320 pages Publisher Tiny Reparations Books Publication date
June 16, 2026
ABOUT THE BOOK
An irresistible delight, this hilarious and heartwarming essay collection gathers essential tales about growing up in the South, the pitfalls of date night, and why no one should ever tell a Black girl how to Black Girl.
Black women always find a place to meet: in the natural hair aisle, at Beyoncé concerts, even online in memes and catchphrases. This book is one of those places: a living room where readers can contemplate how a well-picked afro can defy the laws of physics and why boob sweat has to exist in the first place. Here, Black Girl is a verb. Here, Black women can Black Girl in every way we want to.
Amena Brown’s book Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl blends storytelling, humor, and pop culture commentary to traverse the magic and wisdom she’s gleaned from being raised by Southern Black women, and supported by the community of Black women who hold her down today. After graduating from the International Black Girl Headquarters (the renowned HBCU Spelman College), Amena has built a career telling stories and celebrating Black womanhood. In her book, she shares stories of dancing in Janelle Monae’s “Tightrope” music video and partnering with Tracee Ellis Ross to compose odes to natural hair. She imparts essential life lessons from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, and tells hair tales, including wisdom on the ideal style for her first speaking gig at Essence Fest (box braids, 100 percent).
In the end, Brown shares that Black women are a whole world. A galaxy of customs, language, code, and unspoken understandings, all explored with humor and heart in this unforgettable book.
MY THOUGHTS
A nonfiction coming of age written through essays, poetry and just plain rambling thoughts.
Very insightful full of nostalgia we get a trip down the author’s memory lane. From her oh so important church life that influenced everything to her hair and going natural which was almost just as important to dating and food. Whatever the author was writing about it she does it with a sense of humor and full truthfulness. You get the good, the bad and the ugly of navigating Southern Black family culture.
Having read this, I have more of an understanding and appreciation and I hear your voice loud and clear!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Amena Brown is a spoken word poet, author, and performing artist whose work interweaves keep-it-real storytelling, rhyme and humor. A proud graduate of Spelman College and previous poetic partner for Tracee Ellis Ross’ natural hair brand, PATTERN Beauty, Amena is the author of five spoken word albums and three non-fiction books. Her new book of comedic essays, Never Tell a Black Girl How to Black Girl, debuts June 2026 and is available for pre-order. As a stage performer, Amena takes arenas, theaters, and performance venues and turns them into living rooms where the audience and her readers can make themselves at home. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband DJ Opdiggy and their dog Kane, where she is also the Chapter Host of CreativeMornings Atlanta.
Have a wonderful evening and thank you for stopping in.
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