About the Author

Chief John B. Steward Jr. (ret.) lived a life of firsts. He was the first African-American to operate a lathe machine at the Harford Machine Screw Company; one of the first two black cashiers in the New England A&P Supermarket chain; one of the first three black drivers in Hartford's Yellow Cab fleet; the first African-American to become an officer in the Hartford Fire Department; and the first black fire chief in New England's history.

Stewart's path wasn't smooth. Deeply embedded bigotry stood between him and all his achievements. He credits his success to the blessings of family, friends, and the grace of a loving God.

Coauthor Rubin Tendai is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Harlem, New York.