AUTHOR PROFILE: Penda L. James, author of Running Between Dandelions

by Cyrus Webb

I met author Penda L. James a few years ago while in North Carolina, and it has been great watching not only her own literary journey but her support for others as well. 

In her book Running Between Dandelions she gives readers characters that are on the road to healing and self-love, something that Penda knows well. 

In this conversation we talk about the path she is on and the lessons learned along the way. 

Penda, we are so glad to have you with us! What has it been like for you to reflect on all you have achieved?

When I think about my goals and accomplishments for the year, all of them are big, audacious goals that I never could have imagined I’d be able to accomplish. 

I had a lot of personal and professional transitions that required me to reflect deeply about things that are important to me and why I do what I do. As I reflect I realize that I am only successful because God has had His hand on me and my life.

I know from following you that you are big on supporting and empowering others. Where does that come from?

My parents taught me and my siblings that we have to look out for others. Through their life, I grew up understanding how to build and sustain a village that helps others thrive. As the oldest child, I have always had to think about other people before myself. As a Christian, I also try to ensure that God gets the glory for all of the things He does through me.

Your newest project is the novel RUNNING BETWEEEN DANDELIONS. What was the inspiration for this book?

2026 is the tenth year of my mother’s passing. I thought about the best way to honor her and the women who shaped her. While reading her journal and reflecting on the questions I never got to ask her, I began to write about motherhood and the story took on a life of its own.  I call it Running Between Dandelions because I want to encourage people to have conversations that sustain healing and restoration.

One of the things the book addresses is how we are impacted by our family and environment. Did you know that was going to be a big part of the story?

When I started writing, I did not know that the themes of the story would be about family or family history. When I started writing, the first scene was about how one of the characters was suffering from a headache. As I unpacked the story, I uncovered the gems of healing and restoration, and these became the themes for the book.

Your transparency on social media is one of the things I admire about you. What has helped you to share so much of your journey with the world?

In 2022, my father passed away suddenly. At that time, the world was coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. During COVID, I started a live podcast because I was feeling isolated from loved ones and I needed to fortify my faith. Going live almost every day, I spoke to friends and family, and our conversations led me to be vulnerable and transparent about difficult topics.  I learned how to sit in my feelings, ask questions with depth, and own my feelings. The Resilience Project was the door that allowed me to be more comfortable sharing my journey with the world authentically.

What are you looking forward next?

I look forward to sharing more about Running Between Dandelions with readers and other authors. I am also working on a short film and hope to go into production next year.  

Congratulations again, Penda. Looking forward to staying in touch. How can our readers stay connected with you?

Thank you for the opportunity. I can be reached at www.pendaljames.com. You can also find me on Instagram at @penscribed, Penda L. James on LinkedIn and Penda L. James on Facebook.

[Article] "When She Reminds You of YOU"

by Melanie D. Phillips

There’s a moment in motherhood that no one truly prepares you for.

It sneaks up on you during a tantrum, in a slammed door, in an eye roll that echoes something all too familiar. You pause, your breath catches, and you whisper silently to yourself:

“She reminds me of me.”

And not just the good parts.

Not just the parts you share on social media, the creativity, the courage, the sass, and the sparkle. But also, the parts you’ve spent years trying to leave behind. The anger. The abandonment issues. The fierce independence that’s truly fear in disguise. The perfectionism. The pain.

Suddenly, motherhood becomes a mirror. And you’re not just raising her, you’re revisiting you.

Welcome to triggered parenting.

The Mirror You Never Asked For

Most mothers think their child’s behavior triggers them. But often, it’s not the child, it’s the unhealed you that’s reacting.

When your daughter questions everything, it triggers the little girl in you who was silenced.
When she breaks down emotionally, it hits the part of you that was told to “suck it up.”
When she withdraws, it awakens the wound of feeling unloved or unseen.

And in that space, something powerful occurs: You’re given a divine invitation not merely to parent your daughter, but to reparent yourself.

