As the first African-American and the fourth American to sail solo around the world, Captain Pinkney communicated regularly with students in Boston and Chicago via satellite, teaching sailing basics along with valuable lessons in perseverance, dedication and commitment. Born in 1953 in Bronzeville, a section of Chicago, far from the sea but close to big water, Captain Pinkney was moved to join the Navy after high school because of the awe-inspiring sight of near-by Lake Michigan and various nautical stories he had read.

The "Middle Passage Voyage" took place in 1999. He took nine public school teachers aboard the 78-foot ketch Sortilege and retraced the route of slave ships that traveled between Africa and the Americas. PBS produced "Captain Bill Pinkney's Voyage Home," a documentary about his trip to Africa. Currently master of the famously recreated Amistad ship, Captain Pinkney helps raise money and awareness by talking about the Amistad replica, history and dream, as shown in Steven Speilberg's acclaimed 1997 movie.

Inspirational, Adventure,