7 Black Sistas: Writers that Speak to Our Souls

This month I have been basking in the sweet, strong love of sisterhood with my fellow black women. Being from the Philly aka the city of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, one would assume it shouldn’t be hard to come by. Recently it seemed as though that sista gurl love was sparsely found in my life. My interactions with sistas were filled with a competitive, hostile, jealous nature that was cold, harsh and unnatural. I realized that to counteract that negativity I had to show up and give the love I wanted as well as being open to receive it. And the universe obliged.

Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous encounters with black women who have been nothing but warm, loving, and genuine to me. I’ve reciprocated by giving love right back to them. To celebrate this black berry affection, (just in time for Black History Month and Valentines Day <3) I have compiled a list of my 7 Favorite Black Female Writers. If you haven’t read any of their works, I encourage you to do so and let me know what you think. Whose in your top 7? Please leave your list in the comment section below. Share the love and spread the word about the fierce, sweet love and creativity of black women!

Octavia E. Butler

When I studied abroad in 2011, I read quite a lot. I brought at least 15 books with me and got sent at least 10 more, not to mention what I borrowed from my schools library. But what I brought from home included a lot of titles from my parents collection, which I had yet to really delve into. Octavia Butler was one of them. My dad suggested her because she wrote science fiction from a black perspective. Little did I know, how much her stories would blow my mind. I read Kindred, a story about a modern day woman who time travels back to early nineteenth century America and meets her ancestors: a white slave owner and black freed woman who was brought back into bondage. Definitely one of her more accessible reads, if your not too into Sci-Fi. I haven’t gotten into all of her books but she has several series including The Patternist, Lilith’s Brood and Parable series.

Bell Hooks

I read All About Love on my flight to Thailand which was one of the most terrifying and exhilarating moments in my life. This book helped ground me and shift how I felt about connection. At the time  I was unsure of the validity of my relationships with my loved ones at home. Hooks enlightened me with the concept of love as an effervescent and all encompassing energy. Love isn’t merely a word or emotion that can be attributed to hormone levels and fairy tales. But rather, an unwavering force of nature that is omnipresent. I have also read Sisters of the Yam which is a guidebook for black women to liberate themselves from this oppressive society and encourage us to become our best selves. Currently in the process of reading Salvation: Black People and Love. But, Hooks is great for her intelligent, thoughtful commentary on culture and society, namely dealing with blackness and femininity.

Sister Souljah

If you love urban novels, but don’t want something too ratchet, Souljah’s your girl! Coldest Winter Ever is her most popular work yet, and was supported by the hip hop and conscious communities for being a story that resonates with the ghetto but shines an elevated lens on it. Because of this, it has been used as a learning tool for teens and young adults since its release in 1999. With roots as a rapper and political activist, Souljah has a knack for creating the perfect blend of entertainment with knowledge and empowerment. My favorite is her autobiography No Disrespect. It is so relatable and raw. I’ve read all of her books including the sequel Midnight, that focus on the character from Coldest Winter Ever. Loved all of them!

Alice Walker

Besides The Color Purple, Walker has a few titles that quench my thirst for esoteric, spiritual fiction from a black woman’s perspective. I enjoy how she creates imagery that stirs emotion through the spiritual development of her characters. In The Temple of My Familiar, she brings us a eclectic mixture of history, fantasy, biography, and fiction. Also another favorite read of my study abroad adventure!

J. California Cooper

Cooper is that token aunty in every black family that has an example from her life for every single topic you could think of. She drops that ancient wisdom effortlessly in short stories, but everything that I’ve read from her has soothed fears I didn’t even know I had. She has a way of easing worry and anxiety about life by telling great stories that simply force you to evolve. Some of her titles include In Search For Satisfaction, Some People, Some Other Place and Some Soul to Keep.

Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of the best love stories I know. Wonderfully written in Black Southern dialect, that really puts the reader in the shoes of the folks in that time. But that connection between Teacake and Janie is that REAL BLACK LOVE. Transcending time and space, reincarnate of an ancient connection, LOVE. Make love and play all day in bed LOVE. Ball out just for the hell of it LOVE. Don’t need nothing or no one but each other LOVE.

Sharon G. Flake

There was not a huge selection of black young adult books (and still aren’t) when I was a child, but thankfully I came across a fellow Philadelphian’s The Skin I’m In. It’s a story about a girl who struggles with fitting in because of the “skin she’s in” and how she adorns it. Being teased for wearing “bobos,” having natural hair, and eating healthy lunches were parts of my story of “not fitting in,” so this book helped me tremendously growing up. This was a first of a series which also includes Money Hungry and Beggin’ For Change.