Charlotte Parent Magazine

Written Back into History

 February may herald “Black History Month,” and while our country’s most recent presidential election is an indicator of how parents today are teaching their children to embrace diversity, one Charlotte mom and author doesn’t believe the study of African-American history should be limited to just one month a year.

Working on her first book, Tricia Martineau Wagner noticed information on African Americans was noticeably absent. She became determined to search out their stories in other primary source documents. While researching material for her second book, “African American Women of the Old West,” (TwoDot, 2007, $12.95) she looked at journals and 150-year-old diaries to gain insight on the lives of often overlooked black women in the 1800s.

 “I found these incredible women who had overcome these insurmountable obstacles in their lives,” says Wagner. “They were trailblazers in every sense of the word.”

 A former elementary school teacher, Wagner also works as a storyteller and reading specialist, who enjoys visiting schools and sharing her passion for history. She creates interactive presentations and often brings along props so children can get a better sense of the way the world worked in the past.

 “I think we can get a clear image of our collective past if we can point out that African Americans played a vital role,” says Wagner, who lives in Charlotte with her husband and two children. Her books are historical non-fiction works in short-story format for a crossover audience, including adults and children as young as fifth grade.

 Parents can take cues from Wagner’s approach and set time aside this month — and throughout the year — to talk about other great historical African Americans and their achievements with their children. During her research, Wagner unearthed fascinating tales of African Americans who had been left out of major history lessons — challenge your children to come up with their own favorite stories.

 For more information on Wagner, her books and her storytelling presentations, visit www.authortalk.org or e-mail her at tricia@authortalk.org.

Charlotte Parent Magazine

Written by: Renee Roberson, associate editor

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