“As a scholar and biographer, I have dedicated my life to understanding and documenting the textured stories of individuals, who through their work and lives, have contributed to the complexity of American thought. I study writers, including Ralph Ellison, W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright. This process involves exploring contradictions, uncovering facts, and sharing the adversities and experiences that Americans have faced across racial, cultural, and generational divides. Art and literature have the power to reveal truth and generate a deeper regard between human beings. During my time as a professor, across various university campuses, I have witnessed young people cultivate more nuanced perspectives by studying literature. I hope Artists for Understanding can facilitate a similar discovery process for individuals across America.”