Episode 307: Fabienne Josaphat's Historical Novel Explores Black Panthers

Hopeton Hay Podcasts

Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Fabienne Josaphat, author of Kingdom of No Tomorrow. Kingdom of No Tomorrow is a historical novel that delves into a the Black Panther Party from 1968 to 1969 through the perspective of protagonist Nettie Boileau. She volunteers at the Black Panthers' Free Health Clinics in Oakland and develops a romantic relationship with Melvin Mosley, a defense captain in the Black Panther Party. Their move to Chicago to assist in founding the Illinois chapter exposes them to J. Edgar Hoover's secret operations against civil rights activists.
In the interview, a discusses her journey in writing her second novel, her trepidation in tackling such a sensitive subject, and the importance of accuracy and dignity in portraying the Black Panthers. The novel blends historical events with fictional characters, emphasizing the Black Panthers' community programs and the internal conflicts within the movement.
Fabienne Josaphat was born and raised in Haiti, and graduated with an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida International University. Her first novel, Dancing in the Baron’s Shadow, published with Unnamed Press, Edwidge Danticat said, “Filled with life, suspense, and humor, this powerful first novel is an irresistible read about the nature of good and evil, terror and injustice, and ultimately triumph and love.” In addition to fiction, Josaphat writes non-fiction and poetry, as well as screenplays. Her work has been featured in The African American Review, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, The Master’s Review, Grist Journal, Damselfly, Hinchas de Poesia, Off the Coast Journal and The Caribbean Writer. Her poems have been anthologized in Eight Miami Poets, a Jai-Alai Books publication. Fabienne Josaphat lives in South Florida.
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