The celebration of Black History Month during February provides an opportunity to learn about people that have touched the lives of others in a variety of ways, which certainly describes 87-year-old Frances Lewis.
Lewis, who was the “knee baby” — second youngest child — in a family of seven children that made their home on Joseph Campau, two blocks south of Gratiot, in Detroit’s former Black Bottom neighborhood. She grew up to become a wife, mother, 32-year Detroit Public Schools teacher, community servant, grandmother, world traveler, caregiver, two-time breast cancer survivor, present-day girlfriend to a gentleman six years her senior and more.
During most of Lewis’ life, the details of her journey across the city of Detroit and beyond could only be learned if Lewis slowed down enough for a moment to chat. But Lewis, who is turning 88 this month, has changed that by adding “author” to the list of her many accomplishments with the recent completion of “Frances Is..,” the story of her life told in 12 chapters that describes the multiple roles she has tried her best to carry out, and the many people and community institutions that supported her along the way.