Gridiron Diaspora: The Book
Gridiron Diaspora began as a search for a forgotten name.
It became a book because some stories require space — space to breathe, to remember, and to be told with care.
The book traces the life of Henry McDonald, born in Haiti in 1890 and brought to the United States as a child, who became one of the earliest Black professional football players in America, before the NFL.
But this is not a sports biography alone.
WHAT THE BOOK EXPLORES
Through historical research, archival discovery, and intimate conversations with Henry McDonald’s family, the book examines:
the cost of breaking barriers in early 20th-century America
the silence that followed survival
the legacy carried quietly by children and grandchildren
and the moment when silence finally gives way to language
Each chapter moves between past and present — between the field and the family living room — allowing readers to experience not only what happened, but how it was remembered.
WHY A BOOK MATTERS
Film captures moments.
A book holds memory.
Gridiron Diaspora in print allows readers to:
sit with the story
revisit it
and recognize reflections of their own family histories
It is a record not only of Henry McDonald’s life, but of countless families whose stories were carried quietly because speaking came at a cost.
THE FAMILY VOICES
At the heart of the book are the voices of Henry McDonald’s grandchildren.
They speak of:
Friday nights and card games
music, laughter, and quiet discipline
admiration, distance, and unanswered questions
and the realization that silence was not absence — it was protection
Their memories form a collective portrait of a man who gave much of himself to survive — and left his story to be reclaimed by the next generations.
STATUS
The book is currently in final development, with completion targeted for 2026.
Excerpts from the book are being shared with Henry McDonald’s family as part of the collaborative storytelling process that guides this project.
STAY INFORMED
To receive updates about the book’s release, readings, or availability:
Email: lighthousestoriesllc@gmail.com
Website: www.lighthousestoriesllc.com