Happy Birthday Frederick Douglass

February 14, 2017

Dear Mr. Douglass,

Your words continue to haunt us in today's America. Your spirit continues to ignite. You fuel us with strength, perseverance, and optimism. You paved the way for us, and now we must forge our way forward; we must use our voices and stand together. We must resist! For we are the fire, the thunder, and the earthquake. May there come a time when your words no longer carry relevance in tomorrow's America.

Happy 199th Birthday! It has been an honor to paint your portrait. May your heroic efforts never be forgotten and your light continue to shine on the darkest of corners.

-Nikki Solone