“Plantains and Our becoming,” written by Dominican-American poet and musician Melania Luisa Marte, unpacks the Black Latine experience and explores identity, self-love, generational trauma, and belonging. The coming-of-age poetry collection calls out colonialism, racism in the Latine community, and colorism while also celebrating joy, ancestral knowledge, and resilience. “I wanted to honor the stories of my ancestors and family, and tell it through this whimsical little palm tree,” Marte told HipLatina in a 2023 interview. “I wanted to honor Black women who have come before me and have been vocal about their identities and their truths, who have inspired other women to speak up and not be silenced or erased or stripped of their voice and their personhood.” #PlantainsAndOurBecoming #MelaniaLuisaMarte #AfroLatinidad #HLOG