Da Brat & Judy: The Way Love Goes - Book Tour

Join us for a heartwarming gathering focused on the power of authentic love. Experience an intimate evening of laughter and real talk. Hosted by Malik Books and PAFF at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall.

We invite you to An Evening of Storytelling, a community gathering that goes beyond the headlines and reality TV cameras. This is an opportunity to sit down in a space of warmth and humor to explore the universal themes of partnership, parenting, and living your truth.

Event Moderator is Author & Exec Producer of Bel-Air RASHEED NEWSON

*Ticket includes a signed copy of the book.

*Additional copies of "The Way Love Goes" will be available to take home as a keepsake of the conversation.

Hip-hop legend “Da Brat” DuPart and her wife Judy DuPart, stars of WEtv’s highly rated reality series Brat Loves Judy, share their journey to the altar and parenthood in this candid relationship guide and marriage memoir.

Hip-hop legend Da Brat and beauty entrepreneur Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart’s love story is as heartwarming as it is improbable. As rumors about her sexuality abounded, “Brat” believed she would remain “in the closet” until she took her last breath. But lightning struck when the rapper and the businesswoman met in 2017. Though their chemistry was instant and undeniable, the two went their separate ways.

Reconnecting at the ESSENCE Festival a few years later, Da Brat made the bold decision to publicly come out and confirmed their relationship in March 2020. Their love blossoming into their own successful reality show Brat Loves Judy, and two years later their marriage. Within a few months of sharing vows, the couple announced that Da Brat was pregnant, and on July 6, 2023, the pair welcomed a baby boy named True Legend Harris-Dupart.

Part memoir and part relationship guide, The Way Love Goes, is laugh-out-loud funny and filled with warmth and love—just like its authors. Told in Da Brat’s signature Chicago tone, and Judy’s distinctive New Orleans patois, they each take turns detailing common relationship challenges, from sharing successful and meaningful communication to creating balance to coping with jealousy—and how they conquered them.

The Experience This isn't a lecture; it is a celebration of the messy, beautiful journey of relationships. Guided by the candid voices of Da Brat and Judy, we will open the floor to discuss:

• The Courage to be Yourself: Navigating the fear of judgment and the freedom of finally stepping into the light.

• The Reality of Relationships: Moving past the "Instagram perfect" image to discuss the real work—communication, coping with jealousy, and finding balance.

• The Joy of Family: The road to the altar, the surprises of parenthood, and building a legacy of love.

Why Join Us? Whether you are navigating your own relationship, looking for inspiration to live more authentically, or simply want an evening filled with infectious laughter and New Orleans soul mixed with Chicago grit, this gathering is for you.

You will leave not just with a book, but with a renewed sense of possibility and the reminder that it is never too late to write your own love story.

About the Storytellers

While you may know them as Hip-hop legend Da Brat and beauty entrepreneur Jesseca “Judy” Harris-Dupart, or as the stars of Brat Loves Judy, this evening introduces you to them simply as a couple navigating life just like the rest of us. From their improbable meeting to the birth of their son, True Legend, they are bringing their distinctive voices—and their hearts—to the stage.

Shawntae Harris, born in Chicago, Illinois better known by her stage name “Da Brat,” is an American rap artist, profound writer, television and radio personality, actress, and executive music and television producer. Her debut album Funkdafied was released in 1994 and entered the rap albums chart at #1. The album went platinum, making her the “first” female solo rapper to sell one million units. Da Brat has released four studio albums to date and in 2015, she made her radio debut and joined the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show as the new co-host. In 2021, she made television history with her partner Jesseca Harris-Dupart as the first LGBTQ+ female power couple featured on reality television. Da Brat continues to flourish her acting and music career, by writing and producing as well as developing new talent. Along with making special appearances, performances and speaking engagements, she also lends her time to charitable organizations such as Kaleidoscope Kares, Kamileon’s Kloset, Hosea Feed The Hungry and Saving Our Daughters.

Jesseca Harris-Dupart, better known as “Judy” is a trailblazer in both the business and entertainment world, hails from the dynamic city of New Orleans. She is the CEO and founder of Kaleidoscope Hair Products, and her business acumen extends beyond the beauty industry, as an influential social media and television personality and real estate investor. She stars in WEtv’s Brat Loves Judy, alongside her partner, rapper Da Brat. Harris-Dupart’s media appearances extend beyond her reality show. She has been featured in Forbes, ESSENCE, Black Enterprise, BET, People, and E!. Discussing her powerful journey to success, she shares the complexities of balancing business, love and family, resonating with many entrepreneurs who face similar challenges. Her commitment to community service is deeply rooted, driven by a desire to leave a positive impact and support others.

About Rasheed Newson

Rasheed Newson is the author of the national bestseller My Government Means to K*ll Me, which was selected as a Lambda Literary finalist for Gay Fiction and was named one of the “The 100 Notable Books of 2022” by The New York Times. He is also a television drama writer, producer, and showrunner. He co-developed Bel-Air and worked on The Chi, Animal Kingdom, and Narcos, among other drama series. In 2026, Rasheed was an American Library in Paris Visiting Fellow.

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