Ai Zone Studio · Legacy

Legacy Publishing for the African Diaspora

Your family's story deserves to outlive the people who lived it.

Every generation knows a little less. We turn African diaspora family stories into beautifully published books — before the window closes.

Your grandparent
Tari Jumbo
Your parent
Nengi Jumbo-Phillips
Your child
Marcus Phillips

The stakes

The stories are still there. But the window is closing.

2
Generations before most diaspora family stories are gone
1 in 3
Diaspora adults cannot name their grandparents' village or hometown
0
Books written about most African diaspora families — yet

The elder in your family who carries this history — the migration story, the war survival, the name of the village, the prayers that held the family together — is not going to live forever. And when they go, the stories go with them. Unless someone writes them down first.

This is not a new problem. Every family in the African diaspora knows it. What is new is that there is now a clear, structured way to do something about it — and a publisher who understands exactly what these stories need.

"I thought we had more time. My mother passed in February, and the interviews we kept saying we would do never happened. I wish someone had told me to start sooner." — A client, six months after beginning her mother's posthumous memoir
The window is not closed. But it is not as wide as it feels. If your elder is in their 70s, 80s, or older — the best day to begin was five years ago. The second best day is this week.

What we create together

Not a scrapbook. A real, published book.

A family legacy book has chapters, a cover with your family name on it, and a narrative arc — a story with scenes and voices, not a list of dates and facts. Available in print through major distributors, and as a digital archive your family can access anywhere in the world.

I

We collect the story

A structured questionnaire, recorded interview sessions, and guided memory prompts tailored to the African diaspora experience draw out the names, places, and moments no one thought to ask about.

II

We shape it into a manuscript

A real narrative — not a timeline, not a bullet list. A story written in the family's own voice. We handle the writing, editing, and structure. Your job is to show up and remember.

III

We design and publish it

Cover design, interior layout, photo integration, KDP and EPUB3 distribution setup. The book becomes a real, purchasable object — printed copies in your hands, digital copies your family can share across continents.

IV

The next generation inherits something real

Not a folder of fading photos. A book. Their book. With their family's name on the cover and their history inside.

Three ways to begin

We meet families where they are — in budget and readiness.

Whether you want to start this weekend with a guided kit, or hand the entire project to us, there is a path designed for your situation.

Self-guided

Legacy in a Box

$27 – $47

Everything a family needs to collect and organize their stories on their own. Start this weekend.

  • Story prompt workbook (PDF + KDP paperback)
  • Interview guide for recording elder sessions
  • Photo memoir Canva template
  • Self-publishing checklist (KDP / Draft2Digital)
Get the kit
Full service

The Living Archive

$1,500 – $2,500+

We handle everything — interviews, manuscript, design, distribution. Especially suited for families with an elder in their 80s or older.

  • 3 recorded and transcribed interview sessions
  • Full ghostwritten manuscript
  • Professional editing and proofreading
  • Interior design with family photos
  • Hardcover and ebook distribution
  • 10 printed gift copies for family members
Begin the conversation

Not sure which path is right? The discovery questionnaire takes 8 minutes and gives you a clear answer.

Common questions

Things families ask us before they begin.

What if our elder is reluctant to be interviewed?
This is the most common thing we hear, and it rarely stays an obstacle. We use gentle, conversational prompts designed specifically for elders who say "that was a long time ago" or "there is nothing special about my life." Most open up within the first session — the prompts begin with the ordinary, and the deeper stories follow naturally.
What if the stories involve painful history — war, loss, trauma?
We handle sensitive history with care. Many of the most powerful legacy books in our portfolio include hardship — Biafra, displacement, economic migration under duress, grief. The point is not to sanitize the story but to honor it truthfully, and to give it the dignity of a well-told narrative rather than leaving it to fade unacknowledged.
Our family is spread across multiple countries. Can this still work?
Yes. Every part of our process works remotely — interviews, collaboration, approvals, and delivery. We have worked with families spread across Nigeria, the UK, the United States, Canada, and beyond. The book ends up in everyone's hands regardless of where they live.
What if the elder has already passed away?
A posthumous memoir is still very much possible. We work from whatever exists — letters, documents, photographs, audio recordings, and interviews with family members who knew them. Many families say this is the most healing project they have ever done together.
How long does the process take from start to finished book?
For the Family Story Starter, expect 8 to 12 weeks from intake to your first printed proof. The Living Archive typically runs 3 to 5 months depending on interview scheduling and manuscript depth. If you have a reunion, milestone birthday, or other deadline, tell us in the questionnaire and we will plan around it.
Will the book really be available for purchase — like on Amazon?
Yes. Through KDP and our distribution partners, your family's book is available for anyone to order in print or download as an ebook — indefinitely. Your grandchildren's grandchildren will be able to find it. That is the point.
M

A word from Mina

Founder, Ai Zone Studio

I am a Bible teacher, a published author of over 30 books, and the founder of Ai Zone Studio. I have spent more than three decades in para-ministry, helping people tell the stories that matter most. I understand the African diaspora experience from the inside — the weight of distance, the fear of forgetting, and the particular grief of realizing too late that someone's story is gone.

This work is personal. And it is the most important publishing work I do.

Begin today

The stories are still there.

Fill out the free discovery questionnaire. It takes about eight minutes. By the end, you will know exactly which path is right for your family — and you will have a much clearer sense of what is at stake if you wait.

Take the discovery questionnaire — free No commitment. No sales pressure. Just clarity on your family's next step.