🎙️ Podcast Summary: The International Book Show
Host: Makonnen Sankofa
Guest: Chiatulah “Chi” Ameke, Author
Featured Works: Black Lives Rising & Black Lives Shining

In this powerful episode, author Chiatulah "Chi" Ameke joins host Makonnen Sankofa to discuss two deeply moving works: Black Lives Rising and Black Lives Shining.

Black Lives Rising is a gripping collection of 33 flash fiction stories—some standalone, others interwoven—that explore the lived and imagined realities of Black life in a world shaped by racial injustice. Through satire, speculative fiction, and emotional depth, Ameke examines themes like systemic racism, identity, protest, silence, and generational memory. Standout stories include the rise of the first Black pope, children confronting police violence, and a haunting monologue from a boy who never speaks. It’s raw, urgent, and unflinching—a literary call to action.

In contrast, Black Lives Shining offers 40 inspirational narratives focused on spiritual awakening, resilience, and the triumphs of Black individuals rising into purpose. More motivational and metaphysical in tone, this book invites readers not just to witness change but to become part of it—answering a higher calling to rise and shine in their own lives.