When I create and share, my focus is unwavering: it’s all about our kids. Period.

Every word I write, every resource I craft, and every conversation I have comes from a place of faith, rooted in the unshakable belief that we are all made in God’s image. This truth is the foundation of everything I do. It’s the only thing I’ve ever talked about, and it informs every piece of work I put into the world.

But in today’s world, even simple truths get twisted. Just saying the word “Black” can spark outrage and accusations, dismissed by some as “woke.” Let me be clear: I reject that entire narrative. Being Black is not a sin. Talking about Black history, culture, and stories is not a sin.

The discomfort around these conversations of wokeness in homeschooling has never been about the work itself. The only people who seem upset by what I do are those who feel threatened by the idea of children reading books about Black people alongside all the other wonderful stories they encounter.

And that distraction—those constant, baseless questions like “Is Amber woke?”—isn’t new. It’s just noise designed to derail meaningful work.

Toni Morrison put it perfectly when she said:

“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”

Her words are as true now as they’ve ever been. Racism tries to pull us away from what really matters. It demands explanations and justifications that shouldn’t be necessary. But I refuse to let it distract me.

I’m passionate about Black literature for young people because I’ve seen its life-giving impact. These stories are enriching, peace-bringing, and understanding-building. They’ve brought light into my home and countless others, helping kids of all backgrounds see the beauty and depth in Black stories.

People can mislabel my work, distort its intent, or drag it through the mud. But none of that changes the heart of what I do—or why I do it.

So let’s keep reading, learning, and moving expansively in many directions. Let’s stay focused on what truly matters: building a world where all kids can see themselves and others in the stories they encounter.

This work matters. And I’m here to stay.

Thank you for being by my side on the journey.

If you haven’t already ordered your copy of my new book Soul School, please do so today! It’s far more engaging and life-giving than the current obsession with “outing” wokeness in homeschooling.