By Dendy Media
Today we’d like to introduce you to Kameisha Jerae Hodge.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Back in 2019 I was reading a Publishers Weekly report about how less than 5% of the publishing industry was Black. That was outrageous to me—especially as someone who had truly aspired to be part of the industry since I was about 14 or 15 years old. So I did what needed to be done; in April 2019, I created a publishing company that unapologetically amplified and underscored Black women writers.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
It has been incredibly challenging to balance ten years of traditional training, literary expertise, and executing a profitable and accessible service-based business. On one hand, it was difficult for me as someone who wants to build a six, seven, eight figure business and having to figure it out along the way by sifting through resources. Some were trash and others were diamonds. That’s how I met my mentors Cici Gunn, King Ashley Ann, and Bria Hash. On the other hand, because of my limited mindset with finances and my earning potential, I held myself back by lowballing myself with pricing. I had to really dig deep within myself to figure out why I wouldn’t allow myself to live the life I deserved by charging the prices that I knew I deserved.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I’m not the type of person who throws other companies under the bus to up myself, so I will say this: Sovereign Noir Publications is a Black woman-owned business that supports Black women writers worldwide by providing high-quality publishing opportunities.
Under the tutelage of my mentor Yolonda D. Coleman, I was selling and marketing books before I entered college. I was featured on NPR, WAMU, and MTV Think! because of my writing abilities. I have a BA in English and Africana Studies, an MA in English and Creative Writing, and a Certification in Publishing. I’ve been doing this since about 2004.
Most publishers are, unfortunately, unconcerned with developing authors holistically—they just want to get the publication out the door and move onto the next. That’s not how I operate. I teach my clients how to monetize their books while building their brands. I teach sales strategies and marketing tactics. I ask them the questions needed to get their mind from short-term to long-term success… and I do this all while making sure that my clients are treated with transparency, honesty, and respect.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Finding success starts with understanding how your concept of success came to be. Is it coming from a place of survival? A place of resentment? A place of love or yearning for peace? That’s where you start. Ask yourself what success means to you, why it means that, what you’re willing to sacrifice to get that, why you’re willing to risk those things to get it, and what drives you to continue to strive for it. Success is relative, but it is shaped by our worldview and experiences. My advice is to dig deep within yourself to discover yourself. Your values. Your limitations. Your potential. The beginning and ending of everything starts with a mindset shift.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success to me is very simple—being able to live a life of abundance (not excess), liberation (not freedom), happiness, health, and wellness without harming others. That’s what success means to me.
What’s next for you?
I’m always looking to improve Black women’s support in publishing and wellness, so as I continue to refine Sovereign Noir, I will also continue working on a project called Mid Afternoon Thoughts. It’s a self care, wellness, mental health project for Black people and other people of color.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more.
I’m very easy to connect with. You can find me on LinkedIn, Clubhouse, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @KJeraeHodge.