ALex Brown @ NCOE

Alex Brown grew up in Napa, attended Napa schools and went on to help re-shape how we learn, teach and understand history in this town. She worked at the Napa County Historical Society on decolonizing their practices, wrote her graduate thesis on Black history in the valley and is now author of two books. The Hidden History of Napa Valley has been featured on the Teach Truth website and is credited for shining light on many stories we had successfully shunned for too long. In a meeting last year with Dr. Barb Nemko, County Superintendent of Schools, talking about ethnic studies, I asked if she knew of Alex Brown’s book. She did not. Knowing Superintendent Nemko is a frequent customer of Napa Bookmine, I bought her a copy of the book and left it for her for her next book store visit. When we learned that Napa County Office of Education (of which Dr. Nemko is the boss) would be hosting Alex Brown for Black History Month, I thought, “Yo! She read the book!” But when I investigated a bit I learned the idea came from within the office in a brainstorming session, not from Dr. Nemko. That’s good news for the community. Eventually Brown may need to rename the book, THE History of Napa Valley instead of HIDDEN history. In any case - the book is a MUST HAVE. And the talk Alex gives - seen above - is revelatory, humbling, and moving. She reminds us to look at whiteness, consider alternative narratives, and always ask current students for their perspective. What needs to change for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive society? Affordable Housing. We are beginning to face why and how people of color were driven out of the Valley - but the barrier to re-entry is affordability. When we hear of low income housing being built nearby remember these stories.