Dear hearts, some terrific news that I can now share❗️I got…

There’s much more work to do, but those who know me know that I’m a gratitude girl, so right now I want to pause and sit fully in this moment and just be grateful and express that gratitude.

I’m so grateful to my agent, Tanya McKinnon, & Carol Taylor, editorial director at @McKinnonLit ,for their wisdom, kindness, & artful guidance in process, but also in the ways they’ve inspired me to be open to new ways to think about my work as a scholar, writer, & creative.

I’m grateful to my Soul Sister, @alexispauline, for connecting me w/Tanya. I’m grateful also for ways Alexis & @SangodareJulia, also my kindred and who I consider my pastor, have been a loving presence beside me & encourage me in this ancestrally held work. I love y’all so much.

I’m excited to work w/ my editor, the other Patri(c)k, Patrik Henry Bass. To be shepherded through process by a longtime & proven talent in publishing, and someone who knows books and fashion/beauty industries through his years as an editor at Essence, is a dream come true.

I am excited also that this book will be published by @AmistadBooks, a legacy imprint that has, from its inception, dedicated its list to publishing books about Black diasporic life, culture, and history.

I’m grateful to my partner David Glisch-Sanchez and Stephanie @RhythmKeene, who’ve helped me at research sites, read chapters, listened to me throughout process, as well as my sis @JLDeShields22 who has listened & supported me. I love y’all so much.

I will give greater acknowledgement in book, but thank you to people I interviewed, archivists, librarians, & photographers who have and continue to be so generous with their time. I hope to make best book possible from the knowledge resources you’ve volunteered and provided.

Thank you to my friends, colleagues, & all folks who have been enthusiastic about book. I’ll need your support to keep being the wind at my back and to finish what I’ve started. I’m doing everything in my power to place the very best book I can in your hands & on your bookshelf.

I am grateful forever to Patrick Kelly. I hope that the book I am writing pleases his spirit and that of all of my ancestor helping spirits. ❤️❤️❤️🙏🏿

And for those who have a thing you want to do and you just can’t see way forward, what Patrick Kelly would say is that “Nothing Is Impossible.” I had a seed of this book at age 9. Began working on it at 29. And got the deal to publish it at age *none of your business.* 😂💯💅🏿💜

My message is this — As Glinda sang to Dorothy, and mama sang to be “believe in yourself” and keep pushing forward. Onward! With love and always gratitude, e. 💜💜💜💜

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