Summary

In the introduction, Kwame Mbalia says that he dislikes watching the news. He remembers hearing of the tragedies to befall predominantly Black individuals. Kwame also says he cries when he is happy and wants everyone to feel joy. So, he and the other authors wrote Black Boy Joy.

"The Griot of Grover Street (Part One)," by Kwame Mbalia, opens as Fort's mother and Aunt Jess refer to a funeral as a home going. After Antoinette Robinson - or Aunt Netta -died, Fort misses her. Those thoughts are what plague Fort as he crashes into a strange old man with an impossibly large jar that cracks The man shouts that his last delivery of joy is gone as Fort's Mama arrives, calling the man Mr. G. He asks Fort to help him refill the jar and Fort recalls Aunt Netta telling...