In Memoriam: Tina Brooks McKinney

Storyteller. Truth-teller. Woman of Grace. (1961–2025)

We are heartbroken to share the passing of Tina Brooks McKinney, an unforgettable voice in Black literature and a woman who lived her truth boldly and unapologetically. Known for her bestselling urban fiction novels like Snapped, All That Drama, and the Deep Deception series, Tina’s books once captivated readers with their raw emotion, unfiltered drama, and complex portrayals of love, betrayal, and resilience.

But in her later years, Tina chose a different kind of storytelling. One rooted in faith. One grounded in grace. She no longer led with her past work—not because it wasn’t powerful, but because it no longer aligned with the woman she had become. On TikTok, she shared day-to-day reflections, memories, and wisdom. She opened her heart, not just as an author, but as a woman walking in alignment with God.

She didn’t just write books—she shared herself. The joyful parts. The painful parts. The real parts. Whether it was her fiction or her faith-filled musings, Tina made us feel seen.

At Intellectual Ink, we honor her full journey—not just the titles she penned, but the woman she grew into. She taught us that stories don’t always need a publisher to matter. Sometimes, the most powerful ones are told in everyday moments, lived out in faith and grace.

Thank you, Tina, for showing us what it means to grow, to walk in purpose, and to leave this world better than you found it.

Rest in Power. Rest in Peace.