Books Archives | AFRO American Newspapers

Author Shadra Strickland hosts a read-along for ‘Jump In!’ at Enoch Pratt Free Library!

AFRO Staff — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 01:30:00 +0000

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Shadra Strickland celebrates the historically Black tradition of double dutch with her new children’s book, “Jump In!”

The author and illustrator held a read along at The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Waverly branch on Sept 28 to interact with young readers and their families. Strickland’s book highlights the importance of a community at play together, with bright illustrations that show young and old bonding through the power of the jump rope.

Shadra Strickland makes her debut as an author and illustrator in her children’s book, titled “Jump In !” (Photo courtesy of Instagram / Shadra Strickland)

Strickland told the AFRO that art has always been a part of her life, she studied design, writing, and illustration at Syracuse University and furthered her education by earning her master’s at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Strickland’s work has earned many awards, including the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award in 2010, the same year she won an NAACP Image Award. She has also received the Ashley Bryan Children’s Literature Award, which she earned in 2011.

Strickland has worked on several books as an illustrator, and shared that “Jump In!” allowed all of her artistic passions to collide.

“I was able to combine all of those skills – writing, illustration and graphic design to come together and create books,” she said.

The inspiration for “Jump In!” came from Strickland’s own memories and experiences of being outside with her friends at school and enjoying recess, which was a time she looked forward to– especially being an only child.

“I spent a lot of time playing alone,” she said. “One of the things that was always really exciting about going to school was being able to have recess and go outside and play with my friends.”

Strickland said one day she came across a commercial that called up nostalgic memories of her childhood. She decided to write a book about the joys of playing outside as a kid in hopes of inspiring other children and people to get outside and play.

“I hope that they can see themselves in those characters – I hope that it inspires them to want to go outside and play,” said Strickland.

The book serves as an invitation to all people to play together. She shared that the diversity in the book is a reflection of the diverse neighborhood she grew up in as a child and the world she lives in today.

“This book particularly is an invitation for everybody,” Strickland told the AFRO. “All people, of different ages, genders– everybody– can come on the playground.”

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Members of Afro Charities team speak on preserving history

Ariyana Griffin — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 13:30:00 +0000

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

The Baltimore Book Festival, a top annual event for Charm City book lovers, celebrated its 25-year anniversary Sept. 28-29. More than just a literary event, the festival is a proud celebration of authors, small businesses, cultural preservation and fostering community from members across Baltimore.

Members of the Afro Charities team and The Baltimore Beat collaborate on a panel at the 25-year anniversary of the Baltimore Book Festival in the Waverly community on Sept. 28. Shown here, Deyane Moses; director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities (left), Lisa Snowden; co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Baltimore Beat and Bilphena Yahwon, processing fellow at Afro Charities.

The Waverly community hosted the two-day festival, home to multiple bookshops, including Red Emma’s, Normals Books and Records, Urban Reads and The Book Thing of Baltimore. Over 100 authors and guests joined the festival to engage in conversations about book bans, Black history, education and more, making it an inclusive event welcoming to all.

Lisa Snowden, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Baltimore Beat, discussed “Preserving History: How the Black Press Safeguards the Past,” in collaboration with members of the Afro Charities team. Writer Bry Reed moderated the conversation, which was led by Snowden, Deyane Moses, director of programs and partnerships for Afro Charities, and Bilphena Yahwon, processing fellow at Afro Charities.

According to The Pew Research Center, only “about half of Black Americans (51 percent) say they are very or extremely informed about the history of Black people in the U.S. Nearly four-in-ten (37 percent) say they are somewhat informed, while 11 percent say they are a little or not at all informed.” Furthermore, research found that most Black adults learned history from friends and family.

Afro Charities, a key player in preserving Black history nationally, boasts an archival collection of over 130 years of history from the AFRO-American Newspapers and beyond. This collection is a vital resource for those interested in learning about history, and the organization has made it its mission to make it accessible.

Moses shared that the AFRO was “a major outlet for civil rights leaders and everyday people to talk about the good news as well as the things that were happening in their communities.”

“The AFRO is so, so critical for that narrative- they’ve been doing that work and championing that work since 1892, when the paper was founded,” she said.

The AFRO archives have been part of several historic contributions including shows, museums, movies, and more. She shared that they can also be a tool for genealogical research, allowing people to track their family and history.

“I want to make sure everyone out there knows that we are a resource that is accessible right now,” she said, adding that history is very “cyclical,” and it is often repeated, as can be found in the archives.

Snowden spoke on how the work of telling Black stories should be handled with care. She warned of the dangers of constantly turning out stories and moving on because sometimes stories, especially with minorities, need detailed care.

“If you’re turning stuff out, you’re not treating it with care—you’re not treating it with respect,” said Snowden. She shared that they can’t do all the stories in Baltimore due to having a small team. However, she expressed that they can ” do a few things and do them really well—approaching it with dedication.”

Snowden shared that they have already taken measures to preserve and digitize the legacy of the paper to archive the stories they have shared. She stresses the importance of printed media in the archival process – they look forward to archiving the paper more physically.

Yahwon revealed that archiving is not easy and requires patience, hard work, attention to detail and effort. In the past, the archives weren’t as accessible to the open public.

“You couldn’t just go on ProQuest or come to Afro Charities to get a tour out of the blue; people had to do that work,” Yahwon said. “I think that when we get people more familiar with the labor of archiving, they will be able to understand more how they’re able to get online in search of words – that it is somebody who has to put in every single thing.”

She came to this work after yearning for knowledge about her roots in Liberia, where she is originally from, but moved to America due to the Liberian Civil War in 2001. Through her research, she found a lot of information about Liberia that was documented through the AFRO and reached out to Afro Charities. Now, as a processing fellow, Yahwon is able to give insight to how the AFRO reported on issues in other countries, via local contacts and on-the-ground reporting.

To learn more about Afro Charities and their work, visit Afrocharities.com.

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Chad Helton joins Enoch Pratt Free Library as CEO and president

Alexis Taylor — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 20:58:13 +0000

By Alexis Taylor
AFRO Managing Editor

The Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) announced a new CEO and president on Sept. 30.

Hailing from Mount Airy, North Carolina, Chad Helton has been selected to lead the organization, which was founded in 1882 by philanthropist Enoch Pratt.

Helton spoke with the AFRO on day one of his time in the new role.

“I’m very excited, said Helton. “I know all of the amazing work that was done before my arrival and I have big shoes to fill.”

Chad Helton is the new CEO and President of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system. He took on the role on Sept. 30. (Courtesy photo)

Helton said he’s committed to continuing the work being done by EPFL and also looking to further advance the library and services offered. His first order of business is to make himself available to staff and residents to promote understanding of who he is and the work he plans to do.

“I’m creating partnerships with staff, creating partnerships with elected officials and really creating a strong foundation with people that live in the city,” Helton told the AFRO. “I’m holding office hours and ‘Meet the CEO’ events at each individual branch library once a month, so that I can connect with residents of the city to hear from them directly and see what it is that they want from us. That’s one of the first things on my agenda–looking at some of our infrastructure needs and having conversations about facilities improvements and getting funding for facilities.”

Though Helton is now president and CEO of a major library system, he is clear in how others have played a role in his success, including his mother and father, James and Lillie Helton.

“My parents grew up in segregation,” he said. “The opportunities not afforded to them were afforded to me and my brother. I didn’t really understand that until I got older.”

Not one to shy away from his past, Helton told the AFRO how, many years ago, his life looked completely different.

“I dropped out of college for 10 years, and during that time period a lot of things happened,” he said. “My father passed away and I started having conversations with my mom. I started to have conversations with my grandmother, Jettie Mae Helton, who grew up in Jim Crow and lived to be 102 years old. Her grandmother, she remembered, was born into slavery.”

Helton said the poignant conversations put a spotlight on the many opportunities he was “squandering.”

“People really died for the right for me to be able to do anything in this world that I wanted to try and do, and I wasn’t taking advantage of that,” he said. That’s when a friend, Matt Wilburn, stepped in and changed his life.

“Matt knew that I was chronically underemployed and couch surfing,” said Helton. “When you are chronically underemployed, you don’t have full time jobs. You’re working part-time job after part-time job, and they’re somewhat dead end jobs. Matt saw that I was really, really trying hard. For one of the first times in my life–I was really trying hard. He felt if he got me a job at the library delivering books with this golf cart, it would somehow influence me to go back to college, because I’d be back on campus. And he was right.”

“I would not be where I’m at right now, had it not been for him taking that opportunity and really taking a chance on his friend. I’m forever grateful for that,” Helton said. “Let’s be honest, there’s so many people out in this world that work very, very hard, and the opportunities just don’t open up. Everything that I am is related to the opportunities and the faith that people had in me, and I wouldn’t be anything without that.”

Helton is a long way from delivering library books to satellite libraries on the campus of University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He returned to school himself, found a new career path and hasn’t looked back since.

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he went on to get a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University.

“I really do feel that education is the great equalizer and the only way to make it in this world is to educate yourself,” said Helton, who admits he didn’t know there were degrees for careers related to the library system until he was in his late 20s.

Helton said it’s important for Black students to see Black faces in leadership within the library systems of America.

“There aren’t a lot of Black men that do this work. At one point, there were less than 20 Black, male directors in public libraries in the United States,” he said. “When you think of all of the libraries that existed in this country, and the fact that there were less than 20, it’s very important to see Black men and Black faces doing this work and being in these roles. It’s really hard to make change when people don’t know that this is something that they can do. Being out there and having people see my face lets kids know that this is something that they themselves can do.”

“I think it’s very important to be in this role, and be in a position to really start to make some systemic changes related to people getting involved in this particular field,” he added.

Today, Helton leads a system that, in a different decade, would have scoffed at the notion of a Black man taking the helm. In the Sept. 13, 1930 edition of the AFRO, the paper detailed how EPFL refused to hire Black employees– telling Black residents it was “needless” for them to apply for training to become employed by the organization. In the May 19, 1934 edition of the paper, the AFRO recorded how EPFL stood by their decision to segregate their bathrooms, upon receiving complaints from White patrons who thought African-American visitors should use a different restroom.

Decades later, Helton joins a short list of EPFL directors. Since its founding more than a century ago, there have only been 13 EPFL presidents, including Helton. According to information released by the library, a total of three African Americans have led the organization. Anna Curry took the helm in 1981. After Curry, Dr. Carla Hayden, another African-American woman, took on the role in 1993. Helton now joins as the third Black director for EPFL, which boasts 21 branches throughout Charm City, in addition to a Central Branch, located at 400 Cathedral St.

“Chad Helton is the right leader for the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s next chapter,” said Christine Espenshade, chair of the Pratt Library’s Board of Directors, in a statement. “His deep industry experience and creative approach to addressing infrastructure needs will be invaluable as we work toward a bold future for the Pratt Library. We are confident that his leadership, coupled with a commitment to community, will ensure that the Pratt Library continues to thrive as a cornerstone of Baltimore. Chad’s expertise will help us build on the momentum we’ve already gained, including record-high library cardholders and circulation, as well as securing funding for ongoing infrastructure improvements.”

Prior to taking the EPFL position, Helton served as a library consultant and as a director in more than one library system. In Minnesota, he directed the 41 branches of the Hennepin County Library as they took on the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, he led Branch Library Services at the Los Angeles Public Library, which included oversight of 70 branches. In California, Helton served Contra Costa County Library as a deputy county librarian, and in Palo Alto he was the library services manager.

“The Board of Directors is eager to support Chad as he leads the organization into a future defined by innovation and service,” Espenshade added. “Under his leadership, the Pratt Library will continue to be a welcoming and essential resource, empowering Baltimore’s residents through free access to critical resources and opportunities. On behalf of the entire Board, I also want to extend our deepest gratitude to Darcell Graham for her exceptional leadership as Interim CEO during this transitional period.”

Helton is looking forward to expanding EPFL’s capacity to deliver programming needed in the communities of Baltimore while also improving access to digital literacy programs and wellness resources. When asked about the role libraries play in addressing the needs of society, Helton said they are crucial.

“The library is a government entity that people willingly want to come to, and people are generally excited to come to. We have a responsibility to assist people with whatever their needs may be,” said Helton. “I think the work that we’re doing is foundational– being that we are strategically placed throughout the city to address needs for each individual community that we serve.”

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PRESS ROOM: ‘The Covenant With Black America: 20 Years Later’ reignites the call for equity and justice

BlackPR.com — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 01:00:00 +0000

By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES – Twenty years after sparking a national dialogue on systemic inequality, Tavis Smiley has updated and released “The Covenant with Black America.” The recently released book, “The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later,” maintains the book’s original sense of urgency while weaving in a powerful blend of historical insights and contemporary voices. Initially published in 2004, “The Covenant with Black America” quickly became a No. 1 New York Times bestseller by critically addressing the issues facing America’s Black community and pushing the nation to confront deep-rooted disparities with extraordinary determination.

“The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” revisits and updates the hard-hitting social commentary of its original version. The new edition intertwines the original essays with powerful new contributions from today’s leading voices. Despite notable progress, disparities in health, housing, justice, and economic opportunities continue to impact Black communities disproportionately.

“At this critical time in our history, we must confront the forces of extremism and extend the rich tradition of deep democracy in America as we expand justice, equity, and freedom for all,” stated Tavis Smiley. “The new edition provocatively covers today’s most pressing issues and offers tangible solutions to some of this country’s most persistent problems.”

The book’s ten covenants serve as a call to action and a reminder that the path to equality is far from over. Each of the original covenants has been updated with the latest data and analysis, revealing both the progress and the troubling persistence of inequality.

“Most importantly, the new edition includes a poignant essay on the alarming rise of homelessness within our community, where Black men have become the predominant face of this epidemic in America,” added Smiley.

With a fresh foreword by Rev. William J. Barber, II and a special afterword by the esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni, “The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” is a testament to the enduring spirit of advocacy and a beacon of light and hope for future generations. The book invites us all to partake in the crucial work of reshaping America into a more equitable society, echoing the timeless truth that our collective liberation uplifts our nation.

“The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” is now available at local bookstores and online. For more information about this anniversary edition, please visit Hay House Publishing or contact Matt Klink, matt@klinkcampaigns.com.

About Tavis Smiley:

Tavis Smiley is a host and managing editor of the nationally syndicated radio program and podcast “Tavis Smiley,” which is produced and distributed by SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. Tavis has authored or edited more than 20 books and has received numerous awards for his work championing the causes of equality and justice. In 2024, Smiley received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, he received the highest honor in the talk radio industry, the coveted “Freedom of Speech” award, and presently appears on the “Heavy Hundred” list of the “100 Most Important Talk Radio Show Hosts” in America. Since June 2021, Smiley has served as Chief Visionary Officer for his radio station, KBLA Talk 1580, where he continues to lead national conversations on systemic inequality and social justice.

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Baltimore Comic-Con celebrates 25 years, attracting thousands of Black fans and creators

AFRO Staff — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:30:00 +0000

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Baltimore Comic-Con welcomed thousands of enthusiastic fans to the Baltimore Convention Center from Sept. 20-22. The three-day event highlighted comics, anime, cosplay, book lovers and gamers.

This year was a memorable one. The convention celebrated its 25th anniversary of bringing people together in downtown Baltimore. Each day was jam-packed with activities and panel discussions, during which attendees could hear from some of their favorite artists and authors in the industry.

Rodney Barnes, Maryland native and a former writer and producer for television shows such as “The Boondocks,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and more, signs photos and comic books from his series “Killadelphia.” (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)
T.L. Price, an urban fantasy author, makes an appearance at Baltimore Comic-Con 2024. (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)
Farrah Jones and Michael Thurston attend the Baltimore Comic-Con excited to show off their cosplay. (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)
Various comic book titles are available for purchase and grading at the Baltimore ComicCon. (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)
Baltimore Comic-Con celebrates 25 years, drawing thousands of fans looking to celebrate and explore their favorite comics, superheroes, video games and books. (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)
Retro handheld game devices and games are a big hit at the Baltimore Comic-Con. (AFRO Photos/ Ariyana Griffin)

T.L. Price, an author, shared that she created the “Exiled Elementals Series” to provide representation of Black people in the urban fantasy space.

“I have three sons, and it was very important to me to have a fantasy book series that features African Americans, including females and strong male characters,” Price told the AFRO.

The convention center’s main floor was separated into several sections, including an area to get comic books and artwork signed, a fantasy book alley, a gaming area and plenty more.

Cosplayers from Charm City and beyond arrived in detailed, creative costumes ranging from anime characters to superheroes. Each day, there were cosplay competitions for adults and children.

Farrah Jones and Michael Thurston attended the Baltimore Comic-Con in cosplay. Jones shared that this was her first time at a Comic Convention, but she was excited.

“I’m a cosplay geek,” Thurston said. He explained that he was excited to bring Jones into his world. “This is her first time, and she’s super excited. She bedazzled everything herself, and I am excited for her,” Thurston told the AFRO.

Retro games were a hit at the conference and are only becoming more popular. While some fans collect and store the games, others use them to relive memories.

Alex Thomas reunited with one of his favorite childhood games, Pokémon Crystal, for the Nintendo Game Boy Color, released in 2001.

“Finding this game feels amazing,” he said. “I can’t wait for my Game Boy Color to come back out. I bought one, but I didn’t buy any games for it—I was waiting for this.”

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Tawanda Prince, the ‘Good Life Coach,’ talks self-care for entrepreneurs

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 19:00:00 +0000

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
msayles@afro.com

After suffering four heart attacks and facing open heart surgery, former educator Tawanda Prince was told her heart functioned at just 25 percent of its normal capacity. The news transformed her world completely.

Surviving the health scare led Prince to consider her mission in life. Through reflecting, she determined it was to help others identify, understand and live out their own purpose. In 2012, she became a certified life coach and began showing people how to find “the good life.”

“Activities change, but purpose doesn’t. It just manifests differently,” said Prince. “Today, I might be doing this, and tomorrow, I might be doing that, but it’s still the same mission and purpose.”

Tawanda Prince is known as the “Good Life Coach.” As an author, speaker and entrepreneur, Prince helps individuals and organizations learn their purpose and pursue their goals. This week, she speaks on self-care for entrepreneurs. (Photo courtesy of Tawanda Prince)

Since taking on the moniker, the ‘Good Life Coach,’ Prince has published several motivational books and led visionary, leadership, career, relationship and transitional coaching sessions for individuals and organizations.

As an entrepreneur herself, Prince understands the tribulations that come with running a business. The AFRO recently connected with Prince to learn how business owners can stay motivated and enhance their wellness.

What sort of toll can running a business have on people?

Running a business is definitely not for the weak. You have to know that this is what you are called to do. If you are not operating in your divine purpose, then you’re swimming upstream. That’s not to say you can’t get it done, but if it’s not what God is calling you to do, you won’t prosper in the way that you should. When I say prosper, I don’t just mean that you have a lot of money. It’s about your whole self prospering and flourishing.

You have to learn what you need to know to run your business, and then find the people you need to know to run it. You need connection and support. No person is an island.

How can entrepreneurs take part in self-care and manage their wellness?

You have to know when enough is enough. You have to build time for recharging and rejuvenating yourself. I make every effort to not do any business on Sunday. I don’t look at emails or take business phone calls unless it’s a situation where it absolutely cannot be avoided.

You should also indulge in things that bring you happiness. I’m also an artist. I have an art studio in my home that is my happy place. You have to find things that bring you peace and joy and engage in them.

I teach my clients that each day, you need to do something for your house, your health, your wealth, for yourself and for someone else. By practicing that, you maintain balance. Health could be exercise, having a cup of herbal tea, breathwork, managing your diet or taking your medications. Wealth is not just getting a bag, but also taking care of administrative tasks and managing your personal finances. Self-indulgence could be taking an extra long shower, shopping, eating with friends or even going on a date with your partner.

Another simple thing is journaling. This is something I do on a daily basis. It’s therapeutic because it gives you a chance to capture everything that’s going on in your life. You can break down your day and write about the things you’re grateful for.

What tips would you give entrepreneurs for staying motivated?

Use vision boards. Put the things you want to achieve on a goal poster along with motivational sayings or scriptures. You should also share your goal with the people who matter. That way there’s accountability and encouragement.

Know that this is what you’re supposed to be doing. That helps me to continue on and stay the course even when I’m struggling. You should also keep track of what you’ve accomplished so far. That will become the motivation for the things you pursue in the future.

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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson brings book tour to Baltimore

AFRO Staff — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 01:00:00 +0000

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is speaking to audiences across the nation with her new book, “Lovely One.” The Baltimore stop of the book tour took place on Sept. 21 at the Central Branch of Enoch Pratt Free Library. (AP Photo)

By AFRO Staff

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson spoke in Baltimore about her new book, “Lovely One,” inside of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch on Sept. 21.

Those able to secure one of the hottest tickets in town on Saturday night were able to hear the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court speak about not only her new book, but her own personal origin story and the people who put her on the path to success in the law field.

“My father went back to law school when I was three years old. We lived on the campus of the University of Miami Law School,” said Justice Jackson. “My earliest memories are of my dad’s education table with his law books.”

The title of her book, “Lovely One,” is a nod to the name given to her at birth by an aunt who worked in West Africa, “Ketanji Onyika,” which means “lovely one” in English.

Jackson noted that while the book is about her life, history and the impact of crucial moments in America are also woven through the pages.

“I start the book with my grandparents and then my parents. I’m trying to emphasize the great good fortune of my birth –the timing of my birth,” said Jackson. “I am a member of the first generation post-Civil Rights Era. And the significance of that I just don’t want anyone to miss. I was born in 1970, which was within five or six years of the Civil Rights Act, the Voting rights Act, and the end of civil pro-segregation.”

Jackson said that while her parents were born during a time of segregation, her birth came during a “new opening of society to African Americans,” and filled them with hope.

“They were like, ‘here’s our shot,’” said Jackson, of her parent’s determination to have their daughter take advantage of every opportunity they themselves were denied.

“If there were swimming lessons, I was in the swimming lessons. If there were music lessons, I was doing the music lessons,” said Jackson. “When I was five-years-old, 6-years-old, my mother had me memorizing poems…I wrote the book as sort of a tribute to the people and circumstances that I felt were most responsible for my being in a position to take advantage of this.”

Among the hundreds of people waiting outside of the Pratt Library yesterday were (l to r): Madelynn Huff, sophomore Yale University; Alice Pinderhughes, attorney; Brenda Reed, of Fort Washington, Md.; Honorable Kurt Schmoke, president of University of Baltimore; LaVonda Reed, dean of University of Baltimore, School of Law; Dr. Maggie Caples, of Cockeysville, Md., and Dr. Patricia Schmoke; an ophthalmologist in Baltimore City. (AFRO Photo)

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Onyika Brown born to two public school teachers, Johnny and Ellery Brown, in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 14, 1970. After the pair moved to Miami, Jackson’s father eventually became a Miami-Dade school board attorney, while her mother worked her way to become a school principal.

It was in Miami that Jackson’s start began to shine. She was elected class president while attending Miami Palmetto Senior High School and by 1988 she was studying at Harvard University. There, she crossed paths with another Harvard student, Patrick Jackson. After graduating from Harvard in 1992, the future judge went on to Harvard Law School and both graduated and married in 1996.

After completing clerkships for three different judges, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Jackson worked with private law firms and in government for a number of years. In 2012, after working with the U.S. Sentencing Commission and serving as a prosecutor, Jackson was selected by then President Barack Obamato serve on the federal District Court of Washington, D.C. His nomination didn’t receive a vote, so he nominated Jackson again the next year. In 2013 she was successfully confirmed. Years later, in April 2021, President Joe Biden asked that Jackson be appointed to the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In a 53 to 44 vote, she was confirmed into the role on June 14, 2021, paving the way for her name to be put forth when an opening came up on the Supreme Court the very next year.

The mother of two spoke on the changes she experienced as she ascended through the ranks and took on different types of judgeships.

“I was a trial judge for the longest period of time in my career. I was seven and a half– eight years– in a courtroom where I controlled everything. I was one judge,” she told the packed room of attendees. “Appellate decision making is very challenging when you have to actually work with other judges, like voting on the outcomes.”

During the Charm City leg of her book tour, Justice Jackson spoke about the moment her journey from law student to clerk to judge and finally, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court was fully realized.

“I think the moment that hit me– the first moment–was the day I was confirmed. I actually went to the White House for the vote call, and it was really overwhelming to watch the votes come in,” said Jackson, of that historic April day in 2022.

Jackson said that her book highlights core values taught to her and passed down to her daughter.

