Between the River and the Railroad Tracks

Nicole R. Fleetwood, a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, shares her personal journey from a Rust Belt town in Ohio to academia, exploring the stark contrast between her upward mobility and the decline of her hometown. Set in Hamilton, Ohio, the narrative depicts a community marked by vibrant Black and working-class roots that faced economic and social upheaval over decades. Blending her story with a broader portrait of Black Midwestern communities, the book offers a compelling examination of working-class America at a time of significant transition.