Author's Page, Juneteenth Handbook

The Juneteenth Handbook Author’s Page is the central hub for my work as a writer, filmmaker, and storyteller dedicated to preserving and sharing Juneteenth history. My journey began with the creation of The Juneteenth Handbook Blog, which is also represented through the Juneteenth Handbook website and Pinterest pages. These platforms were launched to collect, preserve, and share the rich and often overlooked history surrounding the Juneteenth Day Celebration. They reflect my lifelong commitment to amplifying the stories that shaped this powerful holiday and honoring the many voices that helped bring slavery to an end in America.

In 1996, I created and directed an award-winning documentary titled A Time to be Remembered, A Juneteenth Story. The film explored the origins, significance, and cultural celebration of Juneteenth. It was recognized nationally and won First Place Documentary at the 1997 Black American Cinema Society 15th Student & Independent Filmmaker Awards Show in Hollywood. That experience was a turning point, showing me how impactful Juneteenth stories could be when shared widely.

After receiving that award, I realized something important—despite my best efforts, there was a lot of valuable information I had to leave out of the documentary due to time constraints and production deadlines. So much rich, meaningful content had been left on the editing room floor. That’s when the idea for The Juneteenth Handbook was born. I saw it as a way to capture and share those untold stories in full, without the limits of screen time.

The blog became an outlet for sharing even more of the history I had uncovered—stories and facts that didn't make it into the final cut of the documentary or docudrama. Each blog post is a chance to dive deeper, explore more thoroughly, and continue the important conversation around Juneteenth. The blog is not just a continuation of my documentary work, but an extension of my lifelong mission to keep this history alive and evolving.

One of the most eye-opening revelations from my research was that the Juneteenth Day Celebration is not solely an African American celebration. While it is rooted in African American history, Juneteenth is truly an American celebration. Many of the people who worked to bring slavery to an end in the U.S. were abolitionists of all backgrounds, and their sacrifices and contributions are also part of this legacy. That’s a perspective I strive to share in my writing—one that broadens our understanding of freedom and unity.

Through my Author’s Page, I share not only updates about my latest books and blog entries but also insights, reflections, and ideas about history, community, and healing. My goal is to make history approachable, engaging, and relevant for today’s readers. Whether you're a student, educator, activist, or simply someone interested in American history, there is something here for you.

I invite you to explore the Juneteenth Handbook Author’s Page and join me on this journey of discovery and remembrance. There is so much more to learn, so much more to share, and so many more stories to honor. Thank you for being part of the movement to preserve and uplift the legacy of Juneteenth.