On Behalf Of Willie Mae

629 words | 3 minutes read time

I can still feel the crisp air on my skin and hear the cheers of joy that erupted through the streets of Newark, NJ, that night.

It was November 4, 2008 - a night that would forever change the course of American history.

I was at a friend’s election watch party; our eyes glued to the television most of the night.

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

What felt impossible to me just a few short months ago when I heard President Obama was entering the primary race happened. America had elected its first Black President.

The cheers from our watch party were met with even louder sounds of celebration from outside. Newark had come alive, despite the late hour.

Neighbors flooded the steets sharing in a collective moment of hope and triumph.

Fast forward to President Obama’s inauguration. A day that lives on in my mind as one of the coldest days I’ve ever experienced.

Despite those frigid temps, I was outside.

I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands on the National Mall for hours, waiting…