Shanita Hubbard is an award-winning author known for her book “Ride-or-Die: A Feminist Manifesto for the Well-Being of Black Women,” which earned her the Nautilus Book Award. Her book is a blend of sociological study, cultural criticism, and memoir, and it critically examines the trope of the “ride-or-die chick”—a Black woman who tirelessly supports her family, partner, and community, often to her own detriment. Hubbard discusses how societal expectations have made Black women particularly vulnerable to this self-sacrificing mentality, leading to their exhaustion and neglect.
The book has been widely acclaimed, receiving praise from high-profile book reviewers, celebrities, and scholars alike. Gabrielle Union described it as “a powerful must-read for Black women,” and it has also received positive reviews from sources like Kirkus and endorsements from figures like Mikki Kendall and Tamron Hall.
In addition to her literary work, Hubbard has been actively involved in addressing issues like intracommunity sexual violence and abuse in the Hip Hop community. She appeared in the HBO Max documentary “On the Record” to provide expert commentary on sexism and racism in America. Hubbard is a Soros Justice Fellow, a La Maison Baldwin Fellow, and has designed and taught “The Business of Writing” classes at the University of Toronto. Previously an adjunct Sociology Professor and Therapist, she now provides clinical consulting services to mental health organizations and runs the #RideBeyond program for incarcerated women.
Hubbard has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, ESSENCE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. She is highly respected as a speaker, author, and clinician, and takes great pride in being the mother of a remarkable Black girl.
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"Protect Black women" is more than just a catchy refrain or hashtag to repeat on social media. It's a real-life responsibility that demands our utmost attention."
- Shanita Hubbard
Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto For the Well-Being of Black Women
Published by Legacy Lit, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc., Hubbard’s powerful read unpacks and dismantles the hip-hop ride-or-die trope that, for decades, has left Black women exhausted, depleted, and stretched far too thin when it comes to proving our worth by how much labor we provide others. To emphasize why this way of thinking is dangerous to our health and happiness, the book — which has already received high praise from Gabrielle Union and Tamron Hall — urges readers to completely eliminate the ride-or-die complex, using hip-hop as the backdrop to explore all the social norms that have proven harmful to Black women.
Combining her years of expertise on hip-hop and feminism, Hubbard bares the most personal details about her life to guide Black women toward a path of healing. In turn, her vulnerable analysis builds a case for why the culture many of us have grown to love doesn’t always seem to love us the way we deserve.
“Ride or Die: A Feminist Manifesto For the Well-Being of Black Women” was released on Nov. 8 and is now available for purchase. Read ahead to check out an exclusive excerpt of Hubbard breaking down the divide within Black womanhood as highlighted by the 1998 classic album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
