Black Elder Katie L. Sample Shares Her Story

Join Subtext Books at The University Club of Saint Paul on Wednesday, September 2nd at 7 PM for an event with Katie L. Sample, author of the recent release, All Things Work Together for Good.

All Things Work Together for Good is Mama Katie’s journey of truth, faith, and justice. It is more than a memoir, but a historical record to remind us of the battles that have been fought in the name of racial justice and care for all children, especially Black children, while also being an enlightening piece of spiritual literature.

Elder Katie’s spirituality grounded her in community and prepared her for the obstacles she and her family have faced over her last 93 years. From her years as an early educator, to her work as a social worker in the K–12 Minneapolis Public School system, to establishing the African American Accelerated Academy for Learning cultural enrichment program, Mama Katie Sample, who she is affectionately known as, has faced many challenges posed by the insidious systems of supremacy while being a mother of three children, grandmother of fourteen, and great-grandmother of two.

Katie L. Sample is the youngest daughter of six girls born to Isaac and Eva Williamson in Rockford, Illinois, in 1933. Katie, an educator, child advocate, and social worker, worked in the Minneapolis Public Schools for 25 years, retiring in 1993. Katie founded the African American Academy for Accelerated Learning (AAAL), a program that fostered an appreciation of African history, culture, and values. After 21 years, Katie retired from AAAL in 2009. AAAL offers summer enrichment programming under the leadership of the board of directors and the program coordinator. Katie continues to serve and support her community.

Books will be for sale at the event. This event is free. The University Club bar is open 4 - 8 PM. Free street parking on Summit Ave and surrounding streets.