Kameisha Jerae Hodge | Publishing Mentor | Arlington, VA - Washington, D.C.

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Meet Kameisha Jerae Hodge | Arlington, VA -  Washington, D.C.


Founder and CEO of Sovereign Noir, she is powerhouse of resources for people who are interested in writing and looking to get published. Her social media is a wealth of knowledge of tools such as courses to help you get started. Ok, girl! We see you! We love women who help and mentor others, and who saw the numbers were lower for African American's in this industry compared to others. We love that and we are on board with you! Let's break down barriers and raise these numbers!

Instagram:  @sovereign.noir
Website:      www.sovereignnoir.com


Hello! WHAT RAD THING DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I am the CEO and Founder of Sovereign Noir Publications, a company that focuses on helping Black women writers become Black women authors.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW/WHERE YOU GREW UP

I grew up in the Southside of D.C. with my mom and younger siblings. I was a nerd so during lunch in middle school I’d play in Scrabble tournaments and win money, while participating in the poetry club after school and competing against other schools. That’s when I got into creative writing and thank goodness because I can’t imagine being happier doing anything else.


TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY

During my tenth grade year of high school, I met my mentor Yolonda D. Coleman. I had just transferred to a D.C. public charter school from a Maryland public school. I was pretty decently well-read as a youth and talented when it came to writing in general, so when I enrolled in her journalism class, I really felt at home and in my element. Shortly thereafter, I found out Ms. Coleman at the time was an author and everything connected. I didn’t know any authors in real life—specifically Black women writers—who were as committed to little Black kids from impoverished socioeconomic backgrounds in the way that she was. I was amazed. I was inspired. She took me on book tours with her and taught me the ins and outs of publishing, so it was only natural that I followed in her footsteps and did the same thing. When she and my family shipped me off to college, she told me not to come back without a degree, not only did I come back home with a degree, but I came home with a dual degree and my first published book. In 2019, I read a report that said Black people only made up 2% of the publishing industry. It was at that moment I decided something had to be done. It was at that moment that Sovereign Noir Publications was conceived.


RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOMEONE WHO WOULD WANT TO BE IN YOUR CAREER/FIELD? 

Entering the world of publishing and authorship with a mentor made things a lot easier than they would have been had I tried doing on my own. Find one industry mentor, and a business mentor. They’ve both been significant in the success of my business and my brand. One thing I always advise is taking courses to refine your craft—such as our Write Hustle Accelerator Program—as well as attending conferences/summits, networking at events, and actually reading entrepreneurship books alongside books in your prospective genre(s).


WHAT US THE FUTURE FOR YOU? HOW WILL YOU CONTINUE TO GROW?

My goal is to expand by hiring a full team of contractors and freelancers so that I can actually have control of my time, enjoy life, and get back to my love of writing.


CAN YOU RECOMMEND A LOCAL SPOT YOU LOVE THAT OTHERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? 

A Black-owned business that I will always shoutout is Gangster Vegan Organics by my homegirl, Taneea! She has a few locations, so definitely check it out.









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