Publishers Weekly
02/07/2022
Baptist minister Adams (Parable of the Brown Girl) celebrates in this uplifting volume the stories of eight young Black girls who are united by their “sheer will, desire, and passion to turn unfortunate circumstances into something hopeful.” Among them is Hannah Lucas, 17, whose struggle with suicidal depression became the catalyst for her NotOK app, which notifies users’ close contacts during mental health emergencies. Sixteen-year-old Ssanyu Lukoma’s faith and love for reading inspired her to found the nonprofit organization Brown Kids Read, which promotes literature for young people that features traditionally marginalized voices. Grace Callwood, now 17, was diagnosed with cancer before starting first grade, but she found purpose in helping others and started the We Cancerve Movement to provide services to young people in need. Adams also analyzes the leadership style of each girl, such as the “transformational” approach of gun safety activist Tyah-Amoy Roberts that turns individuals into a collective in pursuit of a common interest. The author portrays her subjects with compassion and admiration, emphasizing their remarkable accomplishments while reminding that they are ultimately “ordinary girls who reach for the extraordinary.” This empowering collection offers plenty of inspiration to younger readers pushing for change. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"This empowering collection offers plenty of inspiration to younger readers pushing for change." ——Publishers Weekly
"Unbossed is a celebration of sistas and a field guide for making the world a better place. With wit, verve, love, and wisdom, Khristi Lauren Adams introduces us to eight Black girls with expansive vision and leadership acumen." —Jemar Tisby, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise and founder of The Witness, Inc.
"Khristi Lauren Adams's Unbossed is a bridge that connects the legacy of Black women trailblazers of the past to the Black girls blazing their own trails today. Reading the testimonies of these brilliant young Black leaders, one can only conclude that the kids are all right." —Ekemini Uwan, public theologian and co-host of the Truth's Table podcast
"In Unbossed, Khristi Lauren Adams offers us a textbook and a masterclass on Black girls' innate leadership wisdom. Such a gift has never been more important. If you are committed to being a powerful leader, please read this book!" —Vashti DuBois, executive director of The Colored Girls Museum
"Khristi Lauren Adams's work is truly needed in this moment in time. She has elevated the context of the Black girl's voice, moving us beyond being surprised to acknowledging and embracing the Black girl's voice as genius." —Vivian Anderson, founder and director of Every Black Girl
"Khristi Lauren Adams has captured what I have always known about Black girls and Black women. We are capable and resilient leaders. We are also vulnerable humans who are in need of love, compassion, tenderness, and support." —Natasha Sistrunk Robinson, author and president of T3 Leadership Solutions, Inc.
"This is an astounding book that centers the lives of Black girls in ways that are creative and compelling, but most of all, in ways that see them as free, cherished, loved, and inspired. This is a book I want my daughter to read and return to again and again." —Danté Stewart, author of Shoutin' in the Fire
"Unbossed needs to be on the syllabus in every home, church, and school." —Rev. Thomas L. Bowen, Earl L. Harrison Minister of Social Justice at Shiloh Baptist Church of Washington
"Unbossed is a deeply necessary resource for our time." —Drew G. I. Hart, professor, activist, author, and co-host of Inverse Podcast
"This is the kind of resource I wish I had growing up and that I look forward to sharing with the young women and girls in my life. Simply put, this book affirms the ingenuity and brilliance of one of society's most overlooked but valuable gifts." —Jennifer R. Farmer, author of First and Only
"If you care about Black women, support Black women, and want to learn wisdom from Black women, this book is for you." —Terence Lester, founder of Love Beyond Walls and author of When We Stand
"The book is a must-read for anyone interested in mobilizing others to be the change they wish to see and understanding how Black girls and Black women are leading the way." —Lori Latrice Martin, author of Black Women as Leaders and associate dean and professor at Louisiana State University
"From the very first page in the introduction, you will be inspired by the passion Khristi Lauren Adams has for Black girls. She not only captures the brilliance and courage of young Black women; she also traces the lineage of that brilliance and courage to their predecessors before them." —Phil Allen Jr., author of Open Wounds
