Tee Mail
October Recap: Books and Boos
November 1, 2024
Hey Friend,
Happy November! I was supposed to get your Tee to you in October, but the way October flew by, it wouldn’t happen. Because how is it 2025 already? Okay, not really, but it will be in precisely TWO months! That shit is wild to me. Anyway…
Around this time last year, I was fresh off of my first book tour for I AM MY ANCESTORS’ WILDEST DREAMS. This time around, I got to do the same thing for WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG, the companion book to I AM MY ANCESTORS’ WILDEST DREAMS.
And Friend, this time was different. This tour was extraordinary for me because this book is deeply personal. Growing up in California, I wasn’t accustomed to seeing successful Black people—let alone Black women succeeding in life. Not to mention, I experienced colorism and poverty after my parent’s divorce. However, that never stopped me from believing I could become something great. But life be lifing, Friend. Somewhere along the way, I stopped thinking I could be the next R&B teen sensation, a writer, or a lawyer. The grades I received in high school proved—in theory—that the best I could hope for was to be mediocre.
It's funny how our perception can mess with our vision. Despite life’s twists and turns, I have accomplished some pretty dope things! One look at my resume lets you know that I am a force to be reckoned with. Yet, still, I struggle with seeing myself as deserving. I struggle occasionally with dreaming big, opting to play it safe. I forget that my worth is tied to external validation, but I am worthy because I am King’s kid.
So yeah, WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG is for me. It’s my heart in a picture book. This one is for Little Tee. And just like this book is for my inner child, it's for you, too. I see you, our babies, and us. I hope this book heals our broken places and affirms who we are.
Life lesson: Fight On!
Last week, I got the news that WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG hit the USA Today Bestsellers List! More on that later.
So when one of my sister-friends called to congratulate me, it finally dawned on me the magnitude of what I had accomplished. My book with a little Black girl on the cover sold enough copies within its first week of release to be in the top 150 of ALL books sold in the U.S. I’m still in amazement.
Friend, I have been through so much. Some of the battles I’ve fought have been of my own making. I’m sure you have fought some serious life battles, too. But you know what? We made it!
Listen, as recently as last month, I questioned if I should be creating anything. Maybe it would be easier if I just gave up. Because sometimes publishing is ghetto! But that damn hope… it pulls at my heart’s strings. Holy Spirit is sweetly whispering to me not to get weary in well doing. Because if I faint, I will finally reach the promise.
But whew, chile, the struggle is real. I’m tired of fighting and ready to enter my soft-girl era. But it’s in the fight I learn how strong I am. I discover the areas where I am weak and need someone to tap into.
Hope is a powerful drug. It keeps me holding on to dreams that seem to have faded away. But in the distance, there is a light waiting for me. If I hold the course and push past the obstacles in my way, I can do it.
What about you? What keeps you showing up? Whatever the reason, Friend, don’t throw in the towel. Keep on pressing. Keep on fighting. Because in the end, you win!
Alright, we have reached the end! Thank you for hanging in there with me. And thank you for spreading the word about WHEN BLACK GIRLS DREAM BIG. My baby reached the USA TODAY Bestsellers List because of y'all! Do me a favor, will you? Can you leave a review here? Once I hit 50, I will give out another giveaway.
Next, my podcast is officially back in rotation. I am a little behind with releasing the episodes, but now that I am home, I can get back to business. Make sure you check it out here or wherever you enjoy your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and share with a fellow mama.
I plan to add another section to the Tee Mail called Random Tee. It will be a short section sharing what I am reading, watching, or cooking—maybe all of the above. So, let me share my read and watch for October without further ado. For book club, we read SISTER FRIENDS FOREVER by Kimberla Lawson Roby. I am a huge fan of her Curtis Black series, and I recommend that everyone start with this book. As far as Sister Friends. I found myself annoyed with at least two of the characters. The author did her job because I was engrossed in their world. Lol!
One of the things I love about traveling with my tiny humans is that I can catch up on television. So that meant I got to binge watch REASONABLE DOUBT on Hulu. The writing on this show is top-tier. I may have to run it back and do a special substack on each episode. I’m hoping that they will give us a season 3. I highly recommend you watch this show! You won’t be disappointed.
Okay, friend. As always, thank you for sharing a little tea with me. Make sure you are registered to vote! While this is a big federal election, it’s also a big election for individual states. Make sure you educate yourself about your state’s ballot before heading to the polls. You can check the voter registration status here.
P.S. I have three kiddos. I will receive a nominal commission if you click on a link and purchase.