Linda Pace Samuel

Linda Pace Samuel (1952 - ) was born in Tuskegee Alabama and came of age during the United States Civil Rights Movement, greatly influenced by historical figures linked to the small college town - such as Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, Booker T. Washington, and Lewis Adams. She developed an interest in politics early in life, in part resulting from daily reports of politically charged violence in both the southern U.S. and southeast Asia. Through unique opportunities provided by visitors to Tuskegee (Institute) University and the college's community involvement, she was able to "see the world" without leaving home; gaining exposure to a variety of world cultures - including West Africa.

She earned a B.S. degree in Political Science from Tuskegee University, later co-managing the U.S. House of Representatives Legislative Information Office and serving as Congressional Staff Assistant to Civil Rights icon and U.S. Congressman John Lewis. During her career, she has also worked with an inner city domestic violence shelter organization and the department of family and children's services. She was inspired to write the Return of the African Diaspora series after a visit to Ghana.