The Braid Blog

A literary billet-doux to the African world.

Hi! I’m Joy, a Louisiana-born, Nigerian-American writer who’s obsessed with literature, research, and the untold histories of Africa and the Black diaspora. The Braid Blog is where I weave it all together: memory, literature, culture, and the quiet power in our everyday lives. Think of this space as part archive, part altar–always an offering.

I’d love to connect! Feel free to visit my socials below or send me an email xo.

Tag: afro-latinx

  • Bailamos!: Exploring AfroLatinx Music

    ¡Vamos a bailar! Dive into the vibrant world of AfroLatinx music–from samba and rumba to salsa, merengue, mambo, cumbia, reggaeton, and Son Cubano. Discover how African, Spanish, and Indigenous traditions shaped each genre, fueling dance, storytelling, and rhythmic evolution that shaped Latin music history and continues to inspire dance floors worldwide.

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

    Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by diving into Elizabeth Acevedo’s The Poet X, a searing novel-in-verse that captures the Afro-Latinx experience with raw honesty. Xiomara’s voice shatters silence, reclaiming space for girls told they are too much and not enough—all at once. A must-read for identity, faith, and freedom.

  • Read, Rinse, Repeat: American Negra by Natasha S. Alford

    Natasha S. Alford, an acclaimed author and journalist of Puerto Rican and African American descent, explores her multiethnic identity in her memoir, “The American Negra.” Through her personal journey, she addresses the complexities of belonging and the challenges faced by Afro-Latinxs, advocating for greater recognition and acceptance of their diverse heritage.