Lola Akinmade Åkerström

"I often say there is a huge difference between loving a Black woman versus taking directions from her as your boss or CEO."

"Many personal experiences were sprinkled throughout the book."

"A lot of the feelings of isolation, lack of belonging, and exclusion Muna feels are real and raw for me."

"Brittany was the most challenging character for me because, as the author, we don’t share the same values, but she is completely valid."

"The trauma she had endured often manifested itself as quiet tears once she was locked in her room, staring at her graveyard of photos."

"Being different doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you or that you aren’t perfect as you are. It simply means getting special support so you can live your best life."

"She needed balance. Her own moon that would rise and fall with her, keeping her equilibrium, loving her unconditionally."

"We are in fact all perfectly different, and what makes us different needs to be fully celebrated within society."