The Unseen Hand-Me-Downs

We believe we’re passing down clothes, traditions, recipes, and memories. However, we’re also passing down belief systems, emotional patterns, fears, and coping mechanisms.

If we don’t take the time to recognize what’s in our emotional closet, we’ll dress our daughters in garments that were never meant for them:
– The coat of people-pleasing
– The shoes of self-doubt
– The scarf of shame
– The backpack of buried emotions

And when she wears them, we’ll wonder, “Why is she struggling like I did?”

Because pain, when ignored, becomes an heirloom.
But healing? Healing becomes a heritage.

Pause Before You React

In triggered parenting, your first instinct might be control. But here’s the truth: what you try to control, you often repeat.

Instead of reacting, get curious:

• “What am I feeling right now, and where have I felt this before?”
• “Is this really about her behavior, or is it about my memory?”
• “Am I trying to protect her, or the younger me who never felt protected?”

These aren’t easy questions, but they’re essential.

They require you to parent from a place of intention, not instinct; of healing, not history; of presence, not pain.

When Her Voice Sounds Like Yours

There often comes a moment in many mother-daughter relationships when the daughter speaks up not out of defiance, but with honesty.

“Mom, I don’t feel heard when I’m upset. You go straight into fixing or correcting.”

It stings. Not because it’s an attack, but because it reflects back at you.

The mother wants to respond with, “I’m just trying to help,” but deep down, she senses something more profound stirring. The Holy Spirit whispers about what she has buried for years: You used to feel unheard, too.

Suddenly, the moment goes beyond the daughter’s voice; it is about the mother's unspoken wounds. It reflects how she once learned to suppress her feelings to maintain peace, how she turned silence into her survival strategy, and how, without realizing it, she passed that pattern on.

But this time, she chooses a different path.

She pauses. She breathes. She apologizes not out of guilt, but out of a desire for growth. And they converse not just as mother and daughter, but as two women learning to understand each other while healing themselves.

That conversation doesn't resolve everything. But it changes everything.

Not because it was perfect, 
But because it was honest. 
Because it was real. 
Because it opened a door to healing for both of them.

Leading While Healing

One of the most radical things you can do as a mother is to heal openly. Do not perform perfectly. Do not hide your emotions. But demonstrate the work.

Your daughter doesn’t need a perfect mother. She needs a devoted one.

She needs to see:

• How to pause and pray instead of punishing for pain.
• How you attend therapy because you value mental and emotional wellness.
• How to say, “I’m sorry” instead of “Because I said so.”
• How to journal, cry, talk, release, and reset without shame.

Healing as a mother is not a contradiction. It’s a calling.

When she sees you choose healing, she understands that she can do the same.

Daughters Don’t Need Perfection—They Need Permission

Permission to feel. 
Permission to question. 
Permission to not have everything figured out.

And that permission starts with you.

You represent her first glimpse of womanhood, her initial definition of softness and strength, and her foremost teacher of boundaries and beliefs. The more whole you become, the freer she feels to embrace herself without apology.

That’s how we break cycles.
That’s how we build bridges.
That’s how we strengthen bonds.

It Starts With One Honest Moment

So, what do you do when she reminds you of yourself?

You take a breath. You contemplate. And you decide to choose differently.

You say, “I see you.”
You say, “I used to feel that way too.”
You say, “I want to help you without projecting what hurt me.”

And then you embark on the challenging, yet sacred, work of reconnecting with your own inner child.

You ask:

• What did I need at her age that I never received?
• What lies did I believe that I didn’t want her to carry?
• What emotional tools did I lack that I want to give her now?

You don’t just tell her to “be strong,” you show her how to be both soft and strong.
You don’t just tell her to “be respectful,” you demonstrate how to communicate with compassion.
You don’t just tell her to “be herself,” you create space for all of who she is, even when it stretches you.

 

Final Thoughts

When your daughter reflects your struggles, that’s not failure. That’s feedback.
It’s an opportunity, a window into the areas where God still wants to heal you, even as you nurture her.

