Lettie Shumate is a Black woman, historian, antiracism educator, and racial justice advocate living near Wilmington, North Carolina. They are the owner and host of the podcast “Sincerely, Lettie” where they discuss history that has been whitewashed and break it down to connect the past to today. Let them also add that ‘bibliophile’ should be their middle name. They are so passionate about telling the truth about history and making connections. They don’t hold back when it comes to hard topics and tough conversations, either. They have a BA in History (2011) from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a MA in History (2015), and a MA in Conflict Management & Resolution (2020), both from UNCW as well. With their MA in History they focused on American history and specialized in Black history and race studies. Y’all, that was hands down one of the most rigorous, challenging, and best decisions they ever made. They became the historian they are today. After working in corporate America while also teaching history at a community college (they were busy!), they knew they were meant for so much more. They refused to settle. They took a leap of faith, followed their calling, and they decided to get their second MA in Conflict Management because knowing how to have tough conversations is critical. The year they started their MA in History, Trayvon Martin was killed and a fire was lit in them that has only intensified. Little did they know that they were on their own journey to becoming them. So many components of who they are have bloomed so intensely. The way they explain history and how it moves others is a gift that they’re so glad they have, and this is also what steered them in the direction of antiracism work. It just all clicked, and they thank God for that. They want to show the bigger picture and how everything connects so that more people can see why it all matters. You want to know something else? They didn’t like history growing up. It wasn’t until college that they fell in love with it, and is also why they have such a passion for showing people history is far from boring!
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