Freedom Road By Jacqueline Black (Grades 4-6)

Jacqueline Black is a rising poet whose work explores memory, liberation, and cultural identity. Born into a family of storytellers, she grew up listening to histories passed down through generations—stories that shaped her understanding of struggle and hope. Her poem “Freedom Road” draws from this legacy, depicting a journey toward self-determination and collective justice. Through striking imagery and emotional clarity, the poem traces the long path from oppression to empowerment, urging readers to recognize both the wounds of the past and the promise of a freer future. Black continues to use poetry as a voice for change and belonging.