Support the Courageous Joy Book Project

Every book you purchase helps us keep this story—and its lessons—alive for generations to come.

In Courageous Joy, Janet L. Perkins invites readers into a life marked by faith, resilience, and the quiet heroism of a Black mother determined to raise her son with love and dignity through the turbulence of America’s civil rights era. From being one of the first students to desegregate a Baltimore public school to dedicating decades of service at the Social Security Administration, Janet’s story shines a light on the often unseen strength of women who hold families and communities together through courage, sacrifice, and grace.

By purchasing this powerful memoir, you’re not only celebrating Janet’s journey—you’re helping us continue to amplify stories of Black women whose lives have shaped our shared history. Your gift ensures that future generations can learn from voices like hers—voices that remind us that joy, when chosen despite sorrow, is the greatest act of courage.