Sonya Jackson's great aunt Lulu was the first Black woman in Iowa to earn a Ph.D. What lessons she and her grandmother taught her growing up.

This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place. 

The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and everyone can tell it. 

Des Moines Storytellers Project events are filled with neighbors and notables who have a true, first-person story they’re willing to share in 8-10 minutes in front of a live audience.

See past stories, learn how to share your own or grab tickets to a future show at DesMoinesRegister.com/Storytellers.