We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Da’Nall Wilmer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Da’Nall, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with inspirations and heroes. Are there any historical figures you look up to?
Honestly, there are a lot of historical figures I look up to, but one who really inspires me is Kamala Harris. I love how she made history as the first woman and person of color to hold the position of Vice President. To me, she represents resilience and the idea that you can create space even when people say there isn’t any. Even during her 107-day presidential run, she showed so much courage. That campaign may not have gone all the way, but it was still history in the making and showed what it means to lead and break barriers, even when the odds are tough.
I also think about Shirley Chisholm, who was the first Black woman to run for president. She had the guts to do something that nobody thought was possible and did it on her own terms. Her motto was “Unbought and Ubossed,” and I think that says everything about the kind of leader she was. She once said she’d rather be remembered for opening doors than for being the first through them, and that really sticks with me.
And then there’s Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court Justice. Before he ever sat on the Court, he argued Brown v. Board of Education, which ended legal segregation in public schools. That case completely changed the landscape of education in America, and as an educator, I feel the weight of that legacy every day. His fight for equality in schools shows how powerful it can be when you stand firmly in the service of the right thing.
For me, all of them represent strength and resilience in different ways. They remind me that resilience is not just about pushing through hard times, it’s about making sure the next generation has a little more hope and opportunity than you did.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Da’Nall Wilmer, and at my core, I am an educator, mentor, and storyteller. I have been teaching for almost two decades, and what has always driven me is the idea that young people deserve encouragement, representation, and hope. Writing children’s books has been an extension of that mission. My first three books, THE GOOD BOOK, THE GREAT BOOK, and THE BEST BOOK, each focus on building character, leadership, and resilience in kids.
THE UNBREAKABLE BOOK: A Kid’s Guide to Resilience and Hope for a Better Tomorrow is the next step in that journey. I wrote it because I wanted kids, especially those who might be feeling uncertain about the world after recent events, to see that history is filled with people who faced enormous challenges and still found a way forward. My hope is that the book gives them the same sense of resilience and courage that I have found in those stories.
What sets me apart is that I do not just write for kids, I work with them every day in the classroom. I know the questions they ask, the fears they wrestle with, and the encouragement they need to hear. That connection shapes my writing so that my books are not just stories, but real tools for growth and inspiration.
I am proud of being able to use my platform to uplift young people and remind them of their strength. If readers or supporters take anything away from me and my work, I hope it is this: our kids are capable of so much, and with the right stories, they can discover that they are unbreakable, too.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
One story that really speaks to my resilience is my current journey of earning my doctorate. I am still in the middle of it, and to be honest, it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. Balancing school, teaching, writing, and life is not easy. There are days when the workload feels like too much, but I remind myself of the bigger picture and the students who are watching me. I want them to see that even when something is challenging and takes time, you can stay the course. Finishing will not just be about me. It will be about showing them that perseverance matters.
That lesson feels even more important in today’s climate. As a minority educator, I see how political decisions and election results can weigh heavily on kids who are just trying to figure out where they fit in this world. It is not always easy to mentor and teach in the middle of that, but it has pushed me to lean into encouragement. I want my students to know that even in uncertain times, they are not powerless. They can stand tall, keep learning, and keep moving forward.
That is the heart of THE UNBREAKABLE BOOK. It is about facing challenges, whether they are personal goals like mine or bigger societal struggles, and still choosing hope. That is the kind of resilience I want every child to believe they already carry inside of them.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding part of being a creative is knowing that my work can inspire and encourage young people. Every time I hear from a student or a parent that one of my books made a difference, it reminds me why I do this.
What makes THE UNBREAKABLE BOOK especially rewarding is that it gave me the chance to do something new. My earlier books focused on character education and lessons like leadership, respecting differences, and overcoming challenges. This book still does that, but it also lets me bring in another passion of mine, which is Black history. I loved being able to weave the two together. Kids get both a character lesson and a history lesson, and hopefully, they walk away feeling proud of who they are and ready to face the future with courage.
At the end of the day, that is the joy of being an author. You get to take what you care about, turn it into a story, and watch it spark something in a child. That is the best reward there is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danallwilmer.com
- Instagram: @danalltyrell
- Facebook: /danalltyrell
- Twitter: @danalltyrell
Image Credits
Iconic Image Photography