In today’s world of widespread cultural communication, it is not uncommon to see informal terms like “queen,” “icon” or “girlboss” used to uplift a female audience. However, when asked to assign these terms to a subject, many think of older, outstanding women who have already made their marks. Hill’s own Rev. Khristi Adams challenges this outlook in her new book, “Unbossed: How Black Girls are Leading the Way,” which explores the fascinating stories of eight young, Black leaders who are changing the world. 

Adams’ “Unbossed” journey began during the racial justice movement of 2020, as thousands of marches occurred globally against police brutality and racial injustice. Adams remarked, ”I would watch these marches and social movements led by teenagers and then being led by teenage girls.” This notion of a young generation of females who are taking control over their nation’s culture set “Unbossed” underway. Over the course of the next few months, Adams reached out to many young leaders, asking them to share their stories, their values, and their power with the audience.

“The idea was to focus on girls that were leading in different areas, and there is a particular focus and emphasis on Gen Z,” Adams explained. The book highlights the accomplishments of these eight young, Black girls, each with a different focus. Furthermore, the book addresses the intersections between race and gender in accomplishment through recounting specific hardships each activist encountered during their career.

One such example is Amara, a first-generation Nigerian climate activist living in Maine. ”By nature of where she lives, she grew up with a real love for her environment. She has wanted to focus on that, but it’s almost been inevitable that the racial issues that she’s experienced have intersected with her climate justice activism,” Adams explained. 

“Unbossed” is not the first of Adams’s publications. In February 2020, Adams’s book “Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color” was released and grew to popularity over the summer. Unlike “Unbossed,” “Parable” takes a more theological theme, discussing the profound relationships between young women of color and God. “I had to think to myself, what impacted me, what has really stood out? They were so impactful too, because I wanted to tell their stories in a really profound way. So, knowing them, it was easy for me to go back and write their stories as the content really gave way to itself,” Adams expressed.

A similar notion can be asserted regarding “Unbossed.” When asked to comment about the messages, or what she would like the audience to take away, Adams said, ”For me, I think it’s important for one 15-year-old to see another 15-year-old doing significant work. To know that there are young, Black girls your age, and your generation doing the hard work, and you can too. You don’t have to wait; if you have an idea you can start now.” 

“Unbossed: How Black Girls are Leading the Way” will be released on March 8, which is National Women’s Day. These profound stories of young black activists will serve as an inspiration to young girls everywhere as they change the world “unbossed.”