The Book Junkie Ssanyu Lukoma

This episode is a little bit different!  Instead of featuring a Young Adult author, I decided to shake things up and bring a picture book author to you!  Theresa tha S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D. is a phenomenal spoken word poet and artist.  A few years back, her poem, You So Black went viral on Facebook, Youtube, and pretty much anywhere you could see a screen.  I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with her and hearing her wisdom.  Hopefully, you experience the same thing! 



Find You So Black:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Follow Theresa the S.O.N.G.B.I.R.D.:

Instagram

*TRIGGER WARNING (SEXUAL ASSAULT, TRAUMA, ABUSE)*

This is part 2 of my conversation with S.K. Ali!  Make sure that you listen to Part 1 before this episode so that you understand the context and previous discussion that we had.  We touch on some interesting topics including friendship dynamics, being a teenager in a religious household, and using your voice.  Also, Ms. Ali has a book releasing on October 18th of this year called Love From Mecca to Medina so be sure to pre-order now!



NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE - 1-800-656-4673

S.K. Ali's Saints and Misfits is one of the most informative books I've ever read in my life.  Not only does it encapsulate the Muslim teen experience, but it also highlights the struggles that come with being a high-schooler.  In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, I wanted to focus on issues that pertain to sexual abuse against minors.  That being said, I'm giving this episode a CONTENT WARNING (SEXUAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, INTIMIDATION, TRAUMA).  This book illustrates the journey of Janna, a young woman who is navigating through a traumatic experience but shows her emergence of strength by the end of the story.  This is part one so be sure to come back for part two!



Amazon 

If you liked part 1, you'll definitely like part 2!  In this conversation, you get to hear who Ms. Khristi's main role model was as a teenager, the message she hopes to get across with her newest titles, and some more thoughts about black girls bossing it up!  

Ladies, have you ever felt objectified or only valued for your body?

In this episode, Ahmya Rivera and I talk about women's representation, over-sexualization in media, and the negative effects that can be placed on young girls of color.  Ahmya and I discuss how both of us have felt ostracized for being young women in our own spaces -- hers being STEAM and mine being basketball.  The Poet X is the book that sets the stage for our discussion of this topic and it was honestly such a great read!  Elizabeth Acevedo masterfully uses words to paint pictures on each page and leave an emotional imprint on every reader.  



Ahmya's Website

Elizabeth Acevedo Website

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Book Summary

"Hyper-Sexualization of Black Women in Media" article   

"Black girls are leading, organizing, advocating, and creating. They are starting nonprofits. Building political coalitions. Promoting diverse literature. Fighting cancer. Improving water quality. Working to prevent gun violence. Are we ready to learn from their leadership?"



In this episode, I had the chance to talk to one of my mentors, Khristi Lauren Adams, about her two newest releases -- Unbossed: How Black Girls are Leading the Way and Black Girls Unbossed: Young World Changers Leading the Way!  This book is not only near and dear to my heart because it's centered around young, black, female leaders, but because Ms. Khristi decided to highlight my story in the books, alongside the other seven amazing black girls.



Our discussion ranges from being basketball team captains to listening to artists like Brandy and Lauren Hill.  However, this is only part 1 because Part 2 will be released on April 1st!  



Grab your copies and follow her socials!



Amazon

Khristi Lauren Adams Instagram

Khristi Lauren Adams Twitter

Khristi Lauren Adams Website