Jess L. Jackson’s 3rd novel is a continuation of her effort to illustrate Black stories that dispel myths and stereotypes surrounding the Black community at large. “To Follow Where You Are”, speaks to and empathetically for the soul of Black men who’s stories often go untold because being transparent or emotional is a foreign concept for them. The need for their healing is beneficial not only for them, but imperative for all. We commonly hear of the “the absentee” father, but every story isn’t quite the same proving that defining people by statistics and false narratives steals their humanity and divine right to the pursue their own truth.

‘To Follow Where You Are’, centers around Malik Rushen, whose life is heading upward in leaps and bounds, but he’s not satisfied with simply “just getting by”. With his mother bracing his back, and family by his side… he’s on the verge of entering the door down a path he’d prayed and worked tirelessly toward for quite some time. Yet as he takes the first steps to enter, the duct tape that was holding him together is ripped off and unravels. The wounds he’d learned to numbingly tolerate are exposed and instead of rebandaging his scars, he chooses to heal.

Growing up in inner city Chicago, Malik had dreams of becoming a professional basketball player, with a once very promising future. He was at the height of his high school career with his college letter of intent ready and in hand. Within just a few months from the finish line his twin brother Malikai was tragically murdered. Malik’s entire life changed within the matter of a few blinks. He’d lost hope but eventually found courage and fought hard to overcome shadows he didn’t deserve. His plan to cope with his losses forever appeared to be his only resolve, until one day he had every reason to restore hope… The father he never knew enters his life--- ushering in change.

Together the two embark upon a journey to understand how they’d ever come to be apart.