“On the day of my divestiture as a district court judge, my first judicial appointment, I gave a speech in my daughter’s middle school: ‘Work hard, be kind, have faith, and believe that anything is possible,’” Jackson told the audience. “I think those values – you’ll see from my story of the book– are things that I try to live by.”

This article has been adjusted to reflect the correct title of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s book, “Lovely One.”

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12-year-old author Elijah Mackey chosen to speak at AnimalCon Conference

Special to the AFRO — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 12:30:00 +0000

By Reginald Williams
Special to the AFRO

The days of adolescent boys romping outside in the dirt, chasing insects, and cozying up with toads appear to be a play passion of the past. Instead of exploring nature, many of today’s youths are more interested in and consumed by video gaming. But in this tech-obsessed age, Elijah Mackey might be the proverbial dinosaur.

Author Elijah “Eli” Mackey graces the cover of his book “Turtle Tales: Discovering The Watery World Of Terrapins.” (Image courtesy Jara Clark and Alasha Bennett)

Elijah loves turtles. He loves talking about them, and he loves caring for them. Elijah is the proud parent of seven turtles. Bowser was his first and Tank is the newest addition to the family. Elijah hopes one day to own a 300-pound pond to house all his turtles, including those he doesn’t have just yet.

“This boy right here, he loves turtles so much that if he had 200,046 turtles, he’ll always want another one,” said Nasir, Elijah’s 8-year-old brother.

The Hampton, Virginia native has immortalized this passion for turtles in his debut book, “Turtle Tales: Discovering The Watery World of Terrapins.” He penned the non-fiction read for youth ages 5 to 12 to support their learning about the native species of turtles in America.

The young author will travel to Orlando, Florida, Oct. 4-6 to speak about turtles at the AnimalCon USA conference. AnimalCon USA allows animal lovers to meet and talk with their favorite animal influencers and content curators. Elijah will be a panelist at the annual symposium, where he will showcase and discuss his book.

“I feel very excited about getting the opportunity to speak ,” Elijah shared with a surreal calmness. “I’m going to say some pretty cool stuff about turtles.”

Despite Elijah’s tranquility in expressing his happiness, Jara Clark, Elijah’s mom, shared how quietly excited he was when he realized she was coyly informing him of AnimalCon’s decision to select him as a panelist.

“When I told him, I caught him off guard,” shared Clark. “I had him on tape trying to get his natural reaction—the boy is so cool. But the moment of realization his face softened and there was just pure excitement. The way he lit up are the moments that I live for.”

The visit to Orlando will be the 7th-grader’s first, but he has no interest in visiting Disney World or Universal Studios, the city’s major attractions. Instead, Elijah wants to see alligators, iguanas and more turtles.

Elijah’s love for turtles—the red-eared slider is his favorite—was born about three years ago when he accepted the care of a friend’s unwanted pet turtle.

“My first turtle is Bowser. He’s outside in the pond right now,” said the teen.

Elijah’s commitment to turtles extends beyond just caring for his own. He dedicates much of his time to volunteering. The Virginia Living Museum, “an open-air museum located in Newport News, Virginia that has many living exhibits of Virginia’s indigenous species,” is credited with being Elijah’s second home. He also volunteers at the Bunny Hutch Boutique, an exotic animal rescue shelter based in Virginia Beach, where Elijah provides exotic animal care.

According to Clark, Elijah has always demonstrated a proclivity for aquatic animals. One of his pastimes is fishing. He owned his first fish, Strawberry Happy Fish, at age 2. Clark, recognizing his passion, wanted to support it. She suggested doing research to support his understanding of his interest.

“I said, ‘Let’s go to the library and look up what you think you love about this and see what it is,'” explained Clark. “We came up with marine biology might be where he was headed. But since then, it’s grown into orthology or zoology, but now we’ve rounded his love out to biology.”

Clark, a self-described “nature girl,” lives vicariously through her son. Clark is joyful of Elijah’s enthusiasm for terrapins.

“Because so many young men get pigeonholed into sports, I was like, ‘Do anything else. You can do sports too if that’s what you want, but do something intellectual first. Let’s lean all the way into that,’” said Clark.

“Childhood is so very important because they don’t have control over their experiences. It’s very limited to what they can create on their own,” she continued. “So, it’s been my job to be the genie, , ‘What do you need? How can I help you get where you are trying to go?’”

When Elijah presents at AnimalCon, it won’t be his first time speaking before large audiences. According to Alasha Bennett, founder of the Bennett Center, a non-profit youth entrepreneur program, Elijah has spoken before City Council and the public school administration.

Elijah’s “Turtle Tales” is available at Amazon.

You can support the author, speaker, entrepreneur and aquatic animal enthusiast by visiting: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/8ce74270-c461-478f-87e5-406d918f2e64.

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Black stories crucial as Banned Book Week approaches

AFRO Staff — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 22:00:00 +0000

Banned Book Week, taking place this year Sept. 22-28, is a protest against literature censorship. (AFRO Photo / Ariyana Griffin)

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Book Banned Week, recognized each September, was founded by library activist Judith Krug in 1982 as a protest to the increase in censorship of literature. Krug believed that bans on books massively violated the First Amendment, freedom of speech.

Books are typically banned from schools and libraries for including content that contains “graphic violence, expresses disrespect for parents and family, is sexually explicit, exalts evil, lacks literary merit, is unsuitable for a particular age group, or includes offensive language,” according to the Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University. Books are also often removed due to sexual orientation and race related topics.

The American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported that “the number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65 percent in 2023, compared to 2022, reaching the highest levels ever documented by OIF in more than 20 years of tracking: 4,240 unique book titles were targeted for removal from schools and libraries.”

This month, in honor of Banned Book Week, to be celebrated Sept. 22-28, the AFRO spoke with an African-American book publisher on the issue.

Robert Curry, CEO of Curry Brothers Publishing, expressed that it is essential for Black stories to be told.

“The legacy of our history is important,” Curry told the AFRO. “Our motto is educating the world one book at a time – so we cannot allow that, we cannot stand for that, we cannot let that happen.”

Freedom to Read, an incentive with PEN America, fights against book bans across public schools in the United States. In 2021 they started tracking and collecting data on book bans in public schools by each school year to help fight against literature censorship.

“For me, and for many people, having access to books and literature is such an essential learning tool,” Kasey Meehan, program director for Freedom to Read at PEN America, told the AFRO. “The idea that we would prohibit students from accessing books – these are books that have been historically underrepresented in public schools to begin with.”

“We can celebrate all of the marvelous pieces of literature that are being caught up in these efforts of censorship – and one easy way to do that is to read a banned book,” said Meehan.

The list of thousands of books that have faced censorship challenges or outright bans include “The Hate U Give,” by Angie Thomas, censored for sharing an anti-police message; “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You,” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, banned for claims that it has “selective storytelling incidents;” “The Bluest Eye,” by Toni Morrison, for explicit content and a story line that addresses childhood sexual abuse; “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” by Sherman Alexie, for having profanity, derogatory terms and sexually explicit content.

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Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is hitting the road to promote her new memoir, ‘Lovely One’

Associated Press — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 20:00:00 +0000

This cover image released by Random House shows “Lovely One” by Ketanji Brown Jackson. (Random House)

By Mark Sherman
The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is embarking on a high-profile, nationwide tour to promote her new memoir, “Lovely One.”

Jackson, 53, is using the book, publisher Random House says, to trace her family’s rise from segregation to her confirmation as the first Black woman on the nation’s highest court in the span of one generation.

“It is the story of the promise of America,” she said in a television interview that aired Sept. 1.

She also is the first public defender to serve as a justice and she delves into advancing in the legal profession as a woman of color and a mother balancing a demanding career and family life.

Since joining the court in June 2022, Jackson has been the most active participant in the argument sessions, according to the Empirical Scotus website. She has at times taken a liberal approach to originalism, a method of interpreting the Constitution more often used by the court’s conservatives.

In her appearances off the court, she has embraced her history-making role, telling an audience on the day of her ceremonial swearing-in that she has “a seat at the table now and I’m ready to work.”

Jackson kicks off the book tour Sept. 3 at New York’s Apollo Theater on the same day the book is published.

Just in the first week, Jackson will make stops at major entertainment venues in Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle and San Francisco.

She reported receiving an advance of nearly $900,000 last year from Random House, putting herself in the company of two colleagues, Justices Clarence Thomas and Sonia Sotomayor, who each received advances of a million dollars or more for their memoirs.

The up-from-poverty accounts of Thomas’ “My Grandfather’s Son” and Sotomayor’s “My Beloved World” landed atop The New York Times’ bestseller list for nonfiction. Sotomayor has earned roughly $4 million for the memoir and children’s books she has written since joining the court in 2009.

Last year, The Associated Press reported that Sotomayor’s court staff was deeply involved in organizing speaking engagements to sell the books and also prodded colleges and universities to buy them.

The court has referred questions about Jackson’s book tour to her publisher.

The Supreme Court adopted its first code of conduct last year in response to sustained criticism over undisclosed trips and gifts from wealthy benefactors to some justices.

The code lacks a means of enforcement and it sets no limit on income justices can earn from books they write. Other outside income from teaching, for example, is capped at about $30,000 a year. The justices are earning $298,500 this year for their work on the court, though Chief Justice John Roberts gets paid a little more.

“A binding code of ethics is pretty standard for judges,” Jackson told CBS’ Sunday Morning.” “And so I guess the question is, ‘Is the Supreme Court any different?’ And I guess I have not seen a persuasive reason as to why the court is different than the other courts.”

She said she does not “have any problem with an enforceable code” and is considering supporting an enforcement mechanism “as a general matter,” but would not comment on “particular policy proposals.”

Democratic President Joe Biden has proposed an enforceable code of ethics.

Jackson began work on the book shortly after joining the court. The book’s title comes from the English translation of Ketanji Onyika, the name suggested by an aunt who at the time was a Peace Corps worker in West Africa.

“My parents really wanted to honor our heritage and asked her to send them a list of African names. And they picked that one, Lovely One, Ketanji Onyika, which is my given middle name,” she told CBS.

Jackson was born in the District of Columbia and grew up in Miami. She has traced her interest in the law to when she was in preschool and her father, Johnny Brown, was in law school and they would sit together at the dining room table, she with coloring books and he with law books. Her father became an attorney for the county school board and her mother, Ellery Brown, was a high school principal. She has a brother, nine years younger, who served in the Army, including in Iraq, and is now a lawyer.

Justice Neil Gorsuch also has been on the road this summer with his new book, “Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law,” written with Janie Nitze, a former law clerk to Gorsuch. Gorsuch has reported receiving advances for the book totaling $500,000.

Yet another justice has a book in the works. Justice Amy Coney Barrett received $425,000 in 2021 as part of a book deal with Sentinel, a conservative imprint of Penguin Random House.

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Thousands of bookworms flock to the capital to attend National Book Festival

AFRO Staff — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 21:30:00 +0000

The 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival took place on Aug. 24 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center as a way for bookworms of all ages and authors across the country to connect. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

Thousands of bookworms gathered at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Aug. 24 for the 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival.

Two-time Emmy Award-winning television host Tamron Hall served as a headliner for this year’s festival among other authors. She hosted a discussion for her new cookbook co-written with Lisa Steiling, “A Confident Cook.”

The three-story convention center was full of events: book reading sessions for children, author panels, book signings and so much more related to literary success.

The free event is a way to allow book lovers to gather and hear from some of their favorite authors. Attendees had an opportunity to purchase books from the 90-plus authors that were a part of the festival, as well as get them signed by the authors.

Baltimore native Monet Walker shared with the AFRO that she attended to see and hear from one of her favorite authors, Christopher Paolini, a sci-fi author.

The 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival took place on Aug. 24 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center as a way for bookworms of all ages and authors across the country to connect. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
Father-daughter duo John and Ava Pendleton attend their third National Book Festival. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
Soraya Walker, back left; Shamir Cole; Winter Wynn, front left, and Naima Johnson were all smiles at the Book Festival. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
The line to get into the National Book Festival was long, filled with eager book enthusiasts. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
Monet Walker, of Baltimore, is a frequent book festival patron. She attended the 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival to see her favorite writers, sci-fi author Christopher Paolini.(Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
Children and parents enjoying the space designated for read-aloud story time sessions. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
Loren Spivery, left, and Jasmyn Marsh spent part of their Saturday at the Washington Convention Center, enjoying the book festival. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
There were large crowds at the National Book Festival. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)
The 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival took place on Aug. 24 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center as a way for bookworms of all ages and authors across the country to connect. (Photos by Ariyana Griffin)

“I try to go to any book conventions that I do hear of,” she said.

Walker said she believes such events keep the literary culture alive, and thanks social media for spreading the word.

“Book-Tok (a world wide book community on TikTok) is keeping a lot of these bookstores alive” she said. “I think the conventions are also keeping the bookstores and physical books alive.”

The compact schedule had a balance between reading events and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) making it suitable and enjoyable for children. Several organizations such as Black Girls Code, Boolean Girl and NASA had offerings catering to children and young adults.

“I am an advocate for reading. If you can read, you can do math, you can do anything. So learning your alphabet, learning your letters, learning sentences, word structure is something I am a stickler for,” said Shamir Cole, who attended the festival with her nieces and daughter. “We push reading at home, and I feel like if you can take children to a carnival, you can take them to go learn something.”

Some families anticipate making the trip to the nation’s capital every year for the day-long festival as a way to bond and grow their love for reading.

“This is maybe our third year in a row attending,” said D.C. native John Pendleton, who attended the festival with his daughter Ava Pendleton. “My daughters inherited their love of books from their mother, so they are serious about books. Ava can go through books pretty quickly, so it gets too expensive if we don’t go to the library.”

“I just like absorbing knowledge from different books and reading about different topics,” said Ava Pendleton. “And I just like reading in general; it’s fun.”

Each session was captured and is available at www.loc.gov.

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Annual National Book Festival to unite authors, book enthusiasts in nation’s capital

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 14:10:59 +0000

By Ariyana Griffin
AFRO Staff Writer
agriffin@afro.com

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center will host the 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival on Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m.

The 24th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place on Aug. 24 at The Walter E. Washington Convention Center as a way for bookworms of all ages and authors across the country to connect. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress)

The free annual event serves as a way to uplift and gather over 90 bestselling authors, poets and illustrators with thousands of book enthusiasts for panel discussions, book talks, book signings and other engaging activities. This is not a ticketed event; seating for events will be on a first-come-first-served basis.

The day-long festival has established itself as one of the most anticipated literary events in the nation throughout its long history. In addition to the various programs, attendees also will have the opportunity to purchase books on site.

Some of the authors featured include two-time Emmy Award-winning television host Tamron Hall, poet Tony Keith Jr., and New York Times bestselling author James McBride, alongside many others.

Some of the programs will be livestreamed online and videos of all the events will be available at www.loc.gov. Further information about the festival also can be found on the website.

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Give our children the right to read

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 01:00:00 +0000

By Zenobia Judd-Williams

Frederick Douglass famously said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Zenobia Judd-Williams is the executive director of Reading Partners Baltimore. She has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience across healthcare, housing, education and family investment sectors. This week, she speaks on book bans and the right to read. (Courtesy photo)

Unfortunately, some Americans don’t want everyone to read. While the tactics may have changed since the 19th Century, there are still well-organized efforts to take away the fundamental right of literacy from Black children.

A well-orchestrated campaign to ban specific books in schools has the potential to undermine the reading development of Black children. If this effort is successful, it will deprive our students of valuable knowledge and undermine their interest in learning to read. Far too often, those proposing book bans target books by Black authors and about the Black experience.

As the leader of the Baltimore region of a national literacy organization, our model encourages tutors to pick books relevant to children’s lives. When students read about characters and experiences they identify with, they relate to the story and take away life lessons. They’re also more engaged when books reflect their cultures and tell their ancestors’ stories.

The PEN/Faulkner Foundation has documented that 30 percent of books that are censored include characters of color and themes of race and racism – a number that is disproportionate given the far-lower percentage of published children’s books overall that include primary characters of color.

Other organizations, such as the American Library Associations and the Southern Poverty Law Center, have identified books about Black history, such as picture books about the 1619 Project and The Tulsa Race Massacre, as common targets. The novels of Alice Walker and Toni Morrison are also often vilified as books to be banned.

When asked about how students respond to culturally relevant materials, one Reading Partners tutor said, “I especially enjoyed seeing my student so amazed to see his heritage represented in the books that I found for him…. He wanted to know all about the author as well as wanting to read it over and over again. Representation really matters.”

The state legislature passed the Maryland Right to Read Act this spring. Outlawing censorship in public libraries is a step in the right direction and a beacon of hope for Maryland’s communities. But the next step is to ensure our students have the right to read great works by Black authors and about great Black artists, inventors, and leaders like Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Our community has to stand guard. The book banners want to put up roadblocks to the reading development of our children and keep censoring the history and art of the Black experience in America.

We must be prepared to stop an organized effort to block books about Black experiences, which would rob our children of the opportunity to engage with books that would make them enthusiastic about reading and give them a rightful sense of belonging.

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In summer book club, diverse Baltimore churches discuss ‘The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together.’

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 21 Jun 2024 22:16:34 +0000

By Rev. Kevin Slayton Sr.
Special to the AFRO

There’s an old saying that says you can judge a society based on its treatment of its children and seniors. Annie E. Casey Foundation’s recent Kids Count Data Book, which shows a stark racial distinction facing children in the state of Maryland, reveals that the progress we’ve sought as a city and a community to address equity is more than lacking.

Members of the Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church in East Baltimore and the Roland Park Presbyterian Church located in West Baltimore are collaborating on a Summer Book Club. (Courtesy photo)

According to the data, Maryland ranks 22^nd among states for overall child well-being. Overall, the data suggests that we are failing to prepare the next generation to take on productive roles in the future workforce. Black and Brown children who live in areas described as high-poverty communities, in particular, are deemed to be suffering the most. The data showed that 1-in-6 fourth-graders in 2022 were reading at or above proficiency, while only 25 percent of eighth-graders were at or above proficient in math. But in an academic ethos that generates its budgetary framework on the idea of “social promotion” this is to be expected. For when it comes to attendance, approximately one-third of students in the state were chronically absent in 2022. There are literally thousands of children in the Baltimore City Public School System who have missed more than 50 days and are still promoted to the next grade.

When one considers this reality, as it relates to academic preparation, the shocking study that exposed the overwhelming number of people of color, especially older Black men between the ages of 55 and 72, who fall prey to drug addiction should come as no surprise. This report, first shared in the New York Times, pointed to more than 6,000 people who have died in our city due to overdose. The staggering number should cause us all to pause and ask in the words of the late Marvin Gaye, “What’s going on?”

Both of these recent reports reveal that the issue of race and the socioeconomic conditions prevalent in our society still have a ways to go. It is to this backdrop that two local Protestant faith congregations have come together to participate in a Summer Book Club. The two churches are the Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church in East Baltimore and the Roland Park Presbyterian Church located on the west side of the city. Clearly the demographics and social make-up of the two faith communities are different. Yet, as members of the Christian faith they both believe in the concept of fairness and equity.

Under the leadership of the two pastoral leaders, the Revs. Mark Hanna and Dr. Kevin Slayton Sr., the two congregations are reading Heather McGhee’s book “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone And How We Can Prosper Together.” The first book discussion took place on June 12 in Druid Hill Park on the (literal) grounds of the old swimming pool.

In her book, McGhee looks at the national closing of local community pools as a result of integration. All across America in communities that were using “public funds” to resource swimming pools chose to drain them and fill them with concrete rather than share them with people of color. This zero-sum mentality is a major focus of the book and the topics discussed by those participating. The idea that “if things are getting better for Black people, it must be at the expense of White people” is what seems to continue to take root in the mind of so many Americans.

If the two most recent reports regarding the progress of Black children and the disturbing rates of older Black men dying from drug overdose is any indication of our progress then we should all be glad that there are faith institutions in our community willing to address the tough realities of our living.

Dr. Slayton said he hopes “what is demonstrated by our two congregations (one Black and one White) could be a match that will hopefully ignite in the pews of other congregations as well as the halls of policy making.” Rev. Hanna added: “Christian faith commands us to love our neighbor. And to love them we must first get to know them. And once we know them, we can’t refuse to care, because love requires us to act.”

The Rev. Dr. Kevin A. Slayton Sr. is pastor of Northwood Appold United Methodist Church, the campaign manager at Maryland Center on Economic Policy and an adjunct professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

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James by Percival Everett: an enthralling reimagining of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of formerly enslaved Jim

Special to the AFRO — Sun, 12 May 2024 16:30:00 +0000

By Emily Zobel Marshall
Leeds Beckett University

(The Conversation) – James, the new novel by Percival Everett, is a stunning book which I relished long after finishing. It is the sort of book you need to tell all your friends about – and you know once they have read it, it will fundamentally change them. They can never unlearn what they discover once they’ve walked in James’s footsteps.

James is an incredible re-writing of Mark Twain’s 1884 American classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn that tells the story from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. Just like the original book, it is set in the pre-Civil War plantation South. It’s 1861, war is brewing, and when the enslaved James hears that he may be sold to a new owner in New Orleans and separated from his family, he goes on the run as “Jim”, with the resourceful young white boy, Huck Finn.

The same characters appear in both texts, including Tom Sawyer (Huck’s best friend), the town judge and the duke and the king – con artists who take control of Huck and Jim’s raft. While the mischievous Huck is the main focus of Twain’s novel, James is centre stage in this story.

To escape his abusive father, Huck fakes his own death and goes on the run with James. James is a slave he thinks he knows well, a man subservient to him who he also considers his friend, but as Everett’s story unfolds, he realises he does not have the full measure of this remarkable person. Huck’s ingrained prejudices have led him to overlook James’s power and intellect, and James works very hard to conceal both.

Everett has reclaimed James from the peripheries and urges the reader to listen to his story. With James as our narrator, we hear about Huck and James’s adventures and near brushes with death and capture as they steer their makeshift raft down the great Mississippi River.

Huckleberry Finn, left, and Jim see a dead man in a scene from “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” (Twain, Mark, 1835-1910. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

This is a literary, writerly and scholarly novel. Everett expertly weaves Black literary criticism and theory into his narrative, as well as making artful allusions to books that came before that have shaped American scholarly and literary traditions. This weaving, however, is done with a light touch.

Everett’s tale is gripping and deeply emotional. And his prose is as clear as a bell in this wonderful retelling of an American classic.

The shape-shifting trickster

Jim is, in many ways, a quintessential trickster figure. Tricksters like the spider Anansi and Brer Rabbit were the heroes of oral folktales brought from the African continent with enslaved populations.

Trickster tales focus on how the disempowered can turn the tables on the powerful using their brains rather than their muscle. The stories represent subversive strategies of survival and resistance enacted by the enslaved on plantations across the Americas.

The most remarkable aspect of the book is following the journey of James’s developing intellectual and political consciousness through his reading, writing and trickery. While on the run, he is able to source a pencil, with horrendous repercussions, and start to write his story.

James sneaks into libraries and steals books. He reads Voltaire, Rousseau and Locke. This education enables him to debate the ethics of enslavement and he has an impressive intellectual mastery of the English language, which he hides carefully from whites and even Huck himself.

James is a master code switcher, able to change the way he speaks to ingratiate himself to whoever he is speaking to. Before his escape he runs classes in his cabin for his enslaved children to teach them how to speak “slave speak” – to speak slowly, with a reduced vocabulary and to feign stupidity. This enables them to fool the slave masters while keeping their real language (and intelligence) hidden – to “play fool to catch wise”, as the Jamaican proverb goes.

These lessons are indispensable because, as James stresses: “safe movement through the world depended on mastery of language, fluency”. “Papa, why do we have to learn this?” the children ask. James explains that whites need to feel superior, or they will make the children suffer.

James displays the gifts of linguistic dexterity found in so many Black cultural forms, which were highlighted by the American literary critic Henry Louis Gates Jr. in his book The Signifyin’ Monkey (1988). Everett alludes to this Black literary and linguistic theory knowingly in the text – a sort of scholarly Easter egg for academic readers like me.

The formerly enslaved Jim is seen asleep on a raft in a scene from “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” (Twain, Mark, 1835-1910, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)

The book is being marketed as humorous, but I didn’t find it funny. There are slapstick moments, for example when their raft capsizes (which happens frequently), but these were mainly moments of fear and anxiety.

Instead, the tale elicits a deep empathy for Huck and James, through the complexity of their developing relationship and James’s self-emancipation. I was so completely invested in their story that nothing they faced on their gruelling journey seemed funny. I was simply immersed in rooting for them, and others will be too.

