Welcome to Womanist Wonder

This space is for Black women who know wonder and whimsy aren’t luxuries. They’re necessary. I write about faith, feminism, and figuring it out.

I’m Nyshell Watson, a Michigan-based writer, filmmaker, story keeper, and woman with plenty of questions. Womanist Wonder is the literary home for my curiosity and the work that grows from it.

What We Mean Here

Womanist

I’m drawing from Alice Walker’s vision of Black women in our fullness—a way of seeing that makes room for our faith, freedom, and full humanity.

Wonder

The little spark that keeps asking what else might be possible. The part of us that still expects to be surprised.

The Women Who Gave Me Language

The voices I return to include Lucille Clifton, Toni Morrison, and my gram, Bertha Black. Their words and ways of seeing sit beside scripture, sermons, family stories, and the questions that won’t leave me alone.

While we’re here, I may as well introduce you properly to Gram. You’ll hear me talk about her often. She’s my north star. So much of what I understand about celebration, community, and making people feel seen began with her. She gave people their flowers while they were here, loved them for who they were, and made her house the kind of place where everyone belonged. That spirit is still the standard.

All of it finds its way into Womanist Wonder. Some thoughts arrive fully formed; others are still unfolding.

Find Your Way In

Subscribe to receive Womanist Wonder directly in your inbox.

Free subscribers receive one public essay each week, along with occasional notes and invitations into what I’m creating.

Paid subscribers receive full access to the publication archive, an additional monthly letter, and deeper reading and study notes. The first full Womanist Wonder curriculum is planned for winter 2027.

Founding members receive everything in a paid subscription, plus each seasonal Womanist Wonder zine by mail within the United States. Their support helps make the research, print work, films, and growing archive possible.

You can also read, comment, and join subscriber conversations through the Substack app.

Pull Up a Chair

There’s room here to think deeply, ask all the questions, make something beautiful, and become more fully ourselves.

Stay awhile.