To be Aphasian, Gifted, and Black: Expressions of Strength, An Anthology of Black Journeys Through Aphasia
Dr. Donald Cunnigen, Dr. Denise Mendez, Dr. Susan Jones, Mrs. Shauna Siah (Dade), Mrs. Luella Ayers, Mr. William Mitchell, Ms. Lisa Stevenson, Ms. Patricia Ledet, Mrs. Bernadine Grady-Cunnigen, Mrs. Marcella “Marci” Velegodo; Edited by Dr. Warren Brown & Dr. Brittany Myburgh
“To Be Aphasian, Gifted, and Black: Expressions of Strength,” is an anthology of Black journeys through aphasia, bringing together the voices of stroke survivors, caregivers, clinicians, artists, and collaborators. Through personal narrative, poetry, prayer, reflection, visual art, and testimony, the volume explores what it means to live, heal, remember, communicate, and rebuild after aphasia. Rather than presenting aphasia only as a clinical condition, this collection foregrounds the fullness of Black life: family, faith, work, memory, community, humor, frustration, grief, creativity, and resilience. Contributors reflect on the challenges of losing or reshaping language, but they also insist on identity beyond diagnosis. Their stories show that communication does not end when speech changes; it takes new forms through images, gestures, relationships, spiritual practice, and shared care. Together, these chapters create a powerful record of survival and self-definition. The anthology honors Black people with aphasia not as marginal voices, but as authors, artists, teachers, advocates, and witnesses to their own lives.
All authors of the book are current members of the Black Aphasia Group affiliated with Jackson State University and the Aphasia Center of Acadiana. Author bios can be found at the end of the book chapters. We truly thank you for your interest in this anthology and hope you enjoy!
If anyone has any questions about the anthology or aphasia group, please contact Dr. Warren C. Brown at warren.c.brown@jsums.edu
