Jennifer Francis is an author, artist, and advocate whose debut children’s book, I Am Me, is transforming the way young girls—especially Black girls—see themselves. Rooted in affirmations and empowering definitions, her work celebrates identity, builds confidence, and sparks meaningful conversations in homes, schools, and communities. Through her creativity and advocacy, Jennifer has built not just a book, but a movement, with resources, curricula, and tools designed to affirm every child’s worth. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help children embrace their uniqueness, walk in confidence, and know they are enough, just as they are.
1. You had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
If I had to describe myself in three words, I would say: empowering, creative, and intentional. Empowering, because at the core of everything I do, I want to help others see their worth and walk in confidence. Creative, because I love finding new ways to communicate big ideas in simple, relatable ways, whether through words, visuals, or experiences. And intentional, because I believe every word I speak, every idea I create, and every message I share should matter and has the power to change a life. I do not want to just make noise; I want to make impact.
2. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what made you want to start writing? Was there a moment that made you think, “I want to write a book”?
If someone had told me I would one day be an author, I probably would have laughed and said, “No way.” Writing a book was never part of my original plan. But everything changed the day I read two separate articles on CNN.com, both about children no older than 10 who had died by suicide.
It stopped me in my tracks. At 8 years old, I remember wanting nothing more than to play outside with my friends. So, I asked myself, what is going on? Who is affirming these kids? Who is telling them they are loved, unique, and enough just as they are?
That moment shifted something in me. I started thinking about how powerful words are and how they shape identity, confidence, and hope. I wanted to create something that spoke life into children, especially those who might feel unseen or misunderstood. Something that said: It is okay to be different. It is okay to be smart, quirky, quiet, or bold. You were created with purpose.
That is how the seed for my book I Am Me was planted. I wanted to use affirmations, paired with empowering definitions, to help kids understand the beauty of being exactly who they are.
3. Do you have other writers in the family or among your friends?
I don’t have any other writers in my family or even among my close friends. In fact, stepping into the role of “author” felt like entering completely new territory. But I think that is part of what makes this journey so meaningful and exciting. It wasn’t something I inherited or expected. It came from a personal sense of purpose and a desire to fill a gap I saw in the world.
4. Are there any specific authors or books that have influenced your writing style?
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5. I Am Me is full of powerful affirmations like “I am beautiful” and “I am powerful.” What inspired you to write this book, and why did you choose the format of affirmations?
I chose affirmations because I believe words carry incredible power, especially when spoken aloud. They shape how we see ourselves and how we show up in the world. I wanted children to hear life-giving, identity-affirming words and start believing them from a young age.
Each spread in I Am Me features an affirmation on one side, such as “I am beautiful” or “I am brave,” and a simple, child-friendly definition on the other. That format was intentional. I wanted the book to do more than just encourage kids. I wanted it to help them understand why those words matter and what they really mean.
By pairing affirmations with definitions, the goal was to build not just self-esteem, but also vocabulary, emotional awareness, and a strong sense of identity, all in one place.
6. You describe I Am Me as a tool not just for children, but also for mothers, fathers, and educators. How have different groups responded to the message of the book?
The response has been greater than I ever expected. Many mothers who started reading the book with their daughters, nieces, or granddaughters ended up buying a second copy just for themselves. They have told me that the affirmations serve as daily reminders, often over coffee or tea, that these words still matter no matter your age. Several shared how they wished I Am Me had existed when they were growing up.
Fathers have shared that the book helped them connect more deeply with their daughters. Reading the affirmations together opened meaningful conversations and created special bonding moments.
Educators have embraced the book in powerful ways. Some have used it in classrooms, while others reached out asking if I could create a full curriculum, which I have. One major organization even commissioned a custom curriculum for their after-school program based entirely on I Am Me.
It has been amazing to see how one small book has resonated with so many different people. It is not just a children’s book. It is a tool for building connection, confidence, and conversation.
7. How do you hope this book will impact the way young Black girls see themselves, both today and in the long term?
My hope is that I Am Me becomes the gift that keeps on giving to young Black girls, not just for today, but for years to come. I want them to see themselves reflected in its pages and feel proud of who they are. I want them to embrace their uniqueness, their brilliance, and their beauty without apology.
I also hope the book helps build resilience by reminding them of their worth, even when the world tries to tell them otherwise. It is meant to be a quiet but powerful counter to the negative messages they may face, and a tool they can return to whenever they need to remember who they are.
As they grow older, I hope they carry those affirmations with them and pass them on to the next generation. Whether it is to a little sister, a cousin, a daughter, or a student, I want I Am Me to be part of a lasting legacy of self-love, confidence, and identity.
8. You’re not only an author but also an artist and entrepreneur. How do all these roles come together in the creation of I Am Me?
