Instagram story viewer> @jamila_minnicks> Posts

Jamila Minnicks

@jamila_minnicks

2.4K

followers

1801

following

Novelist. Cultural caretaker. Lioness telling the tales🦁📝
Author, Moonrise Over New Jessup (@algonquinbooks) rep: @utapublishing

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

My sincerest thank you to Two-Year College English Association for giving me the space to say a few words this afternoon 🙏🏽
.
.
.
#moonriseovernewjessup #blackreaders #blacklove #blackauthor #putitinabook #blackhistory #honoringmyancestors #tellingourstories taken in Bethesda, Maryland by @jamila_minnicks

3

20

3 years ago

It was a privilege to be the keynote speaker at the Howard University School of Law Pinning Ceremony last night. I am infinitely thankful for the opportunity to find community with some of the greatest legal practitioners to do it, and to walk in the footsteps of giants.
.
.
.
#howardalum #howardlaw #socialenginner #lionstellingthetales taken in Howard University by @jamila_minnicks

3

108

2 years ago

My mama played chess when folks were playing checkers.

When I was a kid, she worked for a large corporation. She worked her way up the ranks at a time when she had *very few* Black counterparts. One day, I was visiting her in her office when a white man stopped in.

“Hey, tiger lady,” he said. His tone was sarcastic and disrespectful, and I told her I didn’t care for it. Know what she told me?

“They call me a lot worse behind my back. But you know what they also do??” 🤷🏽‍♀️ was my answer. “What I TELL THEM TO DO. I’ve been called worse. But I KNOW MY NAME.”

In that, as with many other times in my life, I heard her Alabama talking—a presence of mind earned from growing up in the place she loved, with family who held her up in love. Who taught her that the sins were not in the soil, but in hearts of man, and to fight for herself, and her folks, when her resilience was tested.

Was talking to my Aunt Donna tonight and told her that story. She told me that my mama used to carry a little notebook around. And she always had a pen in her hand. That no one could mess with her because she kept notes of every time someone did something sideways. My mama was keeping receipts the whole time…

Her white coworkers hated to see her “scribbling.” But she stayed documenting all the ways they continued to wrong her. And she refused to back down. She was a fighter. She did all that fighting and still DID HER JOB with excellence.

She fought to diversify her staff and built an incredible team over the years that included *kin* like my Aunt Donna. They excelled, and my mother excelled.

Because she fought. And kept fighting. For herself. For her folks. And for her kids. #amazingmama #prouddaughter #chesswhiletheyplayedcheckers #mamawasafighter #sheknewhername taken in Washington D. C. by @jamila_minnicks

3

19

4 years ago

Calling all the monsters! Got a tale terrifying enough to raise the dead? 🎃

Join us October 29 at 6pm in Johnson Hall for the inaugural College of Liberal Arts Spooky Story Slam!

Calling all storytellers and horror lovers! Only 10 students will be selected to share their chilling tales in 5–7 minutes. All are welcome to attend, cheer on their peers, and enjoy light refreshments!

🕸️ Costumes are highly encouraged, and best costume wins a prize! Think spooky speakeasy, vintage glamour, or a juke joint with a haunting twist.

Ready to thrill, chill, and give us goosebumps? 👀 Sign up using the form in our bio before spots disappear! by @jamila_minnicks

19

0

8 days ago

Academically, I know these songs existed. Dinah Washington released Long John Blues in 1949. But I keep imaging my grands and great grands actually listening to, and dancing to, these songs. Love being able to envision them as young once, too.

Best believe this is alllll going into the novel. What eye-opening discoveries have you made while writing?

#amwri̇ti̇ng #secondnovel #dinahwashington #longjohnblues taken in Jackson State University by @jamila_minnicks

3

269

15 days ago

Today’s writing playlist🎧

Can y’all imagine what it must have been like to be in the audience? That’s one of the reasons I love books—they are time machines able to transport us to the hooting and hollering and outrageousness that must have been these nights

#amwri̇ti̇ng #secondnovel #idacox #onehourmama taken in Jackson, Mississippi by @jamila_minnicks

3

14

16 days ago

Teaching and writing at Jackson State has been magical. Not only is ‘Crosswater thriving here, but I get to the teach students and engage colleagues about craft and literature. Reminds me how much I enjoyed posting vids like this for my writing community at-large

Wishing you all many, many good words. Hope y’all don’t mind if I drop more reels like this from time to time🤎

🎶: Patrick Riddick & D’Vyne Worship

#amwriting #secondnovel #writerinresidence #jacksonstateuniversity #mississippimagic taken in Jackson State University by @jamila_minnicks

3

14

a month ago

Lately…
.
#writerinresidence #amwriting #secondnovel #jacksonstateuniversity #mississippimagic taken in Jackson, Mississippi by @jamila_minnicks

3

22

a month ago

The Department of English and Modern Languages is proud to welcome Jamila Minnicks, award-winning author of Moonrise Over New Jessup and recipient of the 2021 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction, as our 2026-2027 Writer in Residence.

Throughout the academic year, Ms. Minnicks will engage with students, faculty, and the broader community through workshops, readings, mentorship, and conversations that celebrate the transformative power of storytelling.

Please join us in extending a warm Tiger welcome as we look forward to a year of literary excellence, creativity, and inspiration. by @jamila_minnicks

243

115

3 months ago

Prayed over. Packed. Time to get up the road🚗
#writingadventure #grateful taken in On The Road by @jamila_minnicks

3

34

3 months ago

One of our greatest strengths in times of trouble is imagination for the future. Many thanks to @bookriot for including Alice’s story among some superb titles about fresh starts. So thrilled that people continue visiting New Jessup🫶🏾 #debutauthor #blackauthor #moonriseovernewjessup #freshstart taken in Washington D. C. by @jamila_minnicks

3

12

3 months ago

My love letter to sonder💌
#amwriting #secondbook #sonder taken in Washington D. C. by @jamila_minnicks

3

10

3 months ago