A Letter to a Sister-In-Power

Dear Miss Shellie,

My dear sister-in-power, we are connected through our shared history of being ignored, overlooked and dismissed. I love your mission to preserve BIPOC legacy and adding their overlooked contributions to American history.

When you were frustrated about the lack of recognition of BIPOC American contributions to American history, you did not wait for others to solve the problem. You took initiative. I saw you turning the idea of tracing genetic history into a grassroots nonprofit.

When you are faced every day with people denying systemic racism and the existence of white privilege, you remain strong. The courage it takes for you to stand up for your belief is inspiring. When I read on your website the African proverb, “Until the lion tells its story, every story will glorify the hunter” it gave me pause. I came from Egypt, a country with a long history of colonialism, and I saw firsthand how the victors owned the story.

“When you are treated as cattle and property, it is hard to trace back your genealogy.”

As an Arab-American woman, I grew up hearing this proverb: “A person without his history is lost”. When I met you Shellie, I realized that all you wanted to do was to help show that roadmap of history to younger generations. You want them to think for themselves and see themselves under a different light. You want to highlight the trauma, the strength and the triumph that their ancestors endured.

How you persevere despite every obstacle you face is a testament to the tenacity of a black woman with an iron will. I remember you told me once, “When you are treated as cattle and property, it is hard to trace back your genealogy.” I heard the pain in your voice, but I delighted at your determination. Yes, sister, we are all a living history and our stories need to be told.

I heard about your Grand Camp project. What a great idea! Connecting children with grandparents will enrich their lives. I also noticed how you would facilitate connections between volunteer mentors and children without grandparents. Once again you demonstrated how you do not want anyone to feel overlooked and ignored. I admire you for it.

We need to focus on the family and strengthen familial ties. I know that your grandmother, Minnie Williams, is the one who instilled in you the importance of family connections – and what a great role model she was! A black woman from Alabama who became one of the first women aircraft inspectors in California. Her words that you shared with me influenced me deeply: “Until you know where you are from, you can’t understand who you are.”

I still have the picture you sent me of the quilt your great-grandmother made. I remember how it brought tears to your eyes. I see you now creating a new quilt of powerful stories for your granddaughters to enjoy. I can’t wait to see you preserving more BIPOC legacies and adding them to our collective history.

Shellie, my sister-in-power, you inspire me every day. I am honestly excited to see your startup nonprofit grow and hopefully become a cultural treasure one day. Look at what you have achieved already. You have assembled writing consultants and genealogists. You distilled the lessons you learned during your own struggle to trace your genealogy and created a workshop series to teach others how to do it right. You are lioness, and you will roar.

If you want to support Shellie and all of our wonderful BIPOC genetic legacies, see her website. I will donate a portion of all tips received for this article to Our Genetic Legacy. If you like the article please share it and let’s help spread the word about Shellie Baxter and her amazing nonprofit.