My “official” bio with credentials and whatnot is on the home page.  I often want to know a writer beyond the universities they attended and the prizes they’ve won, so this is me a little undone–locs fuzzy at the edges, legs crossed on the couch, crunching some barbecue Grippos (IYKYK)–sharing a bit of what the buttoned-up bio won’t tell you.

What do you love to eat?

Many, many things. Doughnuts. Greens. Breakfast burritos. Peanut butter with everything. Buffalo cauliflower wings. If you know a good vegan blue cheese dressing, help a vegan newbie out and let me know. You can contact me on Instagram, Facebook, or email via the Contacts page. 

What’s the last book you read?

Holler, Child (short stories) by Latoya Watkins. The voice of these characters, y’all! My gosh. I read this collection completely in awe of Watkins’ characterization, like “How Sway?” As soon as I finished a story, I wanted to read it again to breakdown its structure. The endings are perfect, surprising but inevitable. I will be returning to this collection frequently.

What you reading now?

 The Heartbreak Years (memoir) by fellow Louisvillian Minda Honey.

What song always makes you dance? 

“W.A.P.” by Cardi B and Meg the Stallion🤷🏾‍♀️. Little known, or widely known if you know me, fact: I love ratchet music. If they would play it at Magic City as a feature dancer’s theme song, I usually mess with it. 

What’s an essential part of your daily routine?

Writing what Julia Cameron calls “morning pages” in her book, The Artist’s Way, to clear my head. Basically, it’s journaling, and plays a huge role in maintaining my mental health. 

What’s your favorite show?

I love Insecure. I just watched the whole series again for the second time. Issa messy sometimes, but when I saw her reading Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half,  I was like, We could be friends and have a lit book club. 

If you have a lit book club with your actual friends in real life and would like me to join to talk all things Mama Said, let me know. I’d love to join in-person or virtually.   

What’s something your mama said that you never forgot?

One time when I was complaining about my job, feeling overwhelmed and stuck, Mama said, “You’re never stuck; you always have a choice. There are consequences to your choices, but you have them.”

The advice is a simple fact, but it opened my eyes and forced me to recognize the power and agency I had over my life that I’d lost going through the motions of the everyday. 

Thirsty for more of my business?

• Follow me on Facebook and Instagram.
• Come hang at upcoming events (listed on the home page).
• Say “Heeey!” via the Contacts page.