Read this book and listen carefully to James’s story. It will change you. You will start to question all the other classic novels you’ve read and wonder whose story is being suppressed and why. What if, you’ll ask yourself, they could be fleshed out and heard properly? It would, perhaps, be a much richer tale to tell.
This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts, under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/james-by-percival-everett-an-enthralling-reimagining-of-huckleberry-finn-from-the-perspective-of-formerly-enslaved-jim-228940

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It started with a tweet. What if Harry Potter attended an HBCU? Now it’s a book series

Associated Press — Sun, 05 May 2024 18:30:00 +0000

By Alicia Rancilio
The Associated Press

It all began with a post on Twitter. It was 2020 during the height of the pandemic and LaDarrion Williams was thinking about the lack of diversity in the fantasy genre. He proposed: “What if Harry Potter went to an HBCU in the South?”

“Growing up, I watched ‘Twilight,’ I watched ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent’ and ‘Percy Jackson,’ which is one of my favorite books. I didn’t see myself in those stories, and I didn’t feel seen by them,” said Williams. He is a self-taught playwright, filmmaker and screenwriter.

The post went viral and started a dialogue online, leading Williams down a long road to make good on his idea. He’s the first to admit though that the process was not a fairytale.

Williams’ “Blood at the Root,” the first in a three-book deal, arrives in stores May 7. Jalyn Hall (“Till”, “All American”) recorded the audio version. The book follows Malik, a 17-year-old with magical powers who gets accepted into Caiman University, an HBCU with a “Blackgical culture” and a magic program.

Williams talked to The Associated Press about how his tweet became a novel and his inspirations for “Blood at the Root.”

Answers have been edited for clarity and brevity.

___

AP: You sent that… and got a big reaction. Then what happened?

WILLIAMS: I wrote it as a TV pilot. I didn’t intend it to be a novel. I was sharing (the process) online and people were sending me money with CashApp and Venmo from the U.S., Canada, even New Zealand. They said, “Go make this a short film.” It was October 2020. Things were shut down. You couldn’t buy hand sanitizer. I asked my friends, and we shot this magical short film around LA. We snuck onto the UCLA campus. Sorry, UCLA, but we wanted to film on an actual college campus. That’s when I realized this story was very special.

I thought I had it all. I thought I had the viral tweet, the short film, I had the script, I had the idea. I thought Hollywood was going to give me a multimillion-dollar offer. I was humbled very quickly with that. No calls were coming. I struggled to get meetings with different production companies and showrunners and studios. Nobody wanted to meet with me. I was really confused and fell into a deep depression.

AP: Is that when you decided to pivot and write the book?

WILLIAMS: I was very sad. There were some days I couldn’t even get out of bed. I felt like I failed my friends who risked their health. I felt I failed people who supported it on social media. It was kind of embarrassing. My friend one day said, “Why don’t you turn it into a book?” With everything that was going on in the world and in America, like the civil unrest, I didn’t think publishing would want this.

At first, they didn’t. I was getting rejections left and right saying, “We can’t connect with this. It’s not marketable.” One of my biggest rejections came on my birthday, Dec. 3, 2022. In late January 2023, I was driving for Uber, and I got a call from my agent who said we got a three-book deal.

AP: Did you scream? Cry?

WILLIAMS: No. I turned the Uber app off and drove home in silence. I went to Ralphs and sat in the parking lot and said, “I sold a book. I didn’t just sell a book, I sold three.” Then I started screaming and calling everybody.

AP: Talk about the protagonist Malik.

WILLIAMS: I wanted to create a Black boy from Helena, Alabama, which is where I’m from, who has cool magical powers. It’s a coming-of-age story about a 17-year-old who gets to attend this really cool school. He’s fun. He makes friends. Friendships, especially as a teenager, are very important. They kind of set you up for life. Malik also connects with his family and ancestry. He’s had childhood trauma and hardships, and he’s going to make mistakes, but the mistakes don’t cost him his life. I want people to get to know him. The way he speaks, the way he thinks. I wanted him to have vulnerability and softness. He extends the love he didn’t have as a child to his foster brother. I wanted to create all of that through the lens of magic.

AP: You were also very specific about how you wanted the cover to look.

WILLIAMS: The only time I saw myself on book covers was Christopher Paul Curtis’ “The Watsons Go to Birmingham — 1963” and “Bud Not Buddy.” It was a nonnegotiable with my publishers. I was like, “I need a Black boy on the cover. I don’t care how we do it. That’s what I want.” I was a little bold, but it’s all right. I also wanted him in a hoodie on the cover because, you know, Black boys in hoodies are often criminalized. I got what I wanted.

AP: Do you still see the story as a TV series?

WILLIAMS: There are talks about it. I remember going to watch “Twilight,” as a 6-foot-3 Black kid in Alabama. It was such a cool era to go to the movies and be in this fandom and meet other people that you would never meet. I want to recreate that moment when “Black Panther” dropped, and everybody was just buzzing about it. I want to do that for television. I want that for Black kids.

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Five finance books to read by Black authors

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:30:00 +0000

By Gene Lambey,
Special to the AFRO

April is a National Financial Literacy Month, making it the perfect time to read up on all things related to money. Check out the list below and see which book is the perfect fit for you and your home library.

“Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away” is a book written for Black people looking to improve their lot in life on their own terms. The book is written by Julien Saunders and Kiersten Saunders, and focuses on how to break free from corporate America. (Photo courtesy of RichandRegular.com)

Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away (June 2022)

Written by Julien and Kiersten Saunders

Number of pages: 272

The AFRO recommends “Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away” for avid readers looking to reach financial freedom. The authors, Julien Saunders and Kiersten Saunders, address spending habits, saving, earning and investing from the Black perspective. The book teaches readers how to break the mold from the ties of corporate America and build their finance.

The pair has a podcast, titled “The Rich and Regular,” along with a Youtube channel called “Money on the Table.” For more information, please visit https://richandregular.com/

Sheldon Campbell is author of “The Guide to Black Wealth,” a book aimed at helping men learn to budget, cut expenses and save money. (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

The Guide to Black Wealth (February 2021)

Written by Sheldon Campbell

Number of pages: 118

Written by Sheldon Campbell,“The Guide to Black Wealth” helps readers on ways to build their wealth. The author addresses how to budget your money, cut expenses, save money, invest in the stock market and much more with a focus on finances for men.

Looking to bring up the topic of finances with the young artist in your home? Look no further than the book, “The Battle of Finance and Fame,” a book written by Lisa McCorkle. The book explores the intersection of fame and finances as readers follow the story of Chad, a hip-hop artist with some major financial decisions to make. (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

The Battle of Finance and Fame (March 2023)

Written by Lisa McCorkle

Number of pages: 156

“The Battle of Finance and Fame” is a novel about a young hip-hop lyricist named “Chat” who enters the music industry. Teens and young adults alike are taken on a journey with Chad as his star rises to fame. Will he manage his spending habits and avoid debt? Being a hip-hop lyricist earns money, but what comes after? The author, Lisa McCorkle, wrote this novel for teens and young adults to teach them about healthy spending habits, how to budget your money and many more important lessons. Check out this book if you have teens or young adults in your home.

Tiffany Aliche’s 368- page book, “Get Good with Money,” is a 10-step plan for moving towards financial security. (Photo courtesy of budgetnista.com)

Get Good with Money (March 2021)

Written by Tiffany Aliche

Number of pages: 368

“Get Good with Money,” is the perfect book to help the average American understand and use money effectively. The author, Tiffany Aliche, presents a ten step plan for obtaining financial security and a calm mind around your finances. Pick up this book today if you are looking to build generational wealth through financial wholeness.

Brandy Brooks talks directly to the ladies with her book, “Financial Freedom for Black Women.” (Photo courtesy of Amazon)

Financial Freedom for Black Women (May 2022)

Written by Brandy Brooks

Number of pages: 188
“Financial Freedom for Black Women” is about seeking financial freedom and winning it in wealth, career, business and other avenues. The AFRO chose this book because the author delivers financial information based on current trends.The author, Brandy Brooks, focuses not only on how to manage finances but lesser known topics in finance such as cryptocurrency, real estate and the stock market.

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Walters Museum to host AFRO Publisher Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper for ‘Women as Creators and Leaders’ conversation

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:14:07 +0000

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

The Walters Art Museum will invite AFRO Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper to share the journey and accomplishments of the Black-, family-owned newspaper while in conversation with Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts Lynley Herbert on March 23. The discussion will tie into the stories of women who have created and published books in the museum’s collection.

Frances “Toni” Draper is publisher of the AFRO, a Black-owned media company that has existed since 1892. Draper will speak at the Walters Art Museum on March 23 in Baltimore, detailing the evolution and achievements of the family-owned publication. (Photo courtesy of The Walters Art Museum)

Lynley Herbert is the rare books and manuscripts curator for the Walters Art Museum, located in the Mount Vernon section of Baltimore. Since coming to the museum, Herbert has dedicated herself to acquiring more works by neglected voices throughout history. (Photo courtesy of Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper)

“The Walters has always been a favorite museum of mine. I’m happy to be back there,” said Draper. “I love the fact that we are making connections between women of different eras and cultures as creators and women of the AFRO as creators, including women who were involved in the founding all the way up until the women involved today.”

The founding of the AFRO originated from an investment by Draper’s great-grandmother. Martha Howard Murphy, wife of John H. Murphy, Sr. , lent her husband $200 to purchase the newspaper in 1892.

Today, under Draper’s leadership, the media company continues to serve the community with a focus on Black news and Black issues. Savannah Wood, fifth-generation of the Murphy family, serves as executive director of AFRO Charities, which oversees the extensive archival collection. The AFRO archives encompass three million photographs, thousands of letters and rare audio recordings.

“The women who are curating our archives are all young women with a passion for the work—not just from a historical perspective but from a creative perspective,” said Draper. “I think that’s fascinating, and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

During the program, Herbert and Draper will draw connections between the Murphy family and the Calderon-Benavides family, which spawned seven generations of printers in Mexico—many of whom were women—from 1631 to 1815.

“I have three books in the exhibition by the first three generations of women printers, and I am continuing this strategy to acquire books by the entire seven generations of printers,” said Herbert. “The AFRO’s story connects really beautifully with its many generations and strong women leaders.”

Herbert started at the Walters Art Museum fourteen years ago. At that time, the museum possessed just four works by women in its collection, which represents nearly 3,500 rare books and 1,000 manuscripts spanning centuries.

Since then, Herbert has made it her mission to bring more women’s stories to the collection, as their voices have been historically viewed as unimportant.

“I want people to be thinking about women as having agency over their lives even in earlier periods. I think they get overlooked,” said Herbert. “Even across our entire art collection, there’s very few women makers, and a lot of times their voices are lost. That’s something I am trying hard to bring back to the surface with these acquisitions.”

The March 23 is free to the public, and interested attendees can register on the Walters Art Museum’s website.

Megan Sayles is a Report for America corps member.

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Commentary: HomeWork: A lesson perfected at home

Maxine Johnson Wood, Ed.D — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:00:00 +0000

By Maxine J. Wood, Ed.D

“HomeWork: Lessons Learned in the Home for Success in School and Life,” released in May 2023, marked the publication of the second edition of a book fifteen years in the making.

Maxine J. Wood, Ed.D., weighs in on the importance of academic lessons learned outside of the classroom. (Courtesy photo)

It reflects a composite view of my observations, recommendations and motivations for encouraging parents and parenting adults to give continued, consistent and welcomed attention to their roles as their children ‘s first teachers in the home. Depending on one’s age, ethnicity, experiences and other factors, a number of folks can readily acknowledge having grown up under conditions that reflected their parents, family and other adult’s values. Our advisors, mentors, role models influenced our behaviors, activities and learning, and so it is among today’s children, as they grow.

During almost five decades in public education, pre-K thru 12th grade as a classroom teacher, administrator and an advocate of lifelong learning, I have always given deference to the guidance that parents can have on their children’s learning.

Experiences as a mother and grandmother, and my continued role as mentor and advisor, gives further personal significance to encouraging the positive impact of parents on their children’s behavior in the home, school, community and beyond.

The COVID-19 pandemic suggested a need to revisit the importance of parent influences on children’s learning, with attention being given to character education, behavior and values. Children and youth are appearing more prominently as victims and perpetrators of crime and violence. Currently, the response to the chronic question “Where are the parents?” The answer should be “Here! — present, willing and able.”

“HomeWork” has been developed to revive, inspire and encourage renewed awareness of the significance of parent involvement. HomeWork consists of ten defined lessons focused on life-skills and values: Learning, responsibility, encouragement, persistence, honesty, creativity and talent, cleanliness and respect for self and others, self-motivation and heritage and legacy.

Priority attention is given to “Lesson One: Learning” as a critical area for a good beginning, and to “Lesson Ten: Heritage and Legacy,” with emphasis on recognized family values, remembered and shared over time. This is a valuable opportunity. An enriching process of bringing parents and children together in learning situations can cultivate strong relationships between them.

In his foreword to “HomeWork, 2023 Edition,” researcher at Johns Hopkins University School of Education, Dr. Robert Balfanz states “More than 50 years ago, James Coleman showed that home contributions to students’ learning and achievement were as significant, if not in some circumstances, more significant than what students did at school. More than 100 years ago, John Dewey and others argued that the best teaching and learning environment was one which integrated home and school learning in Community Schools. For millennia societies in Africa and elsewhere have organized education as a communal responsibility, where it takes a village to raise a child. Yet in recent decades, the role of parents as their children’s first educator, beyond the pre-school years, has been downplayed.”

This deficiency and concerns about its effect— particularly on children and youth— is prompting researchers and educators to identify responses and solutions. It is warranted relative to potential suicides, disruptive behavior, bullying and situations in this population. Cultivating an enriched role for parenting adults as their children’s first teachers can contribute to ongoing nurturing relationships and learning. “HomeWork” is a practical resource for educators, teachers and other professionals who support parent’s success in this important role.

When reflecting on personal learning experiences many can recall how and when they were taught some basic, practical information. We know where these experiences occurred— they happened in the home. They were part of family expectations. We were taught how to do numerous things, from the ordinary to the unusual. We might remember being present when a parent or relative prepared a special meal, dish or desert “made in the home” and enjoyed for their qualities and flavors.

Under the guidance of parents, grandparents and other parenting adults, distinctive characteristics learned at home followed us in our behaviors, attitudes, and actions, outside of home and reflected what we had been taught. In some instances, these teachings were as recognizable as the special dishes.

The Ghanaian proverb, “The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people,” gives authentic credit to the long-term impact of valuable experiences, activities and events cultivated in the home. A simple, honest analogy of the teaching that parents provide for children, whether compared to a special meal or the development of a child, can have a lasting significance. When people choose to reflect on and share elements of their lives and those that favorably influenced their accomplishments and successes or the ordinary things that they remember fondly or with pride, they think about home.

We are homemade! Whether embellished or critiqued, reflections on our homes and what we learned there – or failed to learn there – should give us pause to encourage others, particularly parents or parenting adults, to give sincere attention to their children as they grow in the home. The foundation they create can be a lifelong recipe for success that is homemade.

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Another downside of book bans: They stunt reading ability

Word in Black — Sun, 10 Mar 2024 20:47:08 +0000

By Joseph Williams,
Word In Black

For years, as test scores fell and teachers fretted, educators and analysts rang the alarm: the U.S. is facing a grade-school reading crisis. If left unaddressed, they say, Black children could fall even further behind.

Now, college professors are sounding an alarm of their own. They say college students are entering college unprepared to read anything more than a few pages, and struggle to understand and interpret what they’ve read.

“Professors are also discussing the issue in academic trade publications, from a variety of perspectives,” Adam Kotsko, a humanities and theology professor, wrote in an essay in Slate, an online magazine. “What we almost all seem to agree on is that we are facing new obstacles in structuring and delivering our courses, requiring us to ratchet down expectations in the face of a ratcheting down of preparation.”

Diverse books are being stripped from schools, and that’s disproportionately affecting the fundamental reading skills of students of color. (Unsplash / Tom Hermans)

But along with COVID-19 learning loss, social media addiction, and attention-draining cell phone scrolling, researchers and educators have identified a new culprit: state and school officials who are stripping diverse books from library shelves and curbing the teaching of Black history.

“This is actually a very preventable problem,” says Allison Rose Socol, vice president for P-12 policy, research and practice at Education Trust. Studies show that “if (students) are given access to texts in which they see themselves reflected, that they will not only want to read, but they will develop a love of reading.”

But “the access and availability of culturally relevant, rich texts are not happening in a lot of schools,” Socol says. “And that is disproportionately affecting the fundamental reading skills of many students of color.”

Data tells part of the story.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, in 2022, average scores decreased for both literary and informational texts at both the fourth- and eighth grade level, compared to 2019.

Eighteen states or jurisdictions scored lower on literary reading in 2022 than in 2019, according to NAEP, while 29 states scored lower on informational reading at grade 4. In eighth grade, 22 states scored lower in 2022 on literary reading, and 30 states scored lower for informational reading.

“And when you look at the data for certain groups of students — particularly marginalized students — the numbers are so much more concerning,” Socol says.

The data shows “just 17 percent of Black students, 21 percent of Latino students, 11 percent of students with disabilities, and 10 percent of multilingual learners in fourth grade are found to be proficient” in reading, she says. “Those numbers are just unacceptable.”

And yet, despite research that should encourage reading diverse texts, “there are states and districts that are putting in place legislation and regulation and policy that removes or penalizes teachers, for teaching honest, accurate history, for using books that represent the diversity of our country and for doing things that we know are important for opening up students,” Socol says.

Those books are key to “engaging hearts and minds and creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens,” Socol says.

Kotsco, the humanities professor, agrees the book bans are doing damage to the students he’ll eventually have to teach, depriving them of the ability to read long texts and think for themselves.

“Motivated by bigotry, it has already done demonstrable harm and promises to do more,” he wrote. “But at the same time, the appropriate response is, in principle, simple. Named individuals have advanced explicit policies with clear goals and outcomes, and we can replace those individuals with people who want to reverse those policies.”

“That is already beginning to happen in many places,” he wrote, “and I hope those successes will continue until every banned book is restored.”

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

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Another downside of book bans: They stunt reading ability

Special to the AFRO from #WordinBlack — Mon, 04 Mar 2024 20:09:48 +0000

By Joseph Williams
Word In Black

Data tells part of the story.

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, in 2022, average scores decreased for both literary and informational texts at both the fourth- and eighth grade level, compared to 2019.

“And when you look at the data for certain groups of students — particularly marginalized students — the numbers are so much more concerning,” Socol says.

Those books are key to “engaging hearts and minds and creating critical thinkers and engaged citizens,” Socol says.

Kotsco, the humanities professor, agrees the book bans are doing damage to the students he’ll eventually have to teach, depriving them of the ability to read long texts and think for themselves.

“That is already beginning to happen in many places,” he wrote, “and I hope those successes will continue until every banned book is restored.”

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

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A Black author takes a new look at Georgia’s White founder and his failed attempt to ban slavery

Associated Press — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 18:00:00 +0000

By Russ Bynum,
The Associated Press

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Michael Thurmond thought he was reading familiar history at the burial place of Georgia’s colonial founder. Then a single sentence on a marble plaque extolling the accomplishments of James Edward Oglethorpe left him stunned speechless.

Within a lengthy tribute to the Englishman who died in 1785, the inscription read: “He was the friend of the Oppressed Negro.”

Oglethorpe led the expedition that established Georgia as the last of Britain’s 13 American colonies in February 1733. Thurmond, a history aficionado and the only Black member of a Georgia delegation visiting the founder’s tomb outside London, knew Oglethorpe had tried unsuccessfully to keep slaves out of the colony. Historians widely agreed he was concerned for the safety and self-sufficiency of White settlers rather than the suffering of enslaved Africans.

Could Georgia’s White founding father possibly have been an ally to Black people in an era when the British Empire was forcing thousands into bondage?

“It was stunning,” Thurmond recalled. “Initially, I was consumed by disbelief. I didn’t believe it was true.”

Thurmond would grapple with questions raised by that visit for the next 27 years, compelled to take a closer look at Oglethorpe. Now he has written a provocatively titled book: “James Oglethorpe, Father Of Georgia — A Founder’s Journey From Slave Trader to Abolitionist.”

Published this month by the University of Georgia Press, Thurmond’s book makes a case that Oglethorpe evolved to revile slavery and, unlike most White Europeans of his time, saw the humanity in enslaved Africans. And while Oglethorpe’s efforts to prohibit slavery in Georgia ultimately failed, Thurmond argues he left a lasting — and largely uncredited — legacy by influencing early English abolitionists.

“He is shining a spotlight on the part of Oglethorpe’s life that most people have kind of thought was just periphery,” said Stan Deaton, senior historian for the Georgia Historical Society. “I think he’s thought deeply about this. And let’s be honest, there have not been many African-Americans who have written about colonial Georgia and particularly about Oglethorpe.”

Though this is Thurmond’s third book about Georgia history, he’s no academic. The son of a sharecropper and great-grandson of a Georgia slave, Thurmond became an attorney and has served for decades in state and local government. His 1998 election as state labor commissioner made Thurmond the first Black candidate to win statewide office in Georgia without first being appointed. He is now the elected CEO of DeKalb County, which includes portions of Atlanta.

His book traces Oglethorpe’s origins as a wealthy Englishman who held a seat in Parliament and served as deputy governor of the slave-trading Royal African Company before departing for America. Thurmond argues that seeing the cruelty of slavery firsthand changed Oglethorpe, who returned to England and shared his views with activists who would become Britain’s first abolitionists.

“What I tried to do is to follow the arc of his life, his evolution and development, and to weigh all of his achievements, failures and shortcomings,” Thurmond said. “Once you do that, you find that he had a uniquely important life. He helped breathe life into the movement that ultimately destroyed slavery.”

In its early years, Georgia stood alone as Britain’s only American colony in which slavery was illegal. The ban came as the population of enslaved Africans in colonial America was nearing 150,000. Black captives were being sold in New York and Boston, and they already outnumbered White settlers in South Carolina.

Historians have widely agreed Oglethorpe and his fellow Georgia trustees didn’t ban slavery because it was cruel to Black people. They saw slaves as a security risk with Georgia on the doorstep of Spanish Florida, which sought to free and enlist escaped slaves to help fight the British. They also feared slave labor would instill laziness among Georgia’s settlers, who were expected to tend their own modest farms.

It didn’t last. The slave ban was widely ignored when Oglethorpe left Georgia for good in 1743, and its enforcement dwindled in his absence. By the time American colonists declared independence in 1776, slavery had been legal in Georgia for 25 years. When the Civil War began nearly a century later, Georgia’s enslaved population topped 462,000, more than any U.S. state except Virginia.

“At best, you could say Oglethorpe was naive,” said Gerald Horne, a professor of history and African-American studies at the University of Houston and author of the book “The Counter-Revolution of 1776.” “Almost inevitably, like kudzu in the summer, slavery started spreading in Georgia.”

Like other historians, Horne is highly skeptical of Oglethorpe being a forefather of the abolitionist movement. He says the Georgia colony ultimately protected slavery in its sister colonies by serving as a “white equivalent of the Berlin Wall” between South Carolina and Spanish Florida.

Oglethorpe used slave labor to help build homes, streets and public squares in Savannah, the colony’s first city. Escaped slaves captured in Oglethorpe’s Georgia were returned to slaveholders. Some colonists angered by the slave ban made unproven accusations that Oglethorpe had a South Carolina plantation worked by slaves.

Thurmond’s book openly embraces such evidence that Oglethorpe’s history with slavery was at times contradictory and unflattering. That makes his case for Oglethorpe’s evolution even stronger, said James F. Brooks, a University of Georgia history professor who wrote the book’s foreword.

“He has engaged with the historiography in a way that is clearly the equivalent of a professional historian,” Brooks said. “This is good stuff. He’s read everything and thought about it. I don’t see any weakness in it.”

Thurmond’s evidence includes a letter Oglethorpe wrote in 1739 that argues opening Georgia to slavery would “occasion the misery of thousands in Africa.” Thurmond describes how Oglethorpe assisted two formerly enslaved Black men — Ayuba Suleiman Diallo and Olaudah Equiano — whose travels to England helped stir anti-slavery sentiments among White Europeans.

Oglethorpe befriended White activists who became key figures in England’s abolitionist movement. In a 1776 letter to Granville Sharp, an attorney who fought to help former slaves retain their freedom, Oglethorpe proclaimed “Africa had produced a race of heroes” in its kings and military leaders. He also spent time with the author Hannah More, whose writings called for the abolition of slavery.

In 1787, two years after Oglethorpe’s death, Sharp and More were among the founders of the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. Thurmond argues Oglethorpe deserves credit as an inspiration to the budding movement.

