Guestbook

Lesley, I feel like I've grown to know you even though we've never met. The information you've gathered surrounding the Gist Family is short of remarkable. My desire is to do some more exploring to see how our families are tied together as I too am a Gist whose parents originated from Union, South Carolina. My grandfather Will Gist married Edith Devies Hughes Gist of Chester, South Carolina. I truly missed having the opportunity to meet you when you were speaking in Canada last month. I pray that we encounter one another as God would lead in the very near future. I am the mother of the first woman to bring the crown to the State of Michigan, the first African American and the one that broke the 5 year Texas Chain. Miss USA 1990, Carole Anne-Marie Gist (Stramler).

It is truly an honor to know you Lesley. I know our literary lives have/will take us in various directions, but I truly hope our professional paths will cross again...intersect at Chance & Opportunity Roads//

Excuse me for being a little late but at times I find my watch on CP time....lol Let me start by thanking you for being our Keynote Speaker at our Black History Program on 2/24/10. I bring in many guest speakers here at Kaplan House so that the twenty-five young Men who live here can have a fighting chance in life, and your story and words and presentation did just that and some. I look forward to working with you in the near, near future to offer our residents here a vision that you have obtained and they have yet to see...

It was a pleasure being in your presence at the ABENY Conference. I look forward to spending the next few weeks reading your book.

Lesley, I love your motivation to get your research out there! It shows how much one person can do. I particularly enjoyed listening in to the Antique E Show, and your interview with Professor Frederick Douglass Opie. Thank you! J. Knight