for me was dinner at Gaido’s—my favorite! I had the special, a stuffed flounder, and it was divine. We spent time at an indoor playground and just enjoyed being still for a couple of days.

@ Gaido's in Galveston, TX

Let’s talk about Jackson, MS! We didn’t have a show booked there, but it made the perfect 2-day halfway stop between gigs. That’s where I learned something new: Jackson has a volcano. Yes—a volcano. It’s called the Jackson Volcano, and it’s a buried extinct volcano located directly underneath the Mississippi Coliseum Fairgrounds. We spent about 10 minutes driving around trying to spot something, but of course it’s underground. Still, it was wild to know it’s there!

While in Jackson, I also made a personal pilgrimage to the Medgar Evers Home. Medgar Evers was a civil rights leader and the first field secretary for the NAACP in Mississippi. He was a champion for voting rights, desegregation, and justice. Tragically, he was assassinated in 1963 outside his home—shot in the back as he exited his car in the driveway. When we visited, we unknowingly parked in the exact spot where the assassin’s car had been. I stood in the carport where Medgar took his final steps. That moment hit me deeply.

It felt especially full-circle because I speak about Medgar Evers in my performance during my Nina Simone highlight. Nina’s song “Mississippi Goddam” was written in response to his assassination. Being there, standing in his space, reminded me why I started this program in the first place. It is an honor to carry these stories forward through song and storytelling—to embody and share the legacies of those who fought for equality.

Home of Medgar and Myrlie Evers National Monument - Jackson, MS

Traveling with my family adds another layer of meaning. Rob and I started this journey together years ago, and now we get to share it with our two daughters. We homeschool on the road, and it’s a gift to teach through experience—visiting historical landmarks, learning Black history through tangible connections. Harley learned about Medgar Evers not just through words, but by being in the place where history happened.

This tour was hard. It stretched us. But it also grounded us.

We snow-shoveled our way out of 12 inches of ice at the start of the tour. We dealt with sickness, bad weather, emotional roller coasters, and the daily logistics of touring with kids. And we did it. We met incredible students and faculty across every campus. Every school welcomed us with warmth and open arms.

2026 Tour Schedule:

• Feb 3 – University of North Texas at Dallas

• Feb 5 – Bossier Parish Community College, LA

• Feb 9 – Mississippi University for Women, MS

• Feb 10 – Mississippi State University, MS

• Feb 11 – East Mississippi Community College Golden Triangle

• Feb 11 – East Mississippi Community College Scooba

• Feb 18 – Texas A&M University – Victoria, TX

• Feb 19 – Del Mar Community College – Corpus Christi, TX

To everyone who attended a performance—thank you. Your presence, your questions, your smiles—they keep me going. And to the colleges who hosted us, you made this tour possible. Thank you for investing in live cultural arts programming.

If you’re reading this and interested in booking the program for 2027 Black History Month or other cultural/educational events, please reach out here. We’re already dreaming and planning.

— Anitra