Triggered parenting is not an indication that you’re broken. Instead, it’s a signal that you’re evolving.

So, when she reminds you of yourself, thank God.
Because it means your legacy is being rewritten in real time.

And this time, it will be built not on silence, but on truth.
Not on pain, but on purpose.
Not on patterns, but on powerful, intentional love.

You’re not just raising a daughter.
You’re raising your own healed reflection.

And that is the most sacred work of all.

 

 Melanie D. Phillips is the founder of Strengthen The Bond, LLC, a movement dedicated to restoring and strengthening family relationships, especially between mothers and daughters. A two-time bestselling author, speaker, and certified Life Shift Coach, Melanie creates healing spaces through workshops, conferences, and storytelling rooted in faith, emotional intelligence, and legacy work. After walking through her journey of brokenness and restoration, she became passionate about helping families communicate, reconnect, and thrive. Her mission is to help others break generational cycles and pass down wisdom, not wounds. Learn more at www.strengthenthebond.com and on Instagram @strengthenthebond

[Article] Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes: 5 Power Moves Every Woman Should Make This Year

by Chanelle Coleman Wesley

Author of “She Said Yes to Herself Unapologetically”

My heart was racing, my hands were sweating, and butterflies swirled in the pit of my stomach.

I wanted to make the move. I needed to.

This could be the moment that changed everything — a chance to finally develop myself as a speaker.

But as the invitation to join the course from a notable transformational speaker lingered in the atmosphere… I hesitated.

“What if I wasn’t good enough?” “What if I wasn't really called to do the thing that made me feel more alive than I’ve ever felt?”

My moment of courage passed.

Once again, I realigned with my fears and convinced myself that “next time” would be better.

But “next time” never came.

Instead, I kept hitting the same brick wall until I became sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever made bold declarations like “new year, new me” or whispered to yourself, “this time will be different,” only to shrink when it’s time to show up for your next level — this article is for you.

Here’s the truth: Nothing changes if nothing changes.

And if you’re ready to stop playing small and start moving with clarity and power — here are 5 moves you must make this year.

1. Say Yes to Yourself Unapologetically

Sis, someone’s been denied the benefit of your yes — and that someone is you.

You’ve shown up for everyone else. You’ve clapped, supported, encouraged, and challenged the limiting beliefs of others. Now it’s time to do the same for yourself. You are deserving of greatness. You are worthy of more. You are capable of more.

Practical Power Move:

You are worthy of your yes. So instead of talking yourself out of something this week- talk yourself into something amazing this week.

2. Set boundaries in your relationships.

A boundary a day keeps insanity away.

— She Said Yes to Herself Unapologetically

If you would’ve asked me a few years ago what  boundaries were, who they were for, and how they were used - I would’ve given a long worn out answer that wouldn’t’ve made much sense. Why? I knew what they were- but I wasn’t sure how they applied to me. I felt like they worked well in nature but not in closest relationships. I couldn’t’ve been more wrong.

“A boundary is a defined area of respect. In order for a boundary to be respected it must first be established. The boundaries you set aren’t for others — they are for you. Your boundaries teach you how to treat you.” They tell what you will and won’t accept. How can you hold someone to a standard you have yet to ascribe to? If you don’t respect your boundaries- no one else will.

3. Release What No Longer Aligns

We’ve all had a favorite pair of jeans. The ones we feel like go with everything. But what happens when our treasured jeans no longer fit? Do we try to turn ourselves into a gymnast- jumping, twisting, and turning, trying to force it to fit?  What once served you for a time may no longer suit you. And that’s okay.

There’s no need to hold on to outdated commitments based on a sense of misplaced loyalty. Release what no longer has the capacity to sustain you — emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or professionally. There are attitudes, principles, routines, and mindsets that served us at one point- but now that time is over and the season has ended.

