As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4th, Shannon Lanier finds himself excluded from official festivities. Lanier is a direct descendant of James Lanier, a free Black man who served as a personal valet to George Washington and a crucial figure in the founding of the nation. Despite his familial connection to a pivotal moment in American history, Lanier's story has largely been overlooked. He recounts facing ridicule in school when revealing his ancestor’s association with Washington. The omission highlights a broader pattern of undervaluing the contributions of African Americans to the nation’s founding. Lanier’s experience raises questions about who is included in the narrative of American history and whose stories are prioritized during national celebrations. He hopes increased awareness of his family’s legacy will change this exclusion.