Jussie Smollett Visits W.E.B. Du Bois Centre in Ghana
Actor Jussie Smollett embarks on a transformative journey to Ghana’s W.E.B. Du Bois Centre
Image: Instagram
A Pilgrimage To Du Bois’ Resting Place
American actor and producer Jussie Smollett touched down in Accra this week, arriving at the W.E.B. Du Bois Centre for Pan-African Culture—once the home and now the museum celebrating the life of the pioneering civil rights scholar.
In an Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK94EW5sApX/), Smollett wrote, “Yesterday I was honored to visit the home, now museum, and final resting place of the great W.E.B. DuBois (Read #TheSoulsOfBlackFolk). Such rich history here in Ghana y’all. I haven’t even scratched the surface but I know I’ll never be the same. Thank you @WEBDuboisCentreGhana for hosting us. Love this land with my whole heart. 🇬🇭🌍”
Reflections On History
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, co-founder of the NAACP and author of the seminal work The Souls of Black Folk, spent his final years in Ghana. The Centre memorializes his scholarship and activism, preserving his study, library and gravesite for visitors worldwide. Smollett’s visit comes amid Ghana’s Year of Return initiative, which marks three decades since the nation’s independence and seeks to reconnect the African diaspora with its heritage.
A Personal Journey
Accompanied by cousin and photographer Joey Bedwei (@joeybedwei), Smollett explored the museum’s archives before pausing at Du Bois’s tomb overlooking the leafy campus. “I haven’t even scratched the surface,” he admitted, capturing a moment of quiet reflection.
In an earlier Instagram post (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK5L-LrM4Xc/), Smollett had shared his sense of “#HOME” alongside the same family circle—an indication that this trip is as much about personal roots as professional milestones.
Connecting Past And Present
Ghana’s drive to welcome artists, academics and influencers has attracted a new wave of cultural tourism. By stepping into Du Bois’s living quarters and study, Smollett joins figures from across the globe paying homage to Pan-African pioneers. His post drew praise from fans and historians alike, celebrating the actor’s eagerness to learn and share.
Looking Ahead
After wrapping his visit at Du Bois Centre, Smollett is set to continue his exploration of Ghana—sampling local cuisine and meeting with cultural custodians in Cape Coast and Kumasi. He has hinted at more reflections to come, promising his followers on Instagram that “this land has changed me forever.”
As the sun set over Accra, the actor’s journey underscored a broader trend: public figures embracing heritage travel to deepen their understanding and spark conversations around identity, history and legacy. With Du Bois’s spirit guiding the way, Smollett’s pilgrimage has only just begun.
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