Foreword: Professor Bernard & Kate Lafayette:
Professor Bernard Lafayette, Jr., (born July 29, 1940) is a longtime civil rights activist and organizer, who was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. He played a leading role in early organizing of the Selma Voting Rights Movement; was a member of the Nashville Student Movement; and worked closely throughout the 1960s movements with groups such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
History is such a powerful tool to have on one’s tool-belt as you journey through this life. Having been a student of and a participant in making history, I can tell you that my dear friend and author Phil Brown has proven time and again to demonstrate his sincere reverence for history, and passing forward the legacies of those African American men and women who’ve sacrificed so much in challenging America to live up to its founding principles…We can all debate which platforms are best for engaging current and future generations of young people with American history. But what I don’t believe is up for debate is the masterful way the author Phil Brown tells this fictional journey of Olivia Jones with real lived history woven throughout – – It reads as compelling as any autobiography tale…
The story was so captivating that I completely lost myself in the pages. This story will capture the attention and the imagination of its reader – as it did me and my wife Kate, my partner of 52 years. “Once you start reading her story, you can’t put it down!” Both Kate and I are educators, we know first hand the power of being able to engage students/ young adults – once you have their attention you can teach them anything – – Including history! Olivia Jones will grab their attention while simultaneously teaching them lessons of struggle in our American history!