Finding Black History

Years ago, when I was about eight years old and hungry to read anything I could, I discovered my grandmother’s Ebony magazines. I couldn’t wait for each new release to arrive, and for the next few years, I learned that I had a community- a vibrant, diligent, tenacious community- from Richard Wright to Sidney Poitier, Diane Carroll to Lena Horne, James Baldwin to Ralph Abernathy, and Dr. Mae Jamison to Jackie Joyner-Kersee; their stories helped me to understand not only my own strengths, but also my capacity to overcome any challenge. I have a personal desire to tell the love story that is Black America- a love story that emerges through familial ties and extended relationships, commonalities and necessity. I want to honor the complex stories of the ancestors that dug in, tooth and nail, and forged a way for us to thrive. I hope you can learn something here just as I did all those years ago in my grandparent's home- something that fortifies you and encourages you to see the legacy that you can leave for our community as well.

                                                                                      Sincerely,

                                                                                       Rachel