About the Author

Anna Malaika Tubbs is a Cambridge Ph.D. candidate in Sociology and a Bill and Melinda Gates Cambridge Scholar. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Stanford University with a BA in Anthropology, Anna received a Master's from the University of Cambridge in Multidisciplinary Gender Studies. Outside of the academy she is an educator, DEI consultant, and the First Partner of Stockton, CA. She lives with her husband, the mayor of Stockton, Michael Tubbs, and their son Michael Malakai.

Reviews

'An intimate narrative that aims to link not only Little, King and Baldwin, but all Black mothers'
New York Times Book Review

'Through Tubbs' writing, Berdis, Alberta, and Louise's stories sing. Theirs is a history forgotten that begs to be told, and Tubbs tells it brilliantly'
Ibram X. Kendi, #1 New York Times bestselling author of How to Be an Antiracist

'A fascinating exploration into the lives of three women ignored by history ... Uncovers hidden complexities within black motherhood that illuminate our understanding of the past while also shedding light on the overlooked contributions of black women today. An eye-opening, engrossing read'
Brit Bennett, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanishing Half and The Mothers

'Does what Black women do best: hold up the light in darkness, calling us all to do our work ... Anna is a powerful storyteller, and we should all be grateful she chose to tell this story'
Brittany Packnett Cunningham, co-host of Pod Save the People and co-founder of Campaign Zero

'A profound reflection on the contours of Black freedom in the twentieth century and beyond ... An essential celebration of Black women, one that illuminates the history of racism and resistance in critical new ways. A timely and important book'
Elizabeth Hinton, author of From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime

'Magnificent ... An intimate explication of motherhood as the shoulders upon which children stand ... but it's also a love letter to these three particular Black women; a scholarly rejection of the trope of Black woman as conquered victim; and a literary declaration that Black women know best how to survive in this broken world while actively mending it for everyone'
Julie Lythcott-Haims, New York Times bestselling author of How to Raise an Adult