We use words like “honor,” “loyalty,” and “tradition” to talk about our families. But behind closed doors, if you listen closely enough, you can hear the muffled sounds of suffering. If you are one of those people, take heart in knowing you are not alone. The good news is that you have a choice. You have the power to break the cycle of sameness. You can decide to do things differently. Even if it means being the first in your family to do so. Sometimes what God has planned for our future can only be achieved on the other side of family ties. 

Join Felicia Harris and unburden yourself of the weight of family ideals, influences, and imperfections by choosing to believe that what you’ve always known is not all there is. First in the Family tells Felicia’s story and reveals biblical truths that serve to encourage cycle breakers—those who refuse to be held bound by the way things have always been. This is an unconventional story; but then again, the story of salvation was never conventional anyway.

Felicia L. Harris, PhD, is a writer, speaker, and communication professor whose work has been featured in HuffPost, Faithfully Magazine, Our Bible App, and other publications. Her mission is to empower others to imagine beautiful futures for those who are often overlooked. She accomplishes this through academic scholarship and ministry work as an intercessory prayer warrior and small group leader. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her son, Omari, and their dog, Ray Charlie.

“Anyone who has experienced family trauma and struggles with reconciling such relationships with the life they know they deserve will benefit greatly from reading this book. Harris’s frank and gracious approach is grounded in an inspiring personal journey that reflects the power and freedom—and challenges—that come when we finally decide to tell the truth.”
—Nicola A. Menzie, Founding Editor, Faithfully Magazine

“Every once in a while, a book comes along that reveals things you didn’t even know were hidden. With the skill of a surgeon, Harris extracts brokenness and brings hope. When it comes to family heartache, the typical response is to ignore or excuse, but this book invites us to another option . . . to get free. A must-read for anyone serious about moving from pain to possibility.”

—Gari Meacham, President and CEO, The Vine Uganda, and author of Spirit Hunger, Watershed Moments, Truly Fed, and Be Free

“Like a loving friend, Harris opens readers’ eyes to ideas about family and loyalty that offer life-changing insights for Christians who have experienced family trauma. Through her approachable and vulnerable style, she validates those who have struggled with caring for themselves amid family turmoil and clarifies how the Word of God helps us understand family and forgiveness. Harris presents a clear image of God and family that is a liberating must-read.”

—Stacie Craft DeFreitas, PhD, LSSP, clinical psychologist, and author of African American Psychology: A Positive Psychology Perspective

“Courageously transparent and daringly vulnerable, Dr. Harris shares her personal experiences with family trauma and her journey toward liberation. The biblical truths she expounds uplift and encourage those of us from broken families that wholeness is indeed possible.”

—Reverend Dr. Jonathan Chism, author of 30 Day Journey with Martin Luther King Jr.

“It is evident from the very first word, first sentence, and first page that Dr. Sistah Felicia Harris’s book First in the Family is a one-of-kind remedy for the wounded and broken-hearted seeking relief from God for wounds untold. She bears her soul as she revisits the past to impart wisdom and hope into the present and future of the reader. Each page drips with authenticity and vulnerability, which is an essential sacrifice for those of us who follow Christ. Dr. Harris provides us with a road map to peace and joy that we are all seeking in one way or another. I pray that God will use this book to speak to his children to let them know that the shackles that bind them to generational curses can and will be broken! After reading this book, they will have the confidence and strength to walk boldly into the promises of God!!”

—Dr. Tina M. Harris, Professor and Endowed Chair of Race, Media, & Cultural Literacy; Affiliate, The African and African American Studies Program, Louisiana State University, Manship School of Mass Communication

ISBN 9781684263615

Pages 176

Demensions (inches) 5.5 x 8.25

Weight (pounds) .5