Andrea Blackstone has created a platform to honor her ancestors, celebrate her personal identity, showcase her artistic projects, and keep history alive. AndreaBlackstone.com was developed because Blackstone wanted to prevent her ancestors’ plight from being forgotten. The first book in her new Black Water Cove series, The World We Left Behind, was inspired by Queen Jackson Haley, a multiracial enslaved woman whose alleged father was a Confederate Colonel.
A miniseries and book based on Queen’s life was written by Alexander Murray Palmer Haley, author of Roots, and David Stevens. However, Blackstone is a next-generation storyteller and a 15-year journalism veteran who continues to piece together elements of a more intimate story about her great-grandmother, Queen. Alex Haley passed away before “Queen” was completed. Stevens finished the story that was tied to the Forks of Cypress plantation located in Florence, Alabama.
Published Author in Her Family
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“In an era when historical stories are at risk of being silenced, The World We Left Behind is a reimagined novel based on a large plantation in Alabama. It underscores the struggles of enslaved people; the intersecting lives of their enslavers; and the brave abolitionists who could have been related to individuals who despised their anti-slavery beliefs,” said Blackstone.
Biracial and multiracial children like Queen, who were born on plantations to enslaved mothers and plantation owners or overseers, faced additional challenges while being left fatherless in the world’s eyes.
“I do not want any of these historical aspects of slavery to slip between the world’s fingertips,” Blackstone explained.
Additionally, slave ownership sometimes included women, not just men.
“I write about a slaveholding couple who infringed on the agency of people together while increasing their Southern wealth,” said Blackstone.
In Blackstone’s family tree, Queen’s husband, Alec Baugh Haley (who has also been known as Alex), was the son of an overseer of Scottish descent. After a cousin agreed to take a DNA test, the results confirmed that the family oral history about Alec’s paternal heritage was correct. Simon Alexander Haley, who was Blackstone’s maternal grandfather and author Alex Haley’s father, was one of Queen and Alec’s sons. He served in World War I, became a professor of agriculture, taught at numerous HBCUs, and lent support to Black farmers. Blackstone’s late mother, Lois Ann Haley Blackstone (Butts), was Simon’s daughter and Alex Haley’s lesser-known half-sister.
“My mother was a history keeper who took pristine care of family articles and memorabilia. She told me that she remembered her grandmother, Queen. I have also read family notes that my grandfather provided about his parents’ lives as children of the plantation. I am grateful that I had a starting point to write my novel. I know that having access to this family history is rare, and I regard my grandfather as a forward-thinking man for sharing information when he was alive. Black and white American families can be connected through DNA. If we face this truth, perhaps some of us can move forward together,” said Blackstone.
After penning The World We Left Behind, Blackstone painted artwork, crafted inspirational sayings, and turned them into attractive journals while connecting them to characters in her novel. Additionally, another one of Blackstone’s books, For Such a Time As This, blends poetry, Bible verses, and journal prompts.
“I hope to inspire people to indulge in self-care through slowing down to journal or using art to heal. I plan to write an array of stories that will preserve history,” said Blackstone.
All of Blackstone’s recent projects will be released between August 7- 13, 2025, to honor various people in her mother’s family who have upcoming birthdays. The paperback version of The World We Left Behind will be available on August 7, 2025.
“I look forward to connecting with a broader audience and reminding people who are interested in family history to feel proud of the legacies that preceded them, regardless of their circumstances. In my opinion, everyone should dig for at least one ancestor who inspires them. I found three of mine,” Blackstone said.
Books and journals will be sold on Amazon and through other retailers. The eBook version of The World We Left Behind is now available for preorder on Amazon.
For more information about Blackstone and her projects, visit her official website at AndreaBlackstone.com
For press inquiries, contact 804-834-7718 or theandreablackstone@gmail.com
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nZinga Austin is also the Co-publisher of Our Black News Scoop and Southeast Queens Scoop. The documentary of about 1/2 hr long is getting rave reviews.
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