“Today (September 17, 1937), I am the only surviving member who helped organize the Second Baptist Church here in Lafayette, 64 years ago. I’ve tried to live according to the way the Lord would wish, God Bless you.”
His-story can heal, unify and galvanize us
(Click on the bolded links to see some of my research)
It’s been almost five years since I discovered my great-great grandfather’s narrative that captured his-story from being enslaved in Kentucky and his runaway to freedom and prosperity in Indiana. It was a miracle and unleashing of supernatural power that I will never forget. I was at a low point in my life. I was broken hearted, had a mountain of debt and was working for a bully boss that had me feeling oppressed. I cried out to God in my distress and immediately heard him say, “google your great-great grandfather.” Long story short, I did just that and it took me on a journey of self-discovery so powerful that I have been using his-story in my coaching process to heal, unify and galvanize others to remove the internal and external mountains standing in their way to progress.
It was near the end of the summer of 2015 when I learned that he was one of 2000 formerly enslaved men and women who had recorded a narrative. His-story was documented 1937 when he was 89 years old. Some of the narratives were audio, unfortunately his was only in print. There were countless blogs and articles featuring his-story too. In addition to the narrative, his-story was featured in many lessons plans (that have been removed?!?) in the Library of Congress for teachers to share with students focusing on building empathy about enslavement. I am taking the lessons I have learned and applying them to my life and integrating it into my coaching program. My clients are having aha moments after looking back at their own lives, and the lives of their ancestors. These aha moments will last a lifetime as we heal, unify and galvanize.