Practical Power Move:

What’s something you’ve continued to do out of habit? The practice doesn’t really provide any benefit- you just do it because you’ve “always” done it. Sis— Maybe it’s time to let it go.

4. Stop Shrinking

You were not created to fit in anyone’s box.

It’s time to step out of the shadows and into the space you were born to occupy. You don’t have to dim your light or adjust your brilliance because you’re afraid you may shine too bright. Show up boldly. Speak loudly. Live fully. You were made to take up space. One of my favorite movies growing up—and although the film was a mature for a young girl my age- and despite the fact that I know I’m going to date myself with this but—it was “Dirty Dancing”. toward the end of the movie Johnny (Patrick Swayze) and Frances were scheduled to perform the last dance, During the movie the secret love of the two characters was revealed, and Swayze’s character was ousted. 

With the relationship exposed and his less than sanctimonious departure, the annual dance was canceled and instead they opted for a safe musical performance. But Swayze returns and sees Baby (Frances) sitting in the corner with her family. Patrick walks up to the family and says “No one puts Baby in a corner. “The dancers put on a stellar performance, and it sparks a fire and everyone begins “dirty dancing”. Now your shrinking may have nothing to do with hitting the dance floor. 

But don’t allow anyone to put you in the corner—-including you.

Practical Power Move:

Do one thing every day that stretches you. Advocate for yourself. Speak up. Apply for that opportunity. Be seen. Be heard.

5. Launch the Thing You’ve Been Sitting On

You’ve talked yourself into and out of that thing long enough. The idea you keep putting off — the product, service,  book, the business, the course — is the very thing that could unlock someone else’s freedom.

Someone is waiting on you to show up so they can get to the other side, so show up!

Practical Power Move:

Create a SMART goal. In order for goals to be smart they must be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound. When you’ve written it down hang it somewhere where you can see it daily. Out of sight = out of momentum.

Final Word:

This is your moment to stop waiting on it — and start walking in it.

You don’t need another permission slip.

You’ve been equipped. You’ve been called. You’ve been prepared.

It’s your time. It’s your turn.

And nothing changes… if nothing changes.

[Article] From Passion to Profit: How to Turn Your Love for Events Into a Thriving Business

by Melissa Banks | Master Event Planner & Mentor

Have you ever been the go-to person for planning family gatherings, organizing your best friend’s baby shower, or transforming a birthday dinner into a Pinterest-worthy experience? If your heart skips a beat at the thought of color palettes, venue layouts, and timelines—congratulations. You might just be an event planner in the making.

But loving events and turning that passion into a full-fledged business? That’s a different story—and one worth telling.

In this feature, I’m sharing the real roadmap I used to build a successful, purpose-driven event planning business. Whether you're just starting out or dreaming about the leap, these are the key steps to go from passion to profit—without losing the magic that made you fall in love with events in the first place.

 STEP ONE: Think Like a Business Owner

The first and most important shift? Your mindset.

Many aspiring planners struggle to see themselves as business owners in the beginning. But professionalism starts with intention. If you treat event planning like a hobby, that’s how others will see it. It’s time to shift your perspective and step into your role as CEO—even if you're still planning in your spare room.

Ask yourself:

• Am I committed to showing up consistently?
• Will I honor every opportunity, big or small, with excellence?
• Am I ready to lead, learn, and grow?

Your mindset is your foundation—and it determines everything that follows.

STEP TWO: Find Your Planning Personality

Not all event planners are created equal—and that’s the beauty of it.

Do you thrive in intimate social settings or love the scale of large corporate experiences? Are you drawn to dreamy weddings, themed birthday parties, or luxury baby showers?

Discovering your niche doesn’t mean boxing yourself in. It means understanding your strengths and serving your ideal client with clarity. Defining your niche helps shape your brand, your marketing, and your overall direction.

 STEP THREE: Build a Brand That Speaks for You

In today’s digital world, a strong brand is essential—even in the early days. But don’t worry, you don’t need a full marketing agency to look polished.

