"I am a very heart-driven person. And as a woman you feel like you need to suppress that in certain spaces, or it can be belittled. I'm working on embracing and celebrating that that is exactly the kind of medicine I bring to this life—that curiosity, thinking, and expressing, but also a deep empathy that is powerful and not weak."
Jamia Wilson was born in America, the child of civil rights activists, but spent her formative years growing up in Saudi Arabia. Later, she returned to America, believing it to be both her calling and obligation to fight for the nation's promises to its citizens through her unique form of activism: writing. After becoming the first Black woman and youngest person to hold the job of executive director and publisher at the Feminist Press, Jamia moved to Random House where she mentors other authors and ensures diverse voices are elevated.
Jamia is out with her own book, Make Good Trouble: Discover Movements that Sparked Change, which combines her love of writing with activism by encouraging young readers to engage in democracy.
During our conversation, Jamia and I discuss what it was like to grow up as a Black child in another country and what it was like to return to America; how her parents’ activism and encouragement shaped her world view; and why, as an author, she’s so focused on connecting with younger generations of Americans.
To read more inspiring stories from Firestarters like Jamia, preorder my book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age at firedupbook.com.
My new book Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, is available for preorder! Out in June 2025, Fired Up will give you the formula for finding your unique spark and show you how to use it to start fires in your life. By preordering, you can enroll for FREE in Firestarter University, a year-long online program that includes live monthly workshops, workbooks and resources, accountability check-ins, and a community to help you succeed.
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