Love Note #9: May 2025 Recap
It's always one of my toughest and most impactful months.
I just have to say: I honestly never imagined I would make it beyond 21 years old. I grew up in a place where so many young people were shot and killed regularly or they passed away from awful circumstances. When you are surrounded by those types of conditions, it can be hard to imagine yourself outside of them.
One place I never imagined myself was on anyone’s red carpet. Yet, in May, I was invited to the walk on the red carpet the 2025 PEN America awards as Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism was nominated for an Open Book Award. I’ll say more about the award later. But, for now, I just want to focus on the ways that so many Black women and queer folks are written out of our own dreams for ourselves before we ever have a chance to fully realize them.
I look at the picture above and I recognize that I first had to believe in myself as a writer to produce an award-nominated book. I had to understand myself as someone with a story worth telling and a life worth sharing to do this important work. I will admit, there were times during the process of writing my book that I didn’t fully love myself, didn’t fully believe in myself as a writer, and didn’t fully honor the dreams of child Jennifer, the girl who planted the seeds that would bloom into the woman I am today.
There were plenty of times when I felt like an impostor, like someone was going to pop up and say “gotcha!” and reveal that this was all a joke. But, that was just my inner saboteur doing the work they do. Doing what they have always done. I’m working on quieting them. I’m working to tell them to “hush.”
Every honor, every email, every word of thanks has helped heal those parts of me that are riddled with doubt. I’m grateful for all of you who remind me, too. And, I want to encourage all of you, especially those of you who don’t quite believe yet. There is something in store. If you keep going, you will see how incredible it is.
xoxo, Dr. J
Book Notes:
I have been so honored to travel all over the country sharing Black Women Taught Us with readers and community members. In May, I had the honor of attending the PEN America Awards as my first book baby was up for an Open Book Award. The Open Book Award is meant to honor “an exceptional book-length work of any literary genre by an author of color.” The category was judged by Kendra Allen, Cassandra Jackson, Malavika Kannan, Richie Narvaez, and Jacinda Townsend, all powerhouse authors in their own rights.
My comrade and colleague Kali Gross won the award for her phenomenal book Vengeance Feminism: The Power of Black Women’s Fury in Lawless Times. I am so grateful for her voice and for the honor to be nominated alongside her. I can’t say enough how meaningful it was to see these books about Black women leading this category on such a large and wide-reaching stage.
Learn more about the PEN American Open Book Award.
Event Notes:
I am taking a break for the remainder of summer and had my last in-person book talks in early June. In July and August, I will be relocating from upstate New York to Montgomery County, Maryland, transitioning my oldest child from high school to college, and having heart surgery. I’m so grateful for the past year and a half. This journey has been absolutely incredible. Thank you all for being here with me.
Keep up with book events on my website.
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 our second episode on May 19th featuring, Annell López, the author of I’ll Give You a Reason.
In this episode, Annell López talks about the importance of unlearning internal and external barriers in order to bridge the gap between desire and selfhood. López beautifully reminds us the power of staying true to yourself, especially within your art. 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! This season, we have transitioned to video! In our fourth episode, we talk about “Celebrating 19 Years of Marriage” and 22 years of being together. We get even more personal and share insights on communication, the importance of understanding one's own needs, and how to navigate love and relationships outside of societal norms. We love expansively over here. Tap in to our new format!
You can still catch the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud!
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