In the tradition of the African proverb, “it takes a village” to attempt the healing and restorative work of racial justice. We dedicate this book to the central members of our village—our partners and children: Darryl, Anaiah, and Isaiah Roberts; Denise, Hannah, Alex, and Jake Mayo; Willetta Lewis, Sommer, David, and Nelson Thomas.

In the spirit of Sankofa, we pay homage to the African people who first set foot on US soil exactly four hundred years ago, in 1619. We commemorate the sacrifices that were made in pursuit of the liberation of future generations of African-descended people, who would awaken the moral conscience of a nation and lead us toward a brighter future.