The Root Presents: It's Lit!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays from It's Lit! This week we're bringing you a special episode in which Maiysha and Danielle discuss the page-turners they couldn't put down this year, the year's most giftable books, the classics they recommend and the books they predict will be future classics.

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This week we have the legendary, award-winning poet Nikki Giovanni joining us on It's Lit. Nikki is the author of over 30 collections of poetry including the New York Times bestselling Bicycles: Love Poems, and has a brand new volume out called Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose. Listen to hear the iconic writer talk about her perspective on where we are currently as a country, the advice she gives to young writers, and why food plays such an integral role in her work.

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This week we're speaking with the illustrious, award-winning author Walter Mosley. The prolific writer of over 60 books and counting, including the bestselling Easy Rawlins and Fearless Jones mystery series, is now sharing his revered approach to writing with a brand new MasterClass. And, fortunately, with us too! Listen to hear Walter talk about why being a writer doesn't require a particular background, the genius of science fiction, and why everyone should take a stab at writing a novel.

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This week we sit down with fashion, beauty and activism icon, Michaela Angela Davis. Michaela is the co-author of Mariah Carey’s new memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Listen to hear her talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how she met Mariah, the careful and collaborative process of writing the book, and the significance of the singer being able to tell her own story.

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This week we're joined by two remarkable women who have recently collaborated on a project that isn’t so much a book or a novel as it is a gorgeous, mixed-media zine called Black Futures. Listen to hear curator and activist Kimberly Drew and New York Times journalist and podcast host Jenna Wortham talk about how Black Futures came to be, what they hope people take away from the collection, and the immense value of amplifying Black voices.

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This week we're talking with award-winning and New York Times bestselling author, Jason Reynolds. Best known as a prolific YA writer, Jason is the author of numerous books including Ghost, Long Way Down, Look Both Ways, and As Brave As You, and he is also the 2020–2021 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Jason's latest book is an adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped From the Beginning called Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Listen to hear Jason speak with Danielle and Maiysha about why he loves writing for middle-grade audiences, the arduous process of adapting an award-winning piece of literature, and the unique magnificence of Black children.

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This week we sit down with Dr. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings—politician, entrepreneur and and wife of the late congressman Elijah E. Cummings. Maya was key in seeing through the publication of Congressman Cummings' memoir, We're Better Than This: My Fight for the Future of Our Democracy, after his passing last year. Listen to hear Maya talk with Maiysha and Danielle about her husband's powerful message, what Kamala Harris's win means for Black women, and what the path forward should look like for our new leaders.

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This week we sit down with Marley Dias, the 15-year-old author and activist who is changing the literary landscape for kids. Marley is the founder of the 1000 Black Girl Books campaign, and author of Marley Dias Gets It Done: And So Can You! Listen to hear Danielle and Maiysha's conversation with Marley about the changes she's seen since starting #1000 Black Girl Books, who inspires her, and her new Netflix series Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.

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We have the brilliant author, journalist and activist George M. Johnson on It's Lit this week to talk about their book, All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto. Listen to George talk with Danielle and Maiysha about how they came to recognize their purpose, the importance of destroying the idea of the monolithic Black identity, and navigating the transition from writing for print to writing for TV.

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We're speaking with the brilliant and astute Ijeoma Oluo this week, author of the bestselling So You Want to Talk About Race. Listen to hear Ijeoma talk about the importance of taking care of yourself as a Black woman, what the left continues to get wrong in the Black Lives Matter movement, and the backstory of her forthcoming book, Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America.

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