“He founded slave-free Georgia in 1733 and, 100 years later, England abolishes slavery,” followed by the U.S. in 1865, Thurmond said. “He was a man far beyond his time.”

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Five books by Black women to put on your gift list

Word in Black — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:09:23 +0000

Book bans and racism in publishing make giving the gift of a book written by a Black woman akin to gifting revolution. (Courtesy of Word In Black)

By Liz Courquet-Lesaulnier,
Word In Black

The holiday season is officially here, which means it’s time to make gift lists and start shopping for friends and family. But listen, do folks really need another scented candle, pair of socks, or pricey electronic gadget? Perhaps it’s time to consider a more radical act of giving: books by Black women.

Why Black women specifically? Well, consider all the ways racism and sexism make being a published author more difficult. In the literary world, Black representation among publishing staff and literary agents is notably sparse, especially in roles with decision-making power.

A recent survey by Lee & Low found that publishing as a whole is 76 percent White, and marketing departments in the industry are, on average, 74 percent White. That means although Black women authors release plenty of excellent books every year, they may not get the marketing budget their White peers do.

As Cherise Fisher, a literary agent at Wendy Sherman Associates, told the New York Times in 2021, “There is an engine in publishing houses. Not every book gets the same amount of gas. Some books get premium. Some get regular.”

And at a time when book bans are yanking the poetry of Amanda Gorman and novels by Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker out of classrooms and libraries, giving the gift of a book written by a Black woman is akin to gifting revolution.

So have your local Black-owned bookstore wrap up Jesmyn Ward’s latest for mom or dad, hand your siblings a juicy Beverly Jenkins or Jasmine Guillory romance, and gift Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple” to folks so they can read it and see the film on Christmas Day. Oh, and somebody you know is going to like Viola Davis’ memoir (and Jada Pinkett Smith’s), too.

Need more book ideas? Here are five recommendations from Team Word In Black:

1. “Ghost Summer: Stories” by Tananarive Due

Published in 2015, Tananarive Due’s debut collection of short stories was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and named one of the Best Books of 2015 by the Los Angeles Times. As digital editor Nadira Jamerson explains, the tales included “made me fall in love with Black horror. If you’re looking for a thrilling read that mixes Black history with horror and fantasy, you’ll love this collection.”

2. “My Sister, The Serial Killer” by Oyinkan Braithwaite

This 2019 page-turner is a Booker Prize nominee and was also named the best mystery/thriller by the Los Angeles Times. Health data reporter Anissa Durham says this “thriller novel tells the tale of an older sister who cleans up after her younger, beautiful sister who continues to ‘dispose’ of her boyfriends. But, when her younger sister starts dating the doctor where she works as a nurse, does she continue to stand by her sister or warn the doctor she’s had eyes on for years?”

3. “Black Women Will Save the World,” by April Ryan

“The trailblazing White House correspondent narrated the power and impact Black women continue to carry across generational lines,” education reporter Aziah Siid says about Ryan’s 2022 book. “She explores the adversities Black women endure and the ways they’ve turned pain into progress — all while chronicling her own personal journey. The book is a reminder of why the slogan, Black Girl Magic, is perfectly put.

4. “Kindred” by Octavia Butler

If you don’t have this 1979 science fiction masterpiece on your bookshelf, buy one for yourself and one for a friend. Health reporter Alexa Spencer says “plot will keep any thrill-seeking reader on their toes: Jumping back and forth between 1970s Los Angeles and the Antebellum South with the main character, Dana. ‘Kindred’ is the perfect mix of history and compelling fiction.”

5. “One Blood” by Denene Millner

Give me a novel about identity, family secrets, and personal discovery, and I’m hooked. Published in September, “One Blood” is the latest from Millner, a six-time New York Times bestselling author. The book takes us through the stories of three generations of Black women, the challenges of motherhood, and the intergenerational traumas that break us — and bind us together.

This article was originally published by Word In Black.

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The library club helping teens reflect, read and heal

Word in Black — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:15:00 +0000

By Joseph Williams,
Word in Black

It’s easy to imagine that, for a Black teenager navigating a turbulent life — in juvenile detention, say, or attending a school for students with discipline, learning or behavior issues — racial healing might be the next to last thing on their mind.

It’s easier still to think that the very last thing on their mind would be sitting in a circle with other students inside a library, sharing thoughts and feelings about a book they just read.

Yet the Great Stories Club, a long-running program sponsored by the American Library Association, has met both goals, and then some. For nearly two decades, the GSC, as it’s known, has enticed troubled young people to put their noses in books that can help them see themselves in the pages, make sense of their lives, and tell their own stories.

“The goal here is to reach populations that are not typically reached by the library — or, if they are already being reached– to be able to engage them in a deeper way that’s beyond a classroom,” says Brian Russell, project director for the ALA’s public programs office. The group discussions, he says, can “really give them a sense of community.”

Launched in 2006, the program “gives underserved youth the opportunity to read, reflect, and share ideas on topics that resonate with them,” according to the ALA’s website. Funded by public and private grants, the site says, the ALA “has made 1,400 Great Stories Club grants to libraries, reaching more than 42,000 young adults in 49 states and 2 U.S. territories.”

Under the program, libraries at juvenile detention centers or alternative schools that win GSC grants receive young-adult books and literature as well as promotional material linked to a broader theme, such as “finding your voice,” or delving “deeper than our skins,” Russell says. Librarians hand out the books to interested readers, he says, then facilitate group discussions on the theme.

“All of the themes have always been about the kind of issues pertinent to teens’ realities,” including racism, poverty, suicide, parental conflicts, peer pressure, or unstable households, Russell says. The books, he says, “have to be gifted to the teen readers — they can’t remain in the collection. Sometimes, this is the first book that a lot of these teens have ever owned on their own.”

Besides encouraging teens to read and build relationships with a library, the discussions can be powerful, centered on ideas and themes like universal humanity, according to the ALA website. The prompts can also provide important steps towards racial healing: suggested discussion points can help young people reflect on past actions and present circumstances, reduce feelings of isolation and depression, and inspire changes in behavior.

In-depth discussions on works like “Between the World and Me,” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, and “Mother of the Sea,” by Zetta Elliott encourage young readers to “consider ‘big questions’ about the world around them and their place in it, according to the website. Besides “affecting how they view themselves as thinkers and creators,” according to the website, the group discussions can “facilitate reflection and discussion of past actions and future opportunities for positive change” inspired by the literature.

Russell says it’s not a coincidence that the list of authors includes Black, Asian, Latino and Native American writers.

“Teens can see themselves reflected in these stories — someone who lives a life that looks like their life, and who looks like them,” Russell says. “You read a story about someone whose life is similar to yours, and then you’re in this space where you feel safe and comfortable with the other people there. And then you can tell your story.”

That experience can be transformative, Russell says, and not just for the Great Stories Club participants.

“I think there is healing. A lot of learning comes from that too, especially in groups,” Russell says. “It’s powerful for me on a personal level. You know, teenagers are a really tricky demographic. But some of the librarians have already been posting that their titles have been so relevant, they can’t believe how engaged the teens have been.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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PRESS ROOM: Scholastic to launch ‘The Black Bookselling Conference: Connect. Build. Elevate.”

BlackPR.com — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 00:05:00 +0000

By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced The Black Bookselling Conference: Connect. Build. Elevate, a free virtual conference to take place on Nov. 1, 2023. This initiative aims to support Black-owned bookstores, Black booksellers and advocates by creating a curated space for dialogue and action. The Black Bookselling Conference will showcase a rich collection of books centering the histories and present-day realities of Black people in children’s literature while prioritizing Black stories, storytellers and the communities they serve and reflect.

The live broadcast event will include robust panels featuring bestselling authors and illustrators such as Tami Charles, Alaya Dawn Johnson and Jamar Nicholas as well as educators in children’s literature. The conference will aim to raise discoverability of future publishing from Black creators. An anchor of the program will be an open forum with Scholastic’s Trade publishing professionals to offer bookselling tools, merchandising materials and resources. In this session, a variety of topics and areas will be discussed, all with the purpose of providing a greater understanding of how best to support Black independent booksellers to achieve both their revenue and community goals. At the conclusion, attendees will be invited to participate in breakout sessions that blend community engagement and professional growth.

As part of conference registration, attendees will receive in the mail a complimentary kit in advance of the event that will include a copy of each participating author’s book, exclusive promotional materials, resources and more to support the programming throughout the event. Scholastic will also provide an accessibility grant to offset potential lost compensation resulting from attending the conference, aiming to increase access to the event.

To affirm the conference’s mission, Scholastic formed a steering committee of Black booksellers from around the country, including members from the American Bookseller Association and regional Trade organizations. They have been actively involved in the planning process, serving as ambassadors and helping to curate and weigh in on content that will deeply resonate and serve as a contribution to the Black bookselling community.

“We are thrilled to support the Black bookselling community from around the country with a much-needed platform focused on this vital group of professionals,” said Ellie Berger, EVP and president of Scholastic Trade Publishing. “With the strategic contributions from the steering committee, The Black Bookselling Conference will foster community while sharing an amazing slate of Scholastic authors and illustrators. We hope this conference sparks lively discussions and that participants feel empowered and walk away with new tools to enrich their bookstores.”

“My hope for the Black Booksellers Conference is to help open the door to leveling the playing field,” said Julia Davis, owner of The Bookworm Bookstore. “So often we struggle to get some of the big-name authors, the financing and so much more to help us to not only stay open but to help make a difference in our community. The Black Bookseller Conference could be a great asset not only to the booksellers but the publisher, allowing the concerns and differences to be heard plus providing education and resources that black bookstores don’t always have access to.”

About Scholastic: For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children’s learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With international operations and exports in more than 135 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

Participating Authors:

Shakirah Bourne, “Nightmare Island”
Tami Charles, “We Are Here”
Alaya Dawn Johnson, “The Library of Broken Worlds”
Bernard Mensah, “Kwame’s Magic Quest”
Tanisia Moore, “I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams”
Jamar Nicholas, “Leon the Extraordinary”
Jonathan Todd, “Timid: A Graphic Novel”
Traci N. Todd, “Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes”

Steering Committee:

Isis Asare, owner, sistah scifi
Linda Marie Barrett, director, SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
Tameca Blossom-Lyons, owner, Brown Babies Books
Kathy Burnette, owner, Brain Lair Books
Julia Davis, owner, The Book Worm Bookstore
Heather Duncan, director, MPIBA Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association
Candice Huber, membership relations coordinator, SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
D.J. Johnson, owner, Baldwin and Co.
Carrie Obrey, director, MIBA Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
Kristin Rasmussen, CALIBA California Indie Bookseller Alliance
Robin Wood, bookseller/social media coordinator, Books & Books/SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
K.C. Boyd, School Library Media Specialist, SLJ School Librarian of the Year, Washington, D.C.

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Serena Williams has a 2-book deal, starting with an ‘intimate’ and ‘open-hearted’ memoir

Associated Press — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 19:00:00 +0000

By Hillel Italie
AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Now that she’s stepped back from the sport she dominated like few others, Serena Williams is ready to reflect.

The tennis great has a two-book deal with the Random House Publishing Group, starting with an “intimate” memoir in which she will open up about everything from her childhood and early tennis training, dramatized in the 2021 film “King Richard,” to her extraordinary career and the obstacles and setbacks she endured along the way. The book is not yet titled and does not have a release date.

“For so long, all I was focused on was winning, and I never sat down to look back and reflect on my life and career,” Williams, who in August gave birth to her second child, said in a statement Oct. 18. “Over the last year I’ve really enjoyed taking the time with my growing family to celebrate my accomplishments and explore my other passions. I couldn’t be at a more perfect place to be able to take-on such a personal intimate project, and there’s no one I would rather do it with than the team at Random House.”

The second book, also untitled, will be an “inspirational” work, according to Random House, which announced that “Williams will offer rules for living that draw on her experiences as a philanthropist and advocate, her career as an investment unicorn with Serena Ventures, and someone who has long sought to lift a diverse and emergent generation of young women whose aspirations are not confined to the court.”

Williams, 42, announced her retirement — famously eschewing that term and saying instead she was “evolving” away from professional tennis — shortly before the 2022 U.S. Open. She has not played since that tournament, which included a second-round victory over No. 2-ranked Anett Kontaveit before a third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic.

Williams left the sport with 23 Grand Slam titles in singles, another 14 in doubles with her sister Venus, more than 300 weeks at No. 1 in the rankings and four Olympic gold medals. She also has been widely cited for breaking down racial barriers in tennis and racial and gender barriers in sports and beyond.

In an essay published in Vogue last year, she wrote that she hoped that because of her success “women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the court. They can play with aggression and pump their fists. They can be strong yet beautiful. They can wear what they want and say what they want and kick butt and be proud of it all.”

Her previous books include a memoir from 2009, “On the Line,” and a picture story, “The Adventures of Qai Qai,” released last year.

In its press release Oct. 18, Random House announced that her new memoir would be an “open-hearted exploration of the experiences that have shaped her life.” Williams will share her thoughts on “overcoming scrutiny and attacks in a predominantly white and male-dominated sport, navigating devastating losses on and off the court, falling in love with tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, celebrating body diversity and expanding the confines of style in sports and pop culture, bringing awareness to maternal health disparities, and being a devoted mother to her daughters, Olympia and Adira.”

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AP Tennis Writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.

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PRESS ROOM: ‘Butterflies In Me: An Anthology Bringing Awareness to Mental Health’

Special Press Release — Sat, 07 Oct 2023 16:15:00 +0000

Enduring trauma of any kind, especially from a young age, leaves lasting scars that often cannot be healed alone.

In her debut children’s book, “Butterflies In Me: An Anthology Bringing Awareness to Mental Health,” childhood sexual abuse survivor, author, award-winning filmmaker and poet Denisha Seals shares a collection of stories about children experiencing different types of trauma in an effort to start a crucial conversation about mental health, specifically in children from marginalized communities.

Following the individual stories of Kenya, Lulu, Abbas, and Javier, “Butterflies In Me” details each child’s journey to finding his or her voice and overcoming his or her troubles with the support and love of a caring adult.

Accompanying the book, “Learning to Love Your Butterfly: A Workbook Building Self-Esteem and Resilience,” is a workbook designed to help children in grades 4 through 8 learn more about themselves through the process of self-reflection and goal-setting, all with the intention of boosting self-esteem.

In addition to the workbook, Seals offers “Tools for Children to Embrace Their Mental Health,” a guide with tools for practitioners who work with children, providing crucial information on diagnostic criteria according to the DSM-V (a manual for assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders).

Both books, in tandem with “Butterflies In Me,” work to uplift the voices of children, who are rarely empowered to speak up on their own behalf, no matter their background.

Seals is a mental health advocate above all else and is known for using her pen to uplift the voices of the marginalized and the victimized. Her work as an artist in both film and writing has compelled her to share the lessons she has learned from her own childhood trauma with children who may be struggling in similar ways, and their caretakers. With “Butterflies In Me,” Seals hopes to open the conversation around mental health and challenge any existing stigma held against marginalized voices.

“Butterflies In Me: An Anthology Bringing Awareness to Mental Health” can be purchased on Amazon.

Denisha Seals is an artist, filmmaker and author who uses the power of her pen to lift the voices of the marginalized and victimized. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse and trauma, she advocates for more awareness and understanding of the emotional toll abuse victims experience, particularly children of color. Her uplifting stories inspire readers to be strong, fearless and full of hope. For more information, visit her website, www.water2spirit.com.

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James Baldwin: The life story you may not know

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 23:52:21 +0000

Written by Taneasha White-Gibson

James Baldwin: The life story you may not know

James Baldwin was a prolific writer, poet, essayist, and civil rights activist. Though he spent much of his life abroad, he is undoubtedly an American writer, whose works serve as a prism through which to view Black American life. Apart from being an esteemed literary talent, Baldwin routinely participated in the necessary criticism of both the U.S. and Europe’s mistreatment of Black people and broached the then-taboo issue of same-gender love and sensuality long before any widespread queer liberation movement.

Even in death, Baldwin’s unabashed critique and truth-telling made him not only a guiding light for his time but for this generation and those to come. Several of his prescient works—”The Fire Next Time,” “Notes of a Native Son”—were as vital during the Civil Rights Movement as they are now, a legacy carried on through the incantation of Black Lives Matter protests in the streets to the Black American lexicon proliferating college classrooms today.

Some may know the author’s interest in the arts started in childhood, but surprisingly, his journey to becoming a luminary originated in the pulpit. Fueled by humble beginnings and a desire to speak truth to power even amid an era of unthinkable violence and injustice against Black Americans, the Harlem-born literary giant traversed the world—from Switzerland, Paris, and Istanbul—with his name seen on the cover of playbills, memoirs, and photo essays, hoping to gain enough distance from his homeland to write about it. “Once you find yourself in another civilization,” he once told an interviewer, “you’re forced to examine your own.”

In his honor, Stacker compiled 25 facts and moments about the author, activist, and intellectual James Baldwin, using Biography.com, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and various other sources.

Topical Press Agency // Getty Images

Born in 1924

James Arthur Baldwin was born to Emma Berdis Jones in Harlem, New York, on Aug. 2, 1924.

According to various accounts, his mother never shared details about his birth father—including his name. Jones later married David Baldwin, a minister, when young Baldwin was 3 years old.

CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

1938: Baldwin becomes a teen preacher

When he turned 14, the writer followed in his stepfather’s footsteps and became a teen preacher at Fireside Pentecostal Assembly during what he called a “prolonged religious crisis” in his 1963 nonfiction book “The Fire Next Time.”

Baldwin later left behind his adherence to Christianity, but his experiences at the church would inspire his 1953 novel “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”

Bettmann via Getty Images

Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen was his middle school teacher

During his middle school years, Baldwin was a student of Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen. The poet worked as a French teacher at Frederick Douglass Junior High, where Baldwin was a student, ultimately opening Baldwin’s eyes to Black literature. Baldwin later became the editor of his school’s newspaper and eventually wrote a profile of Harlem from the point of view of multiple generations.

Carl Van Vechten Collection // Getty Images

Mentored by Harlem Renaissance painter Beauford Delaney

At 16, Baldwin met painter Beauford Delaney, whom he regarded as a “spiritual father.” The artist would change Baldwin’s early conception that jazz was sinful, introducing him to the songs of Ella Fitzgerald and Bessie Smith. Delaney would also move to Paris five years after Baldwin, continuing their relationship. He later wrote that Delaney “was the first walking, living proof for me that a Black man could be an artist.”

William Cole // Getty Images

1942: Baldwin worked on a railroad after graduating high school

Despite an early interest in arts and literature, Baldwin was tasked with helping provide for his seven younger siblings, taking a job laying railroad tracks for the Army in New Jersey. While working, Baldwin experienced being refused service at restaurants and bars because of the color of his skin. He was soon fired, which led him to move to Greenwich Village.

CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

1944: Meets mentor Richard Wright by knocking on his door

Baldwin was introduced to his “literary father,” the late writer Richard Wright, after arriving unannounced at his front door. By this time, Wright had published “Native Son,” a tale of a Black man who accidentally kills a white woman and eventually rapes and murders his girlfriend while being pursued.

Wright read early versions of “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and helped secure a fellowship for Baldwin, which kick-started his career. About four years later, however, Baldwin would write critical reviews of Wright’s “Native Son” for the literary magazine Zero while in Paris.

Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos // Getty Images

1948: Leaves for Paris after his best friend’s suicide

According to a 1984 interview with The Paris Review, Baldwin feared for his survival as a Black man in the U.S. “My luck was running out,” he said. “I was going to go to jail, I was going to kill somebody or be killed. My best friend had committed suicide two years earlier, jumping off the George Washington Bridge.”

Baldwin shared with The New York Times that this move enabled him to write more freely about his experience as a Black man in America, saying: “Once I found myself on the other side of the ocean, I could see where I came from very clearly. … I am the grandson of a slave, and I am a writer. I must deal with both.”

Bettmann // Getty Images

1953: Releases ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’

One of Baldwin’s first and more notable books, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” is a semi-autobiographical work about John Grimes, who grows up in 1930s Harlem under the influence of his Pentecostal minister stepfather. The novel covers the intersections of race, religion, and spirituality, paving the way for important conversations for which Baldwin’s later novels and essays would become synonymous.

Sophie Bassouls/Sygma via Getty Images

1954: Receives Guggenheim Fellowship

To aid in writing a new novel, Baldwin participated in the MacDowell writer’s colony residence in New England. During this time, he also won a Guggenheim Fellowship, both of which supported his later works.

Two years after accepting the Guggenheim Award, Baldwin published his second novel, “Giovanni’s Room,” which chronicles the struggle between race and sexuality and shows a character grappling between the love of a man and a woman all while navigating a white-dominated society.

Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images

1955: Publishes ‘Notes of a Native Son’

Baldwin spoke about his admiration for Richard Wright’s 1940 book “Native Son,” which centers around race and the life of a Black man.

Following the success of his debut novel, Baldwin wrote “Notes of a Native Son”as an homage to the work. The collection of essays is a compilation of experiences surrounding race and social issues during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.

In a New York Times review, esteemed Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes wrote of “Notes”: “Few American writers handle words more effectively in the essay form than James Baldwin. To my way of thinking, he is much better at provoking thought in the essay than he is arousing emotion in fiction.”

Sophie Bassouls/Sygma via Getty Images

1956: Publishes ‘Giovanni’s Room’

“Giovanni’s Room” received widespread acclaim and positive reception for exploring gay experiences, and many of Baldwin’s characters are within the LGBTQ+ community. This was years before the movement for queer liberation, and it proved groundbreaking. The book was a finalist for the 1957 National Book Award for fiction.

Bettmann // Getty Images

1957: Baldwin makes a trip to the South

After almost a decade out of the country, Baldwin returned to the United States amid the height of the Civil Rights struggle. He made a trip to the Deep South in 1957, which he later captured in “Letter from the South: Nobody Knows My Name” with the words, “Everywhere he turns … the revenant finds himself reflected.”

Bettmann // Getty Images

1961: Releases ‘Nobody Knows My Name’

While Baldwin was heavily involved in on-the-ground, behind-the-scenes efforts within the Civil Rights Movement, he utilized his literary talents and notoriety to speak on issues of Black folks in both the U.S. and in Europe. His book of essays, “Nobody Knows My Name,” compiles 23 works and earned the writer a spot on the shortlist for nonfiction at the 1962 National Book Awards.

Walter Daran/Hulton Archive // Getty Images

1962: Baldwin’s feature in The New Yorker prints

The New Yorker published an essay from the writer on Nov. 9, 1962, entitled “Letter from a Region in My Mind.” The essay, which begins from his musings as a 14-year-old in Harlem and traverses through his experiences in his stepfather’s church and the Nation of Islam, was later expanded into a book.

Marty Hanley/Bettmann // Getty Images

1963: Publishes ‘The Fire Next Time’

Originally a long-form article in The New Yorker, “The Fire Next Time”was published in 1963. Baldwin uses the two essays, “My Dungeon Shook: Letter to My Nephew on the One Hundredth Anniversary of Emancipation” and “Down At The Cross: Letter from a Region of My Mind,” to speak candidly about the state of racism within the U.S. and Christianity’s role in American society.

The work became a bestseller and has remained a staple within African American literature. American author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates called it “basically the finest essay I’ve ever read.”

Robert Elfstrom/Villon Films // Getty Images

1964: Makes Broadway debut with ‘Blues for Mister Charlie’

Baldwin’s first Broadway production, this play presented an honest depiction of oppression loosely based on the murder of Emmett Till in 1955. In its preface, Baldwin wrote: “What is ghastly and really almost hopeless in our racial situation now is that the crimes we have committed are so great and so unspeakable that the acceptance of this knowledge would lead, literally, to madness.”

Hulton Archive // Getty Images

Collaborates with Richard Avedon on ‘Nothing Personal’

Written as a tribute to his murdered friend, Civil Rights Movement leader Medgar Evers, Baldwin and his boyhood friend, American photographer Richard Avedon, created “Nothing Personal,” released in 1964.

Baldwin met Avedon while attending DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx. Avedon was one of the school’s literary magazine editors. The two fell out of touch after high school but reconnected when Avedon was commissioned to photograph Baldwin for Harper’s Bazaar and Life magazine. That shoot inspired “Nothing Personal,” which features photos from Avedon and 20,000 words from Baldwin.

Robert Abbott Sengstacke // Getty Images

Baldwin attends 1965 Selma to Montgomery march

Baldwin was largely involved in social justice throughout the 1960s and participated in the March on Washington and the following Selma to Montgomery march and actions in 1965.

He was close friends with Bayard Rustin, another openly gay Black man in the movement, and both were active behind the scenes due to the ongoing prejudices surrounding the LGBTQ+ communities.

