Testimonies

Testimonies are personal accounts, oral and living histories pertaining to black grandmothers. When we testify, we share our stories to liberate ourselves and others, in this case black grandmothers and their grandchildren. Each testimony will feature a visual and/or audio representation of the story being shared. From across generations, time periods, and time zones, testimonies will reveal how black grandmothers, past and present, help define who we are and what we can become.

TESTIMONY: YOLANDA JENKINS

By RBGM Staff • Wisdom/Perspectives, Testimonies

“If a Man Ever Hits You Just Kill Him”

I have a lot of stories that I could tell you about my grandmother Myrtice Lewis (1915-2005). My grandmamma was a …
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In the Arts:Things Black Grandmas Say At Funerals

By RBGM Staff • Health, In The Arts

6 years ago

TESTIMONY: MALENA CRAWFORD

By RBGM Staff • Testimonies

Malena Crawford is the author of the novel A Fistful of Honey, founder of the Black Divine Feminine Reawakened Movement, graduate of the George Washington University, and a student of …
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TESTIMONY: TARRELL JOHNSON

By RBGM Staff • Relationships, Testimonies

“King and Queen for a Day”

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Rochelle Johnson is a loving grandmother to Tarrell Johnson. When reminded about his grandmother, the first words …
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Testimony: Maya Washington

By RBGM Staff • Wisdom/Perspectives, Testimonies

6 years ago

TESTIMONY: SAHARA ANTHONY JR.

By RBGM Staff • Education, Relationships, Testimonies

“I Saved You for a Reason”

Jessie Simone Gordon (1929-) was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Cornelius Wilson and Alvin James Paul. Her grandchildren affectionately call her ‘Gramma’ or …
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6 years ago

RESILIENCE: DON’T BE UNEDUCATED

By RBGM Staff • Education, Resilience

Read about how Jessie Simone Gordon emphasized the importance of education with her grandchildren. Her grandson Sahara Anthony Jr. grew up being told: “Boy, don’t be uneducated!” It deeply impacted …
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