My Uncle Jake: International Oil Tycoon

Where I learned the most about my family's incredibly rich history.
Available on Amazon 

Uncle Jake, looking exactly like my Mother's Brother Maurice "Dan" :-) 

"HE was a militant, a patriot, an African nationalist, and an American capitalist all wrapped in one."

To read Keith Henderson's Review Click Here

Quote from Keith Henderson's review of Staking a Claim, Christian Monitor, April 1990.  The book describes the life of my Grandfather's Uncle, Jake Simmons Jr. Jake Simmons Jr.'s history is so incredible, you have to read the book to put all the details into perspective. He's the grandson of Cow Tom, a freed Slave of the Cree Indians,who went on to become a Chief of that same tribe. Jake Simmons took his father's (My Great Great Grandfather Ray) work ethic and used it to educate himself and others. A good friend of Booker T Washington, he raised funds and recruited for Tuskegee University. He then went on to Broker Oil deals that took him all the way into the white house. He turned land into money for many poor Southerners, and later went on to become an international powerhouse. His story is not all glamour and glory, but you'll have to read the book to get all the details. I want to thank all of the Business Scholars who have studied and written about him. And a Big Shout Out to the Bloggers who have written about him simply because they find my Uncle's story worthy of sharing. (Links Below)

I've Always had extreme pride in being a Simmons, and a Black Indian, but I didn't know why I felt it so strongly. It was not until I read Greenberg's book that I recognized where that sense of pride came from. My 3x Great Grandfather had strong beliefs that were the epitome of familiar. Even though I felt connected to those in the past it was a strange and distant feeling of wondering why no one in the family talked about him in the present. I still have many theories about the reason. One theory is that family members who weren't included to share in his riches, would rather act as if he didn't exist. Basically, people are to busy caught up in their daily lives to respect/study people in their past especially those that they've never met. Sadly not realizing that not only do we share personality and physical traits of these individuals, but more importantly (for me at least) is that they do not simply die. They go on to become Ancestors (Angels) who can protect and guide us on to great things. 

The Elders always warn us to Know Our History, "If you don't know where you come from, you don't know where you're going", are the words we've heard over and over again. Sad to say but the response from our youth could very well be "Because you don't talk to us." We are indeed in the information age, yet there is a healing magic that happens when an Elder tells you something wonderful and personal about your family, your city, and your people.

  Our African American youth in the public school system, are taught a history that  is mostly filled with things that bring shame versus the many beautiful truths about who we are, and what we've accomplished as a people. This carries over into the media and we're left with a society of youth filled with horrible self images. I'm imagining now what if every child in my family knew that they had a 4x Great Grandfather who had strong dreams and prayers of having enough land, so that we would be a village that relied on itself to survive? He then raised a man, Jake Simmons Jr to go on to become the first African American Oil Tycoon. Knowing that our history  doesn't start and end with slavery sounds obvious to some, but not to a child. I'll continue to write this blog with the excitement of knowing that I'm telling my story, my history directly, and one day my grandchildren (not yet born) will be able to know where they come from. 

Check out these articles and reviews.

Oklahoma Historical Society

World Black History

LA Times

SPECIAL Shout Out to my Mother Pamela Hooks-Simmons (inspiration) and my Oklahoma SISTER Dawn E. Day (rock)... I Love ya'll, you guys Get me!

My Atonement

I’m Atoning

I’m guilty of being that person who doesn’t write or call often.  I was so glad when texting became an acceptable means of communicating in business, relationships and family. Here’s the thing, I realize now that I’ve separated myself from the people who mean the most to me. When I told my 81 year old Great Aunt that I was writing a blog she, in her usual encouraging tone, says  “ Now Baby I think that is wonderful and I’m so happy you’re enjoying it… but you got to remember that if folks don’t use a computer we can’t see this blog of whatever you’re talking about.”. Crickets.

So here I am writing to honor my Elders and they can’t even access it! I quickly atoned and asked the Mighty Spirit for a solution and Auntie interrupts the thought and says “You can always show me when I see you Baby”. I let her know even better, I’d print each one and mail it to her and her siblings. This would let her know how often they are on my mind (Everyday they are, they are my motivation).

Ironically, Auntie has a very close friend, Ms. Shirley Sanders, 83, who is not only online but she’s recently written a book, Sessy’s Journey. Ms. Shirley is the essence of phenomenal. She’s born in Mississippi and lived most of her life in Oakland, Ca. I don’t want to tell you the entire book but I will share that if you have ever been through poverty, abuse, and/or grief, This is a must read! Ms. Shirley has phoenix, she’s educated herself, ran a successful business and raised 7 Grandchildren as her own. Her story feels me with a pride of knowing that it doesn’t matter What you’ve been through, it’s How you go through it. Ms. Shirley is remarkable, she practices Tai chi and is currently writing her second book.  

