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A Good Man in Asheboro
Charles W. Thomas Jr., photographer A year ago today, my grandfather James Mitchell departed this earth after eighty-six years of a beautiful life. I had the fortune of being with him in Asheboro when...
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51 months and counting
51 months in the making 392 manuscript pages 8000 social media connections…and growing 76 wise and revealing quotes from the ages 200 narratives on what it means to give back 180 portraits of everyday...
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The Best Luck
Charles W. Thomas, photographer The best luck I’ve ever experienced in life is my beautiful mother. Continue having a Happy Birthday Week, Momma! “I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always...
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Mr. and Mrs. Jones
“Light glorifies everything. It transforms and ennobles the most commonplace and ordinary subjects.” — Leonard Misonne, photographer One of the stories featured in Giving Back pays tribute to Carlotta...
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Home Again
Earlier this month, I was a guest blogger on The Blair Essentials, the indie book blog of John F. Blair, Publisher. Blair is a publishing house in Winston-Salem, NC that distributes Giving Back to the...
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Ninety-One Years
Aunt Dora, a great aunt, indeed. Photography by Charles W. Thomas Jr. My muse and great-aunt, Dora—whose hands provide evocative imagery for the cover of my book Giving Back: A Tribute to Generations...
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Much Given, Much Expected
“To whom much is given much is expected. This biblical passage from the Gospel of Luke conveys a belief that I and many of my African American family and friends hold dear. Many of us recall a defining...
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What They Prize Most
“Children must early learn the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most that they may taste the happiness of giving.” — Ohiyesa, Native American physician, writer and change...
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Seven Generations and One Hundred, Ten Years Ago
Christian and Riley McGimpsey with family and friends, 1903 This is a story about Riley R. McGimpsey (28 Mar 1845 – 20 Apr 1934), my great-great-grandfather, as told to me by my elder cousin Nettie...
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Rose Gardener: Maldonia’s Story
“The fragrance always remains in the hand that gives the rose.” — Chinese proverb With the John and Maldonia Fullwood Family Reunion coming up this summer and my dad’s birthday this week,...
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Day 8
My momma worries. I keep telling her I’m good. She can’t help it though. Poem, Day 8 Out late on Day 8, so this is one, in barely by the skin of my teeth. I’m keeping it super simple yet true.
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Wonder Woman
Happy Women’s History Month! To celebrate, women from Giving Back, from my giving circle and from my life will feature here throughout March. The month’s first post is excerpted from Giving Back and...
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Wondrous Women
Yesterday for International Women’s Day, I paid tribute to the women of my family tree who sprouted me and help keep me rooted, nourished and strong. I cherish and love them everyday!
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Legacy, Longing and The Lake
Image from a letter written to Riley R. McGimpsey, my great-great grandfather, 119 years ago Ancestors and family are subjects I often write about. Like here and here. So I was excited when a reporter...
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