On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with Michelle Duster, author, speaker, and public historian, about her new book, Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells. M.J. asks what it means to be descended from legendary Journalist and Civil Rights Activist Ida B. Wells. They discuss how Michelle came to write the book, and where her confidence comes from. They talk about Michelle’s childhood and how her city informed her career and who she is today. They discuss people and characters from books that inspired her. M.J. asks Michelle what the reaction to her new book has been so far and what it was like to publish it during the pandemic. Michelle talks about her research and what she has discovered that surprised her. She also gives some insight into her research process. Michelle Duster is an author, speaker, professor, public historian, and champion of racial and gender equity. She has written, edited and/or contributed to sixteen books. Her most recent is Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells. She also co-wrote the popular children’s history book, Tate and His Historic Dream. She has co-edited Impact: Personal Portraits of Activism, Shifts: An Anthology of Women's Growth Through Change, and Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls. Her many awards include the 2019 Multi-Generational Activist Award from the Illinois Human Rights Commission and the 2019 Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award from Dartmouth College. Find out more about Michelle Duster on her website.

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with Rose François, author of A Generational Cry: Based on a True Story of the Haitian Revolution. M.J. asks her what the appeal was of writing about the Haitian Revolution. Rose was born in Haiti and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, so M.J. asks her how she sees Haiti, and how she maintains her connections with the country and culture. They talk about Rose's career and Rose shares time management tips and explains how she finds time for creativity. They discuss her writing process, her research process, and some surprises she encountered while researching her book. They also discuss issues in Haiti that lead to division and the power of Creole. Rose also talks about her upcoming book tour and where to find out more information about her and her book. Rose François was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. She is the founder of A RISING UP, a racial justice community advancing racial justice and making anti-racism a lifestyle. She is the author of A Generational Cry: Based on a True Story of the Haitian Revolution. You can find out more about her on her website.

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with writer, activist, and storyteller Mia Birdsong, author of the book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community. They discuss her book and the ideas of individualism vs. interdependence, the trope of the strong Black woman, the need for meaningful connections, and how people react to her when she talks about it. M.J. asks Mia what we can do on a daily basis to help reclaim family, friendship, and community. Mia talks about the ideas of freedom and accountability, and sustaining and tending to relationships. M.J. also asks what educators can do to make sure that children understand interconnectedness. They discuss her journey to becoming a writer and an activist and her parent’s role in her upbringing. Mia shares tips on how to become an activist, and explains that we all authentically belong to the earth no matter who we are. Mia Birdsong is an activist, facilitator and storyteller. She is author of the book How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendship, and Community. A Senior Fellow of the Economic Security Project, she was also an inaugural Ascend Fellow of both The Aspen Institute and New America California. She was founding Co-Director of Family Story and Vice President of UpTogether (formerly Family Independence Initiative). Mia speaks widely at conferences and gatherings across the country. She lives with her loved ones on the occupied land of the Chochenyo Ohlone people (a.k.a. Oakland, CA). Read more about her work here.

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with Rebecca N. Carmant, an Haitian-American author, educator, and mother to an autistic son. They discuss how her son, Cyril, got his diagnosis and the challenges she faced when dealing with the school and medical systems. They talk about what keeps her going when things become difficult, and about her son’s typical routine for a day. They also discuss the support system she has built outside of the school system and her self-care routines. Rebecca talks about those closest to her, the people she calls on when things become overwhelming. They discuss Cyril’s needs for a circle of friends and his prospects for the future. Lastly, M.J. asks Rebecca, "If you could talk to your younger self, which lessons would you share with her?" Rebecca N. Carmant is the author of Sunshine on Stormy Seas, a poetry collection that gives voice to the battles the Haitian-American writer faces as a woman of color, a person of faith, and the mother of an autistic child. Carmant holds a Master’s degree in Education and is pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership. She advocates for many causes, including but not limited to autism and social justice.

