Black History Month: Books To Read To Support Black Authors
February is Black History Month and I would like to highlight a couple of black authors from romance novels to learning about systematic racial oppression. Here are 5 black authors to support this Black History month!
Bell Hooks “All About Love: New Visions”
Bell Hooks is a black author, theorist, educator, and social critic. She primary focus on interconnectedness of race, feminism, and class. Her book “All About Love: New Visions” explore several themes including the difference between infatuation and love, the importance of self-love, and the interconnectedness of love and justice.
2. Alan Pelaez Lopez “to love and mourn in the age of displacement”
Dr. Alan Pelaez Lopez is an AfroIndigenous (Zapotec) poet, installation and adornment artist from Oaxaca, México. Their work attends to the quotidian realities of undocumented migrants in the United States, the Black condition in Latin America, and the intimate kinship units that trans and nonbinary people build in the face of violence.
3. Jasmine Guillory “The Proposal”
Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author of novels including The Wedding Date, the Reese's Book Club selection The Proposal, and Drunk on Love. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Cosmopolitan, Bon Appetit, and Time, and she is a frequent book contributor on The Today Show. The proposal is cute romance novel and I quote “When someone asks you to spend your life with him, it shouldn’t come as a surprise — or happen in front of 45,000 people.”
4. Jayne Allen “Black Girls Must Be Magic”
Jayne Allen (pen name), in her life outside of writing, is a serial entrepreneur, Harvard-trained attorney, and engineer. "Black Girls Must Be Magic is In this highly anticipated second installment in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series, Tabitha Walker copes with more of life’s challenges and a happy surprise—a baby—with a little help and lots of love from friends old and new.
5. Michelle Alexander “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness”
Michelle Alexander is a highly acclaimed civil rights lawyer, advocate, legal scholar and author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness — the bestselling book that helped to transform the national debate on racial and criminal justice in the United States.
Why Literacy Matters and 3 Books To Start The New Year
In 2023, I rediscovered the magic of reading for pleasure. While my childhood experiences with books weren't always enjoyable, and grad school left me feeling burnt out. So for almost 2 years I stop reading for fun.
But in 2023, I made a life changing decision to start reading again every morning on my commute to work, on my lunch breaks, and before bed. It was those small micro-habits that change my relationship with reading. Something that so many don’t realize is being able to read is a PRIVILEGE. I grew up with an abuelita who is illiterate and her not being able to read important documents. Sadly this the reality for many indigenous people in Latin America and for many Americans as well.
Now that you understand the importance and privilege of literacy. I’m going to make 3 book recommendations to start your year and that I read in 2023 that change my life completely. These books are both informative and interesting.
Explore H-town with me!
Houston has so much to offer and in the last few years I have seen how much it’s changed! Through my tikok I want to show local businesses that I think deserve recognition starting with my Pilates studio!
On to my favorite guided Meditation Center, where you get 2 meditation sessions for free!
To one of my favorite thrift store Value Village in the Heights!
Stay tune as I will be adding more things as I continue to explore Houston!
My special interests and hobbies
I have always been a creative person with every approach of my life. Its the way my brain gets stimulated and feels at ease.
Here are some of my special interests I had throughout my life: robots, Star Wars, Comic Books, skincare, Pilates, beauty maintenance, reading books and anything about romance.
Now hobbies are something EVERY person should have! It’s a perfect way to disconnect from your phone and how fucked up world is right now. Here are some of my hobbies!
Talk Social Work To Me!
I fell in love with social work after attending my undergrad program at Texas Southern University. Unlike what many people may think social work is, it is in fact so board. Social work can be counseling, case management, policy making, advocacy, and much more.
Although it’s also important to acknowledge the colonize origins of social work where many marginalized populations have suffered at the hands of white supremacy and white saviorism.
As an indigenous social work professional my main commitments to my field is utilizing decolonize social work approaches, allowing my clients to have autonomy and be experts of their lives, sharing resources and knowledge through digit spaces like TikTok and IG, and mentor the youth as a field instructor with Baylor University.
In my Tiktok: Life Skill By Lucia I share my experiences in the field of social work:
Becoming a Bilingual Therapist
More Content When I was a therapist
During undergrad my professor Dr. Willis encourage me to get involved with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for networking and mentoring opportunities.
I first started with presenting my research at the annual NASW conference in 2019 and than I ran and served as their MSW Board Member.
My social work journey has been amazing and still going I’m so excited for the next chapter of my social work life in 2024! Stay tune!
My Academic Journey: First Generation College Graduate
To be completely honest, I never imagine going to college because I just felt so confuse on the whole college process. Being a first generation student of an immigrant household meant having to figure everything out on your own with little to no guidance. I made a alot of mistakes along the way, I jumped from college to college and changed my major about 4 times. I spent so many nights in my teen years and early 20s crying thinking I was not good enough for college and that I should just quit.
But my inner voice told me NO! You belong here, you just need little guidance. So, I did some research and I found out about social work and decided to set up an appointment with the Social Work Dean of Texas Southern University. My social work Dean broke down the whole college process and told me I could graduate in 2 years if I was committed going to school full time and I stop dropping classes. So I did for the next 2 years, I spent all my time in school, working part time as a baby sister/other side gigs, and my social work internships.
In May of 2019, I finally graduated with my bachelor’s degree and parents got to see their first daughter graduate from college!
But, I wasn’t quite ready to be done with school, I fell in love with Social Work and everything it had to offer. You see during my undergraduate years I did so much. I was the Vice-president of my school’s social work club, I was an intern with the Harris County DA’s Office, I presented my research at the NASW Conference, and then ran for NASW Board position which later I won!
So my favorite professor and mentor Dr. Willis encouraged me to apply for grad school. So I did, I applied for Baylor University Graduate Program. Grad school was such a struggle for me, there were so many times I wanted to quit and I spend so much time crying and than the pandemic hit. Everybody had to attend school from home which pretty saved my butt. If I could give you guys any advice from my academic journey it would be:
Find a mentor/professor who believes in you
Don’t neglect your mental health, I did and pretty paid for the consequences after grad school.
Find your chosen family and your tribe who keeps you motivated!
Use all the academic resources meaning school gym, counseling services, scholarships, and tutoring center.
If you are not prepare for college don’t go and waste money. Explore what you are good at or what you like first by volunteering or interning.
Stay tune for resources and story time with me! Until next time! :)
Lucia’s Fitness Plan
Fitness saved me. It lifted me from the depths of anxiety and eating disorder, and continues to be my daily dose of well-being.
I know life gets busy, but I believe movement is just as essential as brushing your teeth. That's why I created a simple, realistic fitness plan that takes a holistic approach, focusing on physical activity, nutrition, and mindset.
This plan helped me feel accomplished and energized, and I want to share that with you.
My weight loss transformation story
Becoming more discipline with myself and lifestyle change
I'm not a certified trainer, but I'm a passionate researcher with a wealth of knowledge and experience. If you're ready to unlock your fitness potential and feel your best, let's connect!
I offer personalized guidance and support to help you reach your goals. Get started with my free basic plan, or explore my paid options for customized to your needs.
