We all love a good story! Stories influence the way we think and can influence the way we behave. 

It is a scientific fact that the brain causes us to align with the stories we hear. We develop opinions and ideas based on what we hear and we even put ourselves in the story we're hearing.

What stories are our young people listening to today?  What are the stories that tell them who they are?  How are stories being used today to impress our young?  What evidence do you see?  What can we do to add more truth and inspiration to their lives through storytelling? 

When we share the writings of authors from the past, our children gain respect as they learn who we are and in turn learn who they are. They understand the exceptional role we played and continue to play in the advancement of world's history and culture.  They gain knowledge that informs them of what they are capable of and their worth cannot be denied. They are no longer held to an identity placed on them by a system designed to enslave them.

I love to share stories from the time of enslavement.  What greater testament of the intelligence, creativity, power and resilience of a people.  The stories I share are the stories of our everyday lives. We're not sharing the trauma here, we are sharing to bring,  in the words of Nikki Giovanni, "the sweet juice, not just the dry bones, alive to our young people."  Stories of truth and integrity, honor and legacy. "Reach back and fetch it!"  WE WON.