Picture a New York-raised storyteller who’s shaking up the world of Black feminism with sharp prose and unflinching honesty—meet Evette Dionne! A cultural critic, journalist, and author, Dionne has carved a space for herself as a powerful voice, illuminating the overlooked histories of Black women and challenging societal norms around race, gender, and body image. Her books, like the award-winning Lifting As We Climb and the deeply personal Weightless, are both a call to action and a celebration of resilience.
With a knack for blending pop culture analysis with Black feminist thought, Dionne’s work resonates with readers who crave stories that don’t shy away from hard truths. Let’s dive into her journey, from a book-loving kid to a National Book Award-nominated author who’s redefining cultural criticism.
The Making of Evette Dionne
Raised in New York, Evette Dionne grew up with a voracious appetite for books, planting the seeds for her future as a writer. She initially attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore before transferring to Bennett College, an HBCU, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2012. Her academic journey didn’t stop there—she later snagged a master’s degree in media management and women, gender, and sexuality studies from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. These experiences shaped her lens as a Black feminist scholar, grounding her work in intersectionality and social justice.
Dionne’s career kicked off with roles as a senior news editor at The Revelist and Clutch Magazine, but it was her rise to editor-in-chief of Bitch Media from 2018 to 2021 that put her on the map. Her editorial work amplified marginalized voices, setting the stage for her own books to shine.
Evette Dionne’s Unforgettable Stories
Dionne’s writing is a vibrant mix of historical rigor, personal reflection, and cultural critique, often centering Black women’s experiences. Her debut, Lifting As We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box (2020), is a middle-grade nonfiction gem that unearths the contributions of Black suffragists like Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell. Inspired by the 2016 election, Dionne wrote it to counter the whitewashed narrative of the suffrage movement. The book earned a National Book Award nomination and a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, with critics praising its lively, accessible storytelling.
In 2022, Dionne bared her soul in Weightless: Making Space for My Resilient Body and Soul, a memoir-essay collection tackling fatphobia, particularly for Black women. From her heart failure diagnosis at 29 to her battles with medical bias, Dionne’s candid prose exposes systemic prejudice while championing fat acceptance. Critics at Vogue and Essence lauded its nuance and urgency, calling it a beacon for body liberation.
Her style—sharp, conversational, and deeply researched—makes complex issues feel relatable. Whether she’s dissecting pop culture for The New York Times or penning essays for Harper’s Bazaar, Dionne’s work sparks dialogue and demands change.
Why Evette Dionne Matters
Evette Dionne’s impact lies in her ability to amplify erased voices and challenge entrenched biases. Through Lifting As We Climb, she’s educated a new generation about Black women’s pivotal role in democracy, while Weightless has galvanized the fat liberation movement. Her work as a cultural critic, now as executive editor at YES! Magazine, continues to shape conversations around race, gender, and size, inspiring readers to question societal norms and embrace their resilience.
Beyond her books, Dionne’s lectures at places like Brown University and her podcast appearances on shows like Popaganda cement her as a thought leader. She’s proof that storytelling can be a tool for justice, making her a vital figure in contemporary Black feminism.
- Born: Raised in New York
- Key Works: Lifting As We Climb (2020), Weightless (2022)
- Awards: National Book Award nominee, Coretta Scott King Author Honor
- Fun Fact: She’s a Beyoncé fan, likely blasting ‘Break My Soul’ while writing!
Snag Weightless or Lifting As We Climb and dive into Evette Dionne’s bold, transformative world of Black feminist storytelling!