Mama
A Queer Black Woman's Story of a Family Lost and Found
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Narrated by:
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Grace Porter
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By:
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Nikkya Hargrove
About this listen
In this searing and uplifting memoir, a young Black queer woman fresh out of college adopts her baby brother after their incarcerated mother dies, determined to create the kind of family she never had.
Growing up, Nikkya Hargrove’s mother was in and out of prison. Hargrove, one of the 5 million children dealing with the effects of an incarcerated parent, spent a good portion of her childhood in prison visiting rooms. After her baby brother was born, Hargrove decided to fight for custody–even though she had only just graduated college.
We see how she is subjected to preconceived notions that she, a Black, queer, young woman, cannot handle the responsibility. She shares about the shame she feels accepting food stamps, her family’s reaction to her coming out, and the joy she experiences when she meets the woman who will become her wife. Whether she’s clashing with her brother's biological father or battling for Jonathan’s education rights after he’s diagnosed with ADHD and autism, this is a woman who won’t give up.
Hargrove’s memoir picks up where Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy left off, exploring generational trauma and pulling back the curtain on family court and poverty in America. Moving and inspiring, Mama is an ode to motherhood and identity, to never giving up, and to finding strength in family and community.
©2024 Nikkya Hargrove (P)2024 Algonquin BooksCritic reviews
“A powerful and moving testament to love and redemption.”—Phuc Tran, author of Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In
“Mama is an evocative, unflinching, and ultimately triumphant tale of the burdens and bounty of familial love. Both brilliant and brave, Hargrove opens her heart on every page of this notable debut, and the result is transcendent.”—Mat Johnson, author of Invisible Things and Pym
“Mama is unforgettable: a compassionate, wise, observant, full-hearted, and beautifully crafted memoir of queer love and family that is destined to be beloved by many readers and will leave you cheering. Hargrove offers a deep and stirring view of the impacts of addiction and the criminal justice system on Black women, offering an account of hope, heartbreak, faith, courage, joy, and the comfort and care of extended and chosen families.”—Sonya Huber, author of Voice First: A Writer's Manifesto and Pain Woman Takes Your Keys
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What listeners say about Mama
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- Eric Jeuland
- 10-27-24
Smart powerful story of resilience.
Awesome story of resilience, love, and the reality of our country slowly waking up to the power and wisdom of queer black women.
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- Lynnette215
- 11-16-24
my review of Mama
I love the story Nikyya had hard upbringing her mom being a drug addict had a son Nikyya had to raise while her mom was in jail. she finally got her life together and Nikyya finally had the mom she wanted.Her financee's parents wouldnt accept her daughter being a lesbian at first but their daughter had the courage to tell them with her brother's help.she didn't know anything about raising a child when she and Nikyya had to raise him she didn't want to do it but she didn't want to give up on her n Nikyya's love. her fiancee accepted and grew to live Jonathan as her own and her parents accepted them together and they both were married and had a ceremony that brought both of the families together
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