“My work is to give you what I know of my own particular path while allowing you to walk your own.”
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His death changed my life in ways I never thought were possible. He became the catalyst to get out and work toward the future we talked about. Activists have been doing this work for decades, but this was the first time I was able to expand my work outside of the computer screen and into the streets.
Read MoreWhile a small, travel-friendly book from Brown’s Emergent Strategy Series, We Will Not Cancel Us serves as a powerful and timely resource for examining cancel culture. She invites readers to dare to shift away from constant punitive reaction and to consider in what ways call-outs can often (not always) perpetuate harm or do little to interrupt it.
Read MoreQueenie, by Candice Carty-Williams, is a must-read that not only reflects the reality of police brutality toward Black boys and men, it also reflects the sexual brutality many Black girls face. The book also touches on mental health and finding one's confidence and footing after a great deal of trauma.
Read MoreYou did it. You overcame the myriad obstacles to articulating the untamed and formless ideas in your mind into the long, artful form of a book— a harrowing feat to say the least. But do not rush to the publishing house just yet. There remains yet another step in the journey. I’m talking about editing, of course—all kinds of editing.
Read MoreDestiny Love Jones, Vol. 1: Sisters and the Plight with Boys by N. R. White is a friendship saga emerging from the aging sisterhood of childhood friends Augustine, Holly, and Pearl. When Augustine pursues a love affair with a boy her father disapproves of, a multilayered drama of death, love, and revenge unfolds.
Read MoreSound as a modality of healing is my limitless source and what has sustained me throughout my life. Music also helps me activate the creative pathways that encourage me to dream and flow through my writing. A gift born out of pandemic-induced solitude has been all the new songs, artists, and songwriters I’ve added to my extensive quarantine playlist.
Read MoreHow much do our childhood experiences influence our behavior as adults? Why are some of our early memories so deeply embedded we cannot seem to escape them? Can a parent, through their actions as a strict disciplinarian and rule-maker, ensure their children will have a better life than the one they had? These questions are at the core of Eric Heard‘s debut book.
Read MoreIn Small Cures, Della Hicks-Wilson shares her collection of poetry that invites readers to tend to and navigate their woundedness. Dedicated to “the unhealed” and her mother, the poetry reads as soothing, explorative, nurturing, and intimate. Her artistry with word flow unfolds into journeys through heartache, loss, grief, boundaries, love, life lessons, and beyond.
Read MoreThe characters you create are yours to keep, but when they lack depth due to a narrow viewpoint, readers and people in marginalized communities suffer. Sensitivity readers can give you a clear understanding of whether your writing perpetuates oppressive beliefs toward marginalized people.
Read MoreIs there really a need to read a book that “isn’t for us”? Deborah Harris thinks so. She reviewed “Uncomfortable Conversations” this week to set the record straight.
Read MoreIf you enjoy a historical read, please do not let the page length keep you from reading this novel. Lawrence Hill has written a wonderfully funny, sensitive, and historically accurate novel that centers on one family—the Canes. Hill weaves the history of the Cane family through their migrations from the United States to where the family settled in Canada. Enjoy this review by one of our newest contributors, Cassandra Veney.
Read More“From its early horrific treatment of female slaves to today’s often begrudging acceptance of Black women as business owners, writers, actors, musicians, scientists, dedicated stay-at-home moms, and many other note-worthy and empowering roles, this country is still struggling to fully appreciate and understand the significant positive impact Black women have had and still have on her.”
Read MoreCernata C. Morse, Ph.D. may not be well-known yet, but her storytelling skills in Beyond the Four Blocks: A Memoir definitely places her in the conversation with up and coming key contributors and influencers of Black Literature. Our contributing writer, Deborah Harris, lends her voice to this review.
Read MoreIn this in-depth, historical look, contributing writer, Cassandra Veney explores the connections of past abolitionist and Civil Rights movements to the work of the Black Lives Matter organization. Join her on this journey of where it started and how far we’ve come.
Read MoreThe author, Tamara Winfrey Harris, was punching long-held beliefs about Black women right in the face. Through the everyday experiences of Black women, Harris tells our stories from our lens.
Read MoreThe culminating piece in our three-part series on our language and culture.
Read MoreDeborah writes a moving review of her experience with Justice Restored: A Series of Writings and Poems From Incarcerated Youth.
Read MoreDeborah Harris continues to focus her navigation of African American language, this time with professional photographer, Robeya Johnson.
Read MoreI Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé (2018) is Michael Arceneaux humorous essay collection exploring identity, religion, and fan culture.
makes you laugh and think as it combines a variety of stories stemming from Arceneaux’s life experiences.
Read MoreJoin Deborah Harris as she talks with Gwynn Johnson, Owner and Master Stylist, GoBy Geohaghan on fashion, language, and African American culture.
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