Gabrielle Union on Her New Children’s Book, Overcoming Loss, and Rising Above It All

From her struggle with infertility to her latest project, the actress talks about why representation will always be a priority

Wanna Thompson
ZORA

--

Gabrielle Union and Kaavia James Union Wade attend the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Rich Fury/FilmMagic

Gabrielle Union has seemingly done it all. From movies to television shows to hosting, there is nothing the actress hasn’t explored. Decades into her career, Union has now unveiled another talent — writing children’s books. The wife to former basketball player, Dwyane Wade, has been very open about married life and more significantly, her struggles with infertility. She revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with adenomyosis, which affects a woman’s uterus. The actress has suffered numerous miscarriages and has attempted in vitro fertilization in the past with no success.

Enter Welcome to the Party.

Published earlier this month, Union’s first children’s book follows her 2017 memoir We’re Going to Need More Wine. It highlights the arrival of her 17-month-old daughter, Kaavia James Union Wade, whom the actress affectionately calls Kaav, with animation by Ashley Evans. The children’s book is a “universal love letter” that celebrates nontraditional families in an effort to let them know that they are welcomed and appreciated.

--

--

ZORA
ZORA

Published in ZORA

A publication from Medium that centers the stories, poetry, essays and thoughts of women of color.

Responses (2)