Writer, Author & Speaker
Recent Notable Publications
The symptoms of social anxiety present in Black women throw played-out stereotypes for a loop, because acknowledging the legitimacy of social anxiety as an issue in our society means seeing Black women as both vulnerable and strong at the same time.
- Rowana Abbensetts
As the lone Black female student in this class, I couldn’t help but feel that the lesson here was that I didn’t belong. My blackness, my womanness, was not American Literature. As I grew older and delved deeper into diverse literature, I discovered that Black and brown women were not superfluous or alien to Americanness, but essential to the story of the United States, and as long as our voices are suppressed, the story would never be complete.
- Rowana Abbensetts
In my daughter's eyes, I see a 2-year-old version of myself, not yet concerned with her appearance — free. As a 30-year-old mom of Caribbean descent who's still undoing years of damage both to my psyche and my ends, I hope to be able to gather enough wisdom to pass down a more empowering message about Black hair than what I received growing up.
- Rowana Abbensetts
Mental Health Advocate, Wellness Writer & Speaker
Rowana Abbensetts (she/her) is a Guyanese American writer, mom, and entrepreneur. With a lifelong passion for writing, reading, literature, and the arts, Rowana enjoys spending time with her family, especially her daughter Symone, who inspires her to write more stories to empower Black girls to take care of their mental health & wellness. Rowana is the Founder & Editor-In-Chief of Spoken Black Girl Publishing, which publishes Black women and women of color writers from across the diaspora. She is the author of Departure Story, a novel that captures her Caribbean ancestry and the coming of age experiences of Black women and girls in the United States. Rowana’s work has been published in Moko Magazine, Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, Culture Push, and Free Verse Magazine. As a freelance mental health and wellness writer, Rowana has written for Insider, GoodRx, Well +Good, Bold Culture by Streamline Media, The Tempest, Insider, and Electric Lit. When she’s not writing, Rowana enjoys painting, visiting art museums, and spending time in nature.
“I couldn’t run home if I wanted to and I realized that this was the way that it was supposed to be. One gives themselves to America, throws their whole selves into the country with the hope that it will not swallow you alive.” - Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson, Departure Story
Celestine Samuels is making the biggest trip of her life…
from Guyana to the United States for college. At first, she is relieved to get away from her prima donna sister, neglectful mother, and troublemaker brother and eager to embrace the new freedoms of the United States like Starbucks, bagels, and of course, wild college parties.
Reality sets in when she gets the news that her Uncle, a Guyanese politician, has been shot dead as a result of political turmoil. Feeling lost and homesick, Celestine decides to join the Student Council Diversity Committee, hoping to learn more about the democratic values that her home country’s government has been modeled after. She takes up the cause of a Black dance group on campus that is soon to lose its instructor.
Tired of going by the book and being ignored, Celestine takes matters into her own hands, ruffling the feathers of the powers that be on campus, and alienating so-called friends in the process.
Meanwhile, matters of the heart couldn't be more confusing. She finds herself entangled in a situationship with classmate and photographer, Richard Wirth, while she can't help her curiosity about the obnoxiously cocky football star, Don Bradford, who also happens to be her fellow student council representative.
But no matter how far she travels, “home” keeps haunting her dreams, leading her to investigate unforgivable family secrets, and search for answers she may not want to know.
Literary Fiction, Young Adult
What Readers Are Saying About Departure Story
“At once no-holds-barred and gentle, this is a graceful debut from a fresh voice and a singular perspective.”
— Storyteller, Sara C.
“Departure Story brings us along this incredible journey with Celestine - not only through her immigrating from Guyana to the U.S. for college, but on an emotional quest to find her voice in a world which tries to erase and annihilate the truths of Black women and girls throughout the Diaspora.”
— Writer & Podcast Host, Emelda De Coteau
“I loved this story of her finding her way. I can't wait to find out more from this author. Beautifully done.”
— Book Editor, Destiny H.
“Guyana's lushness and the well-heeled, yet chaotic energy of Simon College jumped from the pages and I felt as though I were there.”
— Author, Jana Jones
Departure Story Press & Media
