Colors of Influence Reviews

Young Juhi helps Appa at the flower shop, where he sells flowers to neighbors and the local community. In the store, Juhi learned the language of flowers, how each flower represents what community members celebrate: love, reverence, joy, and faith. Juhi has watched Appa give joy to others through exquisite flower arrangements for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and welcoming a new baby. But when a well-loved customer experiences profound loss, Juhi needs to learn a new vocabulary for facing grief. This is a journey that the entire community, including the reader, undertakes with her, fostering a sense of connection and understanding. Pictured is author Shyala Smith Words are not always sufficient to express intense emotions. In "The Language of Flowers," author Shyala Smith presents a poignant story about dealing with loss. The narrative unfolds in an unnamed community, rich with diverse characters, and is punctuated by scenes of temple visits and full moon prayers. Ill...

Political activist Marcus Garvey established the foundation for Black nationalism, the unwavering belief in true liberation for the Pan-African diaspora. For far too long, Garvey’s legacy has been tainted by his conviction for mail fraud, which caused him to be imprisoned in the United States during the Jim Crow era. Justice for Marcus Garvey, edited by his son, Dr. Julius Garvey, is a collection of essays from social justice activists, legal historians, and Black scholars voicing a renewed interest in securing the posthumous pardon of the elder Garvey. Each essay reflects the author’s deep regard and respect for Garvey’s influence, incorporating personal reflections about his enduring bequest on the movement toward freedom. Pictured above is Dr. Julius Garvey Controversy follows all changemakers. In his day, Garvey dared to topple white supremacy by asserting pride in Black culture and heritage. Garvey was an influential figure who spurred Black resistance against oppression in an...

Amidst the current discourse on migrants entering the United States, it’s important to remember that the struggles of asylees and refugees in their pursuit of freedom often go unnoticed. The media often focuses on the fear of the “other,” fueling protectionist and exclusionary narratives about keeping criminals out. "The Other Side of Tomorrow" brings to light the harrowing journey of two children, Myunghee and Yunho, from North Korea, who are united by their desire to escape the oppressive regime. Pictured above is author Tina Cho This graphic novel, a collaboration between writer Tina Cho and illustrator Deb JJ Lee, is a poignant narrative of the children’s quest for freedom as they navigate the perilous route from North Korea through China, Laos, and Thailand. Illustrator Deb JJ Lee The book carries a heavy undercurrent of the Christian worldview. Through forced labor, hunger, isolation, and sickness, the characters sustain their hope for a better tomorrow through the ...

2024 marked the fiftieth anniversary of Brown vs Board of Education, the landmark Supreme Court case that ended segregation in U.S. public schools. While schools are technically integrated, racism continues to affect the experiences and outcomes of Black folks in the educational system. In "Being Black in America’s Schools," strategist and educator Brian Rashad Fuller shares his personal journey as a Black student navigating American institutions and the lessons he learned that solidified his advocacy for actual change and reform. Pictured is Brian Rashad Fuller Throughout the book, the author bolsters his arguments with data about the consequences of discriminatory policies and practices and offers concrete solutions to disrupt a racialized system. Fuller shares his narrative through the lens of an equity strategist who experienced K-12 education firsthand in Sumter, South Carolina. His college days at Emory offered eye-opening revelations about racial harm. Teaching in N...

Acceptance and kindness start with oneself. Anang, ten, is two-spirit and nonbinary from the Turtle clan. Neither girl nor boy, Anang knows they are a different gender. They were being home-schooled because they had a difficult time with bullying in school, from other children who don’t understand. In summer, Grandmother is hosting Sherry, Anang’s friend. The above illustration is a self of author and illustrator Cameron Mukwa . While Sherry and Anang had disagreements, their quarrels were overshadowed by talking turtles and crows who were helping Anang in their quest to make a ribbon skirt for the pow-wow. The ribbon skirt—traditionally worn by women—is an important symbol of Anang’s cultural identity as Anishinaabe. Through fantastical dreams and visions, Anang understands the ancestors’ advice to celebrate their true self. The heartwarming Scholastic graphic novel by two-spirit Anishinaabe cartoonist and educator Cameron Mukwa, who introduces young readers to expansive gender i...

In these times marked by constant threats of despair, hatred, authoritarian control, and climate doom, different perspectives and worldviews can lead to revitalizing habits and practices. "When No Thing Works" by Norma Kaweloku Wong Roshi, a Rinzai Zen priest and native Hawaiian community leader, offers a courageous speculative approach to building collective efforts of resilience and resistance. Pictured above is Roshi Norma Wong Drawing from her decades-long experience in policy work, Wong emphasizes the power of imagination in co-creating sustainable solutions and shaping our future amid the certainty of collapse. When disruption and discontent are the status quo, there are ways to approach social problems through practices and strategies that center oneness, cooperation and collective thriving. As a student of Zen Buddhism and a lifelong seeker on the path of decolonization, I was excited to read this book. Wong’s profound insights reflect the metaphysical aspects of ...

In "Kindred Creation: Parables and Paradigms for Freedom," organizer and founder Aida Mariam Davis presents a radical philosophical framework that centers an African-centric lens on one’s path toward decolonization. Davis shares the lessons from reclaiming the gifts of Black and African culture and heritage. Parables effectively unveil new insights into persistent wonderings, as they are filled with allusions and ways of realizing truths about how people of African descent can regain what they may have lost for many generations. Colonialism has long subjugated land, labor, and language, causing many Black people to be distanced from their heritage. At the end of each chapter, Davis offers “key readings” as a valuable list of reference material for further study. Pictured above is author Aida Mariam Davis Davis draws upon her inheritance of strength and power from Ethiopian anti-colonial fighters who sought liberation and unbridled freedom. She lays out a path for Black...