for change, as started in the black struggles received several awards and was a finalist for the beckman hooks national book awards. we also have a dear friend of mine, maurice hobson who san associate professor of african-american studies at georgia state university. his research interests are grounded in the fields of african-american history, 20th century history, comparative labor, african-american studies, urban and rule history, political economy and the like. he's the author of the award-winning book the legends of the black mecca, politics and class and the making of modern atlanta, which is published by university of north carolina press. next we have my dearest friend, my chicago sister, me mean sengstacke-rice. she is founder of the robert sengstacke foundation which happens to run right outside my front door. sthe is also the founder and publisher of brownsville life, a lifestyle publication inspired by the historic arts culture, news and politics in the rich historical community of chicagoland. myiti brits myiti brings a special area of expertise because she comes from a fam