Just The Fractions

JUST THE FRACTIONS serves the purpose of  emphasizing a key concept equality and slicing petit four cakes to demonstrate in a simplistic way of solving problems involving fractions.

Purchase a copy here.

05 FIRE (2, 7)
VISIONARY

She Was Not Alone

The house was filling with smoke when TT realized she needed to get out. A space heater had started a fire, and as she rushed toward the door, panic set in. She had forgotten the key. Smoke surrounded her. The way out was there—but she could not reach it. And then her mother came.

Her mother had long since joined the ancestors, but TT says that in that frightening moment, she appeared and guided her. Through the smoke, the fear, and the confusion, TT followed. She made it out alive. Among the Dagara, the ancestors are not gone. They remain part of the family, still capable of showing up when the living need them most. TT needed her mother. Her mother came. Call on the ancestors.

06 WATER (1, 6)
PEACE MAKER

During the month of May the rain water from the heavens were richly infiltrated with nitrogen that every tree and bush in the Detroit area all had fully blossomed.

07 EARTH (0, 5)
NOURISHER

A food wagon filled with hot butter pancakes and syrup. The parents and students were so happy that for the first time in a long time the attendance at the PTA was completely full.

African American literature such as “High In the Hog” and Edna Smith’s farm cookbook contain many issues around food. Food in America has a historically been used as a weapon. Long with many issues, we must began to address our issues around food.

08 MINERAL (4, 9)
ARTIST AND HISTORIAN

Ear gauging (ear stretching) has existed in many parts of Africa for centuries, including Southern Africa, though the meaning and styles vary widely between ethnic groups. While today gauged earrings are often associated with modern body modification culture, in African contexts they historically carried spiritual, social, and protective symbolism.

Spiritual Protection

In many African cosmologies, openings in the body (ears, nose, mouth, navel) are considered energetic gateways. Jewelry placed in those openings serves not only decoration but also spiritual function.

Gauged earrings could act as:

Spiritual seals or protectors

• Materials like bone, wood, brass, or beads were believed to hold spiritual energy.
• Protection stones that can be used are black onyx, black tourmaline, and black quartz crystals.
• Certain colors or materials could repel negative forces.

Connection to ancestors

• Wearing culturally encoded jewelry signaled alignment with ancestral traditions.
• In African cosmology, ancestors are considered protectors of the living.

 

09 NATURE (3, 8)
TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE AGENT

Traditionally folklore uses rain water to nourish, grow plants, skin and hair.

Big Numbers for Little Ones

The workbook covers, in a very simplistic way, topics of counting, patterns, number rhymes, basic math facts, algebra, geometry, data, probability, and word problems, in African dilemma story form.

Created to help stimulate and encourage learning math in a fun and meaningful way for young people of all ages.

This user friendly colorful, inviting and easy to understand math workbook covers all the basic math concepts for ages 4 to 7 years of age.

Purchase a copy here.

05 FIRE (2, 7)
VISIONARY

“Intimacy is a private public act where spirit is invited. 

In the act the couple goes on a spiritual high and no one is allowed to watch because it will suck up the energy.

When the couple returns from the high the spiritual energy spreads and is beneficial for the whole community and in that way it becomes public.”

Quote from late African healer Sobonfu Somé

06 WATER (1, 6)
PEACE MAKER

A maintenance ritual involving water is a great idea to promote peace and going with the flow. Information on water rituals will be found in my book, Common Daily Ritual Practices on pages 42-47.

For information on water rituals and so much more, considering adding a copy of Common Daily Ritual Practices  to your library.

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If you are in the Detroit area, I invite you to attend my 2026 Year of Water presentation that will occur April 23, 2026 from 5pm-7pm at the Detroit People’s Food Co-op.

Mama Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall
8324 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202

EVENT COST: FREE | SNACKS: NOMINAL COST

Download the flyer here

07 EARTH (0, 5)
NOURISHER

Chayote squash (often called vegetable pear or mirliton) is a light, refreshing vegetable that shows up in many tropical cuisines—from the Caribbean to Central America and parts of Brazil. It’s incredibly nutritious while being very low in calories.

Health and nutritional benefits include:

• Very Low Calories, High Nutrients
• Supports Heart Health
• Antioxidant Protection
• Supports Digestive Health
• Detox & Kidney Support
• Grow some at home.

Gather a small clay pot and fill it with organic dirt, compost, and sea moss. Plant a chayote Squash in the container water it and watch it grow more  chayote .

This squash is non hybrid, delicious, nutritious, and scrumptious.

