Black Reads: Issue 039
Lately I've been thinking about legacy and the world I'm creating today to help build a better one for my daughter. This week's curation is a reflection of that thought.
My girl Jasmine Lewis has been on fire this year, sharing her pen in spaces where change can be the center of conversation. This piece, specifically, asks the question, “What will be our alchemy?”
Reading this piece activated something within, just as the work of Black women writers from our history. It ignited something within to stand for something, to be someone my child can be proud of, to stay in pursuit of the mission because it’s greater than me, it’s for our people coming up watching us.
When social media trends are centered around being a “recovering” crash out, it’s people like, Neysa - Money • Power • Story, who remind us of the value of a crash out because baby, have you been outside lately? When the business is not paying you anymore, and Black business is being packaged and sold back to us, let’s just say it gets to a point.
This piece reflects back to us that the time is now for a good ol’ fashion crash out. When you think about it, Rosa Parks not getting us was a silent crash out, Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream speech was a civil crash out, and the Black Panther Party patrolling the police was a necessary crash out. It may be time we start applying the knowledge and wisdom gained from studying our ancestors.
Man, this piece tore me up. Not because it’s sad, but because it’s storytelling that allows you to see where you fit in the story. And for me, I am the artist holding the door open for others while having to force my way through it initially. As writers, I felt many of us could relate. Ella Ezeike’s origin story is so inspiring, but the writing is what put me in a chokehold, in the best way possible.
This one is for the dreamers and believers in themselves, their art, and understanding exactly what it means to be a team player for the greater good of the culture, more than anything else.
OPEN SUBMISSIONS
It’s about that time for another “Hair Stories” series, but this time I want to discuss the importance of the barbershops and beauty salons as a third space. For this series curation, I am looking for six stories total.
Submissions are open until August 31st, 2026.
Email your submission (1000 words or less, NO FUCKING AI) to jacquie@theblackstack.org, subject line: Hair Stories Submission.
Sorry for yelling, AI submissions are a real bummer.