Two powerful women who primed my life are my mother, Barbara Griffin, until two days before my 9th birthday, and Addie Wyatt as my loving mentor from the age of 19 until 66 years old. Who would have thought I would grow up - not questioning why there is a difference between two races with different skin tones. I thought it was just everyday living, even though I lived in an all-white neighborhood. I was raised without the red flags of prejudice and hate with my mother's friends and a father with Appalachian roots supporting of my mother having close Black companions. I don't mean to give the impression that I lived in a bubble without a world of prejudice. There was plenty of hate around with some family members, friends, and strangers who walked into my life.