Comments on: Just Us Books: Celebrating a 20-Year Legacy

By: Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:54:37 +0000

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Paula, it is disappointing that some of the same disparities in publishing exist. But it’s encouraging that folks like the Hudsons and others have made it their mission to turn things around.

Michelle, thank you for celebrating the work of black illustrators.

Gbemi, you’re right: We need to support our independent publishers. They’ve paved the way for so many.

By: olugbemisola

olugbemisola — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:39:04 +0000

“It takes personal perseverance but it also takes banding together and supporting our independent institutions such as Just Us Books, Third World Press, Africa World Press, Black Classic Press and also the retail and specialty outlets that sell our books.” So true! Thank God for Just Us books.
I saw Cheryl Hudson speak years ago, and she was such an inspiration. Thanks for the great interview!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:49:06 +0000

Congratulations to Cheryl and Wade Hudson; 20 years in the publishing business is indeed an outstanding achievement.

Having been in the business on the textbook design side, in the late 70′s I know very well what they referred to; as the only African American woman in the art department of a major New England company, I was told no one know how to find Black artists available to illustrate our books. I made it my mission to find them. Throughout my career, which spanned the 80′s and the early 90′s, I was able to give many Black artists their first exposure to textbook illustration assignments, and was also able to educate my white counterparts on illustration issues such as hairstyles, skin tone, etc. It was definitely an interesting time to be in the publishing business.

I applaud Wade and Cheryl for having the intestinal fortitude to stick it out for the benefit of our children.

By: Paula

Paula — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:49:57 +0000

Great interview, Kelly. The Hudsons are inspiring.

It’s interesting (and a little disappointing) that some of the reasons that prompted them to launch Just Us still exist in publishing. Specifically, the constant quest to convince the powers that be that various images of African Americans is a must, not a privilege we have to earn or a marketing analysis we must prove.

That aside, writers (aspring and veterans) are lucky to have Just Us as a publishing resource.