Lisa Williamson - better known as Sister Souljah - formerly introduced Chi readers to the main character in her latest book - Midnight: A Gangster Love Story. (Atria Books, 2008)
Initially garnering a minor role in The Coldest Winter Ever, Midnight is pulled from the perimeter of that story to provide readers insight to the life of a young Sudanese boy fighting to stay true to himself, to his beliefs and to his history despite current circumstances in which he finds himself in America.
“While touring over the years with The Coldest Winter Ever, people always wanted to know more about Midnight,” said Souljah. “Although he wasn’t a main character, people were in love with the mystery that surrounded him.”
Although Souljah’s latest novel follows the teenaged Midnight, the next edition will definitely provide expectant readers with the grown and sexy man last seen in Coldest Winter.
When asked why the long wait between Coldest Winter and Midnight, Souljah explained that while Midnight is not a direct follow up, she realized it was time to tell his story. “I started writing Porsche Santiaga’s story first, but due to changes in society, I felt other issues were more important,” she said. “Midnight allowed me to create a story with a global perspective.” Porsche Santiaga is scheduled for release in 2010.
Still a woman on the move, within the past 10 years between books, Souljah continued to tour college campuses, oversee Daddy’s House Social Programs, the non-profit charitable wing of Bad Boy Entertainment (until 2007), and raise her son (now 15) with her husband of 19 years.
Through it all, she has remained a voice for the hip-hop generation, shining light on pertinent issues.
“I believe that it is important for our community to engage in a meaningful dialogue. That dialogue leads to a better place than where we started.” she said.
Getting to know Midnight will certainly open dialogue and prove a powerful lesson for men and women yearning to learn more about who’s in their world. It will also force readers to think globally and to ask questions that go beyond a mere Black and White perspective.