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Charlamagne Tha God’s Literary Journey: Empowering Voices Through Black Privilege Publishing

Charlamagne Tha God has cultivated a lifelong passion for literature that dates back to his childhood experiences. Reflecting on the origins of his publishing imprint, Black Privilege Publishing, he credits his early interactions with books, notably through Pizza Hut’s Book It program, which rewarded reading with free pizza. Influenced by his mother, who worked as an English teacher, Charlamagne was encouraged to explore a diverse range of literature, from classic authors like Judy Blume to unconventional themes involving UFOs and mythical creatures. He recalls, “She’d tell me to read things that don’t pertain to me,” which solidified his identity as a dedicated reader.

This love for reading ignited his desire to narrate stories, fueled in part by local folklore. Hailing from South Carolina, he was inspired by tales such as that of the Lizard Man, creatively imagining this figure as an outsider yearning for acceptance among peers. “I wrote that in high school—I actually probably should go back to it,” he says, chuckling. This foray into storytelling paved the way for Charlamagne’s successful writing career, culminating in bestselling releases like Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It in 2017 and Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me in 2018.

While working on his third publication, Get Honest or Die Trying: Why Small Talk Sucks, which debuted the previous spring, Charlamagne began to envision larger aspirations. He expressed a desire for ownership in the publishing realm, noting, “You could be someone that says, ‘Hey yeah, I’ll take the big check,’ or you could be someone that says, ‘You know what, give me a modest check but how about an imprint?’” This ambition materialized with the birth of Black Privilege Publishing, formally launched in 2020 in partnership with Simon & Schuster’s Atria Books.

The imprint’s formation resonates deeply with Charlamagne’s own heritage. “Being from South Carolina, a place where the first anti-literacy laws were created, where you could get punished for teaching an enslaved person to read,” he reflects. “To have your own book where I’m empowering Black people to tell their stories, especially now when we live in a time where they’re trying to erase us from American history, I think it’s imperative now more than ever before to help the Black community tell their stories.”

Black Privilege Publishing made its inaugural splash in 2021 with the release of two significant titles: State of Emergency: How We Win the Country We Built by civil rights leader Tamika D. Mallory and Shallow Waters by Anita Kopacz, a reimagining of the Yoruba sea goddess Yemaya in a 19th-century American context.

Since its inception, the imprint has expanded its library with titles such as Doug Melville’s Invisible Generals: Rediscovering Family Legacy, and a Quest to Honor America’s First Black Generals, Alice Randall’s My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future, and All the Smoke: All the Stars, All the Stories, No Apologies, which showcases the popular sports podcast by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.

As Black Privilege Publishing approaches its fifth anniversary, the initial authors are set to headline its upcoming 2025 catalog, including Mallory’s forthcoming memoir, I Lived to Tell the Story: A Memoir of Love, Legacy, and Resilience, and Kopacz’s novel The Wind on Her Tongue. Other anticipated titles include Cheryl McKissack Daniel’s The Black Family Who Built America: The McKissacks, Two Centuries of Daring Pioneers, detailing the heritage of a pioneering Black family in design and construction, and No Holes Barred: A Dual Manifesto of Sexual Exploration and Power, exploring kink culture through the lens of podcast hosts Mandii B and WeezyWTF.

Looking ahead, Charlamagne envisions a promising future for the imprint, stating, “The future is similar to what I’m doing now. I want to see more Black people telling stories that they may not be used to us telling, like science fiction, supernatural thriller, horror.” This commitment to inclusivity includes plans for a graphic novel line, beginning with Kevin Grevioux’s Darkstorm, and a focus on voices from the realms of radio and podcasting, reflecting Charlamagne’s rich history on the airwaves.

“There’s nothing like having something that you can actually take home in the form of a book. I just really love being in a position to help people,” Charlamagne expresses. “You know, help them tell their stories.”

Source
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