Ancient-Art-Of-Facts was founded in 2002, created for the sole purpose of presenting the entire spectrum of Black History through many genres of literature; the scope of Black History was from modern to ancient times, from America to worldwide. The company’s Mission Statement was to fill in the gaps and blanks of the Black Literary world, to delve into genres rarely visited by Black authors, while at the same time presenting a multi-faceted look at the scope of Black people and their history.

However, the company decided to make history first. In conjunction with Tracey Wingfield of DaChosen Publishing, Ancient-Art-Of-Facts put out The Ronin Poetz, the first ever African-American Narrative Epic Poem. The story was by poet Teferu Azr and introduced an innovative story told entirely through poetry. The book was an underground hit in 2003. In 2005 The Ronin Poetz saw a worldwide release.

In the years between 2003 and 2005, founder and owner Justin Thomas organized over 200 history books that he read on Black history. He created a course and delved into unprecedented research, lecturing across the country not only to teach, but also to keep up with the knowledge he was absorbing. While lecturing Justin created a way to display what he had learned (and was learning) creatively. At first Justin took the cliché route and wanted to put together a book that would be a compilation of the lectures he was giving.

“I held off on the lecture book because I believe [Black people] have too many preachers; we need to get back to having more innovators. I also read the book of an associate who was complaining about Hip Hop. I didn’t want to seem like I was complaining either. I decided to make change instead of complaining that change needed to happen. The Ronin Poetz was innovative. I wanted to stay on that path and incorporate what my business had learned.”

What Mr. Thomas came up with was a book of short stories that had the power of a shotgun blast. The book was titled 12 Stories High: The Imaginative Trip Thru A Black Mind. And imaginative it is. Most of the short stories were originally written as short screenplays.

“I figured releasing a book of short stories (well crafted, creative, and a little different than most African-American literature out there) would be that shotgun blast I wanted and that Black people needed. I modeled the book’s pacing like a Prince album, where every song [or story in this case] is different and leaving you feeling that was your favorite, until you moved to the next one. I also wanted 12 Stories High to reflect the company’s Black Literary output: versatile.”

The stories focus on a wide range of Black History, from ancient to modern times. But in every story there is commentary on contemporary Black issues, and the exposition of their origins. There is also a fresh spin on the relationships between Black men and Black women. There is magic, myth, and adventure.

“12 Stories High symbolizes our company goal,” says Justin Thomas. “To explore all genres in Black Literature, and our history in its entirety.”