Grace Byers Instagram – I’ll never forget the first moment I saw your work.
In a sea of beautiful submissions, your image of four radiant Black girls – each unique, each remarkable – quietly, but boldly, embedded itself in my spirit. I knew right then that this was a divine alignment.
You’d never illustrated a book before. I’d never authored or published one. I loved that. It was a novel path we had yet to forge, but to do it together felt significant and sacred at the same time. So, we jumped.
What transpired was beyond anything we could have imagined: our quiet, humble quest became a bold and life-changing adventure as we became #1 New York Times Bestsellers. To reach that milestone together will forever be one of my proudest and most grateful memories. We were the little engine that could – and with God – we did.
We went on to collaborate on more: another book, nonprofit work, and your art found consistent homes on our walls, in our closets, on our bookshelves.
The world feels a little dimmer without your light in it. Your art was more than talent – it was soul. You made me, and millions of others, feel seen. This was your gift and, I feel so deeply, part of your purpose.
Thank you, @keturahariel. For everything you gave, and everything you left behind. I will miss you dearly. Thank you for a legacy that both of our sons will get to partake and see themselves in, every time they pick up one of our books.
Rest beautifully, dear Keturah Ariel. 🕊️🤍 | Posted on 10/Oct/2025 21:16:11
