Robell Awake, himself a craftsperson, shares his love, admiration, and respect for our African American craftsmen and women in this brief history. The reader is introduced to little known men and women who not only helped create and shape black craft in America, but also who learned and practiced their trade while enslaved. This book is enlightening, to say the least. 

Each short chapter is devoted to a different craftsperson, along with hand drawn illustrations that add to the beauty of the book. The illustrations are demonstrative of the era of slavery; while many may prefer photographs, the illustrations lend authenticity to the text.

Readers will be enchanted by potters, cabinetmakers, chair makers, basket weavers, blacksmiths, architects, quilters, couturiers, and yard artists: All African American artisans, many who learned their crafts while still free in their home countries in Africa and given little or no credit for their intellect, artistry, or humanity are celebrated by Awake.