Black Love Letters

As seen on ABC’s The View * One of W magazine’s Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2023

“We reserve this space for our humanity in all of its fond, ironic, elated, grief-stricken, confused glory . . . When you find yourself alone and downtrodden, when the news is too much, return to these pages. This one is for you.” –from the introduction by Cole Brown and Natalie Johnson

“There’s something particularly special about Black Love. When you consider the history of our people, the strife and adversity we’ve overcome, love seems an almost illogically ambitious act of resistance.” –from the foreword by John Legend

From celebrated Black writers, creators, and thinkers–and with a foreword by John Legend–comes a collection of letters and original illustrations on the subject of Black love, a powerful and heartfelt celebration of Blackness in all its many forms.

In this exquisite anthology of letters and illustrations, Cole Brown and Natalie Johnson bring together a constellation of influential Black figures to write to the people, places, and moments that mean the most to them. With a foreword from John Legend and contributions from Brontez Purnell, Morgan Jerkins, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Dr. Imani Perry, among many others, Black Love Letters is an ode to a phenomenal community: a testament to the fact that where there has been pain and suffering, there has also always been immeasurable, irrepressible joy and love.