This is a story that tells the struggles and obstacles of a migrant black family during a time when our history and heritage and legacy were in question. It talks about my travels up and down the road, living on old farm plantations and deserted slave camps while performing the same jobs our forefathers were enslaved to perform. I felt that we were like free slaves moving from one farm to another, working jobs for little pay from farmers who needed help gathering their crops and taking them to the market. As we moved from the south to the north as the seasons changed, many true stories unfolded that are told in this book.
About the Author: Claudette Ladean Williams was raised by her grandmother a migrant contractor, in Immokalee Florida. She attended Bethune School from forth to tenth grade and upon forced integration, went to Immokalee High School her junior and senior years graduating in 1969. She later went to college in 1973 and graduated in three years with honors Suma Cum Laude. Claudette received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from Texas College in 1976 and Masters Degree in Educational Leadership/Administration from Nova Southeastern University in 1990. Claudettes educational career started with the University of Floridas Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (IFAS) in Collier County as a Home Economist and 4-H Leader in Immokalee, then an Extension Agent for the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in Palm Beach County. There she provided extensive recruiting and training of volunteer leaders, organizing and implementing 4-H summer camp programs, conducting workshops, and writing press releases. As an educator, her main focus and goal was to motivate, help, assist, and educate the WHOLE student. She advocated for meeting the needs of minority students. This evolved into the establishment of The EXCEL CLUB, a club offered to all minority students who were in jeopardy of dropping out of school and providing them with educational, fashion/talent shows to increase self esteem, and an end of the year educational college visitation tour. She also organized and an after school program to Help Educators with Latchkey Prevention (HELP). Throughout her career, Claudette advocated for the Minority Educators in Collier County and was the First Black board member to vote at the Collier County Education Association (CCEA) meetings representing the voice of the Minority Educators Caucus of Collier County. Her involvement in school, government, community Task Forces, and Advisory Boards showed her commitment as an educator and community leader which she received several awards for including the Collier County 1993 District Nominee for the Florida State Outstanding Minority Educator of the Year and the Migrant Teacher of the Year Award. Claudette spoke out on preserving the Bethune School Historically Black Campus when the county was considering turning it into a bus barn and served on the committee to rebuild South Park Recreation Center and Dreamland Park. She continues her involvement in the Immokalee community.