A Journey Through Music, History, and Empowerment

Her heart pounds. She gets a lump in her throat. Tears flow down her cheeks. She wants to clap her hands and stomp her feet. There is healing, tenderness, strength, pride, and above all, hope.

Join Cheryl Willis Hudson, author of the classic picture book Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, as she introduces her newest work—a powerful exploration of Black spirituals and their place in history, memory, and empowerment.

In this layered picture book, Cheryl Willis Hudson beautifully weaves together the lyrics of twelve timeless Black spirituals, including:

• “Go Down, Moses”
• “Nobody Knows the Troubles I See”
• “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child”
• “Rock-a-My Soul”
• “Get On Board, Little Children”
  and more…

The book is brought to life by stunning illustrations from award-winning artist London Ladd, who vividly portrays iconic moments and figures in Black history—Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King Jr., the Great Migration, and the Enslaved People’s Uprising of 1811.

What to Expect:

• Meet Cheryl Willis Hudson—hear about her inspiration and creative process behind the book.
• Book Signing—Get a signed copy of this beautiful picture book!
• Interactive Music & History—Engage with the cultural significance of the songs and the history they represent.