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Help Our Cause
Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future is a recognized 501(c) (3) nonprofit by the IRS.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and tell these important stories and fund our "Each One, Teach One" College Book Stipend for descendants of the enslaved.
Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Who We Are
Our History
Book Stipend
Book Stipend
Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future
was an idea born out of a mother-and-daughter history trip. After touring the homes of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, we were left with more questions than answers about the enslaved men, women, and children who were viewed as property and worked in bo
Embracing Your Past to Empower Your Future
was an idea born out of a mother-and-daughter history trip. After touring the homes of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, we were left with more questions than answers about the enslaved men, women, and children who were viewed as property and worked in bondage. While we learned about their working and living conditions, there was little known as to who they were.
Monticello and Montpelier tour guides showed us fingerprints intentionally depressed in bricks made by the hands of enslaved women and children. Once you see these fingerprints, you cannot unsee them.
What struck us was their intent to be heard. Putting their fingerprints on these bricks was their mark on the world to let future generations know they were there. That was how they could use their voice. The men, when they built the homes could have turned those bricks marked with those fingerprints inward for the world never to see. They did not. The bricks were put outward. My daughter and I set out on a journey to work with and interview families who helped build America.
There are millions of stories that need to be told!
Book Stipend
Book Stipend
Book Stipend
Vernetta Henson, the great-great-granddaughter of Clotilda Surviors and Africatown co-founders "Poleete" Pollee Allen and Rose Allen and is the inspiration behind the name of the book Stipend. Mrs. Henson is a strong believer in charity and giving back.
Going back to the teachings of Pollee and how he along with the Africatown co-found
Vernetta Henson, the great-great-granddaughter of Clotilda Surviors and Africatown co-founders "Poleete" Pollee Allen and Rose Allen and is the inspiration behind the name of the book Stipend. Mrs. Henson is a strong believer in charity and giving back.
Going back to the teachings of Pollee and how he along with the Africatown co-founders built the town together so all could be successful, Vernetta was reminded of an African proverb whose origins date back to slavery when education was denied to them.
“The proverb is ‘Each One, Teach One,’” said Vernetta. “When someone learned how to read or write back then, it became their responsibility to teach someone else and to spread that knowledge. By sharing your knowledge, it would strengthen your community. This should be the mindset for all generations young and old no matter where you are from. It’s time to take back that responsibility and help others. For in the end, it will only create new opportunities for everyone.”
Our Staff
Book Stipend
Our Staff
Lori Ann LaRocco Wallace is the founder and president of the nonprofit charity, Embracing Your Past To Empower Your Future.
An American Journalist who is known for personalized storytelling and her ability to make people feel comfortable and open up. Examples of her penchant for taking complex topics or sensitive material can be found i
Lori Ann LaRocco Wallace is the founder and president of the nonprofit charity, Embracing Your Past To Empower Your Future.
An American Journalist who is known for personalized storytelling and her ability to make people feel comfortable and open up. Examples of her penchant for taking complex topics or sensitive material can be found in her articles or columns as well as her books. Lori Ann wants the stories of the men, women, and children who helped build America be heard.
LaRocco is also the author of "Trade War Containers Don't Lie: Navigating the Bluster (Marine Money, 2019), "Dynasties of the Sea: The Untold Stories of the Postwar Shipping Pioneers (Marine Money, 2018), “Opportunity Knocking” (Agate Publishing, 2014), "Dynasties of the Sea: The Shipowners and Financiers Who Expanded the Era of Free Trade" (Marine Money, 2012), and “Thriving in the New Economy” (Wiley, 2010).
Lori Ann is also co-lead of the NBCUniversal Diversity Equity Inclusion.+ Disabilities for CNBC. Under her leadership Lori Ann has helped expand the network’s DEI data reporting, breaking out the monthly Labor Report by race, gender, and disability. Lori Ann is also responsible for researching and booking guests to appear on all programs on the network as well as journalist stories focusing on business, equity, and inclusion.
