What will I learn about: why the author's parents deliberately chose a white male name for her, and learn how deeply ingrained racial biases shape societal perceptions from birth?

Discover why the author's parents deliberately chose a white male name for her, and learn how deeply ingrained racial biases shape societal perceptions from birth.

What will I learn about: the shortcomings of the 'colorblind' approach to race, which often masks unspoken prejudices rather than protecting minority individuals from everyday discrimination?

Understand the shortcomings of the 'colorblind' approach to race, which often masks unspoken prejudices rather than protecting minority individuals from everyday discrimination.

What will I learn about: Explore how America's sanitized historical narratives divide white and Black citizens, and recognize the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to achieve true racial justice?

Explore how America's sanitized historical narratives divide white and Black citizens, and recognize the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to achieve true racial justice.

What will I learn about: Uncover the exhausting daily reality of being a Black woman in a white-majority workplace by examining common microaggressions like tone-policing, mistaken identity, and unsolicited hair-touching?

Uncover the exhausting daily reality of being a Black woman in a white-majority workplace by examining common microaggressions like tone-policing, mistaken identity, and unsolicited hair-touching.

What will I learn about: Learn why good intentions are not enough to combat systemic racism, and discover how true allyship requires moving past defensiveness and feelings of helplessness to actively fight for equity?

Learn why good intentions are not enough to combat systemic racism, and discover how true allyship requires moving past defensiveness and feelings of helplessness to actively fight for equity.

I'm Still Here

Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

Austin Channing Brown

★ 4.0 / 5(41 ratings)

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Biography & Memoir Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡Did you know that many organizations claiming to champion diversity are actually reinforcing the very racial barriers they aim to break?
💡Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to navigate white spaces as a Black woman when even "progressive" environments feel unwelcoming?
💡Are you curious about why standard approaches to racial reconciliation often fail—and what it actually takes to build a world where everyone truly belongs?

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Key Takeaways from I'm Still Here

✓Discover why the author's parents deliberately chose a white male name for her, and learn how deeply ingrained racial biases shape societal perceptions from birth.
✓Understand the shortcomings of the 'colorblind' approach to race, which often masks unspoken prejudices rather than protecting minority individuals from everyday discrimination.
✓Explore how America's sanitized historical narratives divide white and Black citizens, and recognize the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths to achieve true racial justice.
✓Uncover the exhausting daily reality of being a Black woman in a white-majority workplace by examining common microaggressions like tone-policing, mistaken identity, and unsolicited hair-touching.
✓Learn why good intentions are not enough to combat systemic racism, and discover how true allyship requires moving past defensiveness and feelings of helplessness to actively fight for equity.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from I'm Still Here

Mind Map

I'm Still Here

Childhood & Racial Realization+

Confronting American History+

The Exhausting White Workplace+

White Guilt & Fragility+

Living with Justifiable Fear+

Hope & Gradual Progress+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8

Why did Austin Channing Brown's parents choose the name 'Austin' for her?

A. It was a cherished family name passed down through generations.
B. They wanted a name that sounded like a white male to help her get ahead in life.
C. They hoped to challenge traditional gender norms within their community.
D. It was inspired by a prominent historical civil rights leader.

Question 2 of 8

How did the 'color blindness' approach to race affect Austin during her school years in the 1980s and 1990s?

A. It successfully eliminated racial prejudice and microaggressions in her classrooms.
B. It made her feel completely assimilated and accepted into white culture.
C. It failed to protect her from racist incidents, slurs, and stereotyping by peers and teachers.
D. It allowed her to easily celebrate her Black heritage without fear of judgment.

Question 3 of 8

During a college trip to the South, what stark contrast did Austin observe between the white and Black students?

A. The white students were angered by the romanticization of slavery, while the Black students felt indifferent.
B. The Black students expressed anger at the sanitized history of a plantation, while the white students were inclined to believe the tour guides.
C. Both groups of students bonded instantly over their shared shock at the lynching museum.
D. The white students wanted to protest the museums, while the Black students wanted to leave quietly.

Question 4 of 8

According to the book, what makes working at white-majority organizations particularly exhausting for a Black woman?

A. The overt and intentional hostility from executive management.
B. The complete absence of any diversity initiatives or discussions about race.
C. The daily accumulation of microaggressions and being expected to act as the resident spokesperson for race.
D. The physical demands of the community outreach projects they are assigned to lead.

Question 5 of 8

What happened after Austin and her white friend Jenny gave a presentation on race at a church for MLK Day?

A. The congregation ignored Austin and only directed their questions to Jenny.
B. White audience members lined up to confess their racist pasts and guilt exclusively to Austin.
C. The church leadership asked both women to leave for making the congregation uncomfortable.
D. Both women were equally burdened by the congregation's emotional confessions.

Question 6 of 8

How does Austin view her own anger regarding the historical and ongoing mistreatment of Black people?

A. She sees it as a toxic emotion that hinders true racial reconciliation.
B. She channels it entirely into her writing rather than her daily interactions.
C. She tries to suppress it to make her white colleagues feel more comfortable.
D. She believes it is a necessary force for good that fuels her work to make a difference.

Question 7 of 8

What tragic event involving Austin's cousin Dalin is used to illustrate the systemic failures faced by Black Americans?

A. He was wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn't commit and executed by the state.
B. He was shot by militarized police during a peaceful protest in Ferguson.
C. He died from a lightning strike in prison while serving a disproportionate mandatory minimum sentence.
D. He was killed in a tragic shooting at a historically Black church in Charleston.

Question 8 of 8

What does Austin Channing Brown argue is necessary to achieve true racial reconciliation?

A. Simply getting white people and Black people to get along and be friendly with one another.
B. Ensuring that white people feel good about themselves for making an effort to learn.
C. Implementing real, structural change where powerless people have a permanent seat at the table.
D. Focusing on immediate fixes that will completely resolve racial tensions within a single generation.

I'm Still Here — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
21 — Growing up, Austin Channing Brown learned that being Black made white people see her differently.
32 — In college, Austin saw how many Americans still struggle to face Black history.
43 — Working as a Black woman in a white-majority company is exhausting.
54 — Helping white people confront racism takes a toll on Black people.
65 — America must do a better job of telling the true history of its Black citizens.
76 — In a white-centered world, Black people have good reason to feel fear.
87 — We’re still far from an equal society, but we must believe in gradual progress.
98 — Final summary

I'm Still Here Summary & Overview

I’m Still Here (2018) is a memoir about racial justice in modern America. Racism is still all around us – even in Christian organizations that claim to champion diversity and understanding.

Who Should Listen to I'm Still Here?

People looking to understand what it’s like to be Black in America
Christians eager to learn how to be truly progressive
Fans of powerful memoirs

About the Author: Austin Channing Brown

Austin Channing Brown is a speaker, writer, and producer, on the topic of racial justice. She executive produced the web series The Next Question and her work has featured in outlets including On Being, the Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, and WNYC. I’m Still Here is her first book.

I'm Still Here

If You're Curious About These Questions...

Listen to I'm Still Here — Free Audiobook

Key Takeaways from I'm Still Here

Learning Tools

Mind Map

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

I'm Still Here — Full Chapter Overview

I'm Still Here Summary & Overview

Who Should Listen to I'm Still Here?

About the Author: Austin Channing Brown

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