How Black History Can Save Your Life

Ernest Crim III is an Anti-Racist Educator and hate crime survivor who uses  historical examples from the black community to empower and educate families and train educators through an equitable lens. Mr. Crim, a south side of Chicago native and University of Illinois graduate,is a former high school history educator of 12 years, who now teaches Black History to the world through social media with a platform that reaches over 2 million people monthly. Additionally, he is the CEO of Crim’s Cultural Consulting LLC, an international speaker, an author of two bestsellers (BlackHistory Saved My Life and The ABCS of Affirming Black Children) and a passionate progressiveeducation activist, who has been featured on ABC, WGN, PBS, CBS, NBC & Newsweek, amongst various other outlets. To Ernest, his purpose is to creatively strategize how we can use our past to create a better future, entrenched in equitable practices. He lives in Chicago.

“Spectacular! I’ve been following Brother Ernest Crim and his phenomenal posts for years, educating the community about Black history and events that happened in our country on topics that I never knew about or even considered before! After reading the pages of this book I can honestly say he’s continued his legacy of excellence through education! Not only will the information he provided build you up and reinforce your understanding of self in a world designed to break you down, but his words will also broaden your understanding of your past, present, and future. Not to mention, it can truly save your life!”—Mo’Nique, Academy Award-winning actress, comedian, executive producer, and bestselling author“In How Black History Can Save Your Life, Ernest Crim III takes readers on a journey through his life, blending personal stories with untold lessons from Black history. With great insight and wisdom, Crim offers practical tools to navigate tough conversations about race and identity, inspiring hope and meaningful change. This book is a powerful guide to using history’s lessons to thrive today.”—Kimberly Latrice Jones, New York Times bestselling author of I’m Not Dying With You Tonight“Ernest Crim’s story is both urgent and indispensable. To overlook his story is to ignore a fundamental reality of our society—one that, if left unaddressed, threatens not just some, but all of us.”—Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome“It is a very personal, readable, and accessible tool for my ever-evolving awakening to the other America, where a walk in the park with your wife on a perfect summer afternoon can turn ugly in an instant. I have grandsons who will grow up perceived as Black; this feels like required reading for me. Their journey will likely parallel Ernest’s journey, but if we get our head out of the sand, it will be a softer ride. Check it out.”—Larry Andersen, producer of PBS documentary Divided We Fall“How Black History Can Save Your Life by Ernest Crim III is a must-read for anyone needing a guidepost on how to navigate and awaken to their true power. Every Black child in America and parent should have this book as a staple in their home library! It is a powerful coming of age (auto)biography of the deep-seated hatred Black people face in America! Nothing is wrong with Black people… Something happened to Black people! Ase.”—Philippe Matthews, host of The Philippe Matthews Show“Most books of this type, I think, tend to either follow the cerebral or left-brain path of analysis and factual consideration, or the right-brain trail that focuses on the feelings and emotional content involved. As improbable as it might seem, Ernest finds a way to incorporate both sides without either detracting from the message carried by the other. In fact, he manages to have them complement and strengthen each other. As I began to read, I was prepared for a litany of the usual suspects and a set of arguments which are significant but ordinary. But Ernest found a way to constantly surprise and intrigue me.”—Michael Rakowsky, House of Delegate member at The People

• Preface, 2024IntroductionPart IChapter 1…when I was told I was badChapter 2…when I wanted my friends to sleep overChapter 3…when I wanted breakfastChapter 4…when I was on my way to the White HouseChapter 5…when he was told to go backChapter 6…when I was cute for a Black guyPart IIChapter 7…when I was acting whiteChapter 8…when I was driving while BlackChapter 9…when Aaron taught meChapter 10…when I was first called niggerChapter 11…when Ghetto Bros and Big Booty Hoes partiedChapter 12…when he changed his name from Gerald to AbdulChapter 13…when Jena 6 happenedChapter 14…when Tupac was wrongPart IIIChapter 15…when I noticed white-on-Black crimeChapter 16…when it kept happening again, and again, and againChapter 17…when the hate was inheritedChapter 18…when we had another Red SummerChapter 19…when I was faced with a hate crimeEpilogueAcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorWorks Cited