Acknowledgments
This book is a love letter to my family. It honors the legacy of my late grand-uncle Rafael Tomás Fernández Domínguez, who played a key role in leading the Dominican Republic Civil War of 1965 and was recognized as a hero by the government in 1999 for his dedication and respect to democratic ideals.
When I sat down to write these acknowledgements, one word kept running through my mind—Ubuntu. Ubuntu is an African concept in which your sense of self is shaped by your relationships with other people. In South Africa, they call Ubuntu: I am because of you. Thank you, Michael Gross, for introducing me to this concept and always reminding our Coro Fellows class of 1998—Lisa Cowan, Zander Grashow, Amy Sweet, Ken Young, Jason Gill, Valerie Santos, Kiran Makam, Yoojin Lee, Saran White, and Alix Saint Amand—about our shared humanity.
I am because of so many amazing humans in my life. It would take writing another book to name all those who have shared their love, wisdom, compassion, and kindness. These are a few who have been especially pivotal on my journey.
Writing a book can be arduous and isolating, but I had Kathleen Harris in my corner every step of the way. Kathleen, you helped me get out of my head, push past my corporate speak, and give life to my stories. I am forever grateful for your heart, talent, wit, and friendship.
I owe a debt of gratitude for my formative learning in social justice, race, intersectionality, and equity to Teresa Amott, John Ernest (“Ernie”) ...