Sarah's Riches

In this captivating true story by award-winning author Tonya Bolden, discover the journey of teenage Sarah Rector, who became the wealthiest Black girl in Jim Crow-era America when oil was discovered on her land in Oklahoma. Initially seen as worthless, her property produced an astounding 2,500 barrels of oil per day, transforming her family's life from poverty to prosperity. However, her newfound wealth attracted unwanted attention from corrupt officials and opportunistic swindlers, shedding light on the racial challenges faced during this significant period in American history. Sarah's remarkable rise illustrates the intersection of wealth and racial dynamics in early-twentieth-century America.