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. talks with Lynell George, a journalist, essayist, and researcher, about her new book A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler. They start by discussing her journey to becoming a writer. Lynell shares her favorite Octavia Butler anecdote and why she chose Butler’s life to write about. M.J. asks why creativity is important. She also asks Lynell what about Butler’s life surprised her when she was researching the book. Lynell shares how she finds time to work on her passion projects, given the demands and challenges of being a journalist. They discuss how the location she grew up in influenced her professional choices and what she discovered about herself while writing the book about Butler. You can learn more about Lynell on her website. Lynell George is an award-winning journalist and essayist. She is the author of three books of nonfiction including No Crystal Stair: African Americans in the City of Angels and the Los Angeles Times bestseller, After/Image: Los Angeles Outside the Frame. She is a former staff writer for the Los Angeles Times and L.A. Weekly. Her writing has appeared in various collections, including Speculative Los Angeles, Writing Los Angeles, and Another City: Writing from Los Angeles. Her liner notes for Otis Redding's "Live at The Whisky A Go Go: The Complete Recordings" won a 2017 GRAMMY award. Her latest book, A Handful of Earth, A Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia E. Butler, is a finalist for a 2021 Hugo Award in the Related Work category.

On this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. speaks with Shawandra Ford, the owner and founder of Brwnsknyoga. They discuss Shawandra’s journey to yoga and what it’s like to teach yoga to children. M.J. asks her about what it was like to open her own yoga studio. They discuss Shawandra’s childhood in Memphis and the emotional needs of the children she teaches. They discuss Shawandra’s role models growing up and the overall physical and mental health benefits of having a yoga and meditation practice. They also discuss the idea that yoga is an activity meant only for women, and Shawandra dispels the myth that men can’t practice yoga too. Shawandra Ford is the owner and founder of Brwnsknyoga, located in Memphis, Tennessee. She teaches affirmations to children between the grades of kindergarten to fifth grade in underserved communities in Memphis and she runs a yoga studio. You can find out more about her work here.

In this episode of Badass Black Girl, M.J. talks with Brittany Conley, the founder and creator of Black Girl Affirmed, a blog and website that that provides affirmations and positive blog posts to edify Black women. They discuss what affirmations are and why they are used, along with how Brittany utilizes them. M.J. asks Brittany how the blog has changed her perceptions and helped her build community. Brittany talks about her role models and the lessons she’s learned from them. They discuss other physical and mental strategies for refocusing during trials and adversity. They also discussed her website and its online shop that carries products to help keep you grounded and to help you feel powerful. Brittany Conley is the founder and creator of Black Girl Affirmed, a website and blog that provides resources for Black women and seeks to edify their daily lives with inspirational affirmations, positive blog posts, and products designed to uplift.

A Cat Named Sam is ready for the holidays—Or is he??? It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Unless you’re A Cat Named Sam. Scaredy-cat Sam wants to enjoy the Christmas season, but Liza’s plans for Christmas Eve dinner have spoiled his holiday cheer. Join Sam on this adventure and find out why it is so important to listen closely to others. If you love kittens, then you’ll love the adorable Cat Named Sam who takes us on a journey throughout his festive house. Cuddle up with your kids and your pets this holiday season and read A Cat Named Sam! Indiebound- https://bit.ly/ACatnamedsam Indigo- https://bit.ly/ACatnamedSam Amazon- https://bit.ly/ACatNamedSam Bookshop- https://bit.ly/acatnamedsam Barnes and noble- https://bit.ly/ACatNamedsam #kidstories #shortstoriesforkids #littlestorieskidsphotography #moralstoriesforkids #storiesinenglishforkids #kidsstorybook #mummysofinstagram #childrenslearning #dragonfruitkids #storybookforkids #storybooksforkids #kidsstorybooks #kidsstorybookstore #kidsstorybooksreadaloud #kidsstorybooksinenglish #kidsstorybookspeak #kidsstorybookbible #kidsstorybookillustartions #kidsstorybookillustration #catbooksforkids #catbooks #catbookclub #catbookstagram #holidaybooks #childhoodbooks #littlebookworms #kidslovebooks #christmasbooks #christmaskid #kidbook