Brazile Donna - For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics

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somebody/ anybody

sing a black girls song

bring her out

to know herself

to know you

but sing her rhythms

sing her sighs

sing the song of her possibilities

sing a righteous gospel

the makin of a melody

let her be born

let her be born

& handled warmly.

NTOZAKE SHANGE

For the women

who ride the early bus

who work the late shift

who teach the children, clean the offices, nurse the sick

who stand guard and keep watch

who build, create, and sustain

who cut new paths and swim in unchartered waters

who light the path and lead the way

who stand up, step up, sit down, and always keep moving

who do the everyday extraordinary work of family, community, and liberation.

We sing this song for you.

Writing this book was an experience that challenged and inspired us more than we could have imagined. We had so many remarkable stories to tell not only of the events we experienced in politics but also of all the living weve done the historic moments we have witnessed, the amazing men and women of valor we have worked with, and reflections on the present moment. We offer our heartfelt thanks to those who supported us as we attempted to capture these stories, most especially:

Our sister, Tina Flournoy, the fifth Colored Girl, who walked these long roads with us. Though her name does not appear on the book jacket, she is present in every one of these stories and has her own stories to tell.

Our families, our friends, our coworkers, and the many, many colleagues over the years who have stood with us in promoting justice and equality for all.

Members and contributors to the Bank of Justice, our work is not over. Lets continue to lift up those struggling to overcome poverty, racism, and all forms of bigotry and oppression.

All of those who played a role in the journey that is our lives and our careers. We name many of them in the book, but there are many, many dozens more. There are not enough pages to name you all nor words to express our gratitude for what you did to make us better, to make us stronger, to make us braver, tougher, clearer, and more compassionate.

Felicia D. Henderson, filmmaker and showrunner extraordinaire, who first told us that the story of our friendship was worth telling.

Isiah Thomas, thank you for recognizing our history even before we began this book-writing process. Your clarity and your words encouraged us to think long and hard about our individual and collective achievements.

The incomparable Veronica Chambers, who started as our writing partner and became our friend who became our sisterwe thank you for your grace, your patience, your wit, your skill, your creativity, and your passion for this project and for us working with one author is challenging enough, but combining four voices into a cogent, coherent, and interesting read is a major feat! We are grateful.

Activists Zerlina Maxwell and Reverend Mark Thompson, both of whom host shows on Sirius XM (among other things), and inspired the title for this book. And on that note, we thank the brilliant Ntozake Shange, author of For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf . Her seminal work has inspired women for decades, encouraging and emboldening sisters everywhere to tell their stories and live their truths.

Those who spent time reading our drafts, commenting on passages, saying brava, or simply telling us to delete.

The awesome team at St. Martins Press and especially Michael Flamini, our incredibly kind, incredibly fun (and funny) editor and guide through this mysterious process called book publishing.

Gail Ross, our fabulous agent, who took us on when this book was just an idea, and kept four busy women on track and on task over many months.

Darrell Miller, Esq., our eagle-eyed attorney, for his expert advice and advocacy, dotting every i and crossing every t.

To our mentors , those who have gone on and to those who are still with us, Rev. Willie T. Barrow, Coretta Scott King, Dr. Maya Angelou, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Dr. Myrlie Evers, Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson, Dr. Dorothy Height, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, and the incomparable Cicely Tyson. We are blessed and humbled that our lives crossed paths with yours. We owe you a lifetime of gratitude. May your living never be in vain.

Finally, we worship and praise an awesome God whose grace gives us focus and whose mercy allows us to continue to give back and pay it forward.

And now, some personal acknowledgments:

DONNA

I would like to thank my ever-expanding large and diverse family, especially my sisters and brothers: Cheryl, Chet, Lisa, Demetria, Kevin, Zeola, and my phenomenal nieces Janika, J. Mallore, Brianna, Aailyah, Kaliyah, Kiristin, and Whitney. And to my amazing nephews: Kevin Jr., Elmore Jr., Roderick Jr., Colin, Chet Jr., Malik, Kevin III, Karim, Joel, and Jace. To all my cousins and that includes my first, second, third, fourth, and well, you know. I am grateful to God for the many blessings of my beautiful family. They have stuck by my side and provided me with unconditional love and a lot of laughs.

There are so many friends who have lifted me up, came over to share a cup of coffee or a glass of wine; you know who you are because I cannot thank you enough. Ellen, Sophie, Julie, Nicco, Nancy, and my Boston circle of friends at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy who helped me get back on the dance floor of life. Special thanks to Mia, Betsy, and my little godson Kai for their love and personal support on so many levels.

To my former colleagues at the Democratic National Committee (and RoChelle Williams) who answered the call to serve and never surrender, you all are honorary members of the Bank of Justice. Dont forget to repay your dues through acts of goodness and kindness. The movement is fueled by love and hope. Lets not grow weary in doing good.

Special thanks to Georgetown University and ABC News who helped me get up from the cyber storm that virally rippled through the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Finally, to my sisters Minyon, Leah, Yolanda (and Tina who remains smarter than us all), God is not finished with us. You all are my favorite roadrunners in the battle for justice and mercy. Your rare gifts, combined with intellect and compassion, are truly a sight to behold. I see our ancestors in you. At a time when some of those who never really believed in any of us came after me, you didnt join the choir. At least you allowed me to speak. Thank you.

Thank you.

P.S. When I started this book, my little doggie Chip heard all my stories. At times, he barked along with me, but he also groaned. Like, Mommy, please dont go there. Chip, I miss you. You were magical to me.

YOLANDA

First and always foremost, I would like to acknowledge and thank the FatherIve always known he didnt bring me this far to leave me. I am so grateful to you for the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me throughout my life.