On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, Leanora Benjamin discusses her debut novel, Be Quiet Little Black Girl; a deeply personal and poetic reflection of a black girl journey through silence, trauma, healing, and empowerment.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Leanora Benjamin about her life and career, the experiences that inspired her to write her book, Be Quiet Little Black Girl, and her creative writing process.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I’m Leanora Benjamin — a storyteller, truth-teller, and woman of purpose. I am the author of Be Quiet Little Black Girl, a deeply personal and poetic reflection of a black girl journey through silence, trauma, healing, and empowerment. A voice that was once buried under the weight of expectations, generational wounds, and unspoken pain – I write and speak boldly so other women, especially Black women, can reclaim their voices too.
Beyond writing, I’m also the founder of Awesomethoughts, a platform for spiritual and inspirational expressions, and a woman who believes in rising even when life tries to silence you. I write not just to be heard, but to heal — myself and others.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I knew I wanted to write when I was 7 years old, in elementary school in Brooklyn, NY. I was inspired by a children’s author named Linda Michelle Baron. I picked up one of her books at a school book sale—purchased with my mother’s last few dollars. That book changed something in me. From that moment on, I started making up stories—some lived in my head, others I told out loud, and many I wrote down on paper.
The desire to write never left me. It’s part of who I am. I still have so many stories inside of me, waiting to be told. The desire lived quietly inside me, tucked between my experiences and unspoken thoughts. I’ve always felt deeply, observed closely, and carried stories in my heart. But I didn’t think my voice mattered enough to be written down. Life kept happening, and I kept pushing the dream to the side.
It wasn’t until life slowed down and I was forced to face myself that the desire became a decision. That’s when I realized: this story had been waiting on me to believe in it. And with a publishing team like Spines, who helped bring Be Quiet, Little Black Girl to life, I’m excited and expectant for what’s next. This is only the beginning.
When did you take a step to start writing?
I took the first real step to start writing Be Quiet, Little Black Girl in 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. Life had slowed down, and I was sitting in stillness—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. One day, I was having a conversation with a longtime friend, and he reminded me of the gift inside of me. He spoke life into places I had buried beneath pain, disappointment, and silence. He told me it was time to break free from the emotional and mental prison I had locked myself in—built from years of trying to live up to what I thought my life should be.
That conversation unlocked something in me. It gave me the courage to pick up the pen—not to impress anyone, but to free myself. That was the moment I stopped surviving and started writing.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
It took me three years to complete Be Quiet, Little Black Girl from the first idea to its release. The journey wasn’t just about writing—it was about healing. I started during the onset of COVID, when the world was forced to sit down with itself. Some people sat with others, but I was one who had to sit alone—and in that solitude, I had to face myself. The silence of the world mirrored the silence I had been carrying for years.
There were long pauses, emotional breakthroughs, and seasons where I couldn’t write at all. But every time I returned to the page, I came back a little braver, a little freer. It wasn’t a rush to publish—it was a divine process. And when it was finally released, I knew it came out not just in God’s timing, but with God’s purpose.
What made you want to write Be Quiet Little Black Girl?
What made me want to write Be Quiet, Little Black Girl was the ache of silence. For too long, I carried stories I never told, emotions I never processed, and wounds I covered up just to keep going. I was taught to be strong, to endure, to stay quiet—but that silence started to feel like suffocation. I needed to speak, not just for myself, but for every woman who’s ever been silenced, dismissed, or told her voice was too loud, too emotional, too much.
Even though I spoke through a girl named Naima as the protagonist, I know her story echoes in every woman—from different perspectives, different pains, and different places. Naima gave me a way to tell the truth, and in doing so, she gave others permission to see themselves, too. Writing this book was a cry for healing, a release of years of pain, and a declaration that our voices deserve to be heard.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Be Quiet Little Black Girl?
One of my biggest challenges in writing Be Quiet Little Black Girl was facing the truth. It’s one thing to survive pain—it’s another to sit with it, relive it, and then put it on paper. There were times I had to stop writing mid-sentence because the emotions were just too heavy. I also battled with fear—wondering if this story was too much… too raw, too vulnerable, too revealing.
The process took three years, and during that time, life kept happening. But what pushed me through was knowing this wasn’t just for me—it was for the woman who needed to know she’s not alone. Once I surrendered the need for perfection and allowed healing to lead, the words flowed, and the weight started to lift.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
The protagonist of Be Quiet Little Black Girl was inspired by the little girl I used to be—the one who learned to shrink herself to survive. She was quiet, observant, strong, and yet deeply wounded. But she also carried resilience, brilliance, and a voice that refused to die. I wrote her from a place of remembrance and healing. She is me—but she’s also every Black woman who’s ever been silenced, overlooked, or underestimated.
