ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR 

Aaron Boyd knew by age six that he wanted to illustrate children’s books. He has illustrated dozens of books, including The Story of Civil Rights Hero John Lewis and the Wisconsin Historical Society Press title Brownie the War Dog. Aaron lives with his family in Milwaukee. 

Jerrianne Hayslett Author Interview

Valiant Vel

How were you first introduced to Vel Phillips and what made you want to write Valiant Vel?

Vel introduced herself to me. We were seated at the same table at a women’s forum for peace. I was relatively new to Milwaukee and didn’t know many people or much about the city. Vel’s name wasn’t familiar to me, but as we chatted, I found her bright, inquisitive eyes and open, inviting face welcoming. She said little to nothing about herself. Rather, she seemed more interested in knowing about me. After that meeting, I began searching the Internet to find out more about her. The more I read, the more astounded I became. Most astounding was, despite what seemed like countless articles about her, or that mentioned her, I could find no book about her.

You were able to work with and learn from Vel’s son Michael Phillips during the process of writing this book. How did his guidance and insight better enable you to tell Vel’s story?

Michael Phillips’ assistance was vital to the development of this book. After I gained his trust, he provided parts of Vel’s unpublished and unfinished autobiography, entitled A Dream Deferred. He read drafts of various versions of my manuscripts, corrected errors, provided context, and directed me to relatives and close friends and associates to interview. He also recommended award-winning Milwaukee artist Aaron Boyd, whose illustrations are key to the book’s beauty.

Can you describe your research and writing process for Valiant Vel? Beyond the information and materials you received from Vel’s family, what other resources were valuable to you while working on the book?

I started with what I thought were the most relevant of the many articles I had read about Vel, highlighting pertinent sections and names and making notes about why and where they might lead me in my research. I also started a list of people to interview. With my background and interest in writing for children, I wanted the book to be accessible to young people.

It soon became apparent that to do Vel justice, I would have to narrow my focus for a children’s book. Instead of a story about her entire life, which would be a cradle-to-grave biography, I would decide on a part of her life for a slice-of-life biography that would appeal most to young people. What slice of her life that should be was answered by the prologue to her unfinished autobiography, which Michael sent me.

I completed and submitted a book proposal to Wisconsin Historical Society Press, which Michael Phillips and I agreed to be the most logical to publish this work. Proposal accepted and contract signed, I developed an outline and drafted an initial manuscript.

In addition to Vel’s unpublished autobiography, A Dream Deferred, a few of the valuable resources I used in my research included the Wisconsin Historical Society website, the Milwaukee County Historical Society, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society, several books, and the many individuals I interviewed for the book.

Vel Phillips achieved so much during her life, starting in childhood through her career in politics and beyond. What accomplishments did you find most inspiring as you were writing her biography?

Oh, my! How to choose. Most significant, I think, is the high school speech contest. It revealed so much about her character, her belief in herself and her values, her determination and critical thinking, her passion about what was important to her, and her ability to act on principles.  

For many children, this book will be their first introduction to Vel Phillips. What do you hope readers will learn from Valiant Vel?

Persistence and the importance of perseverance. Taking a stand, speaking up and staying strong for their beliefs. Be respectful to others but don’t let anyone intimidate you.

Has working on Valiant Vel changed you personally in any way? What did you get out of the experience of working on this book?

I’ve become more patient and a better listener. Understanding that everyone has a story, a history. Seeing people as geodes: unremarkable until you see their sparkling crystals inside

Aaron Boyd Illustrator Interview

Valiant Vel

Were you familiar with Vel Phillips prior to starting this project? If yes, how did this knowledge influence how you approached the artwork?

I was very familiar with Vel Phillips. As a kid growing up in the inner city of Milwaukee in the 1970s she was someone I truly admired. Also, Milwaukee is the kind of place where you bump into people and I was fortunate enough to meet Vel several times later in her life. And even though she wasn’t in office at that time, she’d always make time to talk and share her kindness.

Can you describe your process for creating the Valiant Vel illustrations?  Did you do any research as part of your work on the book?

I worked closely with the publisher and author during this project to be sure I was creating art that would help paint Vel’s journey. In particular, my art focused on the areas where there weren’t a lot of direct photos of her life but were moments that really shaped her. For example, when she gave her speech before her entire high school. The original North Division school she’d attended was long gone. So I combed through old year books and architecture of the period and area to capture the colors, styles, and feel of that moment.

You’ve illustrated two children’s books for WHS Press, Brownie the War Dog and now Valiant Vel. How were these two projects similar and how were they different?

They were similar in that they share some of the same time periods as well as our state. However, just as today, there are great differences between lives that were lived hundreds of miles apart. Brownie’s journey spanned a shorter period of time (1940s) but greater distances. And Vel’s story largely revolved around Washington D.C., and Milwaukee, but spanned a greater distance of time (over 5 decades).

What has your collaboration with author Jerrianne Hayslett been like for the book? 

Jerrianne was an open book. She worked hard and honored Vel’s journey so when I spoke with her she knew everything and really helped me fill in the gaps using art. It’s also wonderful when you have enthusiasm for a project because it creates more enthusiasm. I’ll often say to kids when I do book events, “reach for that history you can touch.” Meaning that there’s so much history already in front of you. Talk to your uncle or your neighbors, walk around old neighborhoods and write letters. So much of what Vel did in her life is still at work today. We just need to ask questions, open our eyes, and touch it. 

Has creating the artwork for Valiant Vel changed you personally in any way? What has been your biggest takeaway from this experience?

A few years ago I was honored to do a book on John Lewis and when I was asked to do this book for Vel I honestly gasped saying, “Yes, I’ll do it! If you’re doing a Vel book I’m there!” To be able to represent someone who means so much and who has done so much is a great honor. When you’re painting the face of someone for hours, sculpting their face on the page, it moves you. You are literally touching their face and seeing them alive again.

What do you hope readers will learn from Vel’s story?

More than anything I want readers to realize the greatness of the heroes is in all of us. Vel ran for office in a deeply segregated city as a black woman in the 1950s. There will always be mountains to climb, and we will certainly fail at times, but I believe that the hero in us emerges when we try, regardless of success. The Vel Phillips and John Lewis’s of the world did what they knew was right and they did it in service to others, not themselves. We can all do this using our own individual gifts.