Honoring Black Motherhood: Ed Taylor Talks His New Memoir ‘The Power of the River’
Author Ed Taylor recently sat down with host Trae Holiday on The Day With Trae to discuss his new book, The Power of the River. What began as a series of private stories for a friend in need evolved into a memoir that celebrates the resilience of community and the legacy of Black motherhood.
Taylor revealed that he never originally intended to write a book. The project was sparked by a dear friend who requested stories to read to her husband as he struggled with early-stage dementia. As Taylor shared these late-night reflections, his friend observed that the collection felt like "a love letter" to his mother.
"I was raised by single mothers plural. Motherhood was in a neighborhood... there are stories about being moved up the river by these folks who kept track of us,” he said.
This realization transformed the work into a tribute to Taylor’s mother and his sisters, one of whom recently passed away. The book’s cover features a 1950s photograph of his mother and sister in Japan, a moment of "grace, dignity, and joy" that Taylor uses to challenge historical stereotypes of Black single mothers.
"In some ways I've used this book to reveal some things... sometimes we have to encounter the truth... but sometimes we conceal our truths for the sake of our dignity,” the author said.
The title, The Power of the River, is a multi-layered metaphor for Taylor’s life and the broader Black experience. Taylor described the river as a force that can both conceal tracks and provide a clear sense of direction, referencing the historical guidance of figures like Harriet Tubman.
The author highlighted the role played by publisher Marcus Harrison Green of Hinton Publishing in bringing these stories to the public. After facing the daunting barriers common in the traditional publishing world, Taylor found an accessible platform in the Black-led Hinton Publishing to effectively share his story.
"The story is not so much about me, but it's about the power of stories in our community. And we all have them,” Taylor said.
The Power of the River is currently available through Hinton Publishing, Amazon, and local independent bookstores.
Catch “The Day With Trae” Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m. on all Converge streaming platforms.
Did you enjoy this blog post? Then consider donating to Converge and supporting our mission here.