To every reader who sees themselves in her—this is your permission to rise. You are not invisible. Your voice matters. Your story is sacred. And even if the world told you to be quiet, I want you to know: it’s your time to speak, to heal, and to live boldly.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
The antagonist in Be Quiet Little Black Girl wasn’t just one person—it was a combination of people, systems, and even parts of the Protagonist. I was inspired to write about the voices that told her she wasn’t enough, the environments that tried to shrink her, and the inner critic that echoed those lies. The antagonist was sometimes a family member, a toxic relationship, a workplace, or even her own silence. But instead of naming a villain, I exposed a pattern—and through that, she began to break it.
What is the inciting incident of Be Quiet Little Black Girl?
The inciting incident of Be Quiet Little Black Girl truly reveals itself in Chapter 9. That chapter captures the moment she (Naima) could no longer carry the weight of silence. Years of pain, betrayal, and abandonment had built up inside of her, and in Chapter 9, it all came pouring out. She was exhausted—from trying to be strong, from being misunderstood, from always showing up for others while no one showed up for me. That was the breaking point—but it was also the breakthrough. That moment birthed her voice, and from there, the book began to write itself through her healing.
What is the main conflict of Be Quiet Little Black Girl?
The main conflict of Be Quiet Little Black Girl is the internal and external struggle of the Protagonist finding her voice in a world that often told her to silence it. She had to confront trauma, generational patterns, and societal expectations that tried to define her. The real battle was with the little girl inside her-taught to shrink, to stay quiet, to be strong but not soft.
But the resolution came through healing, surrender, and faith. As I wrote, She found the courage to speak—first in whispers, then in truth, and eventually in power. While the journey is still unfolding, I no longer write from silence—I write from freedom. And every page became part of that breakthrough.
Did you plot Be Quiet Little Black Girl in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
In the beginning, I had a plot—but over the three years it took to complete the book, that outline evolved. Each time I sat down to write, the direction shifted. Eventually, I let go of control and allowed the Spirit of God to lead me. What started as a structured plan turned into a deeply personal and Spirit-led journey. I stopped forcing it and started flowing—and that’s when the real healing and truth showed up on the page.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Be Quiet Little Black Girl need?
Yes, I received editing support from my daughter Knyasia and her friend Dani, which I’m so grateful for. However, I was very intentional about preserving the authenticity of my voice and flow. They were instructed not to change the heart of my words—only to help refine the structure and catch any small errors. Be Quiet Little Black Girl is written in my true voice, and I wanted every line to feel raw, real, and unapologetically mine.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Write the truth—even if your voice shakes, because someone’s breakthrough is hidden in your honesty. Don’t wait to feel qualified—if God gave you the story, He’ll give you the strength to tell it. Write from the place where your pain met His promise, where your silence met His voice. That’s where the anointing flows. Your story is not just yours—it’s a seed for someone else’s healing.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Yes—I’m currently working on my next book, The Mary Within. It’s a deeply spiritual and empowering journey inspired by the life and calling of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Each chapter is named after a disciple and explores the inner strength, obedience, and divine purpose women carry. Just like Be Quiet Little Black Girl, this one comes from a place of faith, reflection, and bold truth. I’m excited to share more when the time is right.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Absolutely, I’m incredibly proud of this accomplishment. Be Quiet Little Black Girl is more than just a book—it’s a reflection of my voice, my healing, and my resilience. Every moment of doubt, every tear shed, and every word written was worth it. The effort stretched me, but it also freed me. Seeing how this story touches others, opens dialogue, and empowers women—especially Black women—to own their voices makes it all worth it. I wouldn’t trade the journey for anything.
Now that Be Quiet, Little Black Girl is alive I’m so grateful to Spines for walking with me on this journey. Working with my point of contact, Wardah, was truly a blessing—her guidance, encouragement, and professionalism made the process smooth and supportive. I felt seen, heard, and valued throughout.
I still have so many stories left to tell, and I’m looking forward to partnering with Spines again.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you: Facebook Leanora Benjamin
https://www.tiktok.com/@awesomethought?_t=ZT-8vzouKoMGvj&_r=1
https://www.instagram.com/awesomethoughts?igsh=ZjFueXpuemFrMndk&utm_source=qr
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This interview is filled with absolute AWESOMENESS from the beginning to the end.
Awe thank you so much for your support through out my life
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