“[A] richly dimensional portrait of a brightly blazing artist, thinker, and activist…Mining writings private and published, collecting memories, tracking the reverberations of Hansberry’s personality, words, and actions, and, at times, entering the narrative, Perry illuminates with arresting impact Hansberry’s thoughts, feelings, and revolutionary social consciousness…Perry’s ardent, expert, and redefining work of biographical discovery brings light, warmth, scope, and enlightening complexity to the spine-straightening story of a brilliant, courageous, seminal, and essential American writer.”—Booklist, Starred Review

“An intimate portrait of the artist as a black woman at the crossroads . . . Perry infuses the narrative with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm because she believes Hansberry has something to teach us in these ‘complicated times’…Throughout this animated and inspiring biography, Perry reminds us that the ‘battles Lorraine fought are still before us: exploitation of the poor, racism, neocolonialism, homophobia, and patriarchy.’”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Phenomenal. I didn’t know how hungry I was for this intimate portrait until now. It feels as though Ms. Hansberry has walked into my living room and sat down beside me.…The writing is whip-smart, yet lovely and clear-eyed. What gifts this book, Ms. Perry, and Lorraine Hansberry are to the world.”—Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award Winner for Brown Girl Dreaming

“This is one of those books you need to read…Lorraine Hansberry left us way too soon, and yet the gift of her presence, so briefly among us, is still felt in the art she left behind. But not only in the art, but in the life. A life at last made comprehensible by this loving, attentive, thoughtful book.”—Alice Walker

“Magnificently written and extremely well researched…Though Hansberry’s life was brief, her powerful work remains vital and urgently necessary. One can say the same of this phenomenal book, which hopefully will lead more readers to both Hansberry’s published and unpublished works.”—Edwidge Danticat, author of Brother, I’m Dying

“This powerful and profound book is the definitive treatment of a literary genius, political revolutionary, and spiritual radical—Lorraine Hansberry. Imani Perry takes us beyond the widespread misunderstandings of Hansberry’s complicated text into the zone of artistic greatness and moral courage—where Lorraine Hansberry belongs!”—Dr. Cornel West

Advertising: national print and online advertising campaign

Reader Buzz Campaign: ARC and finished copy giveaways through social media and Goodreads

Academic promotion History, African American Studies

Promotion during Black history month (Feb 2019) and Women's history month (March 2019)

Library Promotion: Black Caucus of the ALA, GLBT roundtable of the ALA

Promotion at Regional Trade Shows

Outreach to national and regional NPR shows

Book review attention in major newspapers

First serial excerpt placement in literary and culture magazines

Coverage in AfAm print and online media; attention in history, feminist, and LGBTQ media

Events in Chicago, D.C., Boston, NYC, Princeton, and Philadelphia