08 MINERAL (4, 9)
ARTIST AND HISTORIAN

Ear gauging (ear stretching) has existed in many parts of Africa for centuries, including Southern Africa, though the meaning and styles vary widely between ethnic groups. While today gauged earrings are often associated with modern body modification culture, in African contexts they historically carried spiritual, social, and protective symbolism.

Spiritual Protection

In many African cosmologies, openings in the body (ears, nose, mouth, navel) are considered energetic gateways. Jewelry placed in those openings serves not only decoration but also spiritual function.

Gauged earrings could act as:

Spiritual seals or protectors

• Materials like bone, wood, brass, or beads were believed to hold spiritual energy.
• Protection stones that can be used are black onyx, black tourmaline, and black quartz crystals.
• Certain colors or materials could repel negative forces.

Connection to ancestors

• Wearing culturally encoded jewelry signaled alignment with ancestral traditions.
• In African cosmology, ancestors are considered protectors of the living.

 

09 NATURE (3, 8)
TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE AGENT

Harriet Tubman was known for her ability to guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad without being captured. One reason for her success was knowledge passed down from her father, Ben Ross, a timber foreman who worked in the forests of Maryland.

Ross understood the language of the land—terrain, plants, waterways, animal behavior, and the movement of the stars. 

Tubman learned these skills as a child. Later, she used them to move through forests, marshes, and rivers at night, navigating quietly and avoiding slave catchers.

But this way of “reading nature” is much older than Tubman. It reflects a long tradition of African ecological knowledge where observation of wind, animals, plants, and water guided survival, healing, and movement across the land.

Nature was—and still is—considered a teacher.

Tubman’s success reminds us that ancestral knowledge of the natural world was not just wisdom. It was a pathway to survival, freedom, and liberation.

“Nature is your real school.”

The late Dr. Malidoma Somé of Burkina Faso, West Africa

03 A LETTER FROM RAMANUJAN

January 16, 1913

“An equation for me has no meaning unless it expressed a thought of God”

Dear Sir,

I beg to introduce myself to you as a Department of the Port Trust Office Mac 20 pounds per annum. I am now about 23 years. I have no university education …I have been time at my disposal to work at mathematics. The results I get are termed by the local mathematicians as STARTLING!

Remarks: This letter included Ramanujan’s mathematical works which he said came all from the Goddess Namagiri through dreams, visions, and voices. It was sent to the mathematics Professor Hardy at the University of Cambridge, England. Hardy immediately sent for Ramanujan even though he said everything would have to be proved.

Ramanujan’s mathematical works have impacted today’s mathematical world, setting the precedent for knowledge of black holes, technology, physics, and magic squares.

04 A LETTER FROM THE CONTENDERS

ACTOR,TERRENCE HOWARD VS. ASTRO PHYSICIST NEIL deGRASSE TYSON

This letter turned out to be a 36 page treatise from Terrence Howard and Neil deGrasse said that it was an attempt on the part of Howard to re-invent mathematics and physics. DeGrasse stated that Howard’s statement on square roots was not true. So after doing a detailed ‘peer review’ Tyson told Howard that he needed much more study and research, for example through the use of journals.

He told him that if he (Howard) felt that what he was saying was correct, then take the years of time and study, then show proof of correctness. I believed Tyson left the ring with a TKO on Howard.

Remarks: One of the things that we all must do whenever we are speaking on a topic, we must reference as well as do the research that shows factual evidence.

Actually there is really nothing new up under the sun but what is important is how we use our own unique approach and style of delivery to a subject.

“OF ALL OUR STUDIES, HISTORY IS BEST QUALIFIED TO REWARD ALL RESEARCH.” …Malcolm X

05 FIRE (2, 7)
VISIONARY

The following is a love letter written September 19, 1858

My Dear Wife,

I take the pleasure of writing you these few with much regret to inform you that I am sold to a man by the name of Peterson treader and Stays in New Orleans. I am here yet But I expect to go before long but when I get there I will write and let you know where I am.

My Dear I want to send you some things but I don’t know who to send them by but I will try to get them to you and my children. Give my love to my father and mother and tell them good Bye for me. And if we shall not meet in this world I hope to meet in heaven.

My Dear wife for you and my children my pen cannot Express the griffe I feel to be parted from you all.*

I remain yours truly husband until death.

Abream Scriven

*From the book, “A love No Less, by Pamela Newark and presented as was written.

06 WATER (1, 6)
PEACE MAKER

The following is a letter from Vietnam leader, Ho Chi Minh to President Harry Truman asking for Intervention

Hanoi

February 28, 1946

TELEGRAM

President Ho Chi Minh Vietnam Democratic Republic Hanoi

To the President of the united States of America

Washington, D.C.

