Black History, Let's discuss, Reparations: How and Why It is Spreading Across America

Close your eyes and in your mind's eye, imagine what you were during when you were 16. Now, imagine sitting at the feet of the elder, Queen Mother Moore, an African-American civil rights and Black nationalist who spoke prominently on the matter of reparations.

Do you wonder what impact this may have had on a teenager? For one particular teenager, it was life changing. Not only did she change her birth name to an Afro-Centric name, it shifted the paradigm of her whole existence. Some 40 years later, Nkechi Taifa, ends up the founder, principal and CEO of The Taifa Group LLC., which is a social enterprise firm whose mission is to advance justice and always confronting the injustice and hypocrisies of society to make the world better for Black people.

Which is also why she is a founding member of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America (N’COBRA) which was formed in September 1987.

Contributing to justice system reforms, Nkechi has worked closely with numerous politicians to enact judicial change. Some leaders include members such as U.S. Congress members Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, John Conyers, Bobby Scott and more.

“Criminal Justice Reform has always been my bread and butter. You can say I’ve been in the streets and in the suites,” says Nkechi, whose 2022 TEDx talk has reached thousands.

In TED-Talk speak, “the idea worth spreading” is what she has committed her life to. Beyond a speech, her innumerable achievements and service in the criminal justice arena, Nkechi is also one of the most popular experts on the issue of reparations in the United States.

She is continuously sought out as a voice on the topic appearing in numerous outlets including People Magazine and Essence. Her written testimony can be Googled as she testified before Congress on H.R. 40, The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act.

In support of the movement, Nkechi formed the non-profit Reparation Education Project (REP). This organization specializes in training and presentations on the adjudication of reparations. As a strategic thought leader, she has become a trusted advisor and partner with governments, academic institutions, religious organizations, business industries, philanthropists and entertainers.

“History is in the making as we speak regarding reparations,” she says when asked, when will reparations occur.

Just as she sat at the feet of her elder, Nkechi is revered as an invaluable asset and pays it forward. She pours into Black authors, journalists, and filmmakers such as Ta-Nehisi Coates, Del Waters, Erika Alexander. They know she is the “go-to” person on the subject of reparations.

In her latest book, Reparations On Fire, Nkechi considers it a perfect combination of historical analysis, revolutionary manifesto, and political law. But most of all, this book is about Nkechi’s personal reflection on the movement with her unique perspectives and vast experiences of 40 years.

The back cover reads like the who's who in Black America commending Nkechi on her historical efforts and life-long commitment to her work.

Among other things, the book is aimed to normalize the word REPARATIONS and allow it to become a kitchen table discussion. Readers of Reparations On Fire will learn history and be able to analyze from a Black frame of reference what was had, what was lost, and what to consider as reparations.