Having Our Say -

Having Our Say

Sarah L. Delany, A. Elizabeth Delany, Amy Hill Hearth

Through the memories of sisters Sarah and A. Elizabeth Delany, *Having Our Say* brings more than a century of Black life and American history into focus. From the Jim Crow South to groundbreaking careers and generations of social change, their story celebrates resilience, family, and the importance of preserving the voices of those who came before us. A powerful read for anyone reflecting on legacy, gratitude, and the wisdom passed from one generation to the next.

Home > Bookshelf > Memoir & Personal Narrative > Having Our Say

At a Glance

“When you get real old, honey, you lay it all on the table.”

Why This Book Matters

Black Fortunes matters because it restores a hidden chapter of American history—one where formerly enslaved African Americans not only survived freedom, but built wealth, businesses, and generational legacies against extraordinary odds.

These stories challenge the narrative that Black economic success is new or rare. Instead, they reveal a long tradition of entrepreneurship, land ownership, and strategic vision that has often been erased or overlooked.

This book reframes what Black success looks like—and who gets remembered for it.

Key Themes

Family legacy and intergenerational wisdom
Oral history and the preservation of memory
Black life across generations
Jim Crow, racism, and social change
Education and professional achievement
Black women’s independence and resilience
Sisterhood, family, and lifelong connection
The Harlem Renaissance and Black cultural history
Aging, reflection, and the meaning of a long life
Gratitude for the sacrifices and achievements of earlier generations

What You'll Learn

Black Fortunes offers more than historical biographies—it provides lessons in leadership, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the importance of preserving overlooked stories. Readers will leave with a deeper understanding of how Black Americans shaped the nation’s economic history despite extraordinary obstacles.

Reflection Questions

What family stories have helped you understand where you come from?
What can we learn from listening directly to people who lived through periods of major social change?
How did education shape the opportunities available to Sadie and Bessie?
What barriers did the sisters face, and what helped them persist?
Whose stories in your family or community have not yet been recorded or preserved?
How can we show gratitude to the people whose work and sacrifices made our opportunities possible?
If you could preserve one story, lesson, or tradition for future generations, what would it be—and why?

About the Author

**Sarah L. Delany (Sadie)** and **A. Elizabeth Delany (Bessie)** were sisters, educators, and pioneering professionals whose lives spanned more than a century of American history. Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, in a family shaped by education, faith, and the legacy of slavery, both sisters pursued careers at a time when racism and sexism restricted opportunities for Black women. Sadie became a teacher in New York City, while Bessie became a dentist and helped break barriers for Black women in her profession. **Amy Hill Hearth** is the journalist and writer who brought the sisters’ story to a wider audience. Her interviews with Sadie and Bessie grew into this collaborative oral history, preserving their memories, humor, perspectives, and reflections for future generations.

About the Author

Add Your Heading Text Here

orem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Continue Your Journey

Every book featured by They Erase, We Elevate has been carefully selected to preserve history, amplify overlooked voices, and inspire meaningful conversations. Continue exploring books that educate, empower, and celebrate the richness of Black history and culture.