This blog is my atonement. It continues into my work and my art. I'm excited to have 21 year old Artist and Student, Lamarr Thomas collaborate on an art piece that honors Sessy for her journey. We hope to show gratitude for All of Elders, especially those who tell their stories… shining healing lights of love to the village. The piece will be a part of the Ubuntu Exhibit, curated by Melanie and Melora Green at the Omi Gallery in Impact Hub. 

Impact Hub

2323 Broadway

Oakland, Ca 

Opening Reception August 1st, 2014, 7-10pm

Artist Interactive Talk August 14th 6-9pm featuring

BOOK SIGNING by Ms. Shirley Sanders

Click HERE to Purchase from Amazon

Purchase from Barnes and Noble (Paper and Nook)

Listen to Ms. Shirley being interviewed by The Emotional Pro

Boxing from Oakland To Ivory Coast!

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My great grandfather, Benny Von Hooks AKA Big Daddy, is famous for his storytelling from MS to LA. I have inherited his gift of “having ears that listen,” says my Great Uncle Washington. Uncle Wash was born in Louisiana, he migrated to Oakland in 1944. He later became a Boxing Coach in the 1964 Olympics for the Ivory Coast. Uncle Wash is 74 and shares my family’s love for African and African-American culture. He is a keeper of jazz, blues, history and art. His collections are priceless and will be available to share with the public soon.

I visited Uncle Washington in Georgia recently. He's getting up in age and it was heavy taking it all in... taking in the fact that my Elder is getting older and not going to be here forever. I'm sure it's the recent unexpected death of my father that has me thinking this way. Sad that it took that but, glad I had a big wake up call. Those Adults that I've always admired, respected and have been there for me in many ways... are getting older and leaving. It's not something just to make me sad but instead make time more PRECIOUS and each moment something to savor. It also makes it important that I get things off of my chest now... How much I love them and what I would do different if I had the chance. I'm getting them to open the door for us to understand each other better. And getting their approval for the Family healing that I desire, this takes talking about things that make us uncomfortable at times, but it happens in a space of Love.

We have to hold on to our stories with pride. They aren’t always pretty and perfect…often times they’re painful and cause shame. All we can do is Love enough to share, learn from our mistakes, forgive, ask for forgiveness and move on. I'm glad Uncle Wash and I never had anything too deep to ask forgiveness for, other than taking each other for granted and not communicating as much as we could have... thankfully he is still here and we are changing this and Another reason why I write.

Now, I'm off to print this Blog and mail to my Great Grands... Aunt Georgia said yesterday "That's great you wanna honor us Baby but how we go read the blog if we not on the computer, Ya got ta think about that!" Yes indeed, I should've but instead I needed the wisdom out her mouth. Glad I listen...

Arabelle's Song

Arabelle's Song by Patanisha Alia

    I would kiss you,
    and no one would despise me.


I would lead you
    and bring you to my mother’s house—
    she who has taught me.

Song of Songs 8:1-2

 My family is very eclectic. I have relatives who are Baptist, Muslim, Catholic, Jehovah Witness and Buddhist. What we all have in common is Faith and Love in Action. My Great Grandmother, Arabelle "Patanisha" Kingsby, and her daughters, fuel my Faith and Love. I made the image above to show the Sacrifices, Prayers and Praise that intentionally tool place for this specific family. I appreciate them.

Now the Elder Matriarch has passed on. I always think about her stories. She told me that our family name was actually George. It was George because their wasn't a last name to pass on, this is common for decendants of slaves. Most took their owners family name, my ancestor chose to use the one name he was freed with. Now, my great grand mother Arabelle would repeat her history to me over and over. I never knew why until I became a woman, until the day she died. She had a legacy of love. Love of life, love of family and love of God. I cannot tell you which love came first or if they were simply all the same thing to her. She was the epitome of wisdom.

Once again, My great grandmother was a woman of faith and a woman who in her golden years opened her way of thinking to be connected to her descendants. What was constant about her thinking was that you need to have faith to make it this world, you need to educate yourself to open up your world and to never forget your connection to family and humanity as a whole. With all of that comes responsibility of action, not just to know these things but to live our lives daily based on these principles. Pretty advanced for a sharecropper huh? I told you she was a wise woman. She’d tell me the story of how she worked so very hard as a little girl to educate herself and her sisters as well. The reason I write is to show the love, wisdom and protection of my Elders past.

I can't help but to think of another Elder that's past on, she was my grandmother's friend. I didn't grow up knowing that. I grew up knowing that she was simply my Aunt, EllaRae. She never treated me different from her own blood. Family was most important to her and I thank her for the food, love and laughs she gave me. She left a legacy of loved ones so tight you couldn't split us with a machete. Each generation grew the village with love. I am blessed to know my mission this lifetime. I honor those here now and before me.

(The Above Image hangs at Actual Cafe in Oakland, Ca. Show Opening is Saturday 7/12 from 3-5. All are welcome to join us for part of Love Your Neighbor Day... Arabelle would love it!)