Empowering reads from voices shaping culture, finance, and faith.
Empowering reads from voices shaping culture, finance, and faith.
In celebration of enriching our minds and souls, we’re spotlighting our brilliant Blavity Fest speakers who are also authors—and whose books are must-adds to your personal library. From transformative narratives to life-changing wisdom, these books by Glory Edim, Tiffany “The Budgenista” Aliche, Karen Civil, Kirk Franklin, and Mattie James aren’t just meant to sit pretty — they’re conversation starters that will transform your perspective and touch your spirit.
Each author brings their distinct voice and expertise to these pages. Glory Edim weaves literary magic that resonates deeply. Karen Civil revolutionizes our understanding of media and culture, Kirk Franklin pours spiritual truth that stirs the soul, Tiffany “The Budgenista” Aliche gives us the tools to step our finance game up and Mattie James delivers raw, unfiltered entrepreneurial gems. These works transcend traditional books—practical guides for living authentically and growing purposefully.
This curated selection perfectly aligns with Blavity’s decade-long commitment to amplifying Black excellence. For ten years, Blavity has created powerful platforms where Black voices dominate, and our stories take center stage. These books continue this vital tradition, blending wealth building with wellness and creative expression with cultural insight, all wrapped in compelling narratives that speak directly to our experiences.
If you want a chance to see the authors live, be sure to grab your tickets for Blavity Fest 2025, coming to Atlanta from May 31 to June 1.
Kirk Franklin's life story is a testament to overcoming adversity through faith and determination. Despite facing early childhood abandonment by both parents, including a mother who repeatedly expressed he was unwanted, he found stability when his Aunt Gertrude adopted him at age four. Growing up without positive male role models and watching his sister battle addiction, Franklin faced numerous challenges. However, he transformed these hardships into motivation, ultimately becoming a beacon of hope for others by sharing his experiences of personal growth and spiritual transformation through his work and ministry.
In this powerful anthology, Glory Edim, founder of Well-Read Black Girl book club, brings together essays by celebrated Black women writers exploring the impact of literary representation. Contributing authors like Jesmyn Ward, Lynn Nottage, and Jacqueline Woodson share personal reflections on finding themselves in literature, creating an inspiring collection that demonstrates how books shape our understanding of ourselves and the world.
Success often begins with mental fitness — a lesson learned firsthand by Karen Civil, a remarkable entrepreneur from Elizabeth, New Jersey. Through determination and resilience, she transformed herself into a prominent CEO and digital innovator by leveraging online communities, marketing expertise and content creation. Her journey demonstrates how anyone can unlock their potential through building mental resilience, cultivating self-motivation, maintaining a positive mindset, and embracing self-acceptance. This path shows that with the right mindset and tools, we can all chart our own course to success while staying true to ourselves.
In today's fast-paced world, many of us find ourselves constantly striving to meet life's increasing demands, yet still feeling inadequate despite our best efforts. However, there's hope in finding beauty and balance within life's chaos, as Mattie James — a successful entrepreneur and mother — shows that creating a fulfilling life is achievable through simple daily practices and intentional living.
Meet Tiffany Aliche, a former preschool educator whose financial stability was shattered during an economic downturn when poor investment advice left her jobless and in debt. Through her personal journey to financial recovery, she developed a powerful 10-step approach to achieving both financial stability and peace of mind. Her method has since helped more than a million women worldwide save money, eliminate debt and create pathways to building lasting wealth.
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