* Best Book Awards Winner by American Book Fest * * Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards Honorable Mention * Abandoned by her hustling father, raised by her devoted mother, then battered by the winds of loss, heartbreak, and sexual assault, awarded Diversity & Inclusion Leader, speaker, poet and author Nikki Murphy provides a sobering portrayal of both the jubilance and hardening of girls emanating from the ghettos, and celebrates their resolve to build free and whole lives in this riveting memoir-in-verse. In her debut poetry collection, Murphy invites readers to witness her hard-fought journey to find healing, love, and gratitude. No matter where you are in weathering the storms of trauma, you will be reminded you are built to withstand. Reviews "This is brilliant and beautiful and touching all the parts of my heart that I reserve for the magic of black girlhood. I know I will be thinking about many of these poems for years to come. I love that this is both a celebration of black girlhood and a testimony to their vulnerability. I feel seen." - Asha L. French, Ph.D "It's an honor to read her story. This book is a salute to poetry and the call for its return. Well done Nikki Murphy, well done." - Jeannine K. Brown, Author of Ignite! Your Best Year Ever: Six Strategies to Achieve More and Exceed Your Potential