Matthew was born and raised in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Matthew enjoyed reading at a young age and excelled as an amateur artist and cartoonist throughout grade school. Upon graduation, Matthew joined the military and served as a presidential telecommunications technician in the White House during the Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton administrations. He left Washington DC to serve as a Warrant Officer in Georgia and Germany before retiring and settling in southern Maryland for permanent residency. Throughout his career, he has been encouraged to pursue his creative talentsby some of his dearest friends and beloved family members. Inspired by his beautiful daughter Akeira, he sought to write a book that would both entertain and teach the youth about the struggles endured and the accomplishment achieved throughout African American history. Matthew has traveled worldwide and achieved many extraordinary feats during a highly decorated military career. After completion of his career and returning from Germany, he became particularly worried about our youth's knowledge of history and whether they understand the sacrifices made by our ancestors to provide the opportunities and liberties enjoyed by many people today. Are they getting the cultural enrichment needed to build pride about who they are? Self-pride is integral in leading children away from a sense of inequality and despair. Celebrating African-American history should be taught to children year-round to enforce the feeling of worth, pride, and tradition. Cultural education should be taught not only in the schools but at home. It should be encouraged by parents to build a stronger adolescent. I hope parents feel this book is instrumental in giving children a beginning in understanding our past and a path to a successful future.