This episode of What Say U? is a whole experience — rich, spirited, and full of that unmistakable energy that happens when three Black women sit down together with purpose. The Sisters welcome Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland for a conversation that is equal parts truth‑telling, celebration, and community care. It is a reminder that Black history is not just something we study — it’s something we live, honor, and pass forward.
Congresswoman Strickland introduces Melannie and Audrey to the Black History Month Essay Contest, an invitation for students in Washington State’s 10th Congressional District to lift up the stories of Black Washingtonians — the veterans, educators, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders whose contributions shaped the region long before many people and systems were willing to acknowledge them.
Throughout the episode, you’ll hear:
- Why Congresswoman Strickland launched this contest at this moment
- How local Black history grounds students in pride, identity, and belonging
- Why storytelling is a tool of liberation
- How young people can use research, writing, and civic engagement to claim their voice
- What it means to protect our history when others are trying to erase it