Known and loved for her impactful work in broadcast journalism and her bright daytime TV presence, Tamron Hall continues to elevate — and celebrate — Black voices through her popular talk show and various projects. With the success of her upbeat, eponymous show (which, this March, reached its 1,000-episode mark), and the recent release of her very first children’s book, Hall ushers in a new chapter of representation for Black storytellers.
This spring, the two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist and host of the nationally syndicated “Tamron Hall” talk show is adding a new title to her impressive resume: children’s book author. With the debut of “Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a Curious Kid,” released on March 25, Hall is not simply entering a new literary genre; she is furthering her mission to celebrate Black culture, ignite curiosity, and champion representation. Books like “Harlem Honey” create modes of representation for young Black and brown readers. Our children, nieces, and nephews can go to a bookstore and see someone who resembles them on the printed page.
Books like “Harlem Honey” create modes of representation for young Black and brown readers. Our children, nieces, and nephews can go to a bookstore and see someone who resembles them on the printed page.
The book opens with Moses missing his home in Texas as he sits on his stoop in Harlem. He draws in his room, and a few bees buzzing through his window ignite his curiosity. Soon, he meets his neighbor Laila.
Mrs. Louise, Laila’s mother, lives across the street, and they have a honey farm. Together, Moses, his dad, Laila, and Mrs. Louise (and Moses’s pets) go on a journey to deliver the sweet honey to neighbors in Harlem.
They start at the world-famous Sylvia’s Restaurant. Later, when they visit the Studio Museum of Harlem, Moses sees a painting of a family that reminds him of his own. This journey, where honey is delivered throughout Harlem, allows Moses to begin to love and appreciate his new neighborhood.
“Harlem Honey” is more than a charming tale; it is a love letter to Black boyhood inspired by Hall’s son, Moses, who turns six this month.
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn, the book’s cover features Moses, his neighbor Laila, and his puppy, Lotus-May. The two characters, with their brown skin and curly hair, smile, holding two jars of honey. Behind them is the city of Harlem.
The imagery throughout the book yields whimsy, depth, and movement — and most critically, is full of Black and brown people. At first glance, the importance of a book with two Black children on the cover might not register. But that is monumental.
“I wanted [Moses] to open a book and see a reflection of himself,” Hall said about her choice to write the children’s book.
“I wanted him to know that his brown skin, curly hair, beautiful eyes, all of him, is worthy of a story.”
“I wanted [Moses] to open a book and see a reflection of himself,” Hall said about her choice to write the children’s book. “I wanted him to know that his brown skin, curly hair, beautiful eyes, all of him, is worthy of a story.”
The book’s protagonist, Moses, is a young Black boy with an insatiable curiosity about the world around him.
“Harlem is the place we called home when my son was born,” the author continued.
“But Harlem [could be] any neighborhood, anywhere in this world, because our neighborhoods are the first place that we really can inspire curiosity in our children.”
Through Moses’s eyes, readers experience the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Harlem, a neighborhood overflowing with Black history and culture. Hall’s vivid descriptions and evocative language — and Glenn’s glowing illustrations — elevate the neighborhood of Harlem to a character in its own right.
“I wanted to capture the magic of Harlem. The music, the food, the people, the energy — it’s all there in the book,” the author said.
But “Harlem Honey” is not just about a place; it’s about the power of curiosity and faith to open doors and expand horizons. In Hall’s book, Moses’s curiosity propels him on a journey through his neighborhood of Harlem, which inspires him to celebrate his individuality and overcome his fears, and find familiar connections between his former home in Texas and his new home.
“Curiosity is a superpower,” Hall said. “It’s what drives us to explore, to learn, to grow. I wanted to show kids that it’s okay to ask questions, to be curious, to wonder.”
During our interview, Hall noted the dearth of children’s books featuring Black boys as main characters. She recognizes the importance of representation in shaping young minds and fostering a sense of belonging.
“It’s crucial for Black boys to see themselves reflected in the books they read,” Hall emphasized. “It tells them that their stories matter, that they are valued, that they belong.”
