For Us By Us!

Fam, this is an Authors Adaptations post. 

But I’m not just celebrating one Black woman author slaying the adaptation game right now…

I’m celebrating THREE!

What a magical time for books written by and centering Black women, yaw….

NATALIE BASZILE  — author of the novel, Queen Sugar that inspired the show of the same name — is heading to the TV screen again with an adaptation of her second novel, “Friends and Family.” Now entitled “Good People,” director, Gina Prince Bythewood is set to direct the potential pilot.

Marissa Jo Cerar (Black Cake) is writing the adaptation. GPB  and Mary J. Blige and Debra Martin Chase are attached to executive produce.  And Cerar, Baszile and Reggie Rock Bythewood are executive producing. 

TOMI ADEYEMI’S  “Children of Blood and Bone” has been making a splash, too. Gina Prince Bythewood directed the first installment of the trilogy. Pre-screenings are getting rave reviews and it is scheduled to be released in theaters and IMAX on January 15, 2027. 

Then there’s KENNEDY RYAN. Talk about having a moment! 

• Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions is developing a romantic drama on her short story, “Pawn,” under their first look deal with Universal Global TV.
• She’s adapting her romance novel, “Before I Let Go” for Peacock with the dream showrunner team, Attica Locke and Tembi Locke as showrunners. And Ryan and Malcolm D. Lee, who created the series together also co-wrote the pilot. 
• AND she’s developing her “Hoops” series as a drama series with Adrian Dukes (All American), Will Packer Media, Chris Paul’s Ohh Dip!!! Entertainment, and Tracey Baker-Simmons.

Fam, when I tell you how proud and happy this makes me!

Not only as an author-screenwriter-adapter.

Not only as a Black woman.

But as a book lover!

I’m over the moon that these stories For Us By Us are making it to screen.

We ALL need to celebrate and support them. 

Feel free to follow my lead. ✊🏽