Start small:

• Choose a name that reflects your style
• Create a simple but elegant logo
• Use free design tools (like Canva) to create branded materials
• Set up a clean, mobile-friendly website or portfolio page

Let your personality shine through every touchpoint—from your Instagram feed to your email signature.

 STEP FOUR: Lay the Legal and Financial Foundation

Here’s where passion meets paperwork.

You’ll need to legitimize your business with some essentials:

• Register your business name
• Open a business bank account
• Create or download basic contracts
• Look into business insurance

These steps may not be glamorous, but they’re critical to building a professional, protected, and scalable business.

 STEP FIVE: Get Real Experience—Then Leverage It

Don’t let a lack of clients hold you back from getting started.

Offer to plan an event for a friend. Volunteer at a local nonprofit. Shadow an experienced planner. The point is to gain hands-on experience that you can use to:

• Build your portfolio
• Collect testimonials
• Learn how to solve real-time challenges

Every event is a steppingstone, so document your work and treat each one like it’s your big break.

 STEP SIX: Don’t Be Afraid to Charge

Pricing is one of the biggest hurdles new planners faces. Many undercharge—or don’t charge at all—because they’re afraid of rejection.

But here’s the truth: your time, energy, and creativity are valuable.

Start with a starter package. Be transparent. And most importantly, present your pricing with confidence. The right clients will see your value.

Pro Tip: Bundle your services instead of charging hourly. Clients love clarity, and packages help position you as a professional from day one.

STEP SEVEN: Build Relationships That Build Your Business

This industry is driven by people—vendors, clients, venues, and creatives. Your relationships will shape your business more than any ad ever could.

Network intentionally. Show appreciation. Keep in touch. These simple gestures go a long way in building trust and referrals.

Remember: Your reputation is your résumé.

 STEP EIGHT: Stay Curious and Keep Growing

Even after more than 25 years in the business, I still learn something new with every event.

Invest in your growth:

• Take courses
• Attend workshops
• Subscribe to industry publications
• Stay on top of trends

The most successful planners are the ones who stay both grounded in their values and open to learning.

 You’ve Got This

Your love for events isn’t random—it’s a gift. And when nurtured with strategy, professionalism, and heart, it can blossom into a business that not only pays the bills but fulfills your purpose.

So don’t wait for the “perfect moment” or another year of self-doubt. Start where you are. Take the first step. Your passion has already brought you this far—now it’s time to let profit meet purpose.

Stay connected with Melissa Banks at www.themelissabanks.com 

 

Conversations Feature: Grammy Award-winner Dionne Warwick

by Cyrus Webb

She is the Grammy-winning legend that has impacted the world through music for over half a century. Ms. Dionne Warwick is known not just because of her voice but because of the life she has lived and continue to live. She is a perfect example of someone understanding the importance of the moment and living NOW. 

I have had the privilege of interviewing Ms. Warwick five times on Conversations LIVE, and each time she was nothing but gracious and appreciative. During the first conversation I was joined by Susan Violante from Venezuela , an author who told Ms. Warwick that her music helped her to learn English! What an amazing opportunity: to be able to impact someone's life in such a dramatic way.

As I spoke with Ms. Warwick for this interview she shared some with me what this journey has been like for her. ""It's been a wonderful ride," she says. "I'm thankful to my supporters. I basically thought that if I stayed true to who I am and sung the kind of songs that my audience expected of me then longevity was a given."

I asked her if she believed that what people responded to with her was the soul and the love that she puts into her music. "I think it's definitely that," she replied. "The music that I've been able to sing has grown. That is the beauty of music. It has the ability to live on and on."

Though she was confident in her gift and believed it could take her anywhere, even Ms. Warwick says she never believed she would be in the business this long. "I felt that my first 10 years would be it and I would go on to teaching," she told me. "But that 10 years turned into 10 more and on and on. Now here we are."

