The Man Curse Virtual Book Reading

DATE: December 17, 2020

TIME: 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM

COST: free

VENUE: Online/Virtual

ADDRESS:

Join Her Agenda as we host Raqiyah Mays for a virtual book reading of the critically acclaimed novel THE MAN CURSE on December 17th at 5:30PM ET.

The Man Curse is back in paperback as a second edition self-published by author Raqiyah Mays. In a social media post this September on Facebook and Instagram Mays announced the book’s rerelease and detailed the journey to win back her rights. “I walked away with my integrity and ownership,” said Mays, a screenwriter, executive producer, and host of the podcast Real Black News. She previously reported on social issues, hip-hop, film, and TV for The Associated Press and publications such as VIBE, Ebony, Essence, Billboard, and more. “2020. The middle of a plague. What better time to rerelease my novel on my own terms, my own company, and a better cover. At a moment when people are leaning into supporting Black authors, Black companies, and have way more time on their hands to flip through 258 cream-colored pages to read a juicy story with a happy ending and glowing reviews touting inspiration that happens to center a Black woman.”

Embraced by media and celebrities alike, THE MAN CURSE explores the themes of generational curses and family cycles told through the eyes of 20-something Meena Butler. Her life is nearly in order, with one exception: the family curse. Raised to believe an age-old hex holds her back from landing the love of a lifetime, a journey toward emotional healing forces Meena to face the truth and question if she really does have the Man Curse. Or is it all in her head?

“This is not a romance novel. This is not a Christian book or anything about the Bible. It’s definitely not for prudes. And it’s also not a story with a sad ending like so many narratives centering Black women and Black lives overall. It’s important to point this out,” says Mays. “This is a tale where the protagonist and other female characters find themselves and their own happily ever after – with or without a man. It is possible, despite what society tells us.”

Mays turned THE MAN CURSE into an empowerment workshop in 2015. Partnering with the Urban Resource Institute (URI), an NYC-based non-profit dedicated to sheltering families, women, and child survivors of domestic violence – the workshop was presented in shelters across NYC. It was also given to Black teen-focused girls groups in Newark, New Jersey.