The Risk It Takes to Bloom: On Life and Liberation

Raquel Willis, born in Augusta, Georgia, to Black Catholic parents, felt isolated and struggled to understand her gender identity. She found the LGBTQ community at the University of Georgia and explored her gender, but the death of her father forced her to examine her relationship with herself and those she loved. After graduation, she entered a career in journalism and became a prominent Black trans activist after coming out publicly. Willis' memoir recounts the possibility of transformation after tragedy and the importance of taking risks for collective liberation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: St Martin's Press

Raquel Willis, born in Augusta, Georgia, to Black Catholic parents, experienced a sense of isolation throughout her childhood, even within a loving and close-knit family. The lack of access to information about being queer and transgender left her feeling disconnected and misunderstood. It wasn't until she enrolled at the University of Georgia that she discovered the vibrant LGBTQ+ community, fell in love, and embarked on a journey of self-exploration regarding her gender identity. However, the untimely passing of her father compelled her to reevaluate her relationships with herself and those closest to her. These years of grief, miscommunication, and profound epiphanies became the fertile ground for her personal growth, nurturing her ability to blossom and thrive.

Upon graduating, Raquel pursued a career in journalism, coinciding with the burgeoning Movement for Black Lives, the mainstreaming of intersectional feminism, and the unprecedented visibility of the trans community. Initially concealing her identity as a newspaper reporter, Raquel's growing awareness of the alarming epidemic of violence targeting trans women of color and the heightened rates of suicide among trans teens fueled her desire to come out publicly. Through her active involvement in community organizing in Atlanta, Oakland, and New York, Raquel emerged as one of the most influential Black trans activists in history.

In her memoir, "The Risk It Takes to Bloom," Raquel Willis explores the transformative power of adversity and how complex moments can inspire us to embrace necessary risks and blossom toward collective liberation. Through her poignant storytelling, she sheds light on the resilience and determination of the human spirit in the face of hardship. Raquel's journey serves as a testament to the importance of embracing our true selves, advocating for justice, and working towards a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Weight: 300g
Dimension: 208 x 135 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250275684