Because she is still here, she does understand the influence that music has in our lives. "Music generally has an amazing impact on people," she says. "I could never imagine a world without music. Artists are known as the messengers. I hope the messages that I have been sending have been effective and will continue to be."

Talking about the younger generations that are discovering her music, Ms. Warwick's says this: "I certainly hope they discover some really wonderful songs that were written before they were born. I want them to enjoy the messages I have been able to bring. " Thanks to the internet, that is exactly what is happening already, and this thrills her. "It's wonderful to hear all of the comments," she says. "I am humbled by so many young people listening to my music and enjoying it. I am glad they could jump on that train and take the ride with me."

Music is not the only way people of all generations are learning about Ms. Warwick. She is still active in her charitable work and her other businesses which include writing and even a fragrance. "As a youngster my grandfather told me that we are all on this earth to be of service to each other," she told me when I asked about the work she is doing to help others. "If my talent is the way I can do that then it's very easy to do." She then added: "I think that it's a part of what we are here to do. The messages that we send are vitally important."

In 2026, she announced that her latest album DWuets would be her last, capping off a tremendous 65 year career. Staying busy and continuing her award-winning career, you can see she sets an example as to what is possible for all of us.

*     Photos provided by Double Xxposure Public Relations

Martha Stewart: Showing that Living Life Fully is a 'Good Thing'

 

by Cyrus Webb

This might come as a surprise to some, but of all the women on the 25 Women Changing the World list this year Martha Stewart is someone I have to give the most credit to when it comes to my career.

Many might now realize this but it was her book THE MARTHA RULES which she released in 2005 that was the basis for what is now Conversations Media Group. I had begun hosting the radio show Conversations LIVE and the television show Conversations with C. A. Webb 2 years earlier, and knew that there had to be a way to diversify the messages and guests I was sharing on the air. Because of Martha's book and example I brainstormed on what could be the next step. The next year (2006) I launched both Conversations Magazine and Conversations Book Club, creating a network where I could share my desire to feed your love of life.

I am not the only one who has benefited from the sheer genius and tenacity of Martha Stewart. Through her brand she has been a trendsetter that others have modeled themselves after over the years. She was the one who in 1990 took the risk of deciding to launch a magazine with her face on every issue. Because of the success of that risk, others have followed suit. She is the one who also took her love of catering and turned it into a billion dollar empire that has spawned television  and radio shows and specials, deals with K-Mart, Macys and Wal-Mart and a user-friendly website that brings it all together.

Though she has not appeared on Conversations LIVE (yet), I had the chance to thank her on her own radio program in 2009. I was a part of her "Ask Martha" segment, and before asking her about ideas for my reading parties that I was launching across the country I told her how she has inspired me and the work that I do.

Say what you will about Ms. Stewart, she is living proof that you can succeed, thrive and weather any storm if you are willing to hunker down and now give up. People are going to doubt you and even berate you, but what is important is  your dedicated to your gift and the work you are doing. As a teenager Martha's dad told her this: "You can do anything if you put your mind to it. Anything!"

In her book The Martha Rules she shares how those words from her father propels her: "To this day I can still hear those wise words. You can come up with a Big Idea for something that millions of people need and want. You can become a self-made billionaire. You can refuse to cave in to detractors and manipulators despite enormous pressure...You can emerge intact even through the toughest of times. You can do anything!" 

The same is true for each and every one of us if we believe, have the faith and are willing to do the work.

Get her new book THE MARTHA WAY on Amazon. Stay in touch with all things Martha at www.marthastewart.com.

Victoria Christopher Murray: Sharing History While Making Her Own

by Cyrus Webb

I’ve been a fan of Victoria Christopher Murray since her first book, and it’s been amazing watching her rise and thrive, garnering readers literally around the world.

As a New York Times bestselling author, she has thrilled readers with her unique ability to tell stories that draw the reader in and keep you engaged until the very last page. She has also had the privilege of seeing her books brought to life in movies, fulfilling what is the dream of so many authors. Along the way, she has not just nurtured her own career but found the time to pour into other authors as well.

