Writing and editing "Soul Stories"

Soul Stories: Wisdom and Leadership Strategies for Flourishing African American Women is a collaboration among 11 leaders in ministry within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Dr. Charisse L.  Gillett, the book's editor, guided the book to publication and reflects on her work with the women and creative process.

Do you have a moment when you realized “this needs to be a book?” I realized Soul Stories needed to be written while in a Zoom meeting with the authors, as I listened to each of them share life-changing experiences that shaped them. These experiences made them pause, gather themselves, and keep moving. I felt then—and believe more deeply today, since the publication of the book—that our first-person narratives can speak into empty space and bring hope.

What is your writing and editing process? I write both in isolation and in community. When trying to meet a deadline, I write and work best in community. I have found The Writing Table with Eileen Campbell Reed most helpful.   I write in small chunks of time once a week for 60 to 90 minutes, then I stop and return to the document later. When I write like this, I have words on the page, and that motivates me to keep going.

What’s one of your favorite passages from the book? I have many favorite passages from the book, but my favorite section in every chapter is the Wisdom for the Next Generation section. I believe faith leaders and executive leaders must make a deposit in the future—a deposit that can be nurtured and cultivated for the good of all. The wisdom sections in the book are our deposits. They are our declaration that we believe in a God who calls, sustains us and allows good to bloom in the world.

If you could share this book with one person — past, present, or future — who would that be? Soul Stories names 106 African American women trailblazers in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in its last chapter. These women are from all walks of life; some are no longer with us, and others did not see themselves as trailblazers. The absolute joy I had was talking with someone about the book, then turning to the chapter of trailblazers and pointing out that person’s name or the name of their family member. To be seen and to have one’s accomplishments recognized is a powerful thing. The Encyclopedic Listing of African American Women Trailblazers in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a gem in the book.  I hope to develop a similar Encyclopedic Listing of African American Trailblazers in the Christian Church more broadly so look for that in a few years.

What’s your proudest achievement? My proudest achievement is that I have made my parents and family proud. My parents had seven children, all of whom received education and training after high school. My mom and dad worked two jobs to provide for all of us and stressed education, hard work, and faith. My parents went back to school to receive undergraduate and graduate degrees. They modeled for me how to live in this world and never give up. I am most proud of honoring their investment in me and their prayers for my dreams. 

What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self? I had the chance to revisit my teenage self in my memoir That Little Girl Memoirs, Challenges and Reflections on Black Girl Dreams and I told that little girl give your life a chance.