On the premiere episode of Reppin', we sit down with New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas, whose powerful voice and unflinching storytelling have made her a trailblazer in the literary world. Angie takes us back to her childhood in Jackson, Mississippi, where she learned early that the world wasn’t built for people like her. Raised in a neighborhood where drug dealers protected her and the police instilled fear, Angie offers a raw, honest look at how growing up in a marginalized community shaped her perspective on society—and her writing.

Her debut novel, The Hate U Give, became a cultural phenomenon because Angie does more than tell a story—she reclaims the narratives of those society often ignores. On the pod, Angie opens up about how her experiences in a predominantly white, upper-class school inspired her to write, and how the tragic death of Oscar Grant ignited her passion for storytelling. Whether you're a fan of her work or just discovering her for the first time, Angie Thomas's journey is one of resilience, empowerment, and proving that the world can’t define you when you’re standing in your truth. Tune in now to hear the inspiring story behind one of the most impactful voices in contemporary literature.