In 2025, she celebrated her first solo historical fiction novel, Harlem Rhapsody. The paperback edition was released this year, and at the time of this magazine’s release, her newest book with fellow New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict, called A Pair of Aces, has been released and is receiving glowing reviews.

In this conversation, I talk with Victoria about her amazing journey, response to Harlem Rhapsody, introducing the world (and me) to Jessie Redmon Fauset, and what it’s been like to do work she loves and find her tribe along the way.

Victoria, thank you so much for spending some time with us. I really appreciate it.

Thank you for having me back, Cyrus. You know you're one of my favorite people to talk to over the years.

Thank you for that! I want to talk about this experience for you. Of course, you are no stranger to book tours. You're no stranger to press. What was it like for you to see people embrace Harlem Rhapsody and Jessie's story?

It was amazing because, like you, I had never heard of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance. Like, it's crazy. You and I are both book lovers, and we are lovers and admirers of the people that she mentored, and never heard her name. She is one of the most important figures in African American literature, and to bring her story, her life back to life has truly been an honor.

And the places! One of my favorite books is Dr. Seuss's book, Oh, All the Places You'll Go. And all the places that writing Harlem Rhapsody and Jessie Redmon Fauset have taken me…it's been amazing.

Victoria, when you were researching and writing the book, did you realize how powerful this book would be, not only to your career, but also to the world in introducing Jessie?

I didn't, and proof of that is when it was time for me to write my first solo historical fiction, I actually gave my editor three options. Jessie was my second choice, and I was very surprised when my editor and her boss said it had to be Jessie. And I was like, really? But I trust them. And they were absolutely right. They were right for so many reasons. It made sense for me to write the book on the woman whose shoulders I stand. 

And you gave me the greatest compliment, Cyrus. I've had hundreds of interviews [about this book]. My launch was at the Kennedy Center. I spoke at the Barbara Bush Foundation and sat next to Neil Bush. And the one thing that stands out in my mind is something you said to me during the first interview of this book. And I think it was the first week it came out or something. You said, “Victoria, no one else could have written this book.” And that was the greatest compliment, because I had no idea how big this was going to be and how important a story it was until after the book was written, until after I took her out into the world and people were saying, “Why don't we know her? I need to get her other books. I need to tell everybody about her.”

I meant it when I said it, Victoria, and it is so true. How does it feel to know that something you have labored with for so long has been able to connect with people in ways that others have not?

That's why I know it's a gift, because it has nothing to do with me. I just write what's in my heart. One of the other great compliments I received was with The Personal Librarian, where the reviewer was talking about all the wonderful books that Marie had written. And then he said, “Victoria Christopher can write anything she wants to.” And that was a great compliment, because he was like, it doesn't even matter what the genre is. And that's when you know it's a gift. And so, I have to rely on people like you and other people I've interviewed with to tell me how much the books have mattered, because I don't know that. I don't feel that as I'm writing. As I'm touring, though, I do feel that.

Well, one thing that Jessie Redmon Fauset faces in this book, Victoria, that I think is so prominent—which is why I had made that comment initially about this book that no one could have written it but you—is that she experienced what so many women like yourself have experienced: Women who have achieved so much, women who have so much talent can bring so much to the world, and still feel like they have to prove something to other people, especially men.

Jessie experienced that. Did that surprise you as you were writing the book, the similarities that the two of you share? Even though she was so accomplished, had done so much, that for some people, she still had to prove that she belonged where she was.

That's a good question. I don't think I realized it going in. What I realized when I got to that part, when I was reading about her, is that I could write this part.

Like you said, I'm a Black woman who has well over thirty books, books on TV, I'm a New York Times bestseller by God's grace…I am a USA Today bestseller, an NAACP Image Award Winner… and even with this book, I had people telling my publisher, “Victoria has to prove herself.”

