Love Note #10: June 2025 Recap
It's always one of my toughest and most impactful months.
I can’t believe that half of the year has already passed. Just like 2024, 2025 seems like a blur to me. As I have been touring the country promoting my book Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism, I have been reminded of how important it is that I keep healthy boundaries with others and listen to my body.
In February 2024, I was hospitalized for a week. After experiencing excruciating pain in my chest and back on a book tour stop in New York City, I was unable to eat, lie down, or sleep. Doctors in the emergency room struggled to figure out precisely what was the cause of the pain. After many tests, they discovered that, in addition to an acute acid reflux attack, I had fibroids in my uterus, several blood clots in my lungs, and a dilation in my descending aorta. As someone with Marfan Syndrome, a congenital connective tissue disorder, I already had open heart surgery in 2004. The new discoveries meant that I would need to change my relationship to my body and likely have several more surgeries over the following years.
Since last year’s hospitalization, I have had a partial hysterectomy, removing my uterus and leaving my fallopian tubes and ovaries intact. I went on a blood thinning regimen that included medications and compression devices. And, now, I am conditioning my body for the second heart surgery in my life. I have been fighting for my life and almost no one noticed.
The past year and a half has been an opportunity for me to reorient myself in relation to my body and my boundaries. Because I have been on the mend, I have had to limit stress, reduce my travel, avoid potential toxins, and act in more intentional ways about my health. I’ve added more vitamins to my daily routine and rejoined the gym. I’ve worked on relaxation, yoga, and meditation. I have done what I can to center my health and wellness while continuing the work I am so passionate about.
Despite all of these changes, I will admit that heart surgery scares me. It terrifies me to my core. Every surgery induces anxiety and instigates uncertainty. However, this time around (unlike 2004), I have decided to be honest about those feelings. I have decided to be open and vulnerable, sharing the truths of this journey as I experience it.
As a physically and mentally disabled Black women in the United States, I am afraid. I am afraid because I know many Black women enter hospitals and do not come back out alive. I am afraid because I know what it feels like to be speaking up to doctors, nurses, and interns and still be unheard. I am afraid because I am afraid everyday as a Black, lesbian, disabled, trans, woman in this country. So, while I am excited about what the second half of this year may hold, I am also concerned.
The coming months will be months of healing and restoration for me. We’ll be on this journey together.
xoxo, Dr. J
Book Notes:
The month of June was filled with lots of travel, and I am deeply grateful that it led me to the beautiful Baldwin and Company Bookstore in New Orleans, Louisiana. I had a lovely conversation about Black Women Taught Us in conversation my friend and comrade, Sam Blakely. We also had local artist, AJ Hynes, open the evening with a lovely performance!
As a bookworm and author, I love every bookstore I enter, but Baldwin and Co was incredibly special. Not only was the store beautiful, but the shelves were intentionally crafted and the entire space reflected an enduring love of Black people.
I will never stop supporting independent Black bookstores—they exist for us. Every book talk I have held for Black Women Taught Us has affirmed that. Thank you to every bookstore that has hosted me, shown me love, and honored my book. I encourage you all to venture into your communities this summer and show love to your local bookstore.
Writing Notes:
In June, I found myself sitting with an overwhelming amount of rage. Rather than suppressing my anger, I chose to channel it through my writing. After a frustrating encounter, I wrote, “To be seen as a (Black) woman,” about the male-centered hoops women are expected to jump through to receive care and consideration. At the end of the month, I felt moved to write, “We have to stop calling Black women ‘mean’” an indisputable testimony on how lazy it is has always been to hate Black women historically and in the present.
Together, they echo the same point: I am tired of how this world treats Black women in life, death, and legacy, and I refuse to be quiet about it any longer.
Read the full articles on my SubStack.
Event Notes:
Last month, I had the honor of being in New Orleans for Black Feminist Future’s Get Free Reunion. I was deeply humbled to share the stage with icon, Shana M. Griffin, my comrade and co-struggle, Malkia Devich Cyril, and former Black Panther Leader and one of my Black Feminist Sheroes, Ericka Huggins.
I am so grateful to the organizers, staff, and community of Black Feminist Future for putting together an awe-inspiring and grounding event—spaces of Black Feminist community are so necessary.
Read here to learn more about Black Feminist Future and support their work.
On June 15th, I had the opportunity to deliver a talk at (W)Ratchet Studies’ (W)ith Love and (W)Rage: A (W)Ratchet Black Feminist Back Talk in New York City. I had the opportunity to see beloved comrades, friends, nieces, and mentors for a beautiful day of rage-filled ranting, performance, and joy, in spite of it all.
Learn more about (W)Ratchet Studies and support their budding Black Feminist work, I’m so proud!
I love my Black Feminist and Queer Community and am leaving the month of June restored by the spaces I have entered this month.
New Podcast Updates: We Published, Beloved!
A few months ago, I announced my new podcast—We Published, Beloved. We Published, Beloved! demystifies the publishing process for first-time Black and queer authors through raw and honest video conversations. I am so excited to share that I have officially wrapped up production for Season 1, and released TWO new episodes featuring Emely Rumble, the author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx and Tamela Gordon, the author of Hood Wellness!
In this episode, Emely Rumble talks about the challenges of navigating the publishing process with respect to identity, mental health, the creative process, and marketing. Through it all, Emely reminds us of the importance of community support—we don’t have to do it alone.
In this episode, Tamela Gordon talks about the unique experiencing of writing her book in New Orleans, the unique challenges Black writers face at every juncture of the publishing process, and remaining in touch with community as we write. Tamela urges us to remember that the ultimate goal of writing is to be read.
Tap in, beloved! You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple, and Soundcloud.
Follow We Published, Beloved! on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for updates.
That Black Couple Podcast Notes:
That Black Couple is back with season 8! In our fifth episode, we unpack the challenges and misconceptions about “Parenting While Black and Polyamorous” We talk about open communication, challenging the idea that we aren’t our kid’s friend, and creating a nurturing environment for children rooted in authentic family structures, care, and truth. Tap in to our new format!
You can still catch the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud!
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