*A solo walk along the National Mall — conference behind me, monuments ahead, and space to take it all in.*

Solo & Soulful Series
📍Washington, DC | 📅 January 13-14, 2024
🛏 Marriott Marquis Washington DC

Washington, DC, wasn’t supposed to be a one-day trip.

I traveled to DC in January 2024 for the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Conference while I was a doctoral student at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work. A delayed flight condensed my plans, turning what should have been two days into one, but the day still unfolded with a fullness I didn’t expect.

I stayed at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, arriving early that morning and moving straight into conference mode. As a member of the SSWR Doctoral Student Committee, I volunteered for a few hours as soon as I arrived. It felt grounding to start the day in service, helping and connecting with other doctoral students and easing into the rhythm of the conference.

Later that morning, I attended the Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW) meeting, where award recipients were recognized. I received the GCSW Doctoral Award, which supported my dissertation research — one of those moments where you briefly step back and realize the work you’ve been doing has landed somewhere beyond your own desk.

Afterward, I met my mentor and dissertation chair, Dean Teri Brown, along with another doctoral student, Sam, for lunch at Jaleo, Chef José Andrés’ vibrant Spanish restaurant known for its tapas, paella, and sangria. The food was incredible, but more than that, it was a pause — good conversation, thoughtful mentorship, and a chance to slow down before heading back out into the city.

At the GCSW Meeting

At Jaleo

From there, I stepped into DC on foot — solo, unhurried, and observant.

I walked along Pennsylvania Avenue, passing a protest first, then the White House shortly after. The contrast felt distinctly Washington. I continued toward the National Mall, taking in the Washington Monument, then the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and finally the Lincoln Memorial. It wasn’t a structured sightseeing plan so much as a quiet unfolding, letting the city guide the route.

As the afternoon faded, I ended my walk at the Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture, moving through galleries filled with art and portraits that tell pieces of the American story. After hours of conferencing, volunteering, and walking, it was the perfect place to slow my pace — reflective without demanding anything from me.