On behalf of Vietnam government and people I beg to inform you that in course of conversations between Vietnam government and French representatives the latter require the secession of Cochinchina and the return of French troops in Hanoi stop meanwhile French population and troops are making active preparations for a coup de main in Hanoi and for military oppression stop . I therefore most earnestly appeal to you personally and to the American people to interfere.  Urgently in support of our independence and help making the negotiations more in keeping with the principles of the Atlantic and San Francisco Charter.

Respectfully,

Ho Chi Minh

Remarks:  WAR! WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!… EDWIN STAR

The Leader of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was educated in the United States. While living in Harlem,  N.Y. he had a job as a dishwasher and was also influenced by pan Africanism and Black Nationalist, Marcus Garvey. He attended meetings of the Universal Negro Improvement Association.

07 EARTH (0, 5)
NOURISHER

The following is a letter written by WEB Dubois to his teenage daughter upon sending her to the prestigious boarding school.

December 10, 1958

Dear little Daughter,

I have waited for you to get well settled before writing. By this time I hope some of the strangeness has worn off and that my little girl is working hard and regularly.

Of course everything is new and unusual. You miss the newness and smartness of America. Gradually, however, you are going to sense the beauty of the old world: its calm and eternity and you will grow to love it.

Above all remember dear, that you have a great opportunity. You are in one of the world’s best schools, in one of the world’s greatest modern empires. Millions of boys and girls all over this world would give almost anything they possess to be where you are. You are there by no desert or merit of yours, but only by lucky chance.

Deserve it, then study, do your work. Be honest frank and fearless and get some grasp of the real values of life. You will meet of course, curious little annoyances. People will wander at your dear brown and the sweet crinkly hair.

But that simply is of no importance and will soon be forgotten.

Remember that most folk laugh at anything unusual, whether it is beautiful fine or not. You however, must not laugh at yourself. You must know that brown is as pretty as white or prettier and crinkly hair as straight even though it is harder to comb.The main thing is the YOU beneath the clothes and skin-the determination to understand and know this great, wonderful, curious world. Don’t shrink from new experiences and custom. Take the cold bath bravely.Enter into the spirit of your big bed-room.

Enjoy what is and not pine for what is not. Read some good, heavy, serious books just for discipline. Take yourself in hand and master yourself. Make yourself do unpleasant things, so as to gain the upper hand of your soul.

Above all remember your father loves you and believes in you and expects you to be a wonderful woman.

I shall write each week and expect a weekly letter from you.

Lovingly yours,

Papa

08 MINERAL (4, 9)
ARTIST AND HISTORIAN

LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL (EXCERPTS)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

August, 1963

Finding only scraps of paper in prison Dr. King wrote the following:

While confined here in the Birmingham city jail. I came across your recent statement calling our present activities “unwise and untimely”. Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and ideas. If I sought to answer all of the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in little else in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that you are men of genuine good will and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms.

Of course there is nothing new about this kind of civil disobedience, It was seen sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar because a higher moral law was included.

We can forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was “legal” and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did was “illegal.”

But as I continued to think about the matter, I gradually gained a bit of satisfaction from being considered an extremist. Was not Jesus an extremist in love?

Remarks: Today this letter is referenced everywhere including college campuses around the country. Wouldn’t Shadrach , Meshach, and a B-A-A-A-D Negro be proud of 
Dr. Martin Luther King?

09 NATURE (3, 8)
TRANSFORMATION & CHANGE AGENT

A LETTER OF ETHNOGRAPHY

Having unsuccessfully attempted suicide twice and literally feeling the charcoal being pumped throughout her body to remove the pills and alcohol that nearly caused her death, twice homeless Fawn Weaver asked herself,” What is my purpose in life?”

Not too long after that experience , she was reading a magazine that referenced Jack Daniels and the enslaved African, Nathan Green(Uncle Nearest) as the one who showed Jack Daniels how to distill whiskey. Green also showed Daniels how to make the whiskey smooth by pouring the whiskey over charcoal- that same type of charcoal that saved Fawn
Weaver’s life!

Weaver immediately began to research and ended up in Tennessee interviewing the family of Jack Daniels and Nathan Green. Through their help, she bought the land that was used to distill the original Jack Daniels/Nathan Green Whiskey. She built distilleries on the land too. Because she now had land and a plethora of real property, she was able to attract investors. She invested fifty million dollars in marketing and sold the product in every state in the country.

Young billionaire Fawn Weaver is now owner of the only Black distillery in the USA. Today Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey is the top selling whiskey globally!

Remarks: It is said that “Land is the basis of all Independence.’ Can I get a witness?