Kevin and my littles, J and W: I love you to the depths of the earth and the heights of our universe. May the world never rob you of your innocence. It’s your love that drives me, and I always try to be everything to you. J—I know you love me the absolute most (I tell myself this when you follow me to the bathroom). W—I’m so proud of who you’ve become. One day, when you’re older, your comics and moviemaking skills will dazzle the world. Kevin—Thank you to my loving husband for giving me space to write. I know I’m a lot! Zipping and running everywhere, taking on new things, and being called to serve. I’m so fortunate to have you and know there is a lot you sacrifice also for this to happen. Thank you to the Johnson extended family for all your support and the stacks of books and conversations on race, justice, and politics.

Thank you to my mother, who cultivated greatness in all her children (and our extended immigrant and African family). We might not always do everything the way you like, but you raised God-fearing children who are grounded in your values. You taught us the meaning of hard work. Your daughters are purposed to touch the world in different ways. Thank you for taking me to the public library, which was my reading foundation. To my dad, who loved to read. It planted a seed.

To my sisters, the real AQs—Kawezya, Kalizya, Kanyanta, and the ones who are the true Ks—we should be the ones with a reality show. WE grinding all day, every day. To Kal and KK: You’re my biggest fans, always pushing love and greatness. You make my cheeks blush when you share with the world how proud you are of me. To my brilliant baby sis, Kawezya: You were the first person I let read my stories. You answered my legal questions, shared your experiences with a death penalty pro bono case, and made countless connections to attorneys working pro bono to appeal death penalty sentences. Thank you for responding to all those last-minute requests and rambling emails and texts. I can’t wait for you to begin your writer journey. We have to have another brainstorm session at our faves, either Calabash or BusBoys and Poets in DC, so we can begin that co-writing project we’ve been mulling.

To my extraordinary agent, Jennifer March Soloway: Thank you for finding me in the query trenches and taking a huge chance by signing me. You gave me confidence to share an unfinished project. You offered a few weeks later, and I’ll never forget that moment. You have taught me so much, and your incredible support means everything to me. Our author-agent relationship is magic. Thank you for all that you do.