Sophie Bassouls/Sygma via Getty Images

1965: ‘The Amen Corner’ opens on Broadway

Apart from authoring books, Baldwin was a talented playwright and used the stage to discuss racial issues. “The Amen Corner,” about a woman evangelist, was heavily influenced by Baldwin’s religious upbringing and first performed in New York City.

While New York Times reviewer Howard Taubman noted the play’s slow pace, he wrote that the production “has something to say. It throws some light on the barrenness of the lives of impoverished Negroes who seek surcease from their woes in religion.”

kpa // United Archives via Getty Images

1968: Begins drafting Malcolm X screenplay

Baldwin moved to Los Angeles after being hired to write the screenplay for a movie about Malcolm X. According to writer David Leeming’s 1994 book “James Baldwin: A Biography,” “The first treatment he composed was a manuscript of more than 200 pages that read more like a novel than a screenplay. Furthermore, his presence was disruptive, his working habits deplorable, and his lifestyle expensive.” To Baldwin, however, he was subjected to 16 months in a foreign land called Hollywood, where people did not speak his language.

Baldwin eventually left the project, though he published his script under “One Day When I Was Lost” years later. In 1992, Spike Lee adapted the script that Baldwin and, later, Arnold Perl worked on, which became the film “Malcolm X,” starring Denzel Washington.

Jack Sotomayor/New York Times Co. // Getty Images

Baldwin helped Maya Angelou get her first autobiography published

Depressed by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou was invited to a dinner by her friend Baldwin. Her storytelling skills impressed cartoonist Jules Feiffer and his wife, Judy, which resulted in an introduction to his editor, Robert Loomis. This, with a little behind-the-scenes counseling from Baldwin that got Angelou to agree to an autobiography, led to the release of her seminal 1969 book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

Sophie Bassouls/Sygma via Getty Images

1976: Releases ‘The Devil Finds Work’

Baldwin is known for his poetry and creative nonfiction, but he was also a renowned film critic. His book-length essay “The Devil Finds Work,” which The Atlantic called “the most powerful piece of film criticism ever written” in 2014, juxtaposes race within the U.S. and cinema, covering such films as “The Heat of the Night,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and “The Exorcist.”

Sepia Times/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

1983: Begins teaching at universities

While Baldwin continued to write until later in life, he also divided his time between teaching at the collegiate level—first at Hampshire College in 1983, then at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst—before returning to France in 1986.

At school, he became well known for his late-night discussions and drinks. He frequently remained awake even as his colleagues drifted to sleep, earning him his own time zone, called “Jimmy Time.”

Afro American Newspapers/Gado // Getty Images

1985: Investigates ‘The Evidence of Things Not Seen’

Between 1979 and 1981, at least 28 children, adolescents, and adults were killed in Atlanta. On assignment for Playboy, Baldwin wrote about these killings, known as the Atlanta child murders, in “The Evidence of Things Not Seen.” He writes about the racial aspect of the murders, for both the victims and the convicted assailant.

Ulf Andersen // Getty Images

Death

On Dec. 1, 1987, Baldwin died of stomach cancer at his home in southern France.

Before his passing, Baldwin was working on a piece called “Remember This House.” This unfinished memoir was a collection of his personal experiences with civil rights leaders, including his friends Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr.

Nearly four decades later, this manuscript would serve as the basis for Raoul Peck’s 2016 documentary film “I Am Not Your Negro,” which took home the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary and was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 89th Academy Awards.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close.

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Black author Deesha Philyaw has a 7-figure deal for her next two books

Associated Press — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 18:30:00 +0000

By Hillel Italie
AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Prize-winning fiction writer Deesha Philyaw, who struggled to find a publisher for what became her acclaimed debut “The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” has a 7-figure deal for her next two books.

Mariner Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announced recently that it had signed up Philyaw and will publish her novel “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman” in 2025. Mariner calls the book a “biting satire” of the Black church and “a deeply provocative” story about family, friendship and “sexual agency.” Philyaw, who attended several different churches as a child, is centering the novel around a megachurch leader.

“In writing ‘True Confessions,’ I really wanted to explore the narratives that 40- and 50-something Black women sometimes tell ourselves – as well as the narratives told about us – regarding our desires and aspirations,” Philyaw said in a statement.

Her second book for Mariner, “Girl, Look,” is billed by the publisher as a “poignant new collection, giving a vivid snapshot of the interior lives of Black women across generations, drawing readers to consider Black women and girls’ vulnerabilities, invisibility, and beautiful contradictions, in a post-COVID, post-Breonna Taylor world.” Mariner has not set a release date for “Girl, Look.”

“The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,” a collection of nine stories, was released by West Virginia University Press after several major New York publishers turned it down. It won the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Story Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and is being adapted for television by HBO Max.

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This story has been updated to correct the title of Philyaw’s next book. The book’s title is “The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman,” not “True Confessions.”

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Book censorship on the rise in U.S. libraries

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 18:30:00 +0000

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

American Library Association reports a 20 percent increase in challenges in 2023

(NNPA Newswire) – The assault on Black history and that of other minority groups in the United States. has ramped up with the recent banning of certain books. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has released alarming preliminary data indicating a significant surge in attempts to censor books, materials and services across public, school and academic libraries in the United States during the first eight months of 2023.

Books written by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are primary targets.

The American Library Association compiled crucial data on book challenges from reports filed by library professionals and news stories published nationwide. This year, between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, the association documented a staggering 20 percent increase in challenges, with 695 attempts to censor library materials and services. The challenges encompassed 1,915 unique titles, marking an escalation from the same period in 2022.

Books written by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQIA+ community are primary targets. Challenges within public libraries accounted for nearly half of documented cases, a sharp rise from 16 percent last year.

Rise in Multiple Title Challenges
What sets 2023 apart from previous years is the continued surge in simultaneous challenges to multiple titles. A staggering 92% of books challenged were part of attempts to censor multiple titles, compared to 90% in the first eight months of 2022. Cases involving challenges to 100 or more books were reported in 11 states, a significant increase from just six states during the same reporting period in 2022 and none in 2021. Previously, most challenges aimed to remove or restrict a single book. However, this year, a single challenge targeting multiple titles has become the predominant contributor to the rise in censorship attempts.

“These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights,” said OIF Director Deborah Caldwell-Stone. “To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy.”
She further emphasized the expanding focus of groups with political agendas.

“Expanding beyond their well-organized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society,” Caldwell-Stone insisted. “This places politics over the well-being and education of young people and everyone’s right to access and use the public library.”
Public Cases of Censorship

To ALA documented several public cases of censorship:
• Samuels Public Library (Front Royal, Va.): A local pressure group called “Clean Up Samuels” organized book-banning BBQ events, intending to fill out Request for Reconsideration forms for library materials. Their efforts primarily targeted LGBTQIA+ materials, resulting in over 500 forms completed for nearly 150 unique titles. County board members, influenced by the group, voted to withhold 75 percent of the library’s budget until it took action to restrict access to certain books.
• Clinton (Tenn.) Public Library: In response to challenges to books related to gender identity and sexual orientation, the library board voted against creating a special section for such materials. Challenges persisted, with group members advocating for the censorship of LGBTQIA+ representation in library materials. They also called for the library director’s resignation and threatened community members who defended access to resources. In August, elected officials asked the sheriff to investigate whether 17 books violated Tennessee’s criminal obscenity laws.
• Urbandale (Iowa) Community School District: Officials flagged 374 books for removal from school libraries in response to a state law defining age-appropriate content. The list included titles addressing sex, sex education, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The list was revised to 65 books, with titles like “The Kite Runner” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” removed.
Call to Action and Banned Books Week
“The antidote to the contagion of censorship is public, vocal support for libraries,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski, who encouraged public support for libraries and for individuals to attend local school or library board meetings, participate in Banned Books Week initiatives, and join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to combat censorship.
Banned Books Week 2023, scheduled for October 1–7, draws attention to attempts to remove books and materials from libraries, schools, and bookstores. Officials said the theme, “Let Freedom Read,” highlights the urgent need to defend the right to read and support the community of readers, library staff, educators, authors, publishers, and booksellers.

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‘Sammy the Saver’ comic book teaches children about financial literacy

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:09:46 +0000

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Four years ago Carl Brown began writing a story about a young boy named Sammy. He was not a regular boy. Sammy possessed an alter ego with a superpower that helped him and his friends to make smart financial decisions.

With the help of a Citi Foundation grant in 2023, Brown’s story was turned into a comic book series to teach youth, particularly children of color, about financial literacy.

Carl Brown, executive director for the D.C. Small Business Development Center, created the book “Sammy the Saver” to teach children about financial literacy in their early years. (Photo courtesy of Carl Brown)

“I kept seeing a lot of TikTok videos of artists, entertainers and athletes saying they wish they knew about financial literacy, and I thought it was important for young kids to understand financial literacy,” said Brown, who is executive director for the D.C. Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “The story is about three kids saving up their money to go to the ‘Queen Bee’ concert.”

In the first “Sammy the Saver” issue, Sammy and his friends, Katrina and Cash Money Carl need $400 each to purchase a Queen Bee concert ticket. After Sammy asks for a handout from his father, he gives Sammy $100 and tells him to invest it into a business to earn the money he needs.

“With Sammy, what we’re trying to teach young kids about is six main concepts and basic math,” said Brown. “The concepts are saving, spending, investing, earning, budgeting and debt.”

Sammy teams up with his friend Katrina to start a T-shirt business, and the pair make enough money to buy tickets. Meanwhile, their friend Cash Money Carl gets taken over by the Spendthrift and blows all of his money before being able to snag a concert ticket.

After a grant from the Citi Foundation, “Sammy the Saver” is now a full-on comic book. (Photo courtesy of Carl Brown)

Sammy’s alter ego, Sammy the Saver, steps in to fight off the Spendthrift and helps Cash Money Carl sell some of his recent purchases in order to buy the desired concert ticket.

Brown’s team called on CreativeJunkFood, a Black-owned creative studio in Washington, D.C.’s Ward 8, to assist in creating the comic. Founders Candice Taylor and Nabeeh Bilal managed the art direction for the book and helped with concept development and writing.

“We could’ve just done a textbook. [But] by adding creativity, we’re able to extract ideas. Take a character like ‘The Spendthrift.’ This is something that can inhabit anybody, and it’s the idea that you spend outside of your means and make poor financial decisions,” said Bilal. “Sammy senses those things, and he’s able to impart financial literacy principles on people who have come under The Spendthrift and rid them of it, so they don’t end up with generational curses. We take colloquialisms and mix them with academics to make it fun to learn.”

Thus far, the creators behind “Sammy the Saver” have circulated thousands of copies of the book. They’ve also frequented local schools and libraries to present the book to children and talk to them about the importance of financial literacy.

In the future, the team is also preparing to roll out a narrated version of the comic book, as well as new issues and a coloring book featuring Sammy and his friends.

“I hope that the youth take lessons from the characters’ stories, and they don’t end up like Cash Money Carl did with having to be bailed out by people,” said Bilal. “I hope that they see themselves as stewards of their financial journey but also that they’re able to impart some wisdom on people around them should they make poor decisions or should they come to a crossroads financially.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

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AFRO spotlight on Black excellence: a look at MahoganyBooks

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:03:00 +0000

By Tcherika Petit,
Special to the AFRO

Derrick and Ramunda Young opened the first book shop east of the Anacostia River since Pyramid Books closed in the 1990s. The shop, affectionately known as MahoganyBooks is named after their daughter and is targeted at empowering the Black community in Ward 8.

“Our goal was to make Black books accessible no matter where you live,” said Ramunda. “It was personal for me to make Black books important to others and know the significance of our history.”

Ramunda Young grew up in Tulsa, Okla., home of the area known as “Black Wall Street,” before a murderous racist mob pillaged the area and burnt the country’s premier Black business district to the ground. Young often speaks about how she wasn’t privy to the untold Black history in her very own community. Today, she is a living testament to the power of Black entrepreneurs and the Black businesses they create.

The company was initially started as an online bookstore but acquired a brick and mortar storefront in 2017. A second location opened in Maryland during the pandemic on Juneteenth in 2021.

“As a kid, I wanted to own my own business, make decisions for myself, and I loved the process of creating things and figuring things out,” said Derrick. “I got into college [and] I was exposed to Black businesses and Black bookstores especially. [I] saw the impact it had on everyday people [who were] citing books as a catalyst for personal growth and social change.”

When the couple created MahoganyBooks, they decided to set themselves apart from other bookstores by emphasizing their inventory of books from Black authors.

Derrick Young told the AFRO that seeing the impact of literature left him “ wanting that to be part of his legacy.”

“I wanted to create and innovate and bring back to the community,” he said. But their success did not come without surpassing extreme obstacles.

One of those challenges was getting the appropriate financial funding from traditional financial institutions to make their dreams a reality. But Derrick and Ramonda believed in their idea—and each other. Stepping out on faith, the couple pulled from their retirement fund and their legacy, MahoganyBooks, was born.

Another issue they faced was an internal one: self-doubt. Ramunda Young says this is one area where she has advice for her younger self.

“Mute the naysayers and turn down their voices and turn up your own voice,” said Ramunda Young, when asked to share words of encouragement to aspiring business owners.

While Derrick Young says he advised others to find a mentor that will guide and challenge you.

After the success of their online store and physical store, they still had to find ways to overcome the issue being a business owner presented. The two decided to expand their business into Maryland in the year 2020, but a global crisis struck, however they were able to keep their doors open.

“Finding ways to adapt to the environment at that time, offering the same experience and high quality to each and every different person,” said Derrick.

This attitude was the key to maintaining a thriving business essential to local customers.

Not only does MahoganyBooks offer a space for Black authors to be shared and recognized by the community, but they also offer Black authors a platform to engage with the community and promote their work through the MahoganyBooks through their “Front Row series.” It focuses on virtual discussions with authors while featuring their works.

At the shop, they actively engage with the community through frequent book club meetings and local giveback programs which has received support from a wide range of avid readers across the nation. In 2021, former President Barack Obama attended their virtual kickoff Black History Month event.

One of their other local giveback initiatives is entitled “Books for the Block,” where they help promote African- American youth literacy in Southeast D.C.

MahoganyBooks has become a pillar and staple in their community, shining a light on how to operate a successful Black-owned business while also creating an outlet for creators in their community.

When asked for lasting words of advice the pair had this to offer:

“Try it and bet on yourselves, take a risk and not be afraid to step out. Do something that makes your spirit light up.”

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National Book Festival brings Black authors to Walter E. Washington Convention Center

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 18:20:13 +0000

By Gene Lambey,
Special to the AFRO

The Library of Congress will be hosting the 2023 National Book Festival at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Aug. 12, 2023, located at 801 Mt. Vernon Pl NW Washington, D.C. 20001. Doors for the event open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. This festival celebrates the works of many authors, writers, actors and poets across the country.

Avid readers come from all over the country to see their favorite author, writer, actor or poet at this event. The Library of Congress states that over the last 20 years, “the Festival has become one of the most prominent literary events in the nation.” It has become the perfect place for readers to gather and share their interest.

The National Book Festival is free and open to the public. This event features author talks, panel discussions, book signings, book sales, arts and crafts and more activities.

The theme for the 2023 National Book Festival is “Everyone Has a Story,” which is the very foundation of being a storyteller.

The AFRO had the opportunity to speak with native Washington D.C. award-winning author, filmmaker, and rapper, Mr. Nick Brooks, who will be participating in this year’s National Book Festival. Brooks spoke briefly about his latest young adult novel, “Promise Boys,” which was published in January 2023. His novel, “Promise Boys,” won a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award in 2023.

“Promise Boys,” centers on Urban Promise Prep, which is a fictional all-boys charter school in the heart of D.C. Its core values really revolve around discipline and on a tragic evening of a basketball game, the principal, Principal Moore is killed. Three boys who attend the school emerge as suspects in the crime and over the course of the book they work to find out who really did it.”

Brooks is a former educator in Washington D.C. Growing up in Washington D.C.– and with his experience working in the education system– he has many perspectives that influence his storytelling. Brooks spoke more on his inspiration behind “Promise Boys.”

“Promise Boys” is a story in part about how we educate our young Black boys, how we view them, the lack of grace that we give them– how our education system treats them. I was an educator in D.C. for many years. [In] our schools– not just our public schools, but our charter schools– [there’s] a lack of attention paid to our Black and Brown boys.”

Brooks based the main characters of his novel, “Promise Boys,” from the student that he taught during his time as an educator. The three boys of the novel, Trey, JB, and Ramon, all live in different parts of Washington D.C, coming together in this novel. Brooks writes his novels based on the community he grew up around in northeast Washington D.C. He writes stories about his community and the people he grew up with. As a storyteller in multiple media, he strives to express his stories in multiple ways.

Brooks is currently working on another novel, which is a three book series. His first novel, “Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont”, was released in October 2022. His second novel in this three book series, “Too Many Interesting Things Are Happening to Ethan Fairmont”, is set to release November 2023.

Brooks is also a rapper and performs under the name, “BEN KENOBE,” composing music for movies and shows such as Netflix’s “They Cloned Tyrone” and HBO’s “The Cypher.”

Brooks told the AFRO that he is “excited to meet and greet fellow authors and readers” at the National Book Festival on August 12.

The AFRO spoke with another author who will be participating at the National Book Festival. Author, actress and writer, Brittany N. Williams.

Williams spoke briefly about her young adult novel, “The Self-Same Metal,” which is a fantasy novel in a three part series, “Forge and Fracture,” and what inspired her to tell her to write. “The Self-Same Metal” was published in April 2023. As an actress, she has a wide range in Shakespearean theater, along with her performance in several TV series such as “Queen Sugar” and “Leverage: Redemption.”

The Self-Same Metal : (Photo courtesy of Goodreads.com)

“‘The Self-Same Metal’ follows sixteen-year old Joan Sands. She has the magical ability to manipulate metal and she only wants to use those powers to create swords and choreograph fights for William Shakespeare’s Acting Company, but when malevolent Fae invades London, she finds she’s one of the few people who can keep the city safe.”

Williams spoke about her inspiration behind her novel, “The Self-Same Metal.”

“I was researching Orisha, specifically researching West African religious traditions and came across the Orisha and Ogun. I wondered what would happen if someone who had been blessed by Ogun to have the power to manipulate iron had to fight the Fae, who are vulnerable to iron. That made me want to write a fight set during a performance of a ‘Midsummers Night’s Dream.’ That all boiled down into what the book is.”

Williams had worked on this book since 2018. She started in National Novel Writing Month, recognized in November, by writing 50,000 words within 30 days. She later decided to focus on her novel instead. She had worked and polished her story, “The Self-Same Metal.”

Williams is a Howard University alumni and said she is “excited to be back in D.C.” She stated that she’s “excited to see a bunch of other authors” at the National Book Festival. Williams says this will be her first time attending the National Book Festival. Williams grew up in Baltimore and used to live in D.C. She now lives in New Orleans, La.

Williams bases her novel within her own interest in her theater work and extensive research into African studies. She enjoys Shakespearen literature. Williams is currently working on her second book in the “Forge and Fracture” saga, which began with “The Self-Same Metal.” She is currently drafting her third book in this three book saga.

As an actress, Williams had performed in the Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia area (DMV) for recent shows such as Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” at the Adventure Theater MTC in Glen Echo, Md. She did another recent performance called “Petite Rouge,” also at the Adventure Theater MTC.

This year’s National Book Festival features over 70 authors, journalists and poets. A number of well-known authors will have their own presentations such as former NFL player Ryan K. Russell, actor Elliot Page, and Raquel J. Palacio, author of the New York Times best seller, “Wonder.”

The event will be livestreamed. Videos of the presentations from the event will be posted after the event has concluded.

The first National Book Festival occurred on September 8, 2001. The event was founded by former First Lady, Laura Bush and former Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington. Mrs. Bush held the honorary chair until 2008.

In past events, the Festival had several locations before making a stationary placement with the Washington Convention Center. The Library of Congress states that the Festival began on its own grounds, then afterwards Capitol Hill, “expanding soon thereafter to the lawn of the Capitol and then to the National Mall,” (loc.gov). After several years and still going, the Washington Convention Center has been the set location for the National Book Festival.

The number of attendants has grown over the years. In 2001, the first National Book Festival had 25,000 attendants. In 2019, the number of attendants expanded to over 200,000.

The event is funded by several private donors, supporters and corporate sponsors. Some of these sponsors include the American Psychiatric Association (APA), The Washington Post, Scholastic, and George Washington’s Mount Vernon. The lead benefactor, David M. Rubenstein has been serving as co-chairman for the National Book Festival since 2010.

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Black men talk youth, ‘hood culture’ and education at Enoch Pratt’s Amplified Voices Series: My Brother’s Keeper

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:07:50 +0000

By Khira Moore,
AFRO Intern,
Special to the AFRO

On July 26 the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch held the second offering of a much-needed initiative, the Amplified Voices Series, My Brothers Keeper. The conversation was aimed at combating the barriers that impact Black male youth in Baltimore City.

The event included a meet and greet, held in the Edgar Allan Poe Room, and a variety of food options from Addison Kitchen, a local plant based eatery.

Director of Equity and Fair Practices M’Balu “Lu” Bangura hosted the event and D. Watkins, best-selling author and award winning professor at University of Baltimore, moderated the panel.

Watkins was joined by seven community change makers, teachers and activists in the Baltimore community.

Panelist Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples is a Philadelphia native who, after being sentenced 20 years in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections for armed robbery, became an activist. He is now a cultural advisor for Youtube, Peeples spoke to the crowd about the foundations that he lives by:“ giving information, giving our time and giving back,” along with the value of “consistency and discipline.”

Aaron Maybin, the former NFL star turned artist and activist, also participated in the conversation. While speaking in front of the audience, Maybin highlighted the importance of Black men and boys having a supportive “village” to lean on.

“We have a bunch of hoods, but we don’t have a village,” said Maybin. “I hear way too many people judging, but not enough people [asking] “how can we stand with you?”

CarlMichael “Stokey” Cannady, founder of the Stokey Project, and Wesley Hawkins, an author and founder of the nonprofit, The Nolita Project, also lent their voice and years of experience to the panel.

Dr. Lawrence Jackson, author, professor and director of the Billie Holiday Center for the Liberation Arts, pointed out the tie between decay in the city and the historical implications that cannot be ignored. Jackson spoke on how major global conflicts, like the Vietnam War, significantly increased drug abuse in Baltimore City.

“Of the eight million service men that went to Vietnam, about two million returned with some form of addiction to either drugs or heroin,” said Jackson. “Here in Baltimore that was absolutely devastating, maybe even more devastating here than any place else in North America.”

Other Black men to round out the panel included Kondwani Fidel, a poet and Virginia State University grad that returned to the city to pursue his love of literature, and Elijah Miles, youngest member on the panel and CEO of the Tendea Family.

The streets are calling

Attendees heard the men discuss the hardships that come with growing up in impoverished and crime ridden neighborhoods. The audience also heard the men talk about dealing with the pressures of “hood culture.”

“I grew up on a block in East Baltimore where all the men hustled and a lot of the women struggled. And a lot of families were below the poverty level,” said Hawkins. “I didn’t realize that [it] wasn’t okay. I didn’t realize the life that I was living was wrong because from birth all the way up until I was 24, I normalized it. I was living that lifestyle.”

In a city with over 1,000 overdoses on an annual basis, thousands of children are living in houses with addicts— or trying to survive in their absence. The men talked about the effects of addiction on the children of parents with substance abuse issues and other setbacks they wished they could change for the youth today.

“How dare I serve or do anything else negative in my community when I’ve been watching my mother…struggling and dying?” said Hawkins. As a result of his mother’s addiction, his siblings ended up in foster care. Even with personal pain attached to the drugs he sold, Hawkins ended up peddling the poisons to his community.

“In my hood you can be six, seven, eight months pregnant and the dude will still serve you. I said that I’ll never be that again.”

Though growing up in a high-crime, impoverished neighborhood can result in trauma, one panelist said he believes residents should invest where they live- not run from it.

“Too many of us are baptized in the ‘leave the hood’ gospel. Not too many of us are focused on the ‘changing the hood’ gospel [that is] focused on serving the hood—saving the hood,” said Miles. “Everybody can’t leave the hood—and if everybody did leave the hood, wherever they went they would create the hood where they go because the hood is not a place—it’s a mindset. It’s a culture, it’s a value set.”

Men like Peeples became the change they wished to see. By letting go of the “hood culture” that the Black community holds so dearly, he realized his full potential.

