Colors of Influence Reviews

Who We Are Becoming Matters by Norma Kawelokū Wong Roshi is a profound collection of essays that offers essential wisdom for navigating what she calls the “timeplace of collapse.” Following her debut, When No Thing Works , this Zen Master in the Rinzai tradition deepens her exploration of the “human quotient”—our fundamental beingness in this realm of existence. For anyone on a path of deepening their relationships with self, community, and the living world, this book is invaluable reading. Wong’s unique perspective emerges from her rich ancestry, blending Chinese and Native Hawaiian lineages, and from her deep understanding of Eastern spiritual traditions. She introduces readers to the Hawaiian concepts of “Aloha” and “Kuleana,” which she defines as wise courage and mutual responsibility, respectively. Beyond merely cultural artifacts, these concepts are living principles for cultivating right relations with both human and more-than-human kin. What makes this book particularly com...

In  Under a Black Star, Amari Johnson documents the story of a New Orleans community that created dedicated spaces for Blackness on terms they defined and refined for themselves. The book focuses on the BlackStar Community in the Algiers neighborhood, recognized as the oldest Black neighborhood in the United States. Johnson uses the neighborhood's rich, storied history as the backdrop for examining how BlackStar residents sought to consolidate power, assert autonomy, and manifest Black identity in the face of generational systemic oppression compounded by Hurricane Katrina's devastation. In response to these challenges, BlackStar residents established Kamali Academy to homeschool their children and sustained BlackStar Books and Caffe as a vital community gathering place. Through these spaces, Johnson analyzes the phenomenon of marronage—drawing connections between the historical experiences of enslaved peoples who escaped captivity and fled plantations into fugitivity, and ...

  Twelve‑year‑old Jerome is a shy, hardworking kid bullied for being a “teacher’s pet.” At home, life with his parents, grandmother, and little sister is steady, and he dreams of becoming a basketball star or even the President someday. But those dreams end when he is killed by a white police officer. As a ghost—unseen by most—Jerome searches for meaning in the aftermath of his death. He drifts between his family home and the courtroom where his case unfolds, trying to understand why he cannot move on. One person can see him: Sarah, the daughter of the officer who shot him. Through her eyes, Jerome witnesses the weight of bias and fear. He also meets Emmett Till, another ghost boy, who guides him toward understanding and a sense of purpose. Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel is a powerful adaptation of Jewell Parker Rhodes’s acclaimed book. Setor Fiadzigbey’s evocative illustrations deepen the story’s emotional resonance, weaving together themes of race, privilege, grief, and justi...

The belief and value systems among the Filipino people are rich with meaning, shaped by history, and passed on generation after generation through stories and traditions, both in the homeland and the vast global diaspora. Researcher and educator Carl Lorenz Cervantes brings to light the ancestral worldviews and spiritual wisdom that Filipinos have carried with them to overcome the harms of colonization, to thrive with gratitude and resilience, and to be ready to face new challenges. In today’s context, Cervantes's Sikodiwa  is a timely exploration of Filipino psychology, the process of decolonization, and the path toward Indigeneity. Cervantes, a university professor and social media influencer, has a dedicated following among Filipino Americans. I’ve learned about his work from FilAms who are on the journey of rediscovering their heritage and looking for ways to embody Filipino values. In Sikodiwa , Cervantes presents his journey and work, while also paying homage to the works ...

The experience of uprooting from one's homeland is both transformative and cathartic. Finding a sense of belonging can be elusive, yet embracing such change requires remarkable courage and wisdom. The Home Within by Nina Aziz Justin is a soulful memoir that explores themes of identity, belonging, resilience, and self-discovery across cultures and life transitions. Divided into three parts—The Departure, The Becoming, and The Return—the book chronicles the author's journey from childhood in Malaysia to life across continents, including England, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. It delves into her experiences as a migrant, mother, entrepreneur, and advocate, examining her multifaceted identity shaped by Malaysian roots, Muslim faith, and life as a global citizen. Through personal stories, cultural insights, and philosophical musings, Justin navigates the complexities of migration, motherhood, and self-reinvention with grace. She emphasizes resilience, self-compassion, ...

Understanding the nature of conflict and the roots of resistance is critical to developing the resolve for change. Looking at the vibrant legacy of the Haitian people – with strong Indigenous and African foundations – Woody R. Clermont’s From Taino Suns to Phoenix Flames: A Story of Haiti offers a comprehensive exploration of Haiti’s history, culture, and resilience. The book begins with the Taíno people, the island’s Indigenous inhabitants, highlighting their rich cosmology, agricultural innovations, and spiritual traditions before European colonization. ​ It delves into the brutal impact of the arrival of Columbus and colonialism, including genocide, slavery, and exploitation, while exposing the hypocrisy of ideals that excluded non-Europeans. The narrative then transitions to the Haitian Revolution. The book examines Haiti’s post-independence struggles, including internal divisions, foreign interference, and the crippling indemnity debt imposed by France. It also highlights Hai...

The Rev. Dr. Sequola Dawson delivers a bold and necessary intervention in her critique of Black Church funeral practices. Identifying as an “earth theologian” and “bereavement minister,” Dawson advocates for environmentally conscious “green funerals” that honor both God’s covenant with the faithful and our collective responsibility to steward the land. Her arguments are firmly anchored in ecclesial training, environmental research, intimate knowledge of the Black community, and practical experience with parishioners. (Pictured above is the author) I am a non-Black person of color interested in nature-based burial practices. I approach The Green Funeral: Honoring the Environment While Beautifying Funeral Practices  with awareness of my social location and the limitations of my perspective on Black traditions and experiences. What makes it particularly compelling is Dawson’s unvarnished perspective on the Black Church. She doesn’t shy away from challenging long-held beliefs and a...