Jamia Wilson - Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present

Our lives matter. This book is a love letter to our ancestors and to the next generation of black changemakers, in the spirit of the song To Be Young, Gifted and Black.

The iconic song was written by one of the musicians in this book, Nina Simone. She dedicated it to her friend, Lorraine Hansberrythe first black woman to write a Broadway play. She wrote the song as a tribute to Lorraines speech The Nation Needs Your Gifts, which she gave to young black creative writers.

When I first started writing, I was unsure about sharing my stories publicly. My late grandfather, who was born in 1911 and grew up in a segregated community, came to me in a dream. He said: Go to New York. Write. Write the books you needed when you were younger. He saw what I could be, before I could understand the depth of my potential.

For Andrea, the experience of illustrating this book while expecting a baby boy crystallized the importance of books that show people who look like him. We wish for every child who encounters Young, Gifted and Black to know that the world needs your gifts, that they are more than enough, and that we see your greatness today, tomorrow, and beyond.

We both believe in the power of creating what we need to see. The books we read and the media we consume deeply influence our understanding of who we are and what we can beif you cant see it you cant be it. They also impact how we understand each other. And although a lot has changed since Lorraines speech and Ninas song were written, the stories in movies, in school, and on television often show a limited view of the achievements and stories of people of color.

All children deserve to see themselves represented positively in stories. Thats why were highlighting the talent and contributions of black changemakers from around the worldfor readers of all backgrounds to discover.

This book is a beginning and not an end. Were inviting you on a journey through time, across borders, and even through space (with astronaut Mae Jemison!) that provides a small but mighty snapshot of the infinite amount of celebrated and unsung heroes worldwide, including yourselves and the people you care about.

Lets look to the lessons of the past while imagining whats possible when we dare to be bold. While each of the 52 visionary leaders weve highlighted has unique strengths and have endured various heartbreaks and triumphs, they share their fearless pursuit of the dreams they had as a child.

We hope that youre just as encouraged by the artists, activists, doers, makers, healers, and dreamers who bravely paved the way for us to have a brighter future.

Jamia Wilson & Andrea Pippins

NOV. 23, 1805MAY 14, 1881 KINGSTON, JAMAICA

Heroine of the Crimean War, Mary Seacole, pioneered as a NURSE who cared for British soldiers at the battlefront.

As a child, young Mary learned about Caribbean medicine from her mother, a free black Jamaican woman. A natural healer, she practiced nursing dolls and pets before tending to humans.

By 1854, Mary was living in London when the suffering of soldiers in the Crimean War went public. At the start of the war, her application to join Florence Nightingales nursing team was rejectedlike many others who were refused due to their race or class. Determined to help, Mary put her nursing skills to use and went to war at her own expense.

In 1855, she built the British Hotel near Balaklava to care for injured soldiers. She helped contain the cholera outbreak by distributing remedies in hospitals on the Crimean frontlines.

Although she passed away in 1881, Mother Seacole is remembered for bravely running a business, kindly caring for ill and injured warriors, and defying discrimination during an era when black womens rights were limited.

AUGUST 8, 1866MARCH 9, 1955 NANJEMOY, MARYLAND USA

Matthew Alexander Henson was the first African-American Arctic EXPLORER . He made six exploration voyages over the course of 18 years.

Born to poor tenant farmers who passed away during his childhood, Matthew became a dishwasher at Janeys Home-Cooked Meals Caf to support himself when he was about eleven years old. One of his favorite parts of the work was learning about the customers lives. He was especially fascinated by sailors and any interesting voyages.

Aged 12, he walked forty miles from his home to Baltimore to work on a merchant boat. Once he was hired, he learned how to read and write from the ships captain. Always adventurous, Matthew sailed all around the world.

In 1890, he joined voyager Robert Pearys first Arctic expedition across the northern tip of Greenland. He went on to cover almost 10,000 miles on dogsleds across Greenland and Canada.

Matthews team made history by becoming the first explorers to reach the North Pole in 1909. Matthew declared, I think Im the first man to sit on top of the world.

AUGUST 24, 1972 LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA USA

Ava DuVernay was the first black female FILM DIRECTOR to win a Golden Globe Award, and the first African American to win Best Director at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

As a child, Ava grew up near Compton, a mostly black and Latino city in southern Los Angeles County. Throughout the school year, she attended an all-girls Catholic school, and discovered her love of movies while watching films with her Aunt Denise.

Ava often visited her fathers childhood home in Hayneville, Alabama during summer vacations. Later, Ava said that trips to her fathers hometown inspired her Oscar nominated film Selma, about marches for voter equality in the 1960s.

As a publicist turned filmmaker, Ava attributes her success to creativity and determination. She advises aspiring directors to: Be passionate and move forward with gusto every single hour of every single day until you reach your goal.

JANUARY 26, 1892APRIL 30, 1926 ATLANTA, TEXAS USA

Bessie Coleman was an AIRSHOW PILOT , and the first African American and Native American to stage a public flight.

One of 13 kids, Bessie trekked for four hours a day to her one-room school in Texas. Always a high flyer, she excelled at mathematics and reading. When she wasnt studying, she helped out on her family farm and attended church. Her determination and drive led to her gaining a place at Langston University in Oklahoma. But college fees were expensive, and Bessie had to leave after completing only one semester.

Aged 23, Bessie heard stories from World War One pilots during her job as a manicurist. Their adventures inspired her. Since U.S. flight schools denied women and blacks entry, Bessie became a licensed pilot in France. Although a crash ended the aviators dream of opening a school for black fliers, her legacy continues. Mae Jemison, the first black female astronaut in space, brought a photo of Brave Bessie on her first mission.