Being an author, artist, and entrepreneur all played a role in the creation of I Am Me. I’m naturally creative, and I see the world through both words and visuals. So when the idea for the book came to life, it wasn’t just about writing affirmations. It was about creating an experience that would speak to children through color, definition, design, and emotional connection. That is where the artist in me came in.
As an entrepreneur, I knew from the beginning that I Am Me had the potential to be more than a book. I approached it with the mindset of building a brand and a movement. That meant thinking about long-term impact and how the message could extend beyond the page into classrooms, homes, communities, and eventually into products and programs that support emotional development and self-worth in children.
All three roles work together. The author shares the message. The artist shapes how it is felt. The entrepreneur builds the structure to share it with the world. Creating I Am Me allowed me to bring every part of myself to the table, and that is what makes it so meaningful.
9. As someone who explores identity, race, and childhood development in your work, what role do you believe books like I Am Me play in shaping early self-esteem?
I believe words are powerful. They shape how we think, how we speak, and how we see ourselves. But these days, the true meaning of words can easily get lost in translation, especially for young children who are still developing their sense of identity.
That is why books like I Am Me matter. When you place affirming words, paired with clear, age-appropriate definitions, into the hands of a young girl, you are laying a foundation. You are not just telling her she is smart or brave. You are helping her understand what those words truly mean. That kind of understanding builds confidence from the inside out.
In those early years, when self-esteem is just beginning to form, books like I Am Me can serve as mirrors that reflect back strength, beauty, and value. That kind of foundation can last a lifetime.
10. How did your personal experiences as a Black woman influence the voice and message behind I Am Me?
My experience as a Black woman shaped every page of I Am Me. Growing up, I didn’t always see reflections of myself in books, and when I did, those reflections were often limited or one-dimensional. That absence, along with moments from my own childhood, stayed with me.
I remember being in third grade at a private school and asking my teacher a question. I said, “Can you do 2 minus 3?” Instead of seeing it as curiosity, she berated me in front of the class. I was so embarrassed. Looking back, that moment was a turning point. It planted seeds of self-doubt, and I became shy and introverted from that day on.
Now, as an adult, I often wonder how things might have been different if that teacher had taken a different approach. What if she had pulled me aside, asked why I asked the question, and gently explained that what I was thinking about was actually algebra? What if she had told me I would learn more about it later? That one conversation could have opened up a whole new world for me.
That is exactly why I created I Am Me. I want young Black girls to feel seen, heard, and understood. I want them to know that their curiosity is a strength, their questions matter, and their voices deserve to be nurtured. This book is my way of giving them the affirmation and encouragement I wish I had received, because those small moments can shape a lifetime.
11. For educators who want to incorporate this book into their classroom, how do you suggest they use it most effectively?
For educators, I Am Me can be more than just a read-aloud. It can become a meaningful part of the classroom culture and a unifying tool across grade levels. One powerful way to use it is through morning meetings, where teachers can work together to introduce a shared affirmation schoolwide or within their grade teams. Each day or week, a selected affirmation can be discussed in every classroom, creating consistency in language and values that students hear throughout the building.
During the class, the affirmation can be read aloud, followed by a brief conversation about what the word means and how students might live it out that day. Teachers can invite students to give examples, share personal experiences, or even draw or write about the affirmation in a morning journal. These small moments not only strengthen vocabulary and emotional literacy, but they also help students begin the day grounded in positivity and self-worth.
When used collectively by multiple teachers, I Am Me becomes more than just a tool. It transforms into a shared experience that builds community, fosters connection, and reinforces a culture of affirmation and belonging throughout the school.
12. Are there any activities, discussion guides, or school-friendly resources that accompany the book?
In my mission to get I Am Me into as many hands as possible, I’ve developed a range of school-friendly resources to support educators, caregivers, and community programs. These include engaging activities, discussion guides, and a full curriculum designed specifically for classroom use. One example is a mirror exercise where students look at themselves and repeat the day’s affirmation three times aloud. It is a simple yet powerful way to help children internalize positive words and connect them to their own identity.
Each tool is created to spark conversation, build confidence, and help children truly experience the affirmations rather than just read them. Whether in a classroom, after-school setting, or at home, these resources make I Am Me both impactful and easy to integrate.
13. Your website, www.I-Am-Me.org, hints at a broader movement. Can you tell us more about your vision beyond the book?
My vision has always been bigger than just the book. I see I Am Me as the foundation of a broader movement. The goal is to develop a full brand around it, one that empowers young Black girls to embrace who they are and feel confident in every space they enter.
That includes expanding into classroom tools, family resources, and possibly even apparel, workshops, and events. I want I Am Me to show up wherever a young girl is growing: at school, at home, and in her community, as a consistent voice of affirmation and encouragement.
