Jordannah Elizabeth’s new book “She Raised Her Voice! 50 Black Women Who Sang Their Way Into Music History” is a celebratory compendium of — as you might have guessed — musicians who are Black women. Illustrated by Briana Dongoue and written for a young audience, it could easily double as a coffee table or art book.
The book presents an array of talented artists working in a variety of genres and periods: British punks, 20s American jazz singers and contemporary hip hop artists, sure to have have middle school students singing in the aisles of their schools and public libraries and tip-tapping their devices to hear the dulcet tones of new and old favorites.
In addition to answering a few questions about the book, Elizabeth shared the playlist that goes along with it.
Baltimore Fishbowl: As you are a writer, a musician, a feminist and a racial justice activist, it’s not surprising that you would choose to write about Black women singers — but we are curious to hear about what made you decide to create a book for children.
Jordannah Elizabeth: It was an easy decision as I was approached by my publisher to write the book. It was not my personal plan to write children’s books but once the opportunity was brought to me it felt like the right time and the right approach to write a historical book on Black women. How could I say no? My goal has always been to connect with a new generation of readers who could learn about and carry on the knowledge of the legacies of impactful Black women and to contribute to the music history canon.
BFB: What were some of the challenges and epiphanies you discovered in writing for a younger audience?
JE: I had to navigate sensitive topics like racism, sexism, domestic abuse, and some of the women struggled with drug use. I worked to make the book appropriate and understandable for young readers. It gives parents the opportunity to have conversations with their kids about these topics, so it was important for me to create space for dialogue more than telling children what they absolutely needed to know.
My epiphany was that women who were born after, during or right before the civil rights movement tended to live longer than the women who were born many years before that era. It was a very emotional writing experience at times as I mourned many of the women and realized how the injustices of our culture had a huge impact on their safety, longevity and prominence in the world.
BFB: This is such a fascinating collection of small narrative biographies. Many of the women you include are household names and others are more obscure artists. How did you decide whom to include?
JE: I chose women whom I had written about before and admired as a listener — but it wasn’t all about what I thought. I worked to understand who absolutely needed to be included due to their historical contributions, but there’s so much work to do within the realm of inclusion that I couldn’t get everyone in. Also, the book is about singers so I couldn’t include any instrumentalists and bandleaders I loved.
SB: Can you talk a little bit about the collaboration with the illustrator, Brianna Dengoue?
JE: The publisher connected us. I was pleased because Brianna went to Maryland Institute College of Art and I had lectured and held a few workshops at the school. I’m so pleased that our names are on the book together. It’s important for young readers to see two Black women working together on such an incredible project.
SB: Do you think you would create another historical book for a young audience ?
JE: Yes, I am currently working on a children’s book entitled A Child’s Introduction to Hip Hop. It will be a historical timeline of hip hop history with amazing illustrations. It is a part of a series published by Black Dog and Leventhal. It will be released in 2023.
BFB: What else is up next for you?
JE: I am still an active entertainment journalist for New York Amsterdam News and other publications. I share commentary for music documentaries and moderate panels. I currently teach music business at The New School. I love spending time with friends and family in Baltimore and look forward to traveling once the pandemic allows it.
