Summary

The excerpt from Will Jawando’s memoir My Seven Black Fathers: A Young Activist’s Memoir of Race, Family, and the Mentors Who Made Him Whole begins with Jawando mentioning when he and Kalfani met. Jawando mentions the important Black basketball players of this period. He explains why many Black children found them relatable and inspiring. 

Jawando then begins to describe Kalfani, a gifted basketball player at his school. Jawando would watch Kalfani and his friends play, not daring to speak to him directly, until one day Kalfani asked him to join their game. Jawando describes the game that followed and how it inspired his love of the game. 

Jawando then describes how his relationship with Kalfani developed. The two of them not only played basketball together, but also became friends. Jawando describes the run-down building where Kalfani lived, noting that it was similar to where he used to live after his parents divorced. 

Jawando does not interact with K...