May 21st, 2026

Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited—and the Fight to Retake Control, released May 19

We are pleased to announce that Frankfurt Kurnit partner and Entertainment Group Chair Lisa E. Davis has published her debut book, Our Minds Were Always Free: A History of How Black Brilliance Was Exploited—and the Fight to Retake Control, released May 19.

In this timely and compelling work, Lisa explores how African American creators—whose influence on music, film, television, and culture has been profound—have historically been denied ownership of their work, and how many have fought to reclaim their intellectual property rights.

Drawing on both history and her extensive experience as an entertainment attorney, Lisa traces the evolution of intellectual property law from the 18th century to today, highlighting the ongoing intersection of creativity, ownership, and economic power.

The book has already received strong early praise, including from Kirkus Reviews, which describes it as a “lively and smart” exploration of the relationship between Black creativity and intellectual property.

Published by Simon & Schuster, Our Minds Were Always Free offers valuable perspective for anyone working across the creative industries, including artists, executives, and legal professionals navigating issues of ownership, rights, and emerging technologies.

 

Read her full bio here.