The Washington Informer: Regional

was created in 1808 as a colony for Blacks who fought on the side of the British during the American Revolution. Many had been promised freedom in exchange for their service, and when this became impossible on American soil, many were transported to the West African colony of Sierra Leone. Others went to Canada.

Fitzjohn is a product of these historical events. Nattily dressed in a deep forest green suit, he welcomes his guests on a tour bus daily, making them feel instantly at ease with an infectious smile that is an ancient trademark of humble African men.

Fitzjohn attributes his modesty and sense of humility to his parents. “My father constantly preached about integrity and morals in which he lived,” he said.

“My mother’s [also] been a pillar of strength of support.” Through her capacity as an “educator and a minister of religion,” Fitzjohn received invaluable instructions on how to carry himself in the world.

Those lessons appear to have sunken in.

Fitzjohn’s achievements are vast. He currently works as a “cultural ambassador to the most powerful city in the world [Washington, D.C.]” for Tour Mobile, the premier tour
company in the D.C. Metro area. Black-owned, the company has been in existence for 37 years.

“They’re here seeking history and information. They leave with a wealth of information,” said Ronnie Inge, director of the company.

The employees find it hard to explain the demographics of the tour groups. “Not a lot of African Americans [come on the tours],” said Inge. Apparently, foreigners and White Americans account for the company’s largest patronage.

Inge remains optimistic however. “As time goes on, there should be more representation.”

Fitzjohn believes that when the tours become more “Black themed,” African Americans will flock to join. Tour Mobile staffers agree that when the Frederick Douglass home was integrated into the tour, Black representation increased.

Notwithstanding the dearth of Brown faces in his tour groups, Fitzjohn showcases his firm grasp of politics and history to Tour Mobile patrons. He peppers his speeches with anecdotes, jokes and riddles.

Fitzjohn’s charismatic personality and meticulous presentation shout “distinguished ambassador on the prowl!”

Fitzjohn’s father, William Fitzjohn, served as High Commissioner to Great Britain for Sierra Leone. Prior to his occupying that role, he attended Lincoln University, the historically Black college located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, connecting with a class that reads like a Who’s Who list: Kwame Nkrumah (first president of Ghana) Langston Hughes (renowned poet), Sterling Brown (renowned poet) and Nnamdi Azikiwe (first president of Nigeria.)

It appears that the fruit didn’t fall far from the tree.

The younger Fitzjohn is a Pan-Africanist by choice. “Black people here must concern themselves with what happens on the continent because what happens on the continent reflects on us here.” Equally for him, Africans must be concerned with what happens to African Americans.

According to Fitzjohn, the media can be used as a healthy tool for bringing the two halves together.

In his own life, Fitzjohn has worked vigorously to further these aims. In addition to working at Tour Mobile, he has worked in various capacities within the media and is set to launch the African World on MHz Public Television (Commonwealth of Virginia Public Broadcasting Corporation). It will be the only public television station in the United States that deals exclusively with issues pertaining to Africa.

“We must be concerned about the unity of our condition. We are [all] African Americans," Fitzjohn stated, referring to African immigrant communities in the U.S.

“Whether it’s Yoruba or Hausa, we are African Americans.”