Stacey Abrams was addressing a group about her 2022 political thriller, “Rogue Justice,” when she noticed a young girl in the audience. In a crowd of mostly adults, seeing an 8 year old intently hanging on to every word intrigued the long-time Georgia lawmaker, bestselling author and voting rights activist.

Carrying a copy of her first book, “Stacey’s Extraordinary Words,” the girl explained that when she found out Abrams was speaking, she demanded to attend. An ardent fan of the No. 1 New York Times bestselling and “NAACP Image Award” winning author, she wanted to share how the story inspired her. “She loved how the book’s protagonist didn’t get what she wanted, but kept going anyway. I cannot imagine a more profound moment for a writer than having a reader tell you exactly what you hoped they’d glean.”

Perhaps what Abrams saw in the young girl was a bit of herself. The daughter of a librarian mother and shipyard worker father, she learned early on about the grit it would take to face the road ahead. Her civically engaged parents moved from Wisconsin to Mississippi before settling in Decatur when she was in high school.

“We grew up with a broad appreciation of children’s stories, which were a source of imagination and world-building. Our home was filled with books from diverse cultures that shaped my understanding of possibility. Storytelling is the ultimate outlet for creativity because it allows us to weave together imagination, emotion and experience into narratives that resonate deeply with people. Stories have the power to transcend boundaries, connect diverse experiences and inspire change, providing a way to explore complex ideas and emotions in a manner that engages and transforms.”

A true believer in how storytelling can shape the world, Abrams continues to share her passion with the next generation. “Stories reflect our dreams, amplify our ambitions and have the power to create change. Even the smallest moments are opportunities for growth. If we can push forward with resilience, determination and the support of allies, we can nurture a generation of leaders and storytellers who will shape a brighter, more inclusive future.”

In the latest from her award–winning Stacey’s Stories picture-book series, illustrated by Kitt Thomas, Abrams tells the story of how a group of classmates band together to help less fortunate kids afford “TacoPizza FryDay.” The young Stacey, put off by the injustice, turns to the adults to fix the problem, who, in turn, encourage her to use her own voice to address the issue. “I try to embody the values that I hold dearest: curiosity, problem-solving and the pursuit of social justice. To do so requires perseverance and a dogged commitment to integrity, as well as demonstrating daily that change is possible.”