Tre Johnson

Tre Johnson, an essayist and culture critic, joins to discuss his debut book, *Black Genius: Essays on an American Legacy*. He shares how his grandfather inspired the book and the evolution of his writing process. The conversation dives into the challenge of balancing a 9-5 job with writing and the emotional toll of addressing trauma in his work. Tre also explores the importance of recognizing everyday Black ingenuity beyond famous figures and the nuances of cultural validation. His reflections on leaving a corporate job to focus on writing reveal a profound shift in his creative journey.