Afrominimalist x Christine Platt

I am a multi-genre author who enjoys writing stories for people of all ages that center African diasporic experiences—past, present, and future. And many people know me as the Afrominimalist—a lifestyle strategist who advocates for “less” as a sustainable lifestyle choice and for personal transformation. My mantra is: less is liberation!

When I graduated from law school, I was hellbent on making meaningful change in the world. Ha! So I thought, why not start the next phase of my life in the nation’s capital? I never imagined that I would live here for over a decade! But like so many transplants, I fell in love with the city and its people, its energy. There’s so much history, beauty and culture. Now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Storytelling and the history of the African diaspora are my first loves. So, of course, I am passionate about the preservation of lesser-known narratives. But as I grow older—I’m only 3 years away from my dream age of 50 years old!—I’ve also been feeling this pull of wanting to be more in and of service to historically underrepresented communities. It’s one of the reasons I serve as Executive Director of Baldwin For The Arts, a nonprofit artistic residency for people of the Global Majority. Knowing that I am supporting literary, visual, and performing artists, knowing that I am supporting the creation of their art and literature that will be enjoyed presently and for future generations—this work has become one of my passions. I think it’s easy to forget that, if we’re lucky, one day our work will also become a part of history.

As a child, I was an avid reader and later, found myself enjoying inventing and writing stories more than reading them. Sometimes, I told stories through poems and other times, through short stories. In high school and college, I wrote fictional ‘happily ever afters’ about my friends' relationships, the people they were dating. In 2013, a fellow writer invited me to join National Novel Writing Month—an annual writing challenge where participants around the world strive to write 50,000 words during the month of November. My first NaNoWriMo project was called The Truth About Awiti, which chronicled the history of the transatlantic slave trade. I independently published the novel in March 2015 and I couldn’t believe that people (other than my friends and family) actually read it! Before I knew it, my career took off and it's been nonstop ever since! 

A simple definition for social change is transforming political, cultural, and other societal institutions by harnessing the power of human interactions, behaviors, and relationships. Essentially, changing hearts and minds for the betterment of humanity. And I believe stories are among our most accessible teaching tools to do that. Whether using stories to teach empathy to children or tough histories to adults, I have found stories to be an entry point for self-assessment and self-confrontation. I’ve served in many leadership roles, and when it comes to changing hearts and minds, I've found that literature is more effective than any position I can hold or workshop or training that I can give. Rather than feeling scolded by being told what to do (or not do), storytelling allows readers a bit of cognitive dissonance to learn through lived experiences of others. Which is why I believe stories are such a powerful tool for social change.

Education means so many things! Beyond traditional learning and schooling rooted in the transmission of developing and expanding one’s knowledge and skills, I believe education also requires us to learn about and school ourselves. This form of education is often achieved through doing the “inner work.” But I think the outer work, the work done in community with our families and friends (and even strangers) is just as important. Some of my greatest life lessons, the best education I have ever received, have come from my personal and professional relationships… with others and myself!

I am currently on tour for Rebecca, Not Becky! Written with one of my dear friends and colleagues, Catherine Wigginton Greene, this is my second novel and the first that I’ve co-authored. Rebecca, Not Becky is a dual narrative about two upper-class stay-at-home mothers—one white, one Black—living in a "perfect" suburb that explores motherhood, friendship and the true meaning of sisterhood amidst the backdrop of America’s all-too-familiar racial reckoning. And Amazon Books recently selected Rebecca, Not Becky as one of its Top 10 Reads for December! It’s just a very surreal time right now and I’m just so incredibly grateful.

I think my personal 'stamp' is just simplicity. Or something that includes prints, patterns, or textures of the African diaspora. So, I guess my personal stamp can best be defined as Afrominimalist. *smile* 

I think my personal style is one of timeless, classic pieces. Everything doesn’t have to be black (although I do love and wear a lot of black!) For me, it’s more about the silhouette, the fabrics, those evergreen pieces.

Currently, it’s my Elba Sweatshirt Dress. It’s actually the first piece I purchased from Marcella, the item that made me fall in love with the brand. I basically live in it as much as possible! 

Since I can’t wear my Elba Sweatshirt Dress at every stop on the Rebecca, Not Becky! book tour, I would have to say that my other favorite piece in my Marcella capsule is the Tavi Mock Dress. I love dressing it down by wearing it with my favorite sneakers or dressing it with my Fiona boots. And sometimes, when I really want to be a showstopper with a little pop of color, I’ll rock my Tavi dress with key lime Kayden boots. It’s such a classy yet comfortable and versatile dress!