“I wasn’t built to be a criminal because my heart was set up in a different way. I realized I ended up in prison for chasing an idea of who the people said I had to be in order to be accepted in the Black community,” said Peeples, discussing his mindset at the time. “In the black community, nobody is as successful as the successful criminal.”

And the cost is expensive. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, in 2019, 26.1 percent of people incarcerated for drug abuse violations were Black.

Peeples now helps underprivileged children and struggling cities understand the importance of personal brand building through inspirational speeches and a rising social media presence.

CarlMichael “Stokey” Cannady has a similar mission through his organization, The Stokey Project. He represents artists (film, music, entertainment industries) in Baltimore and helps them build a platform and promote themselves. Cannady even served as an inspiration to Dr. Jackson, who saw him speaking to a crowd one day at the intersection of Pennsylvania and North Avenues. Cannady was talking about issues plaguing the city and his speech inspired Dr. Jackson to create a liberation program at John Hopkins University.

Though Jackson is a professor at one of the top universities in the world, he knew from an early age that it was easy to get sucked into the culture. He, unlike many that he knew, had a chance to “make it out.” He got a scholarship and attended Loyola-Blakefield High School and still ended up on a corner with his old friends who’d already adopted the street lifestyle—trying to be somebody he wasn’t.

In an attempt to look cool, Jackson expressed interest in taking part in illegal activities, something that could ruin his future. His friends, who’d witnessed his rise from being a top student at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle school to private school, were disappointed.

“It took a little while for it to sink in— that I, who had so many gifts and so many opportunities, was in the process of squandering them,” said Jackson. “I understood that time is short, future is never promised, you have to take advantage of the opportunities that you have immediately.”

Then there were men like Aaron Maybin who began his path after being declared partially illiterate in the Baltimore City Public School System. Once he reached high school, Maybin was educated in Howard County, where he says he began excelling as a result of having more resources aimed to better his education. Today, Maybin seeks to improve inner city schools and help students.

According to his personal website, he developed Project Mayhem to “provide aid, both personal and economic, to help underprivileged and at-risk youth excel beyond their current conditions.”

Each panelist agreed that in order to save the communities in Baltimore City, they have to start with inner-city youth.

A people with a purpose

In 2013, Elijah Miles was a summer intern at Teach for America and at 18, he went viral for a speech he gave to a group of new teachers. At the time, Miles spoke on the importance of educating youth and making a commitment to change the hoods instead of deserting them.

Miles said he believed change was on the horizon for his city in the aftermath of the riots that took place after the death of Freddie Gray in 2015.

“CNN was here, MSNBC was here. All the so-called civil rights activists were on Pennsylvania and North Avenue… and I thought things were going to shift, things were going to change. I foolishly thought this, ” said Miles. “In those bad moments, I recognized that it’s not going to be a moment that changes Baltimore City. It’s not gonna be a protest. It’s not going to be a program… it’s going to be a group of people. Organizers, black people to sacrifice time, money, resources for years to come to change maybe one block in Baltimore city.”

Miles said youth should lead the change with purpose.

“Who knows the hood better than them?” said Miles about creating programs for Baltimore youth. “We have to take some of those young men, hire them, train them, guide them and put them back in the neighborhood so they can be of service to the neighborhood. That has to happen and we have to pay them to do it.”

At one point, Miles encouraged those gathered to join him in the mantra: “Our purpose, our people! Our job, our hood!”

The importance of education

Wesley Hawkins took six years to get his associates degree, but he graduated from University of Baltimore with a 3.7 GPA. He emphasizes the importance of sacrifice and resilience in the strive for education.

Today he is creator of a non-profit, The Nolita Project, an initiative dedicated to his mother who struggled with addiction. Hawkins aims to teach youth about the importance of education and help youth prosperity.

“I work with these kids in the community every single day. I’m on the ground. These kids—these youth and these young men—their values are not there,” said Hawkins. “So when me and brothers like Elijah and Aaron [are] working in the community, we’re trying to build their minds and their hearts so these kids can see success.”

The panel members were met with great applause from its community members in the audience. As they opened the floor to questions, the audience expressed their gratitude to the panelists, shared personal stories and insights. Events such as these are integral to promote unity in the Baltimore community.

Find out more about the individual initiatives and non profits run by the panelists below:

Elijah Miles

Kondwani Fidel

CarlMichael “Stokey” Cannady

Dr. Lawrence Jackson

Wallace “Wallo267” Peeples

Aaron Maybin

Wesley Hawkins

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Residents voice concerns over Southwest Baltimore food deserts at Associated Black Charities ‘Community Convo’ in Poppleton

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:01:18 +0000

By Megan Sayles,
AFRO Business Writer,
msayles@afro.com

Southwest Baltimore residents gathered to voice their opinions about opportunities and obstacles in the Poppleton neighborhood during a community conversation hosted by Associated Black Charities (ABC) in Poppleton on July 26.

“Community Convos,” as ABC has dubbed them, were launched this year to engage residents around the assets and needs of their communities. Since then, the organization has hosted discussions in several neighborhoods including Cherry Hill, Mondawmin and Johnston Square.

The event was co-hosted by University of Maryland School of Pharmacy’s PATIENTS Program, which works with patients and providers to discern treatment options that equitably benefit health and quality of life for community members.

“The purpose of our Community Convos is not to take the place of community association meetings. Our purpose is to convene stakeholders, partners and community residents to come and have a level platform,” said Bernard Sims, director of culture and community for ABC. “Everybody here is somebody, and everybody here is important.”

Sonia Eaddy, president of the Poppleton Now Community Association, started the conversation off by sharing the news of the groundbreaking for the $2 million renovation of the Poppleton Recreation Center at Greater Model Park. The facility, which once offered swimming, skating and family activities, has been vacant for more than two decades.

In 2021, Southwest Partnership took over its operations and began plans to reopen it with the help of the Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance.

“The community has worked diligently to find the key and get the funding to get those doors open,” said Eaddy, who’s served as president since 2017.

She is a third-generation Poppleton resident. Her paternal grandfather became a homeowner on the 300 block of N. Carrollton Ave in the 1940s, and she has lived on the same block ever since.

Eaddy said the Poppleton she remembered growing up is much different than the one today. The neighborhood was brimming with amenities, like markets, a furniture store, a pharmacy, banks and a bakery.

“There was so much that you didn’t really have to leave your neighborhood. I would love to see Poppleton restored to a place where people will want to live,” said Eaddy. “The only way that that can happen is by building and making sure that [residents] can purchase rather than continuing to make this a transient place of rentals.”

Several attendees went on to praise Eaddy’s leadership in the community, thanking her for her commitment and support such as Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby.

“We all literally stand on the back of Madam President here. It’s this level of engagement that Poppleton needs to continue to have because you don’t have a better voice in the city of Baltimore outside of your president,” said Mosby. “Leverage that.”

Mosby went on to highlight his focus on Baltimore’s inclusionary housing legislation, which expired last June. He said the previous policy only produced about 30 affordable housing units in the city.

“We’re doing inclusionary housing to ensure that we do not create communities with concentrations of poverty,” said Mosby. “What we don’t want to do is disproportionately disinvest in certain communities, while we invest in the pockets of developers to ‘allow’ people to live in their buildings. That’s not what inclusionary housing is.”

Howard Hughes, who resides in Hollins Roundhouse, addressed Mosby about the food deserts, or areas lacking in fresh food, impairing the health of not only the Poppleton neighborhood, but the broader Southwest Baltimore community as a whole.

“With the closing of Price Rite, addressing the need for fresh food and a decent grocery store within walking distance is an ongoing situation now with the elderly in the area and even with the youth,” said Hughes. “We’re talking about youth who are just going to the corner store and getting candy or a chicken box for breakfast versus a square meal.”

He asked Mosby where the city was in locating a new grocery store for the area. The city council president explained that he is working with the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development for the agency’s request for proposals (RFPs) to include community market analyses. This would enable projects to be awarded based on the immediate needs of the community.

“It’s one thing to put out an RFP that specifically ties down the needs and assessment of a community, and you get nothing back,” said Mosby. “But we have to at least try to see if there are capable developers out there that are willing to go after and address the needs of our community.”

Hughes has lived in Southwest Baltimore for 23 years and said food deserts have been a perpetual problem in the area. He pointed out the risk they pose to residents’ health.

“There is a greater disparity of health concerns, especially in the Black and Brown neighborhoods with diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity,” said Hughes. “Not having a good source of grocery stores or fresh goods increases that exponentially.”

Megan Sayles is a Report for America Corps member.

#SouthwestBaltimore #ABC #community

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation addresses the ‘Black agenda’ during National Town Hall at 51st Annual Legislative Conference

Associated Black Charities hosts annual gala, recognizes the AFRO and local community organizations

Associated Black Charities announces new CEO and president

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Actor Marla Gibbs, 92, will tell her life story in the memoir ‘It’s Never Too Late’

Associated Press — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 13:01:51 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Marla Gibbs has waited a long time to tell her life story.

The Emmy-nominated actor known for her roles on “The Jeffersons” and “227” among others has a deal with Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers dedicated to Black stories, for a memoir coming out in fall 2024. Gibbs, 92, is calling the book “It’s Never Too Late,” in which she traces her rise from Chicago’s South Side to long-term success in Hollywood.

“My hope is that my memoir will serve as an inspiration to those that continue to show me love and support,” Gibbs said in a statement Wednesday. “I believe no matter the challenges one faces, it is never too late to turn your life around or make a difference. I am grateful and I am ready to reveal the challenges I overcame as a way of service to those who wish to transform their tests into testimonies.”

Gibbs’ other credits include the films “The Visit” and “Meteor Man” and a recurring role on the daytime soap opera “Days of Our Lives.”

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D.C. Public Library hosts free summer programming

Deborah Bailey AFRO Contributing Editor — Sat, 01 Jul 2023 21:16:14 +0000

By Deborah Bailey,
Contributing Editor,
dbailey@afro.com

The Broadway rendition of The Lion King and D.C. Public Library partnered to kick off their Discover Summer Program at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown D.C.

The D.C. Public Library kicked off their “Discover Summer” with a majestic roar at the rooftop program that started at noon on June 17 with the Lion King cast. The cast will continue to be featured at the Kennedy Center through July 29 while D.C. Library’s “Discover Summer” program won’t conclude until August 31.

Their goal is to encourage reading and exploration of D.C. using activities that involve different forms of literacy. The object is to challenge book lovers of all ages to read 20 minutes a day. D.C. Public Library will track reading activities on a “Discover Summer” game board and the online platform Beanstack.

The next event will be on July 2 at the Southwest Neighborhood Library. It will include a creative activity for children ages 5-12 years old. Shortly thereafter, libraries across the District will host science, technology, engineering and math programs on July 6. The Deanwood, Parklands-Turner, Capitol View, and Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Libraries will participate in the Mad Science D.C. program.

More information can be found on https://dclibrary.libnet.info.

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Granddaughter calls her picture book a ‘love letter’ to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Associated Press — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:00:00 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The 15-year-old granddaughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is collaborating on a picture book tribute to the late civil rights leader and his wife, Coretta Scott King. Yolanda Renee King’s “We Dream a World,” with illustrations by award-winning artist Nicole Tadgell, will be published by Scholastic next Jan. 2.

“I’m excited to share this love letter in his honor. This book lets every child rediscover my grandparents’ dream,” Yolanda Renee King, herself a social justice advocate, said in a statement June 23.

The book’s release date is timed shortly before what would have been Martin Luther King’s 95th birthday. He was assassinated in 1968, four decades before his granddaughter was born.

Scholastic is describing the book as a “call for unity and equality.”

The publisher says “the book’s narrative expresses Yolanda’s deep love for her grandparents, while also speaking to children everywhere about her hopes for a new future, as expressed through her call-and-response affirmation that brings thunderous participation at her public speeches and addresses: “Spread the word! Have you heard? We are going to be a new generation!”

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Author Felicia Harkley encourages Black girls and boys to aspire without limits with ‘Brown Boy,’ ‘Brown Girl’ books

Reginald Williams — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 13:00:00 +0000

By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO

Brown boy, Brown boy what do you see?

I see a zoologist looking at me.

I see all the careers I can be.

For many youth, the seeds of success are often planted through literature. From children’s books to comics– imagining the possibilities of life is a habit often formed by connecting with characters in a story.

Nolan Crawford and his mother Felicia Harkley know this all too well.

“Brown Boy, Brown Boy What Do You See” is one of two books written by Felicia Harkley, an educational consultant. (Photo Courtesy of Amazon)

Nolan, 6, and his sister Nyla Crawford, 13, are co-authors with their mom on two children’s books: “Brown Girl, Brown Girl, What Do You See? Careers to A to Z,” and “Brown Boy, Brown Boy, What Do You See? Careers to A to Z.”

Harkley, founder of Prestige Educational Services, said her children are her inspiration.

“They are my reason. They are my why,” Harkley said. “Staring in the mirror; they’re seeing themselves—we’re talking about them loving the skin that they’re in.”

The books, written for children aged one to seven, are easy-to-read, motivational, alphabet and picture books that teach young minds about the different career options they can experience. Vibrant illustrations of Brown and Black boys and girls allow children to see themselves as architects, doctors, engineers or zoologists.

“It’s an inspiration for them to learn about different careers available from a to z,” Harkley said. “My book is a mirror for them to see a reflection of who they can be.”

When most authors write children’s books, they’ll typically target a specific gender, but Harkely intentionally wrote for both Black boys and girls.

Nyla Crawford and her mother, Felicia Harkley, wrote this book together based on their daily affirmations. (Photo Courtesy of Amazon)

“I chose to write a book for both genders based on my children. I have both a boy and girl,” the former educator said. “It started out with me always doing affirmations with them, giving them motivational speeches in the morning—always talking to them about what they could be. I wanted them to know that there are no limits for them.”

While the prose is gender-neutral, Harkley decided to show little girls that they too can ascend to the presidency in “Brown Girl, Brown Girl.”

“For president, we would normally think of a man. But in my book, I flipped it,” said Harkley. “My ‘P for president’ is in the girl’s book to let them know the president is not just for boys or men. You can aspire to be that as well. putting those careers out there for them both, just so that they can see all the things they could be.”

Harkley said books promote conversation with the entire family and are to be educational tools.

As an educator of 15 years, primarily in turnaround schools, Harkley said she recognized students in those schools need more resources to reach an elevated level.

“I’m looking at the resources–and what do we really have?” Harkley quipped. “What do our children have in the inner city– whether it’s a Title 1 school or a turnaround school? No matter what it is, they were missing a lot, especially when it came to reading, language arts and literacy. There were many materials and resources that represented us, and I thought it would be nice for them to see that resources are out there.”

The Brown Girl and Brown Boy books are in the Howard County, Md., Head Start programs.

“Getting them into the classroom was major. I’m so proud of that. I’m looking to get the book in schools nationwide—even out of the country. This is a read that can be shared with everyone. Honestly, you don’t have to be a Brown girl or Brown boy to purchase these books. If we’re talking about equity and inclusion in the schools and classrooms—this is something that can be shared amongst everyone,” added the educational consultant.

Reginald Williams, the author of “A Marginalized Voice: Devalued, Dismissed, Disenfranchised & Demonized” writes on Black men and Holistic Health concerns. Please email bookreggie@reginaldwilliams.org or visit amvonlinestore.com for more information.

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New children’s book teaches youth about Juneteenth

Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:22:36 +0000

Author Lavaille Lavette released her text “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise,” this year, with a goal of teaching young readers about Juneteenth, the national holiday honoring the abolition of slavery in the United States. (Photo Courtesy of Penguin Random House)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Lavaille Lavette, a New York Times best-selling author, said her greatest satisfaction is telling stories about people, places, things, and events that everyone should remember.

“Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise,” her most recent work, is a gorgeously illustrated “Little Golden Book” about a little boy’s first Juneteenth celebration. The book aims to teach young readers about Juneteenth, a national holiday honoring the abolition of slavery in the United States.

“I wrote this book in the way that I imagine learning about Juneteenth for the first time as a child growing up in Louisiana,” Lavette stated in a news release.

“It is important to keep the story of Juneteenth alive because it helps us remember the past while improving the present we live in as we build the future we seek,” continued Lavette, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and accounting and a master’s degree in education management.

Lavette has worked as a special advisor to the United States Secretary of Education and the president, publisher, and managing partner of One Street Books, Lavette Books, and Ebony Media Publishing LLC. She has also worked as both a teacher and a school administrator.

Lavette said an early pandemic conversation with her mother inspired her text.

“My mom told me that she grew up celebrating Juneteenth. Juneteenth was a big deal during her childhood, with fanfare that included zydeco music, two-step dancing, all types of food and treats, and fellowship with friends and family,” Lavette recalled. “The tradition was spearheaded by my mother’s father, and when he died the tradition ended. I must admit that during my childhood, we did not talk about Juneteenth. I knew very little about it growing up.”

Lavaille Lavette (Courtesy Photo)

Lavette stated that she didn’t understand the Juneteenth celebrations and traditions until she moved to Houston as an adult and elementary school teacher.

In Texas, elected leaders celebrated Juneteenth in schools and churches, and many African American business owners observed the day by closing their doors.

“Now, that was something special,” Lavette recalled.

Some of the proceeds from “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise” sales have been pledged to the National Urban League’s youth programs.

Lavette characterized herself as an enthusiastic supporter of the National Urban League and its goals and expressed her desire to assist the organization in continuing to inspire young minds and effect lasting change.

Jayylen.com offers a free “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise” Teacher’s Resource Guide and Parent Guide to supplement the educational experience.

“Children’s books are not just for children. I’m very intentional in introducing Jayylen as a ‘Little Golden Book’ because ‘Little Golden Books’ [are] 24 pages, usually between 700 and 1,000 words,” stressed Lavelle. “That means you have to be very concise. You have to get a lot of information without a lot of words. So, you have to be very descriptive in how you present the stories. It makes it very entertaining and interesting for kids, but also for adults.”

Lavelle said she’d had a lot of positive feedback on her Juneteenth book and other children’s biographies.

“Because a one- or two-year-old is not reading, that means the parent is going to read the book to the child,” Lavette concluded. “The parent is going to learn something, as well. And that age group, I love that [age group of] zero to six because it allows me to disseminate information–not only to the kid– but also to the parent.”

This article was originally published by the San Diego View and Viewpoint.

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Summer reading helps students store needed knowledge

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 22 May 2023 18:36:19 +0000

By Ashley Winters,
St. Louis American

The school year will soon fade into summer, which means family vacations, sleeping in, and staying up late.

According to the American Library Association, summer reading encourages youths to develop a lifelong habit of reading. It also helps those who are reluctant to read books become more interested through activities over the summer. Students that have a summer book reading plan in place are at a lower risk of losing reading skills from the previous school year.

Scholastic research shows that summer reading helps youths foster social-emotional development. 83 percent of educators say reading helps students understand people that are different from them, 81 percent say reading helps students develop empathy, and 81 percent say reading helps students see themselves in characters and stories.

The St. Louis American interviewed Chandria Taylor, Rebecca Clark, and Tracie McGhee, children’s book authors, they discussed what their book is about and the benefits of summer reading.

The ABC’s To Black Boy Joy

Authors are encouraging Black students to grow their confidence with characters that look like them in their stories. (Courtesy Photo)

Written by Chandria Taylor, a kindergarten teacher in the metro-east, the book encourages self-confidence in young Black and brown boys ages 6 to 10 years old. For example, ‘B’ is for Black King, celebrating African royalty.

“It hurts my heart when my kindergartner leaves my class reading all their sight words, and when they get to first grade their teacher complains to me about how behind my former student is in reading,” said Taylor.

Taylor advises families to make reading fun. They can have their young readers read the signs of restaurants and local attractions. She also recommends online sites including pbskids.org and Starfall.com.

Summer reading gives students that extra push to be avid readers.

Taylor’s books can be found on Amazon: Witty Kids: I Dream To Be

Educators say that reading helps students improve cross-cultural understanding. (Courtesy Photo)

Author Rebecca Clark, Clark is a mother of two— a high schooler and a second grader. Her book teaches young minds to explore a world of endless possibilities through a variety of careers – such as a veterinarian, astronaut, or engineer. Clark’s book encourages kids to dream beyond their imagination, and to see themselves in careers they thought they would never be in. Her book is for readers between first and fourth grade.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Clark’s youngest daughter was entering kindergarten and she witnessed the struggles her daughter was facing learning through a computer screen. She says that her young learner missed learning to read the traditional way, and not having that one-on-one time with her teacher caused her to fall a little behind in reading.

“Summer reading gives students that extra push to be avid readers,” said Clark.

“I encourage my daughter to take a book with her wherever she goes, even if it’s to the park,” said Clark as she smiled with pride.

Clark’s books can be found at Witty Kids Club: The Red Book

Written by Tracie Berry-McGhee, a therapist who focuses on the mental development of pre-teen through young adult girls, “The Red Book” features letters and poems written by women from St. Louis. She calls her books “teen girls’ advice for the soul.”

Berry-McGhee noticed during the pandemic more teens were turning to TikTok than picking up a book. From her point of view, teens lose interest in reading because many books don’t speak to them.

Students with a summer book plan are less likely to lose reading skills from the previous year. (Courtesy Photo)

She recommends parents should start a book club within the family— the choice of the teen. This creates bonding and gives them something to do besides staring at a screen. She also recommends books that have short stories and recommends that teens start a book club within their friend circle.

“Teens having books to read that spark their interest helps keep them out of trouble,” said the therapist.

Berry-McGhee says that as a community we must push literacy, enjoy reading, and not make it a chore. She said, “Our children have nothing to do, but do something they will regret.”

This article was originally published by the St. Louis American.

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New Children’s Book, ‘I Love My Daddy,’ Further Dispels Myths about Black Fathers

Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent — Sun, 14 May 2023 16:40:00 +0000

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

For centuries, there’s been a false assumption that Black fathers are absent, apathetic, and uninvolved in their children’s lives. And, that stereotype of the absent Black dad remains quite ubiquitous in popular culture. But in recent years, studies have proven that the stereotype is nothing more than a myth.

That legend is further vaporized in the new children’s book, “I Love My Daddy,” by Maryland social worker and military veteran Juanita Banks Whittington.

The 27-page book, complete with fascinating illustrations by Ananta Mohanta, celebrates what Whittington calls “the unique and special bond between a father and his little girl.” It follows a father and his baby girl, who play together in parks, and the doting dad reads bedtime stories each night to his beloved daughter.

For Whittington, the book opens her home to readers.

It reveals the camaraderie between her and her husband, Ian, and his routine of doting on their daughter, Zuri.

“My husband reads to my daughter every night,” Whittington told the National Newspaper Publishers’ Association’s program “Let It Be Known.”

She said her husband helped inspire her to write a children’s book about the relationship between a Black father and his child.

“He kept telling me he wasn’t seeing Black fathers in children’s books,” Whittington said. “There was always the grandmother and child, or the mother and the child.

“So, I went to friends and family members, and they said they liked the idea, and I went forward and found an illustrator that I liked.”

She noted that it was a must that the illustrator could relate. “And he was everything I was looking for, especially in [portraying] all the things that go on in my household,” Whittington said.

A military veteran and social worker, Whittington is the founder of Nehi Cares, a consulting and wellness business that focuses on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion and helps individuals understand the foundations of wellness by practicing healthy habits daily to attain better physical, social, emotional, and mental health outcomes.

Whittington holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Baltimore and a master’s in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Her friends and loved ones said Whittington has always displayed a passion for helping, which comes across in “I Love My Daddy.”

“I wanted to make sure that I did [the book] right,” Whittington explained. “I wanted to make sure that it was something that other families could relate to. So many people have said they wanted to write a children’s book after seeing and talking with me, so I wanted to portray something positive.”

She continued, “Many times, in our community, there’s this negativity about Black fathers, so I wanted to make sure that, regardless of their race, people could pick this book up and say, ‘It’s awesome. I could relate to this, and I want this for my child.’”

“I Love My Daddy” retails on Amazon.com for $14.99. Click here for more information and to purchase the book.

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Author Bonnie Newman Davis highlights Black women journalists with new book, ‘Truth Tellers’

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 12 May 2023 20:45:10 +0000

By Zoe Earle,
Special to the AFRO

Author and journalist Bonnie Newman Davis spoke with students and supporters at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism and Communications on May 4 to discuss her newly released book, “Truth Tellers.”

“Publish or perish,” is an expression Newman Davis used to describe the driving idea for the book.

“When in academia you are expected to not only teach, but to write as well,” said Newman Davis.

As a constant contributor to the NABJ Journal, the lack of recognition for female journalists came into sharp focus for Newman Davis. While recalling an article she did on mentor and Washington Post columnist Dorothy Gilliam, she decided to venture out by writing about other trailblazing Black women in journalism.

