Author & self-advocacy expert
About
Ciao! My name is Nikkiema S. Harris, and I am an author whose work intersects psychology, emotional well-being, and spiritual growth, emphasizing African-American culture. Through my writing, I encourage readers to pursue their purpose and engage with the complexities of real-life challenges, such as grief, parenthood, identity issues, racial injustice, and other related struggles.
My deep appreciation for writing came about when I was eight, as it allowed me to express myself sincerely without judgment, fear, or guilt. I began putting random words together, then forming them into sentences in hopes that they would make sense. From then on, my creativity took over, and I began writing poetry, a form of writing that allows one to put one's feelings into words and incorporate various meanings that give insight into one's life, culture, and values.
Poetry has given me a solid foundation and the confidence to pursue other literary genres, including playwriting, short narratives, and beyond. Ultimately, it has provided a diverse space for my imagination, creativity, and emotions to cultivate multiple stories in various ways and settings.
holy footprints
"Holy Footprints" entails the upbringing of Elda Livingston, a fictional character. She was born into and raised by a religious family who attended church every Sunday. But because her family was religious, that didn't mean she was holy. Livingston battled many obstacles, including sickle cell anemia and lung cancer, which caused her to question God many times. She couldn't fathom His existence, considering He had given her many hardships. But when she was twelve, Livingston prayerfully started her Christian walk. From there on, she prayed daily, read her Bible, and brought her religious family along. Unfortunately, while on her Christian walk, lung cancer got the best of her. Still facing lung cancer to this day, Livingston must find a way to recover, knowing that her death date will be approaching sooner than later.
What she portrays: vol. I
"What She Portrays: Vol. 1" is a book of poems about childhood trauma, losing sight of your faith, relationship issues, self-love, and much more. Most of these poems portray Harris' experiences throughout her mid-teen years and early 20s. Since she started writing, Harris' goal has always been to be relatable and personal with her audience. By doing so, Harris hopes that readers will gain a deeper understanding of her past and current experiences, including her relationship with God, romantic relationships, upbringing, and much more.
Articles Featuring Nikkiema S. Harris
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Nikkiema Harris ‘24 Publishes Her First Book!
Nikkiema Harris publishes her first book, "Holy Footprints."
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Nikkiema Harris '24 Publishes Her Second Book!
Nikkiema Harris publishes her second book, "What She Portrays: Vol. 1."
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Nikkiema Harris '24 Makes It to the Student Spotlight!
Nikkiema Harris makes it to the student spotlight, informing others about her experiences at Carthage College.
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The Carthaginian Magazine Summer 2024
Nikkiema Harris ‘24 was featured in the graduate spotlight (p. 38-39).
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Nikkiema Harris ‘24 was featured in the English Alumni Spotlight, informing others about her post-graduation journey.
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Breathe and Bloom Again
Breathe and Bloom Again is a blog by Nikkiema S. Harris that focuses on self-care, poetry, and emotional well-being—a gentle space that allows readers to slow down, self-reflect, and grow into their authentic self.

