FREDDY PRINCE

chapter one

Fighting for his community was always second nature for Freddy. After losing his mother to what he thought was police brutality, creating change became his number one priority. Especially for the women in his community and those alike.

Growing up as the man of the house changed Freddy's outlook on a lot of things in life. Not only did he see the division amongst races, genders, and social classes, but he saw the importance of it as well. Which was why he started the organization Elm's St. Community. In honor of his late mother, Elmira "Elm" Prince.

Elm was a fierce woman. Tall and slender; soft-spoken when you were on her good side. She got the nickname "Elm" from her best friend of twenty years after she went postal on a man trying to rough her up at the bar. A lot of the gentlemen who tried to pursue her said she reminded them of Pam Grier when she played Jackie Brown; tough as nails but still delicate and beautiful.

"You aren't nervous, are you?" Mo, his assistant asked. "There are a lot of white women in the audience today and you know they only came out to find something to argue about on their lil videos."

"I'm used to the Karen's by now," he chuckled. "I actually find some of their arguments interesting. Do I understand their point of view? Hell nah. But It's amazing how they twist shit about black people and what we stand for."

Even though Freddy was one of the most profound feminists and pro-black activists in his hometown of Far Land Virginia, he maintained his street credibility and always presented himself as himself. The man didn't put on a front for the cameras. He didn't switch up his accent or try to sound "white"; He was clear and cutthroat but with a very charming and classy undertone.

"Well, they really gon be mad after they hear about this center you trying to open," Mo said. "I don't see why, they have hella social clubs and brunch parties for the women in their communities. Why us black women can't have the same?"

"They don't want black women to see themselves as equals when really, y'all are superior."

"See," she said. "This why I rock with you. You be knowing. Not only do you be knowing, but you always got a bitch back."

Mo became Freddy's assistant two months after his first big event. He got invited to the mayor's office to talk about some information he shared after his mom's body surfaced, and Mo found her way into his path to warn him. She worked at the mayor's office around that time and overheard some heavy hitters talking about Freddy possibly being a threat. And even though he had the grace of the mayor, they wanted him dead too. A week later, with Freddy's protection, she resigned from the mayor's office and put her best foot on the right side of the law.

While he and Mo waited for their time on stage to come, Freddy took mental notes about everyone in the room. Those who were there to support him, and the ones who were only there for damage control. During his career of shedding light on the corruption in the system, he made more frenemies than he did friends. A lot of those people were older white men and women who just couldn't believe how far the truth had taken him.

"Freddy." The director of the seminar approached him with her itinerary in hand. "You're up next and the crowd is already eager to see you. I don't know if it's that handsome face of yours, or they're just ready for a riot," she chuckled.

"I don't wanna sound full of myself, but I'm gonna go with the first one, Ms. Mary." Freddy laughed. "You know my intentions are never to start a riot."

"I'm just messing with you sugar," the older woman patted his cheek. "We all love you and everything you do for this community. Now get out there and do what you do best."

The crowd roared when he walked on stage because he had the stage presence of a natural-born speaker and activist. He dressed well. Was very well spoken and engaged with his audience in unforgettable ways. He even, respectfully, left the floor open for those who wanted to contest his facts with negative opinions. And even though his audience was mostly women, the men came to their feet and gave him props too.