Born in the poverty-stricken village of Johns Hall, Jamaica, raised by her strict Seventh Day-Adventist grandmother, Felecia Russell was ecstatic when she was brought to Inglewood, California at just twelve years old. It was her first time living with her mother, who was the matriarch of the family. Afraid and ashamed of her undocumented status, she hid her family’s secret from her friends, teachers and counselors. Her immigration status further lessened her options, and she soon had to make a decision to find a path for herself. After federal agents raided her home, Felecia made the tough decision to leave home and go out on her own.
Favored takes us through her struggles as a Black undocumented immigrant and the road to earning her doctorate without access to federal financial aid. Now the Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions and adjunct faculty at California Lutheran University, Felecia hopes to shed light on the plight of Black undocumented people and transform the lives of marginalized young people with her story, mentorship and resources.
Felecia is looking for publishers who are interested in releasing her memoir.