So, the reason that I really embraced what you said about only I could have written this book is because so much of what she experienced, I understood. People say they stand on people's shoulders all the time, but I truly stand on her shoulders. I've been writing books about the Black middle class for thirty years, and she's [Fauset] the first person to write a book about the Black middle class. So, when you stand on someone's shoulders, I wanted to do justice to her story, but I felt like I knew her life. I knew all the issues that she had with men, all the issues she had with white people, even as her mother was white and sometimes had to remind her that she was Black. I knew her story. I knew her story before I knew Jessie Redmon Fauset.

I'm just a woman who will always have to prove herself. I'm a Black woman, and this is America. And I've been given an awesome opportunity to be a writer in this country, but I also understand that I will be marginalized. So, I don't complain about it. I just work through it.

Let's sit with that for a second, because that's a powerful thing you just said, Victoria. And I have to say, as your friend, it hurts me that you have to say that. It hurts that is the reality that you've been living with. When you think about what you said—that it is what it is—how does that feel?

Yeah, it's very sad. It's very sad. And especially because you have comparisons, you know, apples to apples and things like that with other authors. It's a sad thing, but if I focus on it too much, I will wallow in that. And instead, what I would rather focus on is look at how Berkley—part of Random House, the largest publisher in the United States—gave me this opportunity. And you've been with me on this journey as I've been writing this book and this book coming out. If anybody were to ask me what more could Berkley have done for me, there's not another thing. They laid it all on the table for me with Harlem Rhapsody. So, while I have obstacles in the way, I want to focus on this great opportunity that I was given with this publisher, who now is a little surprised to see some of the marginalization themselves but who still stands behind me.

And so, I focus on that, because that gives me the opportunity to propel forward. And they are the reason for the success, standing by me as a partner and standing by me as one of their authors. They are the reason that Harlem Rhapsody has had the success that it has had.

I understand what you mean, Victoria, but to me, you're the reason why Harlem Rhapsody is a success.

Well, okay. They would say the same thing. I could hear my editor now saying, “Victoria, you're the reason.” Yes, and I'm working very hard. We wouldn't even have enough time for me to tell you the marginalization I experienced with this book. And so, I could sit down, and I could focus on that and tell you about that, but I'd rather focus on the fact that I had such great support from my publisher and then use the feelings to keep pushing forward.

It's because of what I've experienced in my whole career that I was able to even write Harlem Rhapsody. It was all of the people standing in my face telling me what I couldn't do. All of the people pushing me aside. If I didn't have those experiences, I wouldn't have even been able to write a book like Harlem Rhapsody and all the books that I hope to write in the future about Black women who've been hidden in history. And if Black women have been hidden in history, they experienced what I'm experiencing now. I can't write their stories authentically if I didn't walk in some parts of their shoes.

I totally understand that. And then there are those who are coming behind you. You've opened up the door for so many authors and showed them what is possible. You have also given them the encouragement they need to keep going. How does that feel to know?

 I think about Mr. Holland's Opus. At the end, when the students say to Mr. Holland, “We are your opus.” How does that feel to know that you have this opus of individuals who are writing and doing what they do because of you?

Well, that I love a lot. Because if there is anything that I love as much as writing and reading, it's teaching writing and coaching people through writing. And I just feel like it is up to me, and when I say me, “I'm talking about a collective me, all of us who are writers, to bring other writers along. Especially as I've entered into this historical fiction realm, and I'm coaching all kinds of writers. It's been fabulous.

I feel like I was born for a time such as this. Like all the rest of my writing led me here. And I got better and better and better over the years because these historical fiction books are the most important books that I will ever write for my culture, for my race. 

As they're trying to erase my history, I can excavate it. And as they're trying to ban books, they'll ban one, I'll figure out a way to write two. And maybe I have to write two by me or me writing one and coaching someone else to write one. And so leading writers and coaching writers and helping them write goes hand in hand with me writing historical fiction. It's for a time such as this.

Stay connected with Victoria on her website: https://victoriachristophermurray.com/