This book is for every person who longs to go home but can’t because too much land and sea and war stands in between them. This book is for the awowo whose body walks on foreign land but whose heart remains in the horn. This book is for the little boy and little girl who grew up in a country that always makes them prove their worth. Know that you are worthy, that you don’t owe anyone anything. Know that you are not taking up space but you belong here just as much as anyone else. This book is for the parents who worry every time their black children walk out the door. This book is for the prayers our mothers pray for us. This book is for the girls who are told you cannot, you should not and you will not. You can. You should. And you will.

I did.