Being a teenager and trying to understand who you are and what you stand for is hard. Period.  But if you’re a Black girl and don’t always see yourself represented in the books you read, the films you watch, the adverts you see or the history you’re taught, it can be even tougher.

Grown is the ultimate guide to navigating life as a teenage Black girl in the UK, from understanding your identity, the politics of hair, dealing with microaggressions, issues of consent and figuring out career paths.

Natalie and Melissa share stories – the wins and the Ls – and offer honest, practical advice that will show readers how to own their choices. To live their truth without fear. To be grown on their own terms without limits or apologies. With a foreword from the inimitable Spice Girl Melanie Brown and contributions from inspirational Black Women such as Diane Abbott MP, Dorothy Koomson and Candice Carty-Williams and gorgeous illustrations from Dorcas Magbadelo, Grown is a celebration of Black British girlhood that will empower readers to live their very best life.

“We want Grown to lead innovative change ensuring  that Black girls and womxn feel catered to and seen”

Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter authors of Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up

Best friends Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter met at secondary school in North-East London and bonded over their shared love of books. Years later, Melissa, now a business development manager, and Natalie, a real estate lawyer, decided to channel that passion for reading and form the Black Girls’ Book Club in 2016, a literature and social events platform that celebrates Black female writers, such as Gabourey Sidibe, Afua Hirsch and June Sarpong.

With everything they do, they intend to ensure that Black Women have a seat at the table, Melissa and Natalie began to reflect on their own experiences growing up.  One thing that became clear was the lack of media content in the UK created specifically for Black girls. Like the women who attended their events, young Black girls needed something that centred them, something that showed them they were seen. And so, Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up was born.

On the acquisition, Isobel Doster, Senior Editor for Children’s Non-fiction at Bloomsbury, said: “Receiving Natalie and Melissa’s unique, honest and motivating proposal inspired us to raise our game – we’re so excited to partner with them to change the story in non-fiction for young adults, with books by inspirational Black women for young Black women. Natalie and Melissa’s fearless ambition is utterly infectious – we can’t wait to amplify their voices, so that young Black girls across the country feel safe, supported and galvanised to chase their own dreams.”

Dorcas Magbadelo – an illustrator, product designer and independent business owner. In her art Dorcas endeavours to represent the complexity of Black female identity. Her commissions range from editorial to stationary to greetings  cards. In 2019, she designed the branding for the Black Girls’ Book Club. Grown is her first illustrated book.

Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up will be published 30 September 2021 by Bloomsbury Books