MahoganyBooks is excited to welcome poet, author, and youth educator Candice Iloh to the Front Row to discuss her upcoming release, Every Body Looking. Her debut Young Adult novel speaks to the experience of many first-generation immigrants who navigate the struggle of carving their own identity while breaking free from traditional obligations. Candice is hosted by MahoganyBooks co-owner Ramunda Young for a candid discussion of identity, liberation, queerness, and self-acceptance. 

About the Book: When Ada leaves home for her freshman year at a Historically Black College, it’s the first time she’s ever been so far from her family—and the first time that she’s been able to make her own choices and to seek her place in this new world. As she stumbles deeper into the world of dance and explores her sexuality, she also begins to wrestle with her past—her mother’s struggle with addiction, her Nigerian father’s attempts to make a home for her. Ultimately, Ada discovers she needs to brush off the destiny others have chosen for her and claim full ownership of her body and her future.

About the Author: Candice Iloh is a first generation Nigerian-American writer, teaching artist, and youth educator. She is a graduate of Howard University and holds an MFA in writing from Lesley University. Her work has earned fellowships from Lambda Literary and VONA among many others. Her debut novel, Every Body Looking, was a finalist for the National Book Award and earned a Michael L. Printz honor.

About MahoganyBooks: Derrick and Ramunda Young are owners/founders of the award-winning MahoganyBooks in Washington, DC where they focus on books for, by and about people of the African Diaspora. The couple have been featured in Oprah Magazine, TIME Magazine, Essence, Washington Post Steve Harvey TV and Wall Street Journal among others.  Learn more at mahoganybooks.com.

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