Dr. Margena A. Christian
@drmargenaxan.bsky.social
Former editor #Ebony #Jet
Emeritus Senior Lecturer in English #UIC
Author It's No Wonder and Empire: The House That John H Johnson Built
💛💙🐩
Emeritus Senior Lecturer in English #UIC
Author It's No Wonder and Empire: The House That John H Johnson Built
💛💙🐩
Pinned
I am delighted to announce that my book, It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy, will be released on February 10, 2026. It is available now for preorder.
#ItsNoWonder #SylviaMoy #Motown #Songwriter #Producer #StevieWonder #DaCapo
#ItsNoWonder #SylviaMoy #Motown #Songwriter #Producer #StevieWonder #DaCapo
When I wrote Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built, I asked Rev. 2 do the 4word. He agreed to reflect about his mentor, whom he lovingly called his “godfather.” It was through the pages of JET/EBONY that Mr. Johnson helped to propel Rev. in2 a household name.
Rest well, Rev. You earned it!
Rest well, Rev. You earned it!
February 18, 2026 at 1:57 AM
When I wrote Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built, I asked Rev. 2 do the 4word. He agreed to reflect about his mentor, whom he lovingly called his “godfather.” It was through the pages of JET/EBONY that Mr. Johnson helped to propel Rev. in2 a household name.
Rest well, Rev. You earned it!
Rest well, Rev. You earned it!
And this is love! On Valentine’s Day, my first book signing in Chicago sold out of It’s No Wonder. Thank you to Da Book Joint. 🥰❤️🙏🏽
February 16, 2026 at 3:49 PM
And this is love! On Valentine’s Day, my first book signing in Chicago sold out of It’s No Wonder. Thank you to Da Book Joint. 🥰❤️🙏🏽
My new biography is shining a light on Sylvia Moy, one of Hitsville U.S.A.'s greats in the book It's No Wonder. Unlike the other ladies, Moy was the label's first in-house songwriter AND producer to work alongside her male colleagues.
February 15, 2026 at 8:16 PM
My new biography is shining a light on Sylvia Moy, one of Hitsville U.S.A.'s greats in the book It's No Wonder. Unlike the other ladies, Moy was the label's first in-house songwriter AND producer to work alongside her male colleagues.
All she ever wanted was to have her voice heard. It is now. Read Sylvia Moy’s biography called It’s No Wonder (DaCapo), just released last week.
Quick story by the late songwriter/producer Sylvia Moy. She saved a young Stevie Wonder from being let go by Motown. #MotownMonday 🎶🛞
📺: Motown 40 (1998)
📺: Motown 40 (1998)
February 15, 2026 at 9:10 AM
All she ever wanted was to have her voice heard. It is now. Read Sylvia Moy’s biography called It’s No Wonder (DaCapo), just released last week.
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
Meticulously researched and fiercely feminist, It's No Wonder is a historical corrective that restores Sylvia Moy to her rightful place at the forefront of music history.
February 9, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Meticulously researched and fiercely feminist, It's No Wonder is a historical corrective that restores Sylvia Moy to her rightful place at the forefront of music history.
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy
by Margena A. Christian
It’s No Wonder examines the groundbreaking career of Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter & producer. It's time to un-erase Sylvia Moy.
#founditinabook 📚
#blackbooksky
#blacksky
by Margena A. Christian
It’s No Wonder examines the groundbreaking career of Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter & producer. It's time to un-erase Sylvia Moy.
#founditinabook 📚
#blackbooksky
#blacksky
February 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy
by Margena A. Christian
It’s No Wonder examines the groundbreaking career of Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter & producer. It's time to un-erase Sylvia Moy.
#founditinabook 📚
#blackbooksky
#blacksky
by Margena A. Christian
It’s No Wonder examines the groundbreaking career of Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter & producer. It's time to un-erase Sylvia Moy.
#founditinabook 📚
#blackbooksky
#blacksky
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
“Baby, everything is alright; Uptight, out of sight” Stevie Wonder’s single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” was released today in 1965 on Tamla/Motown. Penned by Wonder, Sylvia Moy & Henry Cosby, the single peaked at #3 on the American pop charts – & #1 on the R&B charts.
