The Three Mothers

The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation

Much has been written about James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X, but virtually nothing has been said about the extraordinary women who raised them. In this groundbreaking and essential debut, scholar Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates Black motherhood by sharing the untold stories of Berdis Baldwin, Alberta King, and Louise Little.

Born at the dawn of the twentieth century, these three women grew up facing the brutal prejudices of Jim Crow. Defiant and resilient, they chose to pass down lessons of faith, resistance, and social justice, instilling in their sons a fundamental belief in human dignity. The Three Mothers is a dynamic blend of biography and manifesto—a deeply moving tribute to the women who shaped American history.

Author: Anna Malaika Tubbs. 288 pages.