ABOUT THE BOOK
In this exquisite anthology of letters and illustrations, Cole Brown and Natalie Johnson bring together a constellation of influential Black figures to write to the people, places, and moments that mean the most to them. With a foreword from John Legend and contributions from Brontez Purnell, Morgan Jerkins, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Dr. Imani Perry, among many others, Black Love Letters is an ode to a phenomenal community: a testament to the fact that where there has been pain and suffering, there has also always been immeasurable, irrepressible joy and love.
“There are many books about love but precious few are love. That’s a more difficult challenge—concentrating love to words on a page, capturing love as it is, delivering it still intact. Cole, Natalie, and the many authors in Black Love Letters have done just that—distilled love to soothe your soul. I just know you’ll love it like I do.”
—John Legend
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ABOUT THE EDITORS
COLE BROWN
Cole Brown is an author, producer, and political commentator. His first book, Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award and selected for Steph Curry’s “Underrated” book club. His first co-authored book, First Impressions, was released in May ’22. Cole’s opinion writing appears in GQ, W, CNN, NBC, and others. He was a 2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 in Media honoree. Today, he lives in New York working on various literary and film projects.
NATALIE JOHNSON
Natalie Johnson is a writer and illustrator who focuses on social justice. She is a former segment producer for MSNBC, VICE TV, and Black News Channel. Her writing can be found at MSNBC.com’s Know Your Value. Natalie holds a master’s degree in sociology from Columbia University and lives in New York City.
CONTRIBUTORS
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Akili King Alex Elle Allisa Findley Barbara Edelin Belinda Walker Ben Crump Bill Whitaker Bilquisu Abdullah Brianna Holt Brontez Purnell Cole Brown Danez Smith Deborah Willis Dick Parsons Douglas Jones Douglas Kearney Dr. Imani Perry Jamila Woods Jan Menafee Jayne Allen Jeh Johnson Jenna Wortham Joel Castón John Legend Jonathan Capehart Joy Reid Justus Pugh Kwame Dawes Lynae Vanee Mahogany L. Browne Malachi Elijah Michael Eric Dyson Morgan Jerkins Nadia Owusu Natalie Johnson Rakia Reynolds Reverend Al Sharpton Rhianna Jones Rōze Traore Sojourner Brown Tarana Burke Tembe Denton Hurst Topaz Jones Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts VJ Jenkins
Akili King
Alex Elle
Allisa Findley
Barbara Edelin
Belinda Walker
Ben Crump
Bill Whitaker
Bilquisu Abdullah
Brianna Holt
Brontez Purnell
Cole Brown
Danez Smith
Deborah Willis
Dick Parsons
Douglas Jones
Douglas Kearney
Dr. Imani Perry
Jamila Woods
Jan Menafee
Jayne Allen
Jeh Johnson
Jenna Wortham
Joel Castón
John Legend
Jonathan Capehart
Joy Reid
Justus Pugh
Kwame Dawes
Lynae Vanee
Mahogany L. Browne
Malachi Elijah
Michael Eric Dyson
Morgan Jerkins
Nadia Owusu
Natalie Johnson
Rakia Reynolds
Reverend Al Sharpton
Rhianna Jones
Rōze Traore
Sojourner Brown
Tarana Burke
Tembe Denton Hurst
Topaz Jones
Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts
VJ Jenkins
SUBMIT YOUR OWN LOVE LETTER
We want to see how you express your point of view either in a written letter or your own original art. Submit for a chance to be featured on John Legend’s Instagram page, this website, and receive a signed copy of the book!
ABOUT GET LIFTED BOOKS
Get Lifted Books builds upon Get Lifted Film Co.’s mission of spotlighting stories from dynamic creatives and is led by its three partners, EGOT recipient and award-winning producer John Legend, Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning producer Mike Jackson, and Emmy® Award-winner and CEO of the management, media and social impact company Friends At Work, Ty Stiklorius. The imprint publishes distinct, diverse, and brilliant stories with a focus on Black joy, love, and celebration.