Resisting Erasure: The Role of Black Women in Historical Fiction

About this episode

The episode discusses the vital role of Black women in Historical Fiction and the importance of their stories in reclaiming history.

Discover the power of storytelling in the Black literary community, as authors discuss history, identity, and resilience in their works. The dialogue among esteemed authors Dolen Perkins Valdez, Sadeqa Johnson, and Victoria Christopher Murray, moderated by Morgan Menzies, illuminates the overlooked relationship between Black women and the Historical Fiction genre. Our panelists detail their distinct journeys into writing, revealing how their paths serve not only as reflections of the past but as vital acts of reclamation and resistance against the erasure of Black history. They emphasize the importance of detailing the experiences of Black women, whose stories have historically been marginalized. The conversation highlights the struggle for visibility and voice within the literary industry, underscoring that stories written for, by, or about Black people, especially Black women, are a critical necessity. This compelling discussion, rich with insights and perspectives, invites listeners to engage deeply with the works of these authors and the broader implications of their narratives. Takeaways: The authors collectively emphasize the critical importance of preserving Black women's…

People in this episode

Host: Morgan Menzies

Guests: Dolen Perkins Valdez, Sadeqa Johnson, Victoria Christopher Murray

Topics covered

• Black women in literature
• Historical Fiction
• storytelling
• identity
• resilience
• visibility
• erasure of history

Keywords

• Black women
• Historical Fiction
• storytelling
• identity
• resilience
• literary industry
• marginalized voices

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Black literary community

More episodes of MahoganyBooks Front Row: The Podcast

• Keeper of Lost Children: Unveiling Untold Stories of Resilience · June 3, 2026 · 49 min
• Self-Publishing Success: Strategies from Three Dynamic Independent Authors · May 21, 2026 · 49 min
• Ben Crump on Civil Rights, Literature, and the Fight for Justice · May 7, 2026 · 55 min
• Reclaiming History: The Importance of Black Literature in Modern Society · April 23, 2026 · 46 min
• Unveiling 'The Way Love Goes': Da Brat and Judy's Blueprint for Relationships · April 8, 2026 · 53 min
• Inside 'The Seven Daughters of Dupree': An Evening with Author Nikesha Elise Williams · March 11, 2026 · 1h 6m