Newman Davis shared that the original title for the book was “The Evolution of Black Women Journalists,” but she felt as though it was too academic and dry.

A conversation with a group of friends got her thinking.

Bonnie Newman Davis’ text “Truth Tellers” chronicles the stories of Black women in journalism. (Courtesy photo)

“I wanted to find words that represent Black women journalists and their objective, which is to get to the truth. That is how the title ‘Truth Tellers’ came about,” said Newman Davis.

When asked about her writing process, Newman Davis jokingly answered that having a deadline helps. What some may see as procrastination, she doesn’t because she is always thinking about the text: “I’m basically writing it out in my head as I go through my daily activities.”

During her explanation, she was transparent in explaining that a writer can’t always do it all on their own. Newman Davis acknowledged that she had a team working with her to finish her book, which included eight other Black women writers and a writing coach who held her accountable.

The book has enthralled readers with various stories about 24 Black women in journalism from all over the country. Among themes readers can pick up on is creativity, love for written word, and the care and concern for the Black community that motivated all these magnificent women.

Newman Davis began to tell students about her background. As an undergraduate attending North Carolina A&T State University, her interest in journalism peaked. Newman Davis was an English major who took journalism classes, and she continued to perfect her craft through internships. One she recalled was at Greensboro News and Record, where she was a reporter that covered content from schools to government.

In the more recent years of Newman Davis’ career, she was selected as the managing editor of the Richmond Free Press, a Black-owned weekly newspaper. She writes about sports, politics, creates editorials and contributes anything that influences the layout of the paper.

Newman Davis has also taught as a professor at various institutions of higher learning including North Carolina A&T State University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and Hampton University.

Zoe Earle is a Morgan State University student of the School of Global Journalism and Communication.

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Michelle Miller releases new book, ‘Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Love and Loss’

Reginald Williams — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 13:36:00 +0000

By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO

Michelle Miller recently discussed her journey to a stronger idea of self and the motivation behind her memoir, “Belonging: A Daughter’s Search for Identity Through Love and Loss.”

Among friends, fans, Howard professors and classmates, Miller bore her soul at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Northwest Washington, D.C.

The South Central native was born to a Black father and a Latina mother whose family opposed her dating a Black man. To complicate the love affair, her father was the late Dr. Ross Miller, chief of surgery at Dominguez Valley Hospital in Compton, Calif. He was married when he became involved in an extramarital affair with Miller’s mother, a hospital worker.

“I’m my mother’s secret, born to an extramarital affair,” Miller shared.

Her maternal grandparents were first-generation Mexican-Americans chasing the American dream, which Miller maintains, reflected Whiteness.

“Racism has impacted me all my life,” she said. “Born into the trauma of the unrest of 1967. I came out of the union of a father who adored me and a mother who, to this day, has not acknowledged my existence.”

In their one meeting that lasted less than an hour, Miller learned that her father was the love of her mother’s life, but her grandparents disagreed. Ultimately, Miller’s mom was presented with the “it’s either him or us” ultimatum by her family. Her mother chose her family, which meant abandoning Miller.

The fulfillment of a happy marriage and children– even being a national correspondent for CBS News– did not remove the emotional turmoil fueled by feelings of being unwanted and abandoned.

“There are still things and places that I don’t feel like I belong, and yet I feel accomplished. I still feel loved. I don’t know what that says about me. But like I said—it is a journey, and I’m still on it. I’m a kid who didn’t feel as though she belonged in a space or place at a given time, and I was seeking to belong,” said Miller. “I was seeking to fill a void and to find my place—and that’s what belonging means to me.”

Although a gifted storyteller, Miller never felt moved to gift her story of “longing and her struggle to belong” with the world. She believed her story was no different than any other person trying to come to terms with a parent’s abandonment.

“I never felt compelled to tell my story. There were a lot of people out there like me. Why would anyone want to hear my story,” Miller said. “More importantly– I didn’t know how to tell it.”

But in a serendipitous turn of events, Miller, in 2020, while recording a segment on the social injustice impacting Black and Brown people nationwide, turned the camera on herself and shared with a nation of television viewers the narrative of her childhood wounds. Thirty-seven minutes after the episode aired, she received an email from HarperCollins that read, “Wow. That’s a book. Can we publish it?”

Choosing against looking a “gift horse in the mouth,” Miller agreed.

Unbeknownst to Miller, authoring Belonging was cathartic.

The Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist has always been conscious of the scars she carried because of her mother’s denial. However, she was unconscious of how deep the wounds cut.

Marc Morial, Miller’s husband of 23 years, shared that when they began dating, she told him the one thing he could not do was “abandon” her. Hearing that was eye-opening for Miller. Morial was happy that writing the book gave his wife an opportunity to soothe some of the emotional trauma.

Miller said the book tour “is the most amazing experience.”

“When your friends come out and throw you events. It is so incredible. I feel it (the love). I really feel it. If I didn’t know it before, I better know it now,” said Miller.

As the discussion ended, Miller shared that she remains a little angry because her mom, married with a family, still will not acknowledge her. Still, she maintains that she is “nothing to be ashamed of.”

“I just think it’s so significant to one: let people know that they matter; they are recognized, and that they are a part of your space, place and family.”

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Why we need diverse books in schools

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 21:01:36 +0000

by Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

Ever since he was young, Marchánt Davis has always loved children’s media and the power it possesses. Though his favorites were “Sesame Street” and “Reading Rainbow” — especially seeing himself represented on screen through LeVar Burton — he says he was “strangely” inspired by “Snow White.”

“It was always playing on TV,” says Davis, an actor, director, writer, and now author of “A Boy and His Mirror.” And it was this story that he wanted to repurpose for his own children’s book geared toward the current generation.

Thinking about the relationship kids have with their phones and what identity means, Davis wanted to create a story that spoke to people coming up in a world with Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat.

But, mostly, Davis wrote the book hoping young Black boys would read it. Though he doesn’t believe any one thing will cure problems, he wants the book to be a step toward boys acknowledging their feelings and countering some of the toxic masculinity in the Black community.

Davis called back to what Sheryl Lee Ralph said in her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards: “When you look in the mirror, you gotta love what you see,” Davis quoted. “And so I wrote a book in an effort to help kids look in the mirror and love what they see.”

Though he hopes the book empowers young Black boys, they aren’t the sole audience Davis has in mind.

“It’s a book for anybody who feels ‘other’ by the way they look, or anybody who has self-doubt,” Davis says. “It’s a book that I want kids to read and feel empowered, feel like they have agency.”

The problem is that, around the country, books like Davis’ are being removed from the shelves of classrooms and school libraries. Books that feature Black protagonists or talk about Black history.

And that’s a problem.

Between books being banned, challenged, and removed from school shelves — and the College Board giving in to bullying and altering its AP African American Studies course — there’s a lot of talk about what should be taught in classrooms, how it should be done, and who should have a say.

We shouldn’t be hiding history from students because they need to learn the truth, says Kathy Lester, a middle school librarian and president of the American Association of School Librarians. Plus, when students find books they’re interested in, they read more, and it creates conversation and opens up topics for discussion.

“I always grew up thinking that we wanted to learn our history so we wouldn’t repeat it,” Lester says. “We can learn from it and grow from it.”

We can’t understand our current politics and culture without understanding the treatment of African Americans in the United States, as well as the integral role they’ve played in shaping the country, says Caroline Richmond, the executive director of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books.

“In order for us to be the nation that we claim to be — a land where all people are created and treated as equals — we have to teach our children how this has not been and still is not the case today,” Richmond says. “And so, if we’re not teaching Black history in our schools, then our students — of all races and backgrounds — are not receiving a holistic education.”

In its “Banned in the USA” report, PEN America collected book bans in states around the country between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022. The analysis found that bans occurred in 138 school districts across 32 states, and these districts represent 5,049 schools with a combined enrollment of nearly 4 million students.

While the majority of states with reported bans saw less than 50, some states racked up over 100, with Texas topping the list at 801 bans.

But it’s not just about history books. For Black and Brown kids, it’s about seeing yourself represented in history, in a book, but also in the daily experiences that children face.

“We want our kids — and we want every kid — to be able to see the experiences of Black children in the books that they read because it makes every person more relatable,” says Derrick Ramsey, co-founder of the nonprofit Young, Black & Lit. “If you can see that person, a Black student, doing a science project through a book, then that’s exciting to any student who wants to get into science.”

Davis says there’s more power in variety than singularity because there is so much more to learn.

“It’s a very dangerous act to not allow children and people the experience of reading a variety of different texts because that’s what informs us about the world. That’s what helps us build our ideas and thoughts around what we believe,” Davis says. “If we are showing kids a singular thing, then I think we’re alienating them and we’re manipulating them.”

The Message a Book Ban Sends

Banning these books sends a message — both to Black students and their non-Black peers.

“It sends a message to Black students that their history doesn’t matter, that it’s not important,” Lester says. “Then, for white students, that it’s not important for them to learn about it or that their history is more important — which are not good messages to be sent.”

And their non-Black peers are also harmed because they end up learning a lopsided view of history that ignores huge swaths of the American narrative, Richmond says.

“They won’t have the opportunity to really grapple with our shared past,” Richmond says, “to read primary sources, to ask probing questions, and to engage in thoughtful discussion and build empathy. Acknowledging past harm and our current inequitable society is the first step in creating real, long-term, sustainable change.”

Of the banned books studied by PEN America, they were most likely to have LGBTQ+ content (41%) or characters of color (40%). Among the top reasons for book bans were titles having to do with race or racism (21%), and titles with themes of rights or activism (10%).

When thinking about these book bans, Davis thinks there are some important questions to ask those doing the banning: What do you want? What do you want Black children to feel by removing those books? What does removing them actually do?

“I’m just like, ‘Why?’” Davis says. “What’s your intention? What are you saying to the kids about that book, specifically?”

For Ramsey, the message is clear: “Your history doesn’t matter. Your experiences don’t matter. Who you are doesn’t matter.” It’s a challenging space for a child who is already trying to find their path in the country and in the world.

Plus, it’s not just talking about Black history or Asian history, Ramsey says, it’s American history.

“Education should be the space where you can learn about everything and anything that you want. There should be no limits to the creativity of the ideas and the dreams that you inspire into every child,” Ramsey says. “This really takes away a lot of that opportunity to see what you could be, even if you hadn’t thought about it before.”

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These organizations connect students with diverse books

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 19:31:46 +0000

By Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

As the saying goes, even in darkness, there is light.

States across the country are removing books from classroom shelves and school libraries, and there are bans and challenges against books with topics ranging from race and racism to LGBTQ+ content and activism.

Even so, teachers haven’t stopped requesting Black-authored and other diverse books through DonorsChoose.

Books by Black authors with high-profile book bans — like Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas and Jerry Craft — have continued to be requested by teachers at all grade levels through DonorsChoose. In the 2022-2023 school year, there have already been more than 300 requests for books by these authors.

On top of that, literacy rates declined during the pandemic, with expert Dr. Tanji Reed Marshall, the director of P-12 practice at the Education Trust, saying we aren’t worrying enough about this issue.

Students’ literacy rates are now at low levels not seen since 2005. But, depending on which students you’re looking at, this problem has existed for decades, and now educators are struggling to catch up and fix it.

The good news is there are organizations dedicated to improving student literacy and promoting a love of reading by ensuring kids have access to diverse books.

Barbershop Books meets kids where they’re at

While getting a haircut after school, one of Alvin Irby’s students walked into the barbershop, and he sat and looked antsy. Irby observed the student and found himself wishing he’d had a book to hand over so the time could be used productively, like by working on his reading.

This sparked the idea for his organization Barbershop Books, of which he is the founder, executive director, and “Chief Reading Inspirer.”

Barbershop Books, now in its 10th year, works with over 200 barbershops in more than 50 cities across the country to ensure there’s a curated selection of age-appropriate and content-relevant books available to kids. The books are chosen based on the recommendations and interests of Black boys.

“Barbershops really do play a significant cultural role in many Black communities that other spaces just do not serve,” Irby says.

He highlighted that, in many Black communities, barbershops are generally Black-owned, and owned by community members. And they’re spaces that provide Black boys access to Black men when they need mentors, or if they don’t have fathers at home or Black male teachers in school.

This is why Barbershop Books provides barbers with early literacy training. The organization helps barbers understand that no child is too young to start reading, and guides them on how to invite parents and children to read.

“We share with them that many children have experienced reading trauma, and they may not actually be interested in or excited about reading the first, second, or even third time they come into your barber shop,” Irby says. “We want to make sure that we set the barbers up for success, and that we equip them to really be able to support positive reading experiences for the children and families who come into their barber shops.”

And it’s working. In its 2022 impact report, Barbershop Books found that feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Plus, barbers noted that providing books allowed boys to see a perspective beyond their neighborhoods, helped grow their emotional intelligence, contributed positively to their education, and acted as a positive behavioral force.

Barbershop Books plan to add around 80 additional locations in the coming months.

Our Kids Read distributes books nationwide

Growing up, reading was Jahmal Lake’s happy place. And now, in a world where screens are used for everything from school to entertainment, Lake wants to help this generation get lost in the pages of a story.

In 2020, Lake founded Our Kids Read, an organization dedicated to promoting a love of reading, creating lifelong readers, and providing mentorship through reading buddies. Our Kids Read became an official nonprofit in November 2021, and by April 2022, it received a $450,000 grant from the New York Public Library to give away 30,000 books.

“It’s just been a whirlwind,” Lake says.

Our Kids Read currently has programs in New York, Maryland, Washington, California, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand to Ohio and New Jersey in 2023. And, since its inception, it has provided more than 14,500 students with at least two books each.

The books are distributed through school partnerships and book festivals, which often incorporate interactive activities, like bilingual storytellers and African drummers, who help bring the stories to life.

To reach students one-on-one, Our Kids Read has a network of Reading Buddies, or adults who volunteer their time to read with a buddy over Zoom for about 30 minutes every week. This helps create bonds through shared interests and having mentors who look like you.

“These children are able to see themselves in their Reading Buddies if that person is a Black or Brown person, but you also find the things these young people are interested in are often mirrored in their mentor,” Lake says. “So not only are they able to share that cultural heritage and that instinctive kinship with somebody who has a similar heritage, but on top of that, [they] also seem to have a lot of shared interests and shared stories.”

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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10 banned books by Black Women

Word in Black — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 01:37:42 +0000

by Aziah Siid,
Word in Black

Your favorite Black woman author? Chances are their work has been banned or challenged in a school district or library in the United States.

According to data compiled by the American Library Association, there were 781 “attempts to ban or restrict library resources between Jan. 1 – Oct. 31, 2022.” In addition, a shocking 1,835 unique titles were “targeted between Jan. 1 – Oct. 31, 2022.”

The suppression of literature that features queer or BIPOC characters, addresses the truth about the Black experience, or is specifically written by Black authors, is common. Books are either being challenged — which means people are attempting to get them removed but aren’t successful — or they’re banned outright.

But book banning in the United States is nothing new — it’s actually been happening on these shores since before we became a nation. In 1637, for example, the Puritans banned “New English Canaan” by English businessman Thomas Morton.

His offense? He publicly criticized the strict rules of the newly established Massachusetts colony.

Since then, the crusade against books has taken on many forms. More than 380 years after Morton’s controversy, politicians, school boards, prejudiced parents, and even police are deciding what literature K-12 students should have access to.

As Dr. Fedrick Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers, told Word In Black last year, “Laws have been enacted that have teachers on their heels.”

In addition, Ingram explained that teachers “can no longer teach books that have been taught as curriculum in English classes for years.”

Derrick Ramsey, the co-founder of the nonprofit Young, Black and Lit, says that this attack on literature is actually an attack on the entire education system.

“Education should be the space where you can learn about everything and anything that you want,” Ramsey told Word in Black. “There should be no limits to the creativity of the ideas and the dreams that you inspire into every child.”

“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison has long been one of the most banned or challenged books in the United States. But, there are plenty of other books by Black women who used the power of their pen — and have had their work banned or challenged as a result.

Here are 10 others that students, parents, educators, librarians, and authors have fought to keep on school and library shelves.

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings” is the first of seven autobiographical works by the poet and civil rights activist. Published in 1969, the book describes her coming-of-age journey as she deals with the toils of sexual exploitation, racism, and insecurities as a growing young woman. In 2001, the book was challenged for being on a Poolesville, Md., high school reading list and started a string of bans and removals throughout the U.S.

Beloved

“Beloved,” by Toni Morrison, is a spellbinding portrayal of a woman trapped in the traumatic memories of life as a slave. Born into slavery, the protagonist, Sethe, escapes to Ohio, and although she is physically free from bondage, she is still held captive by her memories of Sweet Home — the beautiful farm where horrendous events took place. The 1988 Pulitzer Prize-winning work examines the destructive legacy of slavery even as time passes.

While structural racism has changed forms since the book’s publication in 1987, that pain and suffering can be seen throughout American society today. In 2007, two Kentucky parents raised concerns about violence in the novel, and it was pulled from a senior Advanced Placement course at Eastern High School. This blockage from the reading list was not the first of its kind, as parents began pushing back against the novel as early as 1995.

The 1619 Project

Written by New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, “The 1619 Project” reframes Americans’ modern-day understanding of slavery. The NYT Magazine award-winning “1619 Project,” rather than covering the enslavement of Black people as an additional part of U.S. history, put it at the epicenter of our national narrative. The book rendition of the project is a culmination of 18 essays and 36 poems that speak directly to our current moment in time while contextualizing the issues of race and class that plague our society. In 2021, lawmakers began the push to ban it from schools.

The Color Purple

Bringing readers through a journey of sisterhood and hardships, “The Color Purple,” written by Alice Walker, is a cultural touchstone of modern literature. The one-of-a-kind novel takes readers through the lives of Celie, Nettie, Shug Avery, Sophia, and their experiences as they navigate abuse and intimate partner violence, all while narrating their pain, self-determination, bravery, and growth. The stories of African American women in the South during the early 20th century is a story that continues to transcend even today’s generation. The book has been banned from school libraries since 1984.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

“Their Eyes Were Watching God,” by Zora Neale Hurston, follows the life of Janie Mae Crawford, a young, conventionally attractive, light-skinned Black woman navigating the intricacies of colorism and misogyny during the early 20th century. In 1997, parents at Stonewall Jackson Highschool in Brentsville, Virginia, objected to the sexual explicitness of the text, but after review, the text remained on their English reading list.

Black Looks: Race and Representation

“Black Looks: Race and Representation,” written by feminist icon bell hooks, examines the African American experience and looks at topics like Black femininity, culture, and history. The collection of essays is designed to challenge ways to discuss the contemporary representation of race and ethnicity within a white supremacist system. Hooks is named as one of the several Black authors cited by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in an explanation for blocking the African American Advanced Placement course.

Grown

Written by award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson, the 2018 novel “Monday’s Not Coming” is Jackson’s latest book removed from circulation. The book dives deep into the sudden disappearance of a teenager, Monday Charles. As her best friend Claudia digs more into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers no one can recall the last time they saw Monday. While she continues the search for her friend, Claudia asks herself how can Monday just vanish without anyone noticing?

Sulwe

Lupita Nyong’o’s debut picture book, “Sulwe,” goes on a heartwarming journey to inspire children to see the beauty in their Blackness. The main character, Sulwe, which translates to “star” in the Dholuo language, is the darkest person in her entire family and touches on the pangs of colorism in a world centered around European beauty standards. The book has been tabled by school boards in Florida and Pennsylvania.

Hood Feminism

“Hood Feminism” by Mikki Kendall is a feminist text that examines the shortcomings of the mainstream feminist movement. Through a collection of essays, Kendall points to prominent white feminists who have, historically, demonstrated a lack of intersectionality — often exhibiting bias when it comes to race, class, sexual orientation, and disability and its intersections with gender. Drawing on her own experiences with violence, poverty, hypersexualization, and more, “Hood Feminism” looks at how advocates can stand in solidarity as a movement that wholly addresses feminist issues. In response to being pulled from some shelves, Kendall tweeted she will not stop using her pen to speak out against injustice.

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” is a staggering account of the criminal justice system. The book highlights the role of mass incarceration as a driving force of racial control in the United States. Alexander, an attorney, shows the truth, not just about the shocking percentage of African American men who are incarcerated, but also a revelation of how mass incarceration is a modern continuation of slavery.

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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Well Read Sistas: meet the woman promoting Black women authors and Black stories year-round

Word in Black — Sat, 18 Mar 2023 22:13:13 +0000

By Nadira Jamerson,
Word in Black

It’s been 73 years since Zora Neale Hurston’s essay “What White Publishers Won’t Print,” ran in the Negro Digest. As Hurston explained back in 1950, even though publishing houses “are in business to make money,” they don’t publish “romantic stories” about Black people “because they feel that they know the public indifference to such works, unless the story or play involves racial tension.”

All these years later, people may name-check Toni Morrison and Octavia Butler, but the vast majority of work by Black women authors — romance writers or otherwise — goes unacknowledged.

That’s why New York City-based community leader and book lover Ari Gibbs created Well Read Sistas, a virtual and in-person space where folks can come and support not only established but emerging Black women authors.

“There are other people writing,” Gibbs explains. “Who are they? What are their stories? I think it’s important to be humanized in different ways and have different premises and different genres. There were a lot of slave stories — which are important — but that’s not the only thing Black women are.”

Lately, she’s been recommending Alyssa Cole’s 2020 thriller “When No One Is Watching,” and 2018’s “Black Girls Must Die Exhausted,” the first novel in a trilogy about womanhood and love by Jayne Allen.

“We want to see Black women fall in love, brushing their teeth, fishing,” Gibbs says. “We bridge the gap by doing the heavy lifting and looking for who is dropping the books and who is out there.”

Responding to how mainstream publishing treats Black authors

According to a diversity in publishing survey by Lee and Low Books, only five percent of books published in 2019 were by Black authors. In 2020, the #PublishingPaidMe hashtag began trending on social media, highlighting the stark difference in book advances Black authors receive versus white authors. In some cases, Black authors reported receiving significantly less money in book advances than white authors with fewer credentials from the same publishing house.

That’s why since its founding in 2018, Well Read Sistas has remained unapologetic about having a space for and by Black women. “Sistas” is not just part of a catchy brand name but a pillar of the organization.

“We want it to feel Black when you say it. I’m not trying to be shy about what we’re doing. That’s why it’s in the name. It’s a book club for Black women,” Gibbs says.

And with book bans sweeping the nation, Gibbs says she “wanted to proudly and unapologetically set up this space for Black women. It’s important for me to call it a “sistahood” because it is, in fact, that. The basis of it, and what fuels it, and what keeps it going is that we really care about Black women, we really are Black women, and we need this.”

Well Read Sistas has reviewed 65 books, connected with more than 4,000 Black women globally, and strives to aid in not only the professional but personal development of Black women and Black women authors.

To that end, along with the book club, Well Read Sistas hosts “Behind the Pages” author talks and “Sis, You Good?” — a weekly wellness check-in. In February, they also held a “Sip & Read” in collaboration with Afro Punk at Lincoln Center in New York City.

“A lot of the books that I shared on that table at the Sip & Read belong to me,” Gibbs says. They’re from my bookshelf, and I like sharing that with other ladies and seeing how excited they are to have these books.”

Gibbs welcomes Black women authors and readers looking for a space to connect or amplify their work to join her movement. Since surrounding herself with Black women authors and readers, Gibbs says her life has been transformed for the better.

“It helped to give me more purpose in life. It has helped me get to know myself more, appreciate it, and not be ashamed. I’m proud to be myself, flaws and all,” she says.

This article was originally published by Word in Black.

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Black Resistance: the revolutionary act of Black love

Alexis Taylor — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 01:48:00 +0000

By Alexis Taylor,
AFRO Managing Editor,
ataylor@afro.com

“My eye soon caught her precious face, but, gracious heavens! That glance of agony may God spare me from ever again enduring! My wife, under the influence of her feelings, jumped aside; I seized hold of her hand while my mind felt unutterable things, and my tongue was only able to say, we shall meet in heaven!

Henry “Box” Brown knew it could lead to a lashing, but it would be worth every drop of blood.

There was no price to be put on the final moments he would ultimately ever spend with his wife, Nancy, and their children, who were sold on the auction block while he worked.

“My agony was now complete, she with whom I had travelled (sic) the journey of life in chains, for the space of twelve years, and the dear little pledges God had given us I could see plainly must now be separated from me for ever, and I must continue, desolate and alone, to drag my chains through the world,” recounts Brown in his autobiography, titled “Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown.”

The year was 1848. And in a final act of resistance, a final act of love, Brown did the only thing he could do: he walked side-by-side with his wife, holding her hand as she moved closer to her fate on a North Carolina plantation.

