Kwame Mbalia joins us today, and let me tell you, this dude is a powerhouse of creativity and humor! Seriously, he’s the kind of guy who can drop a dad joke like a pro, and we kick things off with a laugh about frogs and french flies—classic! But it’s not all chuckles; Kwame dives into the serious stuff too. We chat about how his experiences as a black man in America shaped his storytelling, weaving together African American folklore and history into his writing. His hit series, Tristan Strong, not only entertains but resonates deeply with young readers, giving them a chance to see themselves as heroes in a world where they often feel invisible. It’s this blend of humor, history, and heart that makes Kwame's work shine, and he’s on a mission to uplift other black storytellers along the way. So, grab a seat and prepare to be inspired by Kwame’s journey from science to storytelling!

Takeaways:

• Kwame Mbalia emphasizes the importance of storytelling in empowering young Black readers and connecting them to their heritage.
• He draws inspiration from African and African American mythology to create relatable and heroic narratives for children.
• The conversation highlights the need for representation in literature, particularly for Black children, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
• Kwame shares his journey from being a voracious reader to a celebrated author, underscoring the value of community support in a writer's development.
• The podcast explores the significance of libraries and community spaces in promoting literacy and access to diverse stories for all ages.
• Derrick and Kwame discuss how storytelling can bridge cultural gaps and foster empathy across different communities through shared narratives.

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Mentioned in this episode:

African Ancestry

We are the pioneers of genetic ancestry tracing for Black people globally, reconnecting you to your specific African roots–the country and the people. Our scientists compare your DNA markers to the largest African reference database in the world in order to find your African origin up to 2000 years ago.

African Ancestry