“Harlem Honey” is a loving celebration of Black joy and, above all else, Black resilience. Despite the challenges that Black boys often face, Hall’s book accentuates their strengths, smarts, and potential.
“I wanted to show Black boys as they truly are: smart, creative, compassionate, and full of joy,” the author stated. “They are our future, and we need to nurture their dreams.”
Hall’s dedication to the empowerment and representation of Black people extends beyond the pages of her brand new book. From her early days covering local news in Texas to becoming the first African American anchor to host “The Today Show,” Hall has consistently broken barriers and redefined the landscape of broadcast journalism while also remaining a vocal advocate for transformative change within media spaces.
When asked what advice she might offer young journalists, Hall urges content creators, particularly Black journalists, to “own their platform” and produce “exceptional content” that resonates with and empowers communities. Hall herself embraces new forms of storytelling and digital media. Her show has become the destination for social media stars — like fashion content creator Nicky Campbell — who might have millions of views and followers online but would otherwise never make it onto daytime television.
We live in an era where media consumption is rapidly evolving. (Consider the amount of news you get from social media compared to printed publications.) Hall recognizes the untapped potential of emerging platforms, explicitly highlighting the podcast space.
“I have been on my soapbox lately about really owning your platform for content that is exceptional,” Hall said, emphasizing the importance of Black voices and impactful storytelling in white-dominated spaces.
“I think that we are sorely missing in these podcast spaces dominated by people that aren’t having the conversation that is impactful to us,” she asserts, underscoring the importance of creating content that reflects and aims to service Black communities.
With “Harlem Honey,” Hall has created a powerful, sweet, and inspiring tribute to Black boyhood where Black children can see familiar glimpses of themselves in the pages. Harlem, like Baltimore, is an iconic area, deeply rooted in Black culture, art, and history. In our interview, Hall emphasizes their triumphant legacies.
“Baltimore and Harlem…these two cities were ‘for the culture’ before that phrase became a thing,” she said, highlighting their enduring contributions that predate contemporary trends.
This rich cultural landscape has fostered diverse artistic expression in both locales, from music, especially jazz, to writing to theater to visual arts, providing avenues for Black individuals to thrive and gain recognition (Eubie Blake and Louis Armstrong come to mind).
Beyond their cultural vibrancy, Harlem and Baltimore carry a spirit of resilience and self-determination. We discussed the communal DIY and collaborative spirit propelling folks in Maryland and New York. In both states, Black and brown people have historically forged their own paths and created opportunities, evident in the abundance of independently owned businesses, from restaurants like Rooted Rotisserie, which she featured on her show, to clothing stores like City of Gods to newspapers like the Afro and Baltimore Beat, both founded by Black people. Hall also linked the unique sense of style and culture both Harlem and Baltimore have from Dapper Dan of Harlem to City of Gods. Hall says she proudly wears a hoodie from the Baltimore-based brand in Harlem.
Hall also linked the unique sense of style and culture both Harlem and Baltimore have from Dapper Dan of Harlem to City of Gods. Hall says she proudly wears a hoodie from the Baltimore-based brand in Harlem.
With Donald Trump’s attacks on DEI (Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion), it is essential to take a moment to highlight the importance of books written by and for Black people. Representation matters, and books like “Harlem Honey” demonstrate its critical importance. Black children’s books embody the principles that DEI seeks to uphold. Efforts to undermine DEI not only highlight the importance of supporting these books, but utilizing them as tools for counteracting Black erasure.
Through her talk show, Hall has tapped into the cultural zeitgeist and nestled a lane built by a Black woman for the creative uplift of all. And with “Harlem Honey,” Hall has created a lasting contribution to children’s literature.
Her work not only provides inspiration for diverse audiences; her career is also a testament to resilience, bravery, and determination.
“Fear is natural,” Hall told us.
“But on the other side of fear, what can you experience? That’s what this book is about. That’s what my journey has been about.”