November 22, 2025 at 12:37 PM
“Baby, everything is alright; Uptight, out of sight” Stevie Wonder’s single “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” was released today in 1965 on Tamla/Motown. Penned by Wonder, Sylvia Moy & Henry Cosby, the single peaked at #3 on the American pop charts – & #1 on the R&B charts.
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
Our weekly contribution to Black Kos/@dailykos.com of this week's newly released books of special interest to Black readers: www.dailykos.com/comments/236...
Titles/authors in alt-text.
Book links in the linked post.
Authors of this week's books on Bluesky can be found in the comment thread.
Titles/authors in alt-text.
Book links in the linked post.
Authors of this week's books on Bluesky can be found in the comment thread.
February 15, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Our weekly contribution to Black Kos/@dailykos.com of this week's newly released books of special interest to Black readers: www.dailykos.com/comments/236...
Titles/authors in alt-text.
Book links in the linked post.
Authors of this week's books on Bluesky can be found in the comment thread.
Titles/authors in alt-text.
Book links in the linked post.
Authors of this week's books on Bluesky can be found in the comment thread.
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
Sylvia Moy | National Geographic share.google/mAW8h5Sl5hWe...
Sylvia Moy
It's hard to fathom life today without the hit songs of Stevie Wonder. If it wasn't for Sylvia Moy, an unsung Motown powerhouse, we might never have gotten those tunes.
share.google
February 12, 2026 at 10:05 PM
Sylvia Moy | National Geographic share.google/mAW8h5Sl5hWe...
Reposted by Dr. Margena A. Christian
New Book Sheds Light on Motown Pioneer Sylvia Moy — But Her Family Feels ‘Terribly Betrayed.’ What Happened?
New Book Sheds Light on Motown Pioneer Sylvia Moy — But Her Family Feels ‘Terribly Betrayed.’ What Happened?
Motown songwriter Sylvia Moy was a pioneer. A new book details her accomplishments, but her family isn't happy.
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 8:32 PM
New Book Sheds Light on Motown Pioneer Sylvia Moy — But Her Family Feels ‘Terribly Betrayed.’ What Happened?
Thank you to all of my former EBONY/JET magazine colleagues for showing up to hear me discuss It's No Wonder: The Life and Legacy of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy.
#SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
#SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
February 15, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Thank you to all of my former EBONY/JET magazine colleagues for showing up to hear me discuss It's No Wonder: The Life and Legacy of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy.
#SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
#SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
Today was my first book signing for It's No Wonder: The Life and Legacy of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. It took place at Da Book Joint on the South Side of Chicago. Full house and book sold out! 🥰 #SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
February 15, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Today was my first book signing for It's No Wonder: The Life and Legacy of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. It took place at Da Book Joint on the South Side of Chicago. Full house and book sold out! 🥰 #SylviaMoy #ItsNoWonder #Motown #Pioneer #Songwriter #Producer
www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblo...
Motown historian and author Adam White, a longtime music industry veteran, examines It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy in his latest post on West Grand Blog.
Motown historian and author Adam White, a longtime music industry veteran, examines It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy in his latest post on West Grand Blog.
Sylvia, His Cherie Amour — Adam White
A MATTER OF CREDIT, EXPLORED IN A NEW BOOK Let’s revisit that photo. After all, isn’t it one of Motown’s most memorable, capturing a magic moment in Studio A? ...
www.adampwhite.com
February 13, 2026 at 6:48 PM
www.adampwhite.com/westgrandblo...
Motown historian and author Adam White, a longtime music industry veteran, examines It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy in his latest post on West Grand Blog.
Motown historian and author Adam White, a longtime music industry veteran, examines It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy in his latest post on West Grand Blog.
Thanks for mentioning It’s No Wonder. 🤗💯
These brand-new books on Black history and culture, published just this week, are part of our 20% off Black History Month promotion, which features over 100 titles in all. Titles/authors in alt-text.
theliteratelizard.com/black-histor...
Authors who are on Bluesky in the following comment. 🧵
theliteratelizard.com/black-histor...
