"Dazzling... the tone is hopeful, resilient and accepting. Marked by the diversity of experiences shared, the wealth of intimate details, and the total lack of sensationalism, this is an astonishing report on the quest for sexual liberation." —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "Touching, joyful, defiant -- and honest." —The Economist, a best book of the year Celebrate African women’s unique journeys toward sexual pleasure and liberation in this empowering, subversive collection of intimate stories. In these confessional pages, women control their own bodies and desires, work toward healing their painful pasts, and learn to assert their sexual power. Weaving a rich tapestry of experiences with a sex positive outlook, The Sex Lives of African Women is an empowering, subversive book that celebrates the liberation, individuality, and joy of African women's multifaceted sexuality. From a queer community in Egypt, to polyamorous life in Senegal, and a reflection on the intersection of religion and pleasure in Cameroon, feminist author Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah explores the many layers of love and desire, its expression, and how it defines who we are. Sekyiamah has spent decades talking openly and intimately to African women around the world about sex for her blog, “Adventures from the Bedrooms of African Women.” For this book she spoke to over 30 African women across the globe while chronicling her own journey toward sexual freedom.

Since the Black women's literary renaissance ended nearly three decades ago, a profitable and expansive market of self-help books, inspirational literature, family-friendly plays, and films marketed to Black women has emerged. Through messages of hope and responsibility, the writers of these texts develop templates that tap into legacies of literacy as activism, preaching techniques, and narrative formulas to teach strategies for overcoming personal traumas or dilemmas and resuming one's quality of life Drawing upon Black vernacular culture as well as scholarship in rhetorical theory, literacy studies, Black feminism, literary theory, and cultural studies, Tamika L. Carey deftly traces discourses on healing within the writings and teachings of such figures as Oprah Winfrey, Iyanla Vanzant, T. D. Jakes, and Tyler Perry, revealing the arguments and curricula they rely on to engage Black women and guide them to an idealized conception of wellness. As Carey demonstrates, Black women's wellness campaigns indicate how African Americans use rhetorical education to solve social problems within their communities and the complex gender politics that are mass-produced when these efforts are commercialized.

Strengthen your relationship with God with this year-long Christian devotional designed to empower Black women to walk confidently in their faith. Get ready to put aside any obstacles, doubt, fear, and negative self-talk, and say “Hello!” to what makes you magical in God’s eyes. The Devotional for Black Women provides 52 weeks of practical biblical principles and inspiration for building intimacy with God to fully embrace your identity in Christ, understand your God-given purpose, and walk confidently in your calling. Through weekly devotional wisdom, journaling prompts, biblical affirmations, and more, readers will be empowered to: Overcome societal influences that Black women often allow to make up their identities Nurture a stronger, more personal relationship with God Build upon the faith, trust, and confidence needed to share your uniqueness with the world as a Black Christian woman And so much more! This undated devotional allows readers the freedom to engage at their leisure and is perfect for Black Christian women who desire to make their faith an intricate part of their lifestyle.

Heart and Soul magazine 101 Ways is like talking to your sister when she´s got all the right answers. Black Issues Book Review An ambitious...guide to personal growth and fulfillment through the practice of loving one´s self. Walker touches upon topics as diverse as respecting your elders and loving your hair, devoting each chapter to a single principle. Walker often seems to be thinking out loud, as if she´s writing a journal entry or letter to a close friend...The very completion of this 101-chapter volume is no small feat and should serve as an inspiration to aspiring writers. Midwest Book Review An impressively practical self-help guide written especially to aid black women to get in touch with their spiritual side, experience a zest for life, and achieve a personal liberation. Walker articulately and persuasively takes the position that true healing does not come overnight, but rather it gradually evolves over time, once we learn not to look outward for validation and approval, and only when we embrace the love of God. 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn To Love Themselves is definitely recommended as being an unusually powerful, emotionally charged, and uplifting personal improvement and self-help guide. Kanika A. Wade, The Rawsistaz Book Reviewers As a black woman on her own personal journey, I found this book to be powerful, very emotional, and moving to read. I felt that the author at times was speaking directly to me, providing the encouragement and strength that I need as I move forward into new horizons. Jamie Walker offers a book that with an open heart, many can and will find healing. As a young black woman, I am thankful that Ms. Walker heeded the call and wrote a book that all black women, regardless of age should read. Venus Noble Jamie Walker is insightful and wise way beyond her years. A page turner would not describe the inability to put this book down! There is wit and humor in every single passage! No Black woman´s bookshelf should be without this manual of self worth and respect. Though apparently geared toward Black women, it is useful for any woman who will open her mind to learning about herself and growing. Social Worker/Activist; Oakland, California Joy Parham, Assistant to the Librarian; UC Merced I believe this is a necessary and encouraging message Jamie is sending out to Black women, especially our young Black women. Most of us didn´t tap into our inner selves until we had experienced numerous trials and tribulations in life. We didn´t see the value in the valley. This is definitely a book I will add to my collection. Esther Cooper Jackson, co-founder of Freedomways magazine An excellent resource! Columbus Metropolitan Main Library (representing ten branches) A Must Read! BOOK SUMMARY Self-love is the only kind of love that can every truly heal and rescue us, causing us to be more open in all of our other relationships, activities, and endeavors. 101 Ways Black Women Can Learn to Love Themselves this book is about self-actualization, the power of sisterhood, the healing power of sharing our own stories, and the beauty o

Using the latest research, real-world examples, and a new theory of healthy development, this book explains Hip Hop culture's ongoing role in helping Black youths to live long, healthy, and productive lives. In The Healing Power of Hip Hop, Raphael Travis Jr. offers a passionate look into existing tensions aligned with Hip Hop and demonstrates the beneficial quality it can have empowering its audience. His unique perspective takes Hip Hop out of the negative light and shows readers how Hip Hop has benefited the Black community. Organized to first examine the social and historical framing of Hip Hop culture and Black experiences in the United States, the remainder of the book is dedicated to elaborating on consistent themes of excellence and well-being in Hip Hop, and examining evidence of new ambassadors of Hip Hop culture across professional disciplines. The author uses research-informed language and structures to help the reader fully understand how Hip Hop creates more pathways to health and learning for youth and communities.

Midwifing--A Womanist Approach to Pastoral Counseling: Investigating the Fractured Self, Slavery, Violence, and the Black Woman, is an investigation of intergenerational trauma. Exploring the impact of slavery, violence, racism, sexism, classism, and other isms on the self of the Black woman. This examination of the complexity of pain speaks to the multidimensional reality of some Black women and the necessity for a therapeutic technique that invites the fullness of the Black woman's historical narrative. Dr. Thurmond-Malone's work exposes hidden pain in a safe and sacred space that speaks to the deep-rooted anguish experienced through generations of Black women and invites her readers to understand the necessity for a rebirthing to occur. This work also empowers women of African descent to become unarmored through the naming, claiming, and reauthoring of their story, and empowers therapists to become midwives adept at empathizing with the intense pain carried by some Black women. Lastly, the book provides clinicians with insight into how to become midwives capable of holding the accounts of Black women while illustrating the author's approach as a method of interdependence, communal, and cultural competency. Taking an analytical look at the counselee's past then births hope for their future as a whole and transformative self.

The second of two volumes, Leadership in Turbulent Times draws upon cutting edge theories and evidence-based strategies, integrating conceptual and empirical work addressing higher educational leadership in these unprecedented and turbulent times with a particular focus on cultivating diversity and inclusion.