The story we tell about poverty isn't true

This is a paper that I helped write when I was at Family Independence Initiative. It helps us imagine what it would look like if we focused on the strengths, initiative, and ingenuity of low-income families and communities instead of their deficits.

Kindred was my initiation into the universe that is Octavia Butler. Parable of the Sower flew me to the far reaches of the galaxy. When you find yourself disappointed to have read all her stories, pick up Octavia’s Brood. Or write your own. As Toni Morrison said, “If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it.”

Dr. Martin Luther King wrote this brilliant piece of work from a jail cell without the support of reference materials or notes. I read it at least once every year and always find something newly relevant to my life and our culture.

Gorgeous, provocative art. Every image is spectacular. Stare at one of his paintings and slowly discover all the detail.

Favianna is an artist, lecturer, and cultural organizer. Her style is powerful, earthy, and beautiful.

This poem by Suheir Hammad says everything. She is an incredible, unflinchingly pointed poet who showed me what poetry could do with the complexity of life, war, politics, and justice.

Every time I hear this song by Esperanza Spalding, I cry. I sing it to my children. I sing it to myself. “Now maybe no one else has ever told you so, but you're golden, baby. Black gold with a diamond soul.”