coming to america 2024 is out on amazon today

My second book is out - and it’s something entirely different: a graphic novel/memoir. In Coming to America 2024 a family from Africa visits the US and walks straight into the culture wars. Can they survive politics, ignorance, climate grief, sticker shock, supermarket overwhelm, generational feuds and those crazy ugly new bubble crocs? Turns out, the only way I could stay sane was to turn the trip into a graphic novel memoir.

My entire career has been dedicated to figuring out how we can get more people on board with social and environmental change. I’ve always used the language of brands for my work: social channels, TED talks, thought leadership pieces, crowdfunding, short-form video, (online) courses, social content, and community podcasts.

This comic is just another experiment in how I can engage more people with social and environmental issues.

I’m deeply concerned about the state of the world, and the growing divide between people on so many levels. My family’s annual trip to the US brought all of those concerns to the forefront. Climate, homelessness, income inequality, gender, women’s rights - all the topics I am passionate about, first play out in the US.

Experts like Katherine Hayhoe and Anand Giridharadas all teach us that we have to keep talking, have empathy for the other side, and to avoid demonizing people. Psychologist Renée Lertzman teaches us that to lead change, we have to be emotionally intelligent, and ensure people feel heard.

This comic book allowed me to put that theory into practice.

Unlike the business-book industry where an AUTHOR has to be the AUTHORITY, comics leave much more room for narratives with doubt, humor, humility, anxiety, love, and moral conflict.

Judging by the first responses, it might just be the stickiest format I’ve used yet.

It’s on sale on Amazon.com as an ebook and paperback.