194. What Every Child (& Mom) Needs to Hear About God

So how, how did you know that this was something that a child would need?

Hmm.

That's a great question.

I knew it was something that a child needed, because I needed it.

I wish I had it when I was younger.

And again, I, I do come from a family that emphasizes, um, the importance of knowing your history, knowing where you come from, because it's going to show you where we're going to go.

So I, I did have, have, um, strong parents that were proud of who they were and are.

Um, but for me specifically within Christian publishing, I find that there- It's getting much better, but I will say, um, there was a lack of diversity.

Mm-hmm.

And I want children of color, especially Black and brown children, to know that they are created im- in the image of God, and I want them to see representations of themselves in literature.

That's very important to me.

Even just see- just seeing a child that looks like you on a book, statistics show it's very, very impactful.

It's a positive thing.

So I've wanted children that are of darker complexions, have hair textures like myself, you know, coily, kinky, curly hair.

I want you to see that.

And it's funny because right before the, uh, release of my book, I was getting takeout, and I just did the big chop probably about a year and a half ago.

Mm-hmm.

And I, I've had my hair relaxed all my life.

Not 'cause I wanted to, just out of like that's just what your parents did at a certain point.

Right.

And, um, so I did the big chop, and I was wearing my hair in a fro.

And I get a tap on my shoulder, and I'm like, "Who's tapping me?" And I turn around, and I see this little boy with big brown eyes and a curly Afro, and his dad tapped me.

And he said, "Excuse me, miss, my son likes your hair."

Aw.

And I said, "Aw." You know, it made me feel so happy because he's seeing someone that looks like him.