Blessings and Disasters: A Story of Alabama

Alabama is often heavily stereotyped, but Okeowo seeks to add some nuance to the conversation. Born to Nigerian immigrants and raised in Montgomery, Okeowo paints a more thorough picture of the state’s rich history, southern hospitality, and cultural identity. From its complicated history to its ever-changing present, Blessings and Disasters (Holt, Henry & Co.) portrays unexpected stories of Okeowo’s own life as well as accounts of other Alabama citizens as they confront societal changes and challenges. Okeowo shows Alabamians who take pride in their state despite its wrongdoings as its diverse population strives for a better future.