"A first-generation American from New York City, Aisha Redux uses her bold voice and unique point of view in this provocative collection. Weaving together contemporary Black urban culture, traditional African religion, and modern tenets of Islam, she shares her life experiences, astute observations, and evolving belief system. Through the lens of race, culture, gender, sexuality and spirituality, Redux explores topics ranging from night terrors, to...

One hundred years before Rosa Parks took her stand, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jennings tried to board a streetcar in New York City on her way to church. Though there were plenty of empty seats, she was denied entry, assaulted, and threatened all because of her race -- even though New York was a free state at that time. Lizzie decided to fight back. She told her story, took her case to court -- where future president Chester Arthur represented her -- and...

"In 1854, traveling was full of danger. Omnibus accidents were commonplace. Pedestrians were regularly attacked by the Five Points' gangs. Rival police forces watched and argued over who should help. Pickpockets, drunks and kidnappers were all part of the daily street scene in old New York. Yet somehow, they endured and transformed a trading post into the Empire City. None of this was on Elizabeth Jennings's mind as she climbed the platform onto the...