Blackbird: The Story of a SistaMom (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780692064450)

Blackbird: The Story of a SistaMom chronicles the inspiring story of sacrifice, family, and redemption, focusing on 32-year-old Danielle and her younger half-siblings, ten-year-old Raven and eight-year-old Man Man. This gritty story portrays the harsh reality of the main characters' lives and how their tragic similarities bonded them together. Raven and Man Man grew up on the Southside streets of Chicago and were headed down a desolate and dangerous path, likely destined to become products of their environments. But their rough upbringing radically shifts when their single, successful half-sister is thrust into instant motherhood via guardianship after the death of their beloved matriarch.

Imagine receiving a call that your beloved aunt, and family's matriarch, is dying of cancer and will pass any day. As a result, you're forced into making an on-the-fly, life-changing decision.

This happens to Danielle, a young, beautiful, single, and successful HBCU graduate, author, and professional. She's working in Atlanta for one of the largest media companies in the world. Danielle's living the dream and gearing up for an epic book release and kick-off tour in her hometown of Chicago after relocating three years prior.

Life drastically shifts when she learns her beloved Aunt Bertha has Stage IV lung cancer. Danielle's aunt played a prominent role in her upbringing and in the lives of her younger half-siblings belonging to her drug-addicted father, whom she hardly knows.

While Aunt Bertha lies dying, the children, ages ten and eight, are fighting for their lives. Raven and Man Man are growing up on the South Side of Chicago in poverty, exposed to drugs, chaos, and violence similar to what Danielle experienced as a child before her aunt's intervention. Because of Bertha's inability to help this time, they are days away from being taken into state custody.

Determined to honor her dying aunt, Danielle steps in, becoming an instant mom of two, radically changing the trajectory of all their lives. This is the story of Blackbird. Blackbird is written as a personal narrative but reads more like a spellbinding novel, holding you in its grip. You will laugh, cry, and gasp out loud as you follow the journey of Danielle and her two young siblings.