We Do This ’Til We Free Us -

We Do This ’Til We Free Us

Mariame Kaba

Mariame Kaba asks us to imagine justice beyond punishment. Through essays, interviews, and reflections on abolitionist organizing, she explores how communities can build new approaches to safety, accountability, and collective care. We Do This ’Til We Free Us challenges us not only to question the systems around us, but to imagine—and work toward—the world we want to create.

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At a Glance

“Nothing that we do that is worthwhile is done alone.”

Why This Book Matters

Black Fortunes matters because it restores a hidden chapter of American history—one where formerly enslaved African Americans not only survived freedom, but built wealth, businesses, and generational legacies against extraordinary odds.

These stories challenge the narrative that Black economic success is new or rare. Instead, they reveal a long tradition of entrepreneurship, land ownership, and strategic vision that has often been erased or overlooked.

This book reframes what Black success looks like—and who gets remembered for it.

Key Themes

Abolition
Transformative justice
Collective liberation
Racial justice
Gender justice
Community accountability
Organizing and movement building
Harm and accountability
Prison industrial complex
Collective care
Hope and social transformation

What You'll Learn

Black Fortunes offers more than historical biographies—it provides lessons in leadership, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the importance of preserving overlooked stories. Readers will leave with a deeper understanding of how Black Americans shaped the nation’s economic history despite extraordinary obstacles.

Reflection Questions

When you hear the word justice, what does it mean to you—and how was that understanding shaped?
What would accountability look like if punishment were not the primary response to harm?
What does community safety mean beyond policing and incarceration?
Why do you think Kaba places so much emphasis on collective action?
What systems or practices in your own community could be transformed rather than simply accepted as permanent?
What does it mean to imagine a future that does not yet exist?
Where do you see examples of people already creating the kinds of communities Kaba asks us to imagine?

About the Author

Mariame Kaba is an organizer, educator, and writer whose work centers abolition, racial justice, gender justice, transformative justice, and collective liberation. She founded Project NIA, a grassroots organization focused on ending youth incarceration, and has co-founded and supported numerous organizations and projects addressing incarceration, violence, accountability, and community safety. Through her writing and organizing, Kaba emphasizes collective action, imagination, care, and the possibility of creating systems and communities that move beyond punishment and toward transformation.

About the Author

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Every book featured by They Erase, We Elevate has been carefully selected to preserve history, amplify overlooked voices, and inspire meaningful conversations. Continue exploring books that educate, empower, and celebrate the richness of Black history and culture.