About Jamala’s Lesane
Los Angeles, CA, June 7, 2023 — Following in the footsteps of her own Shakur family, Jamala Lesane paid tribute to Tupac Shakur as he was honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Jamala is Tupac’s one and only first cousin, growing up with her mother Gloria Cox, Tupac, and his mother, Afeni Shakur.
Shown here with Allen Hughes, Director of the Emmy-nominated FX docuseries “Dear Mama,” Jamala joined the throngs of friends, family, and fans who gathered in Hollywood as Tupac received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her book tells the story of Jamala’s daughter Imani finding an uphill battle to be heard, and leading the way for her mother, her grandparents, and even her doctor to learn from her determination. “Mommy, I Think I Have Diabetes” has a simple mission: It teaches us to listen and trust our youngest voices, offering them the power to lead us.
“My daughter diagnosed herself with diabetes on February 14, 2006. I know this is a story that can teach our families to speak up for ourselves,” said Jamala. “Our children, our grandchildren, our brothers and sisters, all deserve knowledge and understanding – and we all have the basic right to access healthcare early in our lives.”
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Jamala writes from her family experience including a retired NYC Transit worker, administrators, lifelong nurturers, political freedom fighters, recovering addicts, former inmates, and the greatest rapper of all time. Jamala believes that when we listen, we can guide our kids to observe their bodies and pay attention to their own needs for a lifetime of healthcare literacy.
“My daughter Imani is now a chef and nutritionist – providing healthy meals for herself, her family and her clients,” added Jamala. “We can read this book to our children, and read it for ourselves, too. As my cousin Tupac said, we have the right and the responsibility to listen to our children, to exercise, and eat healthy.”
“Mommy, I Think I Have Diabetes,” the first book in the Wise Girl series, is now available on Amazon.
