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The Black Joy Project by Kleaver Cruz ($19)

For the 14-hour flight, this book is a breath of fresh air. Featuring artists like Walter Cruz and Justice Dwight, alongside beautifully written poems and essays by creatives like Sista Zai Zanda, it was exactly what I needed to set the tone for the trip. My favorite chapter, titled "We Can Be Like Moss," talks about how our joy is directly connected to nature and serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of Black people — how we can withstand any adversity with Black joy as a tool for healing. It perfectly aligned with one of my personal missions for this trip: to embrace healing through joy.