This second volume of Blacks in Portraits was always part of the plan, and here it is. There were so many questions behind this one. Will it be as successful as the first? What are the reader's expectations? Is this book meeting the goals that I had with the first?
My intention, still, is to inspire you to learn something about these fantastic figures. This time, I collaborated with my friend Delvin Kariuki to utilize fabulous fabrics from collections listed on her website Kwamboka.com. I posted them on my feed on Instagram (@commuteartist) in animated form, adding Black musicians and bands. It was a month-long celebration of how Americans of African descent influenced our country. I'm so proud of this project! I'm literally in tears because this journey has been such a long one. It is 2021, most of us are familiar with last year's death of George Floyd, this year's adopting of Juneteenth as a federal holiday, and the unearthing of the history of the Tulsa Massacre. My intention was never to make these volumes political, but to continue the work of Carter G. Woodson (page 34). More and more, we are realizing that reviving history and teaching it accurately is essential to our progress.
I want to know what you think about this volume, so please send me your suggestions and critiques.
To make this particular volume possible, I asked for suggestions from my Facebook feed. I want to thank everyone in no specific order: Anthony Carter, Ron Goldberg, Rochelle Dangleben, Stalina Gibson, Caitlin Jones, Sarah Logan, Amonia Paule Rolle, Mandy Massicott, Marlon Jean-Giles, Makedo Okolo, Valerie Baker Donaghy, Elaine René-Buncome, Tyler Berridge-Blanc, Gardenia Willoughby.
Author Biography:
Jerlyn Thomas is a product designer who creates rich, attention-grabbing digital experiences that amplify human purpose. By concentrating on inclusivity and design accessibility, her passion bridges the gap between technology and art to communicate directly with diverse demographics. She's a digital consultant, a mentor for numerous STEM groups, a speaker, and a published illustrator. Jerlyn has also done illustrations for Vice.com, ESPN in various anthologies and children's books. In 2020 her work was posted on Hillary Clinton's Instagram account by the actress, writer, producer, entrepreneur, and activist Erika Alexander. She is also the author of numerous books.As an ultramarathon runner (her furthest distance has been 50 miles) and triathlete (she completed a 70.3), she's fast, agile, and knows the value of training and discipline.Jerlyn's from Dominica, The Nature Island of the Caribbean, and grew up in St. Croix, a U.S. Virgin Island.Currently, she lives with her husband, Michael, and daughter, Mattis, in the Bronx, New York.For information about her upcoming books, visit her website commuteartist.com and follow her on Instagram @commuteartist to see her art. Jerlyn Thomas is a product designer who creates rich, attention-grabbing digital experiences that amplify human purpose. By concentrating on inclusivity and design accessibility, her passion bridges the gap between technology and art to communicate directly with diverse demographics. She's a digital consultant, a mentor for numerous STEM groups, a speaker, and a published illustrator. Jerlyn has also done illustrations for Vice.com, ESPN in various anthologies and children's books. In 2020 her work was posted on Hillary Clinton's Instagram account by the actress, writer, producer, entrepreneur, and activist Erika Alexander. She is also the author of numerous books.As an ultramarathon runner (her furthest distance has been 50 miles) and triathlete (she completed a 70.3), she's fast, agile, and knows the value of training and discipline.Jerlyn's from Dominica, The Nature Island of the Caribbean, and grew up in St. Croix, a U.S. Virgin Island.Currently, she lives with her husband, Michael, and daughter, Mattis, in the Bronx, New York.For information about her upcoming books, visit her website commuteartist.com and follow her on Instagram @commuteartist to see her art.
