Saint Benedict the Moor

Saint Benedict the MoorTaking five years to complete, writing Saint Benedict the Moor was a labor of love inspired by my deep respect for Americans of African descent whose progeny graced the Wisconsin Milwaukee scene as early as 1835. They continued throughout the years to be instruments of their own economic and social advancement. Along the way, they had help from well meaning Caucasian individuals, but their drive and single minded purpose allowed them to survive in

Taking five years to complete, writing Saint Benedict the Moor was a labor of love inspired by my deep respect for Americans of African descent whose progeny graced the Wisconsin/Milwaukee scene as early as 1835. They continued throughout the years to be instruments of their own economic and social advancement. Along the way, they had help from well-meaning Caucasian individuals, but their drive and single-minded purpose allowed them to survive in hostile environments and to achieve measures of success in their individual and group endeavors. This book outlines their presence in Milwaukee from the time of their early entry into the territory that is now Milwaukee, to their struggles for survival during their early years in Milwaukee, to the successful efforts of Roman Catholics to proselytize a group of them, and the influence St. Benedict Boarding and Day School had on the lives of its enrollees during their periods of enrollment in the school and their lives thereafter.