Authors who are on Bluesky in the following comment. 🧵
February 13, 2026 at 4:10 AM
Thanks for mentioning It’s No Wonder. 🤗💯
Sylvia Moy didn't just make Motown history. She made music history for ALL women by shattering barriers during the Sixties as a multihyphenate songwriter and producer in a male-dominated industry. It's time for Moy to take center stage. Shine, Sylvia! Shine!
February 12, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Sylvia Moy didn't just make Motown history. She made music history for ALL women by shattering barriers during the Sixties as a multihyphenate songwriter and producer in a male-dominated industry. It's time for Moy to take center stage. Shine, Sylvia! Shine!
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making it possible for the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. to finally have her voice heard. Here's what some are saying!
February 12, 2026 at 11:05 PM
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making it possible for the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. to finally have her voice heard. Here's what some are saying!
All she ever wanted was to have her voice heard.
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making that possible. Praise for the highly anticipated biography about the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. is unanimous!
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making that possible. Praise for the highly anticipated biography about the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. is unanimous!
February 12, 2026 at 11:02 PM
All she ever wanted was to have her voice heard.
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making that possible. Praise for the highly anticipated biography about the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. is unanimous!
It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy is making that possible. Praise for the highly anticipated biography about the woman who broke barriers as a songwriter/producer at Hitsville U.S.A. is unanimous!
www.houstonpress.com/music/a-real... (Much gratitude to the Houston Press for this article about Sylvia Moy, "A Real Wonder Woman," and my just-released biography, It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy.) #SylviaMoy #Motown #Pioneer #Producer #Songwriter
A Real Wonder Woman - Houston Press
Songwriter/producer Sylvia Moy fought sexism and racism (sometimes in her own company) to pen many Motown classics.
www.houstonpress.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:48 PM
www.houstonpress.com/music/a-real... (Much gratitude to the Houston Press for this article about Sylvia Moy, "A Real Wonder Woman," and my just-released biography, It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy.) #SylviaMoy #Motown #Pioneer #Producer #Songwriter
Today is national publication day for It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. On this day, her voice is finally being heard. Shine, Sylvia! Shine!
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Sylvia Moy
It's hard to fathom life today without the hit songs of Stevie Wonder. If it wasn't for Sylvia Moy, an unsung Motown powerhouse, we might never have gotten those tunes.
www.nationalgeographic.com
February 10, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Today is national publication day for It's No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown's Legendary Songwriter Sylvia Moy. On this day, her voice is finally being heard. Shine, Sylvia! Shine!
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
www.nationalgeographic.com/history/arti...
Thanks for sharing my work! 🤗❤️💯
New biography 'It's No Wonder' chronicles Sylvia Moy's groundbreaking career as Motown's first certified female in-house songwriter and producer, penning classics for Stevie Wonder and others. zurl.co/T4LCX
New Biography Chronicles Motown Pioneer Sylvia Moy's Groundbreaking Songwriting Career - That Eric Alper
Dr. Margena A. Christian’s biography ‘It’s No Wonder: The Life and Times of Motown’s legendary songwriter Sylvia Moy’ arrives February 10, restoring the Detroit native to her rightful place at the forefront of music history. Moy became Motown’s first certified female in-house songwriter and producer, battling sexism and breaking down barriers in a room full […]
zurl.co
February 10, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Thanks for sharing my work! 🤗❤️💯
www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-45... (Check out my appearance on Good Day Chicago! Tomorrow is the big day when the world finally meets Sylvia Moy, the hidden treasure of Hitsville U.S.A. who shattered barriers in music for ALL women.) #ItsNoWonder #Producer #Songwriter #Pioneer
New book shines a spotlight on Motown songwriter Sylvia Moy
Author Margena Christian discusses her new book on Sylvia Moy, the trailblazing songwriter behind hits for Stevie Wonder and other Motown legends, and the challenges Moy faced in getting credit for he...
www.fox32chicago.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:53 PM
www.fox32chicago.com/video/fmc-45... (Check out my appearance on Good Day Chicago! Tomorrow is the big day when the world finally meets Sylvia Moy, the hidden treasure of Hitsville U.S.A. who shattered barriers in music for ALL women.) #ItsNoWonder #Producer #Songwriter #Pioneer
Chicago! Tune in on Monday, 02/09!
February 8, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Chicago! Tune in on Monday, 02/09!