Today’s spotlight shines on a powerful mother-and-son duo who are using storytelling to spark curiosity, confidence, and creativity in young readers. Through the book Nasir the Paleontologist, this inspiring family transforms a young boy’s love for dinosaurs into a meaningful story rooted in imagination, representation, and purpose.
Born from moments of wonder during the pandemic, this book reflects a mother’s commitment to nurturing her child’s passions while creating space for Black children to see themselves as explorers, learners, and leaders in STEM and beyond. More than just a story, it is a shared journey of love, learning, and legacy.
In this interview, they open up about what inspired the book, how working together strengthened their bond, what “Black Boy Joy” means to them, and how storytelling can empower the next generation to dream boldly and live confidently.
What inspired you to create Nasir the Paleontologist and tell this story through your son’s love of dinosaurs?
As a mom, I’ve always believed in nurturing whatever sparks my children’s curiosity. During the pandemic, Nasir’s love for dinosaurs became a beautiful escape, his imagination was vivid, his questions were nonstop, and his excitement was contagious. I wanted to turn that everyday curiosity into something that would last a lifetime and for generations to come.
Creating this book allowed me to merge my passion for representation, creativity, and storytelling with his passion for discovery. I wanted children, especially Black boys and girls, to see themselves exploring STEM fields, dreaming big, and taking up space in worlds where they don’t always see themselves represented.
How has sharing this book together strengthened your bond as mother and son?
This book became more than a project; it became a shared adventure. Writing it and then reading it together, listening to Nasir’s feedback about how great the book was, and watching him help me create a rhythm for the song in the story opened a new way for us to connect, learn, and imagine side-by-side.
With this first book, Nasir sees how ideas come to life, and I get to witness his confidence and curiosity grow as he develops his own love for storytelling. It’s our special thing, something we built together, and that has made our bond even deeper. I pray that this seed creates a legacy he and Amir (my second son) can one day pass down to their own children and grandchildren.
Nasir
What do you love most about being a paleontologist, and how does it make you feel when other kids read your story?
I love digging for fossils and finding dinosaurs! It makes me happy when other kids read the book because they get to learn about my favorite dinosaurs and go on an adventure with me. It makes me feel like I’m helping kids learn and have fun!
4. When you think about “Black Boy Joy,” what does that mean to you, and how do you show your joy every day?
Black Boy Joy means being happy, being myself, and having fun! I show my joy when I laugh, play with my dinos, do Taekwondo, play soccer, make videos, and learn new things!
As a mom, what does Black Boy Joy mean to you, and how do you make sure Nasir always feels seen, celebrated, and confident in who he is?
Black Boy Joy is the freedom for my sons to be curious, expressive, brilliant, emotional, creative, loved, and fully themselves. It’s their right to exist in this world without shrinking who they are.
I make sure Nasir feels seen and celebrated by affirming him daily, pouring into his interests, exposing him to opportunities that build confidence, and surrounding him with representation that reflects his greatness, just like this book.
I want him to always know that his identity is powerful, his dreams are valid, and his joy is a form of resilience and brilliance.
You can support Dwayana & Nasir and grab copies of their books here:
