Equity & Inclusion training, Life Coaching & Counseling
Where to find Dear White Woman, Please Come Home
Advance Praise
Williams reckons with our divided times and beckons the way to a more united future. A compelling read for white and Black women alike. Julie Lythcott-Haims, speaker, activist, New York Times bestselling author
Not willing to give up hope for our collective liberation, Williams offers a guiding light as she calls white women home. May we find our way! Robin DiAngelo, PhD. Author of White Fragility and Nice Racism
A beautiful and generous invitation…a much-needed book for all white women to read and reflect on how we can more authentically be in loving relationships with our sisters of color and reclaim our own joy when we come home. Ilsa Marie Govan and Tilman Smith, Co-Authors of What’s Up with White Women: Unpacking Sexism and White Privilege in Pursuit of Racial Justice
I’ve read at least a dozen books that explain implicit bias and microaggressions, but Kim’s clear, simple letters to the white woman she wants back in her life make these concepts crystal clear and undeniable. This is a work of pure artistry and a catalyst for real connection. Valerie Alexander, speaker, Author of How Women Can Succeed in the Workplace (Despite Having "Female Brains")
Williams aptly describes the daunting experience to be Black and wanting to be accepted when acceptance means you have to be white. I am in awe of her stepping out and telling us we are “trapped so deep in our insulated identity lens” that we fail to look up to see for one second that we are Sistas. Thank you Kimberlee! Varetta Mayes, Leadership, The Flourish Collective
I have read many books about race and reconciliation, but this style of writing personal letters helped me better understand an individual’s pain and longing. As much as this book helps me understand Blackness, it also helps me come face-to-face with my whiteness. This is a book I’ll be handing out often! Emily Nelson, Executive Director, The Flourish Collective
Dear White Woman, Please Come Home
Book description
Psst. Hey, sis. Yes, you, white woman. Don’t turn away ‘cause you saw the word white! Keep reading! I’m calling on you and counting on you, white woman, in a way that no one ever has. Please don’t let me and your other Black and brown sisters down. I know we’ve never gotten this relationship off the ground in a sustainable way, but I still believe in it. Can I trust you to come through for me? For us? For our sisterhood? Do you understand what keeps us apart? ‘Cause I need you to know. If you’re reading this, you’ve taken the first step to renewing our sisterhood. This book is an attempt to call you “back home.” In 40 letters to a fictional “missing” white sister, I’ll lay out how you and your white sisters signal to me and my sistas of color to proceed with caution when in your presence. Kind of the way some men may make you feel sometimes. I hope you’ll feel the mix of confusion, rage, and longing the search ignites in me. I also hope you’ll appreciate learning the simple sisterly behaviors that let me know you’re open to coming home. Consider this my prescription for the historical ailment that continues to divide us.
And, finally, to my Black and brown sistas all over the world, I know that I am unable to speak for all of you and that you may even disagree with the very premise of this book, but may your hearts sing songs of relief and resonance as you read this. May you feel as seen, heard, and valued as all of you have made me feel every single goddamned day.
Love you sis, Kimberlee Yolanda Williams
Who is this book written for?
A white woman who is already doing “her work.” She needs no convincing; she is already involved in Belonging/DEI/Social Justice movements. Yet, she wonders why it continues to be so much easier to make white friends. She longs to be closer to women of color but doesn’t know how and is terrified of saying or doing something “wrong.” She is willing to admit she needs help. She just needs a push to get to the next level of her personal and interpersonal work. She’s an ally who wants to move to co-conspirator skill level. She’s ready to hear the truth no matter how uncomfortable, and jump in the fire with her sisters of color, today. She is ready to take action!
The woman of color who is at the end of her rope questioning her own sanity instead of questioning the white woman's behavior. She's exhausted. She wonders if her experiences are even real. She thinks they are related to race and racism, but is unsure how. She has not begun to process healing from these interactions because she buries them and carries them with her all day every day. This book is an invitation to set that load down and to begin to heal through validation and some good ole truth tellin'. May she feel seen, valued, and heard as she reads this book. And, more importantly, may she feel held.
Why would she pick up my book?
My target reader is feeling bruised and confused. Why have women of color never invited her into a close relationship, the kind she sees them having with other women of color - a sisterhood vibe she can feel. She wonders if her friendship is even wanted, and if so what the steps to building an authentic friendship even looks like. She needs insights and advice to guide her when it comes to her relationships with women of color. She sees the cover, front and back, and thinks, OMG, this is the book I’ve been looking for!
