"The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of the Great Migration" by Isabel Wilkerson

In the church, history is sustenance to our faith! It helps us see the world of today in a different light when we understand how our past shapes us, often repeating itself, while always creating something new. It’s the stories of the past that reveal God’s presence in our lives and give us hope for the future. 

As our nation celebrates Black History Month, consider delving into history to celebrate a resilience of spirit that has overcome incredible obstacles, while recognizing challenges we continue to face as a nation, as people of faith, and as good neighbors. 

This book is American history written in narrative form that helped me learn and understand what happened when six million Black people migrated from the south to other parts of the country. It invited me to feel the experience of their fear, stress, and desperation as well as their hope, courage, and accomplishments. It taught me much that I did not know. - Pastor Robin Caldwell

A book I continually recommend is The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson.  Researched over a period of ten years, Wilkerson tells the story of The Great Migration through the eyes and experience of 4 individuals who lived that piece of American history in very different ways. Reading this and then reading it again with a discussion group literally changed my view of our shared history as a nation --- deepening and expanding my understanding of it, particularly as those who migrated to the north continued to experience segregation, discrimination, and violence.  Do not be intimidated by the length of the book.  It looks intimidating, but the narrative flows easily and the stories will pull you in!     - Pastor Janet Hunt

Consider purchasing this book or others through a local, Black-owned, independent bookstore at https://bookshop.org/books/the-warmth-of-other-suns-the-epic-story-of-america-s-great-migration/9780679763888 or find another store by state: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a33497812/black-owned-bookstores/