Today we’d like to introduce you to LaQuitta Barnes.
Hi LaQuitta, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a K-5 educator with over thirteen years of experience teaching scholars within the public school system in Houston, TX. I have always been passionate about exposing scholars to culturally inclusive resources that help inspire and challenge them to make rich textual connections. I have taught all subjects, however, reading and social studies are always dear to my heart and I’m always looking for ways to promote historical figures and events, especially the ones that are not often emphasized in our history books. Unfortunately, the story of Black Wall Street is readily known but not discussed and this year marked the 100th Anniversary of the destruction of the town and I was yearning for more information on how it was built and not solely focused on the destruction. When trying to find a book that highlighted the essence of Black Wall Street, I had a difficult time locating a children’s book about how Black Wall Street was created and the success of the businessmen and women from the area. I wanted to empower students to see the wealth and sense of community in this Greenwood District. I wrote my book Black Wall Street: The Spirit of Community to expose the beauty of this hub of over 300 black-owned businesses which was heavily supported by the 10,000 residents in this town.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the challenges I faced was telling a story that was not discussed in our history books and I had to overcome the fear of exposing the facts in a way that was relatable to our youth. It turns out that children gravitate to learning about history especially when they can see themselves in these amazing entrepreneurs who established Black Wall Street.
Another challenge we are currently facing is ensuring that this story is no longer hidden and is shared with more young scholars. My goal is to see this book in the school system, and we are currently looking for donors large or small to support this cause. Considering the current political battle over social studies and what is taught in schools, our community must remember that we learn best from our past through exposure and discussion to create a better future.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a versatile educator, I have enjoyed transforming children’s lives through literature and reshaping their future. I was inspired to write Black Wall Street: The Spirit of Community because of the lack of age-appropriate text to teach notable moments in history such as this amazing story. Through our website Ourhistorytold.com, I plan to shine a light on other historical figures and events often overlooked in history books. The goal of Our History Told is to bring awareness and spark discussion among families and communities.
The book speaks about entrepreneurship which is also close to my heart. For the past fourteen years, I have found success as a licensed realtor and real estate investor. The rich history of Black Wall Street resonates with my family’s goal of promoting the importance of entrepreneurship and generational wealth. Along with my husband and two children, I have a passion for revitalizing my hometown by providing quality homes and creating a stronger sense of community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
One aspect of good luck I have experienced while developing this book was during my visit to Tulsa, OK in May 2021 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Black Wall Street. The hotel we stayed in happened to be the host hotel for many influential people. During a casual conversation discussing my book, I was invited to an event that included the descendants of JB Stradford and John and Loula Williams, who are the entrepreneurs highlighted in my book. It was a full-circle moment to hear their stories, interact with them, and receive validation to write this story and share it with our youth.
Pricing:
- Black Wall Street Book 14.99
Contact Info:
- Email: admin@ourhistorytold.com
- Website: www.ourhistorytold.com
- Instagram: Ourhistorytold1
- Facebook: Ourhistorytold01
Image Credits
We Made It Studios
