Kalisha Buckhanon

Kalisha Buckhanon is a writer, speaker and commentator creating stories and media about African-Americans, women, love and justice.

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Merry Christmas! Bests of 2023

Seasons Greetings and Merry Christmas! No better gift than a great book or movie rec, as stories are our human escape and reflection. Hope you enjoy what I loved most in 2023 and your holiday! Peace and Blessings, Kalisha

Seasons Greetings and Merry Christmas! No better gift than a great book or movie rec, as stories are our human escape and our reflections. I’m always adding great books on Goodreads and movies good or bad on Lettrboxed all year round. Hope you enjoy seeing what I loved most in 2023 and your holiday! Peace and Blessings, Kalisha FICTION This was a great past year of fiction, stores and more. I…

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Wrong Done Right: On "May December"

No matter what, the children remain uncomplicated victims here- all of them, even the one who grew up too fast but never got to grow up.

I’m a Natalie Portman fan but not a Julianne Moore one, so May December was a toss-up Natalie won. Turns out, I was too young. They were wrong for this one. But, they did it right. I’d seen May December as a Cannes premiere but just mentally noted it, more interested in the leads’ red-carpet fashion than the actual film I couldn’t see anywhere at the time anyway. I knew basically it was about an…

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My Happy Friday and Welcome to December Recs...

December 1 is always a special day for me, as I’m very chronological in thinking– January 1 is the new year, April 1 is my birthday, and October 1 is 6 months between one birthday and the last so the time I take stock in. December 1 is a milestone of self-judgement and goals, where there’s still plenty of time to get a lot right for the new year, however every day is precious and can’t be wasted…

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2 Debuts and a Veteran Poet: A Sneak Peek at My Fave 2023 Books

I look forward to returning to my favorite books of the year listings. Here's a sneak peek of the top 3 as listed on Shepherd.com this week.

I rarely find things I’d re-read at this stage in my life, with so many lifelong faves. But I’d read all my “3 favorite reads in 2023” again and you should for the first time if you haven’t already. Thanks Shepherd.com for letting me share why these women’s books are so special! Read in full here: https://shepherd.com/bboy/2023/f/kalisha-buckhanon. THE SAME COUNTRY by Carole Burns “Carole…

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Remembering Louise Meriwether

Ms. Meriwether wrote DADDY WAS A NUMBER RUNNER (1970) and SHADOW DANCING (2000), won the American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016, and was great friends with Maya Angelou.

Yesterday we lost great novelist Louise Meriwether at her great age of 100. Louise Meriwether by Chester Higgins, 1998 (artsy.net) Ms. Meriwether wrote DADDY WAS A NUMBER RUNNER (1970) and SHADOW DANCING (2000), won the American Book Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016, and was great friends with Maya Angelou. She was one of the very few living Black women novelists I heard of in my youth…

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If You Read One Book Today: The New Black Woman by Marita Golden

I recommend The New Black Woman by Marita Golden to all Black women, and all Black girls who don't have to be afraid or secretive as prior generations were taught to be, and all the diverse others we share the world with on this World Mental Health Day.

This book is very important to me. We go through things so others don’t have to, but if we don’t share what we go through then others will not know and learn how to handle similar when it comes. Same for if we keep our coping practices, resources and support needs a secret. Thank you for sharing everything Marita, and I’m happy to follow your lead with my own books even if only fictitiously. I…

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Gorgeous, perfect, love these sisters’ music. Mount Ararat by American composer Peter Boyer

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Choosing to Remember Black Women Were at the Oscars...

I'm choosing to remember my black sisters who pepped up the long-criticized stale show and it was noticeable. Black women can lead, we can follow and we can uplift others with unmatched grace and poise. #blackwomen #oscars #academyawards #blackgirlmagic

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This is a great day in America.

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4 of My Women's History Month Joys

The Lost Daughter, Call Me, The Strong Black Woman and "Chess Moves" are just a few titles I've loved by and for women this month. #womenshistorymonth #readwomen #womenonstage #womeninfilm #womeninmusic

I’m a connoisseur of women’s art and culture all year round, but this March month brings special opportunity to highlight what I found particularly absorbing from women creatives. From theater to song, mesmerizing works from women make history today. Hope you check these four out! The Lost Daughter (film) From the maddeningly complex middle-aged female character to an eerie children’s doll who…

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Ladies, I Salute You

In this month where the women in our world get more attention, I salute you and the women in my life for extraordinary impacts on this planet. #Women #WomensHistoryMonth #Girlpower #TimesUp

This Women’s History Month has seen our world become even more turbulent, with women and children at the forefront of displacement and terror overseas as women elsewhere try to earn recognition for who we are and all we do. I have tried, and failed, to take a break from all the stories of women who are missing, violated and losing children to senseless violence. One step forward, two steps back,…

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HOLD STILL - The Final 100

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Celebrating Gwendolyn Brooks on World Book Day

My humble recommendation for many this #WorldBookDay in #WomensHistory Month is to spend some time with the great lifelong Chicagoan American poet Gwendolyn Brooks. #gwendolynbrooks #women #blackwomen #blackamerica #books #literature

My humble recommendation for many this World Book Day in Women’s History Month is to spend some time with the great lifelong Chicagoan American poet Gwendolyn Brooks. She was the very first real famous writer (the gods!) I helped organize a special event for. My ad hoc University of Chicago “sorority” for women of color on campus was blessed enough to get Ms. Brooks as the first guest speaker we…

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Justice for Jelani Day

For a young black man in central Illinois plains to just go missing from his university didn't even make sense and almost didn't make any national noise. His mother changed that. #JelaniDay #JusticeForJelaniDay #CarmenBoldenDay #BlackLivesMatter #BLM

“Jelani was supposed to be somebody great physically in this life. And he was. When I think about everything my son has accomplished and done in his 25 years of life… He did a lot. And I’m grateful that even in his absence, he’s gonna do more.” -Carmen Bolden-Day I am happy for the mother and family of Jelani Day for receiving some future-changing outcome for his death. The last time the…

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My Favorite Nonfiction of 2021

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My Favorite 2021 Fiction

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