October 16, 1968

Two African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised a black gloved fist on the podium after winning the gold and bronze medal.

The new graphic novel, Dr. Tommie Smith's, Victory Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice with Derrick Barnes and Dawid Anyabwile is a memoir retelling his life story of a man who is the definition of COURAGE and PERSEVERANCE.

From sharecropping to Olympian, Dr. Smith's must-read graphic novel discusses, Jim Crow South, westward Black migration, the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power movement in sports, Dr. Harry Edwards, Black athlete's role, and the moment leading up to and after the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Dr. Smith also shares his loving family environment, the struggles to feel a part of integrated schools, being an athlete and a scholar, and perseverance.

This graphic novel is such a worthy selection for curriculum, character building, social justice themes, history, sports, and comic/graphic novel fans.

This is a stand out middle grade-high school book.

Check it out at your local library and Black-owned book store.
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