The website is just the starting point. At the heart of the vision is building a platform that celebrates identity, uplifts confidence, and creates safe and empowering spaces for girls to be seen, heard, and inspired.
14. Do you plan to expand I Am Me into a series, or perhaps explore other themes or age groups in future books?
Yes, I plan to expand I Am Me. The response to the book has made it clear that there’s room and a real need to reach other age groups and audiences. I’d love to create versions that speak to older girls as they navigate new stages of identity and self-worth. I’m especially excited about developing a version specifically for boys. They need affirmations too, with words that help them understand their value, emotions, and potential.
I also have a dream of creating an I Am Me dictionary. It would define powerful words like “unique,” “resilient,” and “confident” in language children can truly understand.
So yes, I Am Me is just the beginning. The vision is to continue building tools that speak to children in meaningful, affirming, and lasting ways.
15. You wear many hats–artist, designer, crafter, and advocate. How do you balance those roles, and which one feels most natural to you?
I balance all the roles by reminding myself that I don’t have to do everything alone. It’s okay to delegate. What matters most is that the vision stays authentic. I’ve learned to be intentional with my time and energy, making space for each role when it’s needed, without losing the heart of the work.
The role that feels most natural to me is advocate. At my core, I believe I am my sister’s keeper, both young and old. Whether I’m writing, designing, or creating something new, it all comes back to advocacy. I use my voice, my creativity, and my platform to uplift and affirm others.
16. How has your cultural background and identity shaped your approach to art and storytelling?
My cultural background and identity are woven into everything I create, even when I am not consciously trying. Growing up as a Black woman in America means I carry both the beauty and the weight of that experience. It has shaped how I see the world, how I process it, and how I tell stories.
I grew up surrounded by women including my mother, grandmother, great aunt, sisters, daughter, granddaughter, aunts, neice, cousins, and best friends. Their strength, wisdom, and resourcefulness shaped me deeply then and continue to shape me now. They taught me the power of my voice and the importance of creating spaces where that voice can be heard.
When I write or design, I think about the children who have not always seen themselves represented. I think about our language, our rhythm, our creativity, and how to preserve all of it in ways that affirm our worth and legacy.
Art and storytelling are how I honor my culture, speak to our struggles, and celebrate our brilliance. It is not just expression. It is restoration, and sometimes it is resistance.
17. What are some challenges you’ve faced as a Black woman in creative or entrepreneurial spaces, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a Black woman in creative and entrepreneurial spaces is being underestimated or overlooked entirely. There have been moments when my ideas were questioned, my work was undervalued, or I had to prove myself twice just to be seen as credible.
There’s also the challenge of access. Access to funding, networks, and opportunities isn’t always as readily available when you don’t fit the mold of what some people expect a “creator” or “entrepreneur” to look like.
But I’ve learned not to let that stop me. I’ve overcome those moments by staying rooted in my purpose and being intentional about building my own table instead of waiting for an invitation. I’ve surrounded myself with people who believe in the vision, and I keep showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Most of all, I’ve chosen to lead with authenticity. That’s my superpower. I’ve seen that when I stay true to who I am, the right doors open. When they don’t, I create new ones.
18. If you could go back in time and speak to your younger self, what would you say?
If I could go back and speak to my younger self, I’d say: It’s okay to ask questions. Stay curious. Your voice matters, even when it feels small. I’d remind her that she doesn’t have to shrink to fit in. Being different isn’t something to hide; it’s something to celebrate. And I’d say this: Don’t just shoot for the moon. There’s an entire universe waiting for you. Your ideas and your creativity all have purpose.
19. What advice would you give to other writers or artists who want to create socially impactful children’s literature?
My biggest advice is this: Tell your story. It needs to be heard. Don’t get caught up in chasing validation through awards or bestseller lists. If your book changes even one life, if it helps a child feel seen, understood, or inspired, that impact is far more valuable than any ranking. Creating socially impactful children’s literature means writing from truth and heart. Be honest. Be brave. And remember, representation isn’t just about characters; it’s also about perspective. Your voice matters, and someone out there is waiting for exactly what only you can create.
20. What’s next for you—any new projects, partnerships, or initiatives we should keep an eye out for?
What’s next for me is getting I Am Me into all 50 states and going international. I’m focused on partnering with schools, organizations, foundations, and educators who align with the heart of the book, those who are passionate about building confidence, identity, and self-worth in young children. The goal is to make I Am Me more than a book, it’s a movement, and I’m just getting started.
21. If someone wanted to reach out to you for a project or collaboration, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?
The best way to get in touch with me directly is via email at info@I-Am-Me.org. I’m always open to partnering with individuals, schools, or organizations that align with the mission of I Am Me. Whether it’s a creative collaboration, a school visit, or a community initiative—reach out.
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