It is my ultimate hope that this was an uplifting final chapter for my readers in this journey of self-discovery Rue has taken us on. I’m so grateful to Simon & Schuster and Denene Millner for the opportunity to give Rue this space to reach and uplift hearts. And a huge thanks to the amazing Taj Francis for the jaw-dropping cover art! It’s an absolute honor to have been able to canonize this Black girl magic for Black girls like young me, my teenage sisters.

This duology, and particularly this second book, Ashes of Gold, is a charge to every reader who saw yourself in Rue to lift your chin and step up to the challenges ahead of you, especially those that seem too hard to face. Especially the fights we feel called to, but don’t think we can win. We step up, not because we have all the answers, not because we think it’ll be easy; we step up because we are purposed to. It’s who we are: leaders, changemakers, history shakers.

Black girl, look at your history.

Black girl, know you are magic.

Consider all that your people have done and rest deep in your spirit, knowing you will do great things too. Because that is just who you are, sis.

I sincerely hope Rue’s story has helped you see more in yourself than you did before. She certainly did that for me.

Thank Yous

First and foremost, I’m so thankful to God for this gift of words. I’m so grateful to my husband and children, who have sacrificed so much to allow me the time and space to string together these words.

Thank you, Mommy, Grandma, and Grandpa, for always believing. For inspiring so much of Rue’s story by just being who you are. To Paige, Naomi, Auntie Regina, Rocqell, Roslyn, Uncle Chuck, Micah, Sydney, for always rooting for me. Jennifer, my ride or die, my sister, I love you, girl. To Diarra, my Brooklyn Queen, for all you see in me, the way you ride with me through thick and thin no matter what. For looping me arm in arm when we see goals too tall and being there step-by-step as we scale them all. For keeping me grounded, rooted in my faith, and ever aware of my purpose.

To Emily, my dear friend and rockstar CP: Thank you for holding me up through this. You had a front-row seat to how tough this one was, and you walked every single step with me, at the expense of your own sleep and priorities. Draft after draft. Line after line. Through a pandemic, Pitch Wars, my debut season, and just life. There aren’t enough words to fully express just how grateful I am to you.