This Is My America(92)

Thank you to Chelsea Eberly, my first editor at Random House. Once we spoke on the phone, I was convinced you would be my greatest cheerleader and would care for my project with the utmost respect. I’m so grateful we were able to see the project all the way through the copyedit. I wish you the best in your new journey. I feel incredibly blessed to have worked with you. Your insight, thoughtfulness, and support have been amazing with this delicate and important subject. You left me in incredible hands with my current editor, Caroline Abbey, who has been just as lovely and supportive. Caroline continues to protect my voice and ensure that my story stays true to its intent. What an honor.



To every single person at Random House Children’s and the entire Random House team that helped make this book possible: special thank-yous to Barbara Bakowski, Anne Heausler, Alison Kolani, and Jules Kelly. Ray Shappell, for your amazing design detail that made the book perfection. The marketing team, designers, school and library team, digital and social media, you are all just incredible. Kathy Dunn, my wonderful publicist, who has worked tirelessly to connect me and my book to readers.

To Chuck Styles for the amazing cover. I feel so blessed that my love of art has also found itself in a cover from a true Black artist. May you continue to shine.

Thank you to those who were essential to my writing journey for This Is My America, as far back to when it was called Just Mercy. I’m forever thankful for Raechelle Garrett, Jennifer Dugan, Janae Marks, Cass Newbould, Sarah Darer Littman, Ely Azure, Gail de la Cruz-Villanueva, Rena Baron, Ronni Davis, Maura Jortner, Judi Lauren, Bethany Morrow, Kim Rogers, Jen Ung, and Matt de la Pe?a.

Thank you to the many people who shared various experiences with law enforcement, the legal system, incarceration, and the death penalty in the United States. Thank you for opening up your world to me and trusting me. In addition, I am especially grateful to the police officers who actively work to break down implicit and explicit bias and systems of oppression in their policing. Officer Beverly Ridges’s character and the evolution of the characters Officer Clyde and Sheriff Brighton represent the varying changes in policing that can build bridges of justice if people actively work to transform it. A special thank-you to Samson Asiyanbi, trial attorney and former fellow with the Equal Justice Initiative. You gave me incredible context on exoneration work and research to follow up. Any inaccuracies are mine and not a reflection of the expertise or opinions of those interviewed.



I began writing in 2011, at thirty-two years old. I’d never thought of myself as a writer. I had terrible grammar (okay, still have). I want to thank the following people who at some point helped me grow as a writer—I am a better writer for their efforts. Thank you to Lindsey Alexander, Rachel Solomon, Suja Sukumar, Kiki Nguyen, Wade White, Laura VP, Aften Brooks Szymanski, PCC Crew, Jenny Chou, Cindy Rodriguez, Kara Taylor. And to my Willamette Writers/SCBWI Oregon family, who made me feel welcome in a space where there were only a couple of Black attendees each year: Fonda Lee (we pitched together years ago, and you were my first real-life writer friend), Christine Mitchell (one day I will write a script! You are a joy!), Joanna Bartlett (my roomie), Jennie Komp (write that book, it needs to be told), Cindy Swanson, and Heather Penn. And to the recent years’ WilWrite conference planners, who have made the effort to bring diverse speakers to Oregon. It matters and I appreciate it.



To the sponsors of all the writing contests I was successful at and those I wasn’t: I gained something through all of it. To all the people who create communities through social media: You make it a better place. Especially Brenda Drake, Kellye Garrett, and Beth Phelan.

To my first online writing and publishing communities: PCC for life, Write Pack, and the #Roaring20sdebutgroup. To all those who made voice and space for my book to even exist, such as the diversity kidlit groups, We Need Diverse Books, and Justina Ireland for Write in the Margins. Thank you.

To the people who tried to crush my dreams: You didn’t. I’m ten times stronger now.

To the Sigma Delta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.: As your graduate advisor, I hope you learn from me as much as I learn from you. To Zeta Sigma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.: You continue to fill my tank of sisterhood and inspiration. Every day you hold your heads up and aspire to the highest standard. Be supreme in service to ALL mankind.

To all the Black student leaders I’ve been blessed to support and learn from, past and present: Your sacrifice to be an activist and leader will teach you lessons that will take you far in life, personally and professionally. You don’t sit back and watch, you move for change. Shout-out to BSU, BWA, BMA, BSTF, and whatever iteration of groups you turn into; keep trying to work together.



To Doneka, my bestie/boss: Thank you for pushing and supporting me. We don’t have easy positions, but you always have my back and make sure to tell me to “WRITE, so we can get up outta here.” I wouldn’t be able to manage writing, family, service, and work if I didn’t have people in my life like you who make it okay to do this.

Thank you to my readers.

If I forgot you, please charge it to my head and not my heart.