Valerie Still's book, "Still Family: William Still and the Legacy of the Underground Railroad," is a pivotal work that deserves to be in the hands of readers nationwide. Valerie, a revered figure at the University of Kentucky, both as the all-time leading scorer in basketball and as a celebrated Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductee, has spent years meticulously researching and writing this homage. The book not only honors her family's history and her ancestor, William Still, the "Father of the Underground Railroad," but also provides an exhaustive account of Black resilience and perseverance.

Despite its profound significance, the publication of "Still Family" has been unjustly delayed. This delay is due to unfounded accusations of plagiarism and research impropriety brought forward by Patricia Guida and Kate Clifford Larson. These accusations are baseless and harm not only Valerie's reputation but also the dissemination of history that deserves to be told.

These challenges target research utilized from an unpublished public-record report regarding William Still’s enslaved parents, Levin and Sidney, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. That foundational documentation was compiled using public tax dollars via the Caroline County Historical Society to guarantee community and public access. In her over thirty-year research journey, Valerie has spent  endless hours in state archives, universities and historical societies across the country, including in the Maryland State Archives, where these records can be found. Some of these records can also be accessed online. Public records and state archives are collective heritage; they are not private intellectual property to be weaponized or gatekept by external parties to silence Black lineage and authorship.

To halt the publication of a Black scholar documenting her own family’s 300-year legacy under the weight of unverified, defamatory accusations is part of a dangerous pattern in the United States today. Across the nation, African American history, literature, and foundational truths are under coordinated political and cultural attack.

Unfounded claims of academic dishonesty launched against African American historians serve a chilling purpose: to delegitimize Black voices, relegate descendants to the sidelines of their own ancestral histories, and erect artificial barriers to the truth. Falsely accusing a Black researcher of intellectual theft when utilizing public archives is a severe and damaging trope that echoes historical efforts to deny Black people ownership of their intellect, heritage, and stories.

William Still's contributions to the Underground Railroad were instrumental in aiding countless enslaved individuals in their quest for freedom. It is imperative that his story, meticulously recounted by Valerie Still, reaches the audience it rightly deserves. The book is not merely a personal family history but a critical record of courage, sacrifice, and the quest for justice.

We urge the University Press of Kentucky to do the right thing. In a world where historical narratives are often marginalized or censored, "Still Family" stands as a beacon of truth and resilience. By releasing the book without further delay, the press can demonstrate their commitment to honoring the rich, oft-untold parts of American history and uphold the free expression of academic research and storytelling.

This is not African American history; it is American history—history that unites and empowers.

This is the story and experiences of superstars - - pure, positive, powerful, unlimited energy, which can’t be destroy nor created…it always exists…and guides us to freedom.

Join us in calling upon the University Press of Kentucky to reject undue censorship and uphold the integrity of scholarly work by standing firmly behind Valerie Still. It's time for "Still Family" to find its rightful place on bookshelves and contribute to our understanding of American history. Sign this petition to demand immediate action and support Valerie Still in sharing this vital story with the world.