A Trail of Words, A Path of Dreams.
Every night, my husband or I read to our toddler before bed. It’s a small ritual that has become the cornerstone of our evenings. Usually, it’s sturdy little board books, because right now she’s teething like crazy and has a habit of giving delicate pages a good chew and drool bath. But one night, she wandered to a different shelf tucked away with more delicate books that we’re saving for her future, pulling down a title far beyond her years—Black Roses: Odes to Black Women by Harold Green III. What happened next reminded me that the stories we share, the songs we sing, and the words we leave behind can become the bricks in someone else’s path.
That book carries its own story. My younger cousin gifted it to our daughter during a visit while my husband was away on a work trip. We had a magical weekend full of laughter, connection, and adventures around the city. She came to help, but she left my heart full. She even wrote and sang a lullaby so soothing, it put our baby to sleep almost instantly. It was a miracle at the time because nap time often meant endless nursing, contact naps, and constant bouncing or swaying.
Her voice paired with a poetic story was pure magic. I was in awe, and so grateful. I asked her to record it before she left, but… I’m still waiting. 😉 I’ve tried to recreate it from memory by matching her tune and lyrics, but it’s never quite the same. If you’re reading this, K, consider this my gentle nudge. No pressure… but our little one would treasure it for years to come.
What my cousin did leave behind was this beautiful book, with a heartfelt message inscribed inside. I’ll keep the exact words private, but at its core, she told my daughter the world is hers, she can become anything she dreams, and she’ll always have someone cheering her on.
At the time, the book was beyond my daughter’s understanding, so I tucked it safely away. But recently, she found it and left it sprawled on the floor, which nudged me to open it. The poem I landed on could not have been more perfectly timed with my current mission to encourage and uplift.
It was an ode to Issa Rae celebrating her journey from self-made digital creator to a powerhouse in mainstream media, all while championing authentic Black stories. From her 2011 YouTube series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl to HBO’s Insecure (2016–2021), Issa has shown the power of carving your own path and bringing others along with you.
Harold Green III writes of the unpaved, uncertain road Issa traveled—how she laid her own bricks and, in doing so, created a trail for others to follow:
“As Issa traveled along,
harold green iii
her balance got better,
the road became clearer,
and when she looked back—
she realized that
she had created a trail
long enough for those she met
to follow along—
and if they got lost,
she was the map.”
The poem reminds us that building a path can be daunting and vulnerable, but Issa showed us how to face fear in full view of the world, and still succeed.
The book is filled with odes to phenomenal Black women, including advocates, curators, innovators, luminaries, and trailblazers. Harold, thank you for gifting the world with these stories. And to my little cousin—you are one of those shining stars. Thank you. I love you.
The book now sits within my reach (not hers) so I can pull it down and read from it until the day she’s old enough to truly understand its words. I wanted to protect it, but I also wanted it close, ready to share pieces of its wisdom when the moment feels right. Until then, I’ll keep reading, singing, and passing along stories that lay down small bricks for her journey. One day, she’ll look back and see the path we built together—not perfect, not without bumps, but strong enough for her to walk, run, and dream beyond. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll leave her own trail of words for those who follow.
This isn’t a paid ad—just a heartfelt recommendation. If you can, pick up a copy of this book for yourself or someone you love.
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