Francene Marie had the pleasure of interviewing LaQuita Middleton.

To learn more visit: www.theempressreigns.com/civil-rights 

The Empress is a black history enthusiast who is on a mission to elevate her people through history & the arts. She is a product of both Birmingham & Bessemer, AL School Systems, graduating in the top 10% of her class with Advance diplomas. In 2004, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Black Studies from top-rated liberal arts college, Berea College, in Berea, KY. She is currently earning her Master of Science degree in Education from Walden University.

She has been featured as a field expert in Excursions: A Guest Directory, Birmingham Metro Area 2010-11 speaking on Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth; in the National Group Tour magazine; and the National Student Group Tour magazine. In 2012, she added “author” to her resume by publishing her first book of original historically-oriented spoken word, Nappyminded Ideology. Two of those poems were awarded the Leonard Slade Prize for Poetry by the Southern Conference on African American Studies, Inc. (SCAASI) in 2007 and 2011. Her next book, Mama Said, written collaboratively with Taomi Ray will be published in 2014.