“I went with her for about four miles hand in hand, but both our hearts were so overpowered with feeling that we could say nothing,” recounts Brown. “And when at last we were obliged to part, the look of mutual love which we exchanged was all the token which we could give each other that we should yet meet in heaven.”

Brown would go on to become known around the world as the formerly enslaved man who “mailed himself to freedom.” And while he never laid eyes on his family again, the love of his children and his wife are palpable to this day.

I often wonder why people shy away from the stories that come from the period of chattel slavery in American history.

Is it troubling to read how our ancestors were brutally enslaved and transported during the Atlantic Slave Trade? Absolutely. Is it hard to watch Brown skin split under the crack of a whip on screen? Without a doubt. But woven through the tales of horror are unmatched stories of bravery, perseverance, persistence and yes– even love.

Time and time again we see this repeated throughout history– the courage of love; men and women risking their lives– and even paying the ultimate price– to fulfill the basic human needs of connection and intimacy.

I remember reading this passage more than a decade ago and becoming overwhelmed with emotion. Against the agonizing backdrop of slavery were parents, friends and lovers who had the audacity to form bonds. There were people who eked out happiness even under the grimmest of circumstances and at the threat of having it all disappear in a moment.

The Library of Congress (LOC) went to extensive lengths during the 1930s to record personal accounts of slavery in America from the mouths of the people who survived it. “Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves” includes beautiful stories that show how love flourished during some of the darkest periods of American and human history.

“Hit wus in de little Baptist church at Neuse whar I fust seed big Black Jim Dunn an’ I fell in love wid him den,” reckoned Lucy Ann Dunn, of Raleigh, N.C. “He said dat he loved me den too, but hit wus three Sundays ‘fore he axed ter see me home.”

Dunn was 90 years old when she told her love story on Aug. 4, 1937.

What began as love at first sight bloomed into a courtship.

“We walked dat mile home in front of my mammy an’ I wus so happy dat I aint thought hit a half a mile home. We et cornbread an’ turnips fer dinner an’ hit wus night ‘fore he went home. Mammy wouldn’t let me walk wid him ter de gate I knowed, so I jist sot dar on de porch an’ sez good night,” recalled Dunn. “He come ever’ Sunday fer a year an’ finally he proposed. I had told mammy dat I thought dat I ort ter be allowed ter walk ter de gate wid Jim an’, she said all right iffen she wus settin’ dar on de porch lookin’.”

Dunn detailed her life before and after Yankee soldiers arrived on the plantation she worked with her parents and four siblings. Her love story takes place just two years after gaining her freedom. I often wonder what the ancestors would think of today’s “relationship goals.”

At a time where so many had their relationships controlled, many dared to love who they wanted– an act of defiance punishable by death. I often fear we take so many things for granted– the right to unabashedly love who we want being one of them.

During this month of flowers, chocolates, teddy bears and whispered sweet nothings, I say let’s not forget those who went before us and dared to engage in one of the ultimate protests: the revolutionary act of Black love.

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Black queer authors net 7-figure book deal

Associated Press — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 03:29:26 +0000

By The Associated Press

Two leading young adult authors have a seven-figure deal to write a pair of novels centered on Black, queer characters.

FSG Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, announced Feb. 15 that George M. Johnson and Leah Johnson (no relation) will write two romantic comedies, starting in 2025 with “There’s Always Next Year.” The story is set around New Year’s Day and tells of two cousins looking to get their lives, romantic and otherwise, back in order.

“There is an African proverb that states ‘If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.’ That is what the collaboration experience has been with Leah Johnson. As Black queer people, we are much more powerful when we combine our writing, creativity, and world build as authors together,” George M. Johnson said in a statement.

“If the book is even half as fun to read as it was to write, then brace yourself,” Leah Johnson said. “As books about queer folks continue to face bannings and challenges across the country, writing a book that’s rooted in joy about the way we love one another feels like a liberatory act.”

George M. Johnson is the author of “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” a bestselling “memoir-manifesto” from 2020 that has also appeared on the American Library Association’s annual list of books most frequently challenged by community members or banned. Leah Johnson’s “You Should See Me In a Crown” also was released in 2020 and the following year was Reese Witherspoon’s first choice for her Young Adult Book Club. Time magazine has listed it as among the 100 best young adult books of all time.

“My hope is that by continuing to put this type of work out in the world, and being loud and visible queer authors, we can affirm to young people everywhere that their stories do now, and will always, matter,” Leah Johnson said in a statement.

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Amanda Gorman writes children’s book ‘Something, Someday’

Associated Press — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:20:13 +0000

By The Associated Press

Amanda Gorman’s next literary project is a collaboration with a prize-winning illustrator for a children’s book coming out this fall.

Viking Children’s Books announced recently that “Something, Someday,” by Gorman and Christian Robinson, is scheduled for Sept. 26. Viking is calling the book “a message of hope” about the ability to make a difference in a troubled world.

“I wrote ‘Something, Someday’ to show that though it might be difficult, when we work together, even the smallest acts of kindness can lead to the largest positive change,” the 24-year-old Gorman said in a statement. Gorman became an international sensation after reading her poem “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

“I’ve long admired Christian’s art and having the opportunity to collaborate with him has been a dream come true. I hope that readers find joy and inspiration in ‘Something, Someday’ and I can’t wait for it to be out in the world.”

Robinson has illustrated books ranging from “Last Stop on Market Street,” written by Matt de la Peña, to “The Bench” by Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.

“Amanda Gorman’s words offer us a much-needed balm, with healing properties of honesty, hope and community care,” Robinson said in a statement. “This book was an honor to illustrate and it’s my hope that it encourages young readers to be the change they want to see in the world.”

Gorman’s bestsellers include a book edition of “The Hill We Climb,” the poetry collection “Call Us What We Carry” and the children’s book “Change Sings.”

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The Enoch Pratt Free Library holds its 35th Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast

AFRO Staff — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 14:14:00 +0000

By AFRO Staff

On Feb. 4, bookworms from near and far gathered to hear world renowned author Walter Mosley speak at the 35th Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast. The event was held at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel and kicked off Black History Month programming hosted by the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Turnout was good for the breakfast, which returned to in-person format for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Critically acclaimed author Walter Mosley speaks to the crowd gathered for the 35th Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast, hosted by Enoch Pratt Free Library at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel on Feb. 4. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins)
Kymone Freeman of WeActRadio.com was present to hear Mosley speak. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins)
Genive Purchase, Will Johnson, and Michelle Farmer of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins)
Derrick Ramunda and Mahogany Young of Mahogany Books, (Photos by Stephen Hopkins)
Cecilia Stephens, LaTonya Anderson and Tonya Brown. (Photos by Stephen Hopkins)

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Enoch Pratt Library’s 35th annual Black History Month Booklovers’ Breakfast draws crowd

Reginald Williams — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 21:16:00 +0000

By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO

The Guilford Room at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel was packed on Feb. 4 with enthusiastic book lovers reconvening in person for dining and discussion after a two-year absence to celebrate Enoch Pratt Library’s 35th annual Black History Month Booklovers’ Breakfast.

More than 600 people, made up of book club members and aspiring authors, gathered to hear from the featured speaker, Walter Mosely, the critically acclaimed writer, who authored over sixty books, wrote, and produced several plays and television series. From the instant the Los Angeles, Calif., native graced the stage, he had the audience glued to his every word.

While Mosely fans were pleased with his presence, Mosely was equally pleased with theirs.

“This was a wonderful event,” explained Mosely. “It’s always great whenever you have readers who share a common history—it’s really wonderful. We had great conversation. There were a lot of interesting ideas and the sharing of ideas.”

In every question asked and answered, Mosely provided a story, nuanced and rich with nuggets of information. The patrons dined on a buffet of interests presented by Mosely. He revisited the history of his books, providing backstories to characters and plots. At times Mosely strolled back in time, retelling the history of America and its relationship with Black people and how that impacted his writings. And he shared concepts of what the future holds in the sci-fiction space.

“Science fiction writers are some of the smartest people,” Mosely said.

Mosely’s sci-fi proclamation was a breath of encouragement to Kymone Freeman, author of Nineveh: A Conflict of Water, a novel scheduled for release on March 22 recognized as World Water Day.

“I’m a big fan of Walter Mosely. He is a writer’s writer, probably one of the most prolific writers we have alive today,” explained Freeman. “He’s inspired me. He autographed a book [John Woman] to me, and it says ‘do.’ That happened when I was trying to finish a novel, and I’m here now because I have done that, and I wanted to be able to tell him that I did ‘do’ what I set out to do.”

Book clubs throughout Maryland attended the breakfast. One club recognized was SWIRL (She Who Reads Leads). Established in 2021, the Baltimore-based club comprised four members, Cecilia Stephens, LaTonya Anderson, Tonya Brown, and Tracy Green (not in attendance) were excited about their inaugural Booklovers’ Breakfast experience.

In unison, each member said the breakfast was “amazing.” “This is our first book club breakfast, and it’s really wonderful enjoying Walter Mosley,” shared Anderson.

Enoch Pratt in conjunction with Mahogany Books and the AFRO serves as sponsors for the event.

“Having a distinguished author like Walter Mosley at this year’s breakfast who started writing at 37 is a testament that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams,” explained Will Johnson, manager for outreach and mobile services for Enoch Pratt Free Library, who provides free programs and resources to help the community fulfill their dreams.

The breakfast concluded with Mosely autographing copies of his books and taking pictures with his excited fans. “Signing autographs is the least of my work, but it’s the best,” concluded Mosely.

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Washington filmmaker implores churches to take ‘L.O.V.E. is the Answer’ challenge

Marnita Coleman Special to the AFRO — Sat, 28 Jan 2023 11:20:00 +0000

By Marnita Coleman,
Special to the AFRO

A movement dedicated to bridging the racial divide between police officers and minority communities is sweeping the country.

Native Washingtonian, A.J. Ali, a journalist and filmmaker, is using film and faith to address racial tension across the country with his documentary “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. Is the Answer.”

The film features interviews with peace officers, faith leaders, educators, activists, and others, who expose racism and the ignorance behind it in an undeniable way. The documentary has given way to reconciliation in people’s hearts and offers an inspiring example of how unity can be promoted by the church community.

“I tell stories,” Ali said confidently.

It all began in 2012 when Ali, at age 48, was stopped by a police officer for walking in his Howard County, Md. community. Unfortunately, it was a recurring scene that happened to him at least two dozen times during his life just because of the color of his skin. The incident started with one police officer and escalated into three police officers.

Ali sat on the side of the road, thinking he would die there.

No longer turning the other cheek, Ali committed to taking action. “That’s when I decided to make the film,” sai the filmmaker, who has made other films and television shows, including a television show in Baltimore called ‘Good Fellas of Baltimore’ on Fox.

Since the initial launching of the film in 2017, Ali has seen miracles in relationships among people that literally hated one another. He has witnessed the change first hand, and said many showing often end with viewers hugging each other and apologizing 90 minutes after watching the film. Yet, he remained discontent in his heart because he wanted to retaliate against the officers that detained him.

Ali felt “God telling him, to change the hearts of police or anyone else, you have to let go of the fear, frustration, anger, and pain, and you have to love on them.“

The bigger purpose of love inspired him to use the film as a tool of reconciliation to bring unity to a racially divided faith community.

Data shows that as many as 87 percent of Christian churches in the United States are completely made up of only White or African-American parishioners.

Today, Ali, the 2022 Joseph R. Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, is ambitiously launching the ‘L.O.V.E. is the Answer “ church challenge.”

The acronyms are action steps that bring people together. Specifically, “L.O.V.E.” stands for: learn about others, open your heart to their needs, volunteer to be part of the solution in their lives, and empower others to do the same.

Ali believes that when the first three steps are taken, it will inspire others to follow the example and help to overcome their differences.

The “L.O.V.E. is the Answer” church challenge invites Black and White churches to partner and watch the “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer” film, and have an open conversation about it.

The challenge encourages churches to start a book club by reading the “L.O.V.E. is the Answer” book, with readers sharing their thoughts respectfully, and then, serving the community together in some capacity.

The kick-off began on Jan. 1, and ends with a nationwide celebration of reconciliation on Sept. 17, which is L.O.V.E. is the Answer Day.

According to Ali, his organization is donating lifetime licenses of their film to the first 100 churches that commit to the ‘L.O.V.E. is the Answer” church challenge before April 1.

Each lifetime license is valued at $1,295. The organization will also give away $2,000 to one of their team members who participate in virtual questions and answers, following an in-person or virtual film screening. Also, they are providing other perks like free coaching to enhance the experience of the challenge.

To start the book club, churches need to purchase a minimum of 10 “L.O.V.E. is the Answer” texts, at $30 through this link: https://trylovenow.com/read-the-book/.

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Annual Booklovers’ Breakfast returns to in-person format

Reginald Williams — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 23:12:12 +0000

By Reginald Williams,
Special to the AFRO

The Enoch Pratt Free Library’s 35th annual Black History Month Book Lovers’ Breakfast will return to in-person format this year. The event will take place on Feb. 4 at the Renaissance Baltimore Harbor Hotel from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The annual breakfast, hosted in person for the first time in two years, features Walter Mosely, the acclaimed best-selling author credited with being one of America’s greatest crime-fiction writers.

The Los Angeles, Calif., native is a television writer that has also has authored more than “sixty critically acclaimed books that cover a wide range of ideas, genres,” including “Devil in a Blue Dress,” which was adapted into a movie featuring Denzel Washington. He’s written 20 episodes for the popular FX series “Snowfall.”

During the breakfast, the audience will have an opportunity to engage with Mosely during the question-and-answer section.

“The Book Lovers’ Breakfast is the kickoff of Black History Month programming at the Pratt Library. For 35 years, the program has featured prominent African-American authors, including April D. Ryan, Terry McMillan, Congressman John Lewis, and more,” explained Meghan McCorkell, chief of marketing, communications, and strategy at EPFL. “Hundreds of people gather for the annual breakfast, including dozens of book clubs from across Maryland.”

This year’s breakfast kicks off robust Black History month programming, including an event hosted on Feb. 8 at the Central Library, featuring former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Admission is $50 per person or $450 for a table of ten. Advance registration is required. Visit www.prattlibrary.org. The deadline to register for the breakfast is Jan. 30 at noon. Seats are reserved based on receipt of registration and payment. All sales are final: no refunds. Mahogany Books will provide sales of Mosley’s book.

For more information, call 410-396-5494.

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Baltimore author chronicles daughter’s triumph over sickle cell

Sean Yoes — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 14:08:56 +0000

By Sean Yoes,
Special to the AFRO

It is believed that a mother’s love is the salve that can heal all wounds. But, even a mother’s love is put to the test when it comes to grappling with a deadly disease imperiling her child. That is the focus of the deeply personal, heart-wrenching and ultimately triumphant story that Tyrene Gibson has penned titled, “Mothering the Crescent Moons.”

The story is Gibson’s account of her daughter Aya Gibson Taylor’s battle with sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD affects millions of people around the globe and a disproportionate number of people whose ancestors are from sub-Saharan Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Central America, as well as other people of color, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

During a recent phone conversation, Gibson, who grew up in Baltimore County (she now resides in New Jersey), revealed that the sickle cell trait was prevalent in her family. “My brother Chiefy and I, we always knew we had the trait. I know that it came from my dad’s side and I know that my grandmother also carries the trait on my father’s side. Aya’s dad (Hakim Taylor) has the trait,” Gibson said. So, it seemed inevitable that Aya would have to embark upon this perilous and potentially deadly sojourn.

According to the Mayo Clinic, red blood cells are typically round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels. However, with sickle cell disease (sickle cell anemia is just one of a group of inherited disorders known as sickle cell disease) some of the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons (hence the title of the book). Those cells can be rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow. Other symptoms of SCD include anemia, episodes of excruciating pain, vision problems, delayed growth or puberty, swelling of hands and feet and frequent infections.

Tyrene Gibson

“So, I found out (Taylor had SCD) once I was pregnant. I had serious conversations with my doctor, like what does this mean? Because…I only knew about having the trait, I never had the disease. I never had any issues health wise. So, I really didn’t know much about it,” Gibson revealed. “Can kids live with this disease? And he (Dr. Jeffrey Mazlin) was like, “Absolutely.” I wanted him to be honest and up front with me and he was and I’m so thankful and grateful for him,” she added. “So, I had her and she was fine.”

In fact, Taylor, despite being born premature, seemed so healthy that her mother started believing her doctor had made a mistake with his diagnosis. “She came out six weeks early…but she was fine, just like a normal baby,” Gibson said. “I was hoping in my mind that maybe they misdiagnosed her, maybe she doesn’t really have the disease.”

However, the devastating disease first began to attack Taylor when she was three years old. And for almost nine years she endured one or two excruciating pain episodes annually, as well as long stints in the hospital for various reasons related to sickle cell disease. But, after vigilant lobbying of medical professionals of every type on the part of her parents, and then absorbing copious amounts of information about the treatment of sickle cell, Aya was finally poised to receive the miracle she and her family had been praying for.

On Aug. 1, 2012, just a few weeks before her 12th birthday Taylor received a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant, under the care of Dr. Jennifer Krajewski, attending physician, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. “She did two rounds of chemo, which wiped out her whole immune system. The process was pretty intense,” Gibson said. “Now she’s cured of sickle cell anemia…and she’s living a normal life like any other young adult.”

Yet, there was still another chapter to be played out in Taylor’s odyssey with sickle cell disease. And this chapter also had a happy ending.

On July 9, 2016, Taylor (then age 15) was able to travel to Heidelberg, Germany to meet the man who provided the bone marrow that ultimately destroyed the debilitating disease that had tormented her for almost a decade.

“It was so surreal to know that somebody helped me like that,” Taylor said during an interview for the website “Tackle Kids Cancer,” an organization that Taylor, who is now in her early 20s, works closely with as an advocate for the transplant community. “He and his wife were so sweet. They were so happy that I was okay. Now they are like family,” she added. “I look at life differently. Without a transplant, I would still not be able to do a lot of things. I want to make the most out of my life. Not that many people get a second chance.”

‘Mothering the Crescent Moon’ by Tyrene Gibson

She is making the best of that second chance and focused on paying it forward. Taylor is currently a student at Loyola University in New Orleans, studying biology with the goal of becoming a pediatric hematologist. That’s the specialty of Dr. Bruce Terrin, her physician, who has been instrumental in Taylor’s battle to defeat sickle cell since her mother was pregnant with her.

Gibson has been determined to tell their story since those dark days before Taylor’s bone marrow transplant, when her daughter bravely endured prodigious pain. After years of starts and stops she has delivered Mothering the Crescent Moons, a road map for others navigating the onslaught of this deadly disease.

“I started writing it when she was 10. I started, but I put it down. Then when the pandemic hit and we really couldn’t go out that much, we were in the house. I said, you know what, I need to finish this,” said Gibson who is a real estate professional, first-time author and serves as the New Jersey ambassador for the Be the Match National Marrow Donor Program.

“I want to be able to help other people so that their kids don’t have to suffer for the rest of their life, or die from sickle cell, or complications from sickle cell,” Gibson said. And for those people that she hopes to inspire and help she offers six principles:

“Never give up, keep your options open, one door closes, look for another door or even a window,” she said. “Keep learning about new technology and developments, ask a lot of questions, and pray.”

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New book teaches children the magic of mindfulness

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 08:20:35 +0000

By Tiffany Ginyard,
Special to the AFRO

What do hip-hop, Baltimore club music and coping skills have in common?

Jessica Fauntleroy, a local social worker, figured the combination could be a tool to teach children to be alert and self-aware. Furthermore, she thought a catchy wellness anthem for Black kids to bop to would be the perfect compliment to compliment her latest children’s book, “The Adventures of Young Royalty: Sarai Shakes Her Worries Out.”

“My Toolbox” is the title of the track, conceptualized by Fauntleroy and performed by her 13-year-old son, AP Da Young King.

The lyrics in the song offer kids a practical mindfulness technique by referencing advice given to Sarai Winston, the book’s main character:

“Stop. Breath. Shake it off.
Keep ya head up that’s all you need
Now it’s time to power up
Use your mind. Yes, Indeed….
…Sarai, Sarai. Shake it off.
Negativity, take it off.
Positivity. Be Yourself no need to be fake at all…”

Sarai is a third grader who lives in a big city and often feels troubled by the problems in her community. Sometimes, she gets really nervous at school. There’s even a point in the story where Sarai’s frustrations start to affect her school work. In the end, Sarai uses coping skills she learned from MiMi, her grandmother, and advice from her school counselor, Mr. Smith,” an HBCU graduate who lives in Sarai’s neighborhood.

“My Toolbox,” a wellness anthem performed by Baltimore artist AP Da Young King, is now available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music. (Courtesy Photo)

“I thought it was important for readers to see Sarai surrounded by strong Black men as teachers in the classroom and at home,” said Fauntleroy, a Morgan State grad who started her career as a case worker for the city’s Department of Social Work in 2006. Shortly after earning a master’s degree in social work from Howard University, she became a licensed clinician and opened Restoring Destiny Mental Health Services, a mental health agency that provides outpatient mental health care to adolescents and adults.

“I want to be a part of creating solutions and reminding children and families that we are not helpless– we are able to save ourselves,” said the mother of three, whose life work extends well beyond seeing clients for therapy.

In addition to writing a blog and conducting motivational speaking, Fauntleroy is an education advocate and thought leader among Black social workers. Since 2018, the West Baltimore native has been a member of the Parent and Community Advisory Board for Baltimore City Public Schools. In 2020, she served as committee chair. She is a former agency internship site supervisor for graduate students at Coppin State University’s Department of Social Work. Currently, she serves on the board at Baltimore Family Alliance.

“We call her our ‘friendly neighborhood therapist,” said Lakesha Ross, CEO of Beautiful Hearts and Minds Health Services in Baltimore County’s Woodlawn area.

“It’s because kids love her. She can relate to them– as well as the parents, which makes her perfect for families. They feel comfortable being able to express themselves to her. She’s just amazing. I call her for everything.”

Jessica Fauntleroy is the owner of Restoring Destiny Mental Health Services and J’elle Inspires, a multimedia agency focused on publishing books and digital content that assists youth and families with overcoming the impact of trauma. (Courtesy Photo)

Fauntleroy is not your typical therapist and her therapeutic approach is far from textbook, which are the top two reasons why she’s widely sought after by behavioral health service providers throughout the DMV region. In addition, Fauntleroy’s down-to-earth delivery of culturally competent, trauma-informed, strengths-based mental health care is what keeps her practice overflowing clients.

Ashliegh Ownes, managing partner of Hearts and Minds, insists it’s the “Straight Outta West Baltimore” swagger draws women and girls to their agency, where Fauntleroy works part-time as an outpatient therapist. “She’s in the area; she’s from the neighborhood. She’s gone through [and overcome] the same stuff personally…she just falls right in alignment with the culture here,” said Owens.

“People keep coming back because she is a big part of the warm environment we have here. It’s a place owned by Black women for Black women, a place where people can say, ‘I feel free in who I am to get the help that I need,’” said Owens.

“She’s the first and only person we went to for therapy for minors,” said Ross. “She comes in looking like a young Black professional, but she’s relatable.” Young women listen up when she speaks because they see an image of themselves when they look at her. The way she wears her hair, her style of dress, the way she reps her hood, and the energy she brings to a room lets them know she’s just another fly girl from around the way.

“Growing up with teen parents impacted by the crack epidemic, I learned about the importance of problem solving skills at an early age,” said Fauntleroy. “I was always that ‘lil mother’ to other kids around me. It was natural for me to become a therapist.”

According to her, every child should be aware of, and often reassured, of their innate ability to overcome any challenge with the power of their own minds. She is gracefully unapologetic for the out-the-box approach to empowering Black families with culturally relevant wellness tools to help themselves and holding practitioners, including the Black ones, accountable for being culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of people with marginalized identities.

In an age where the term “trap therapy” is trending, Fauntleroy relies on the authenticity of her story and breadth of experience to break through the systemic barriers to quality, equitable care and stigma associated with mental health among Black people.

“I wouldn’t say I consider myself a trap therapist – because I was like this before I ever became a therapist, but I would suggest practitioners who work with kids and teens to continuously assess problem solving skills and [follow up with] education to assist with the gaps in these skills,” said Fauntleroy, “and I recommend parents use this book and song to empower themselves and their children about the importance of deep breaths, mindfulness, critical thinking, and problem solving.”

“The Adventures of Young Royalty” is available at the JelleInspires.org, and “My Toolbox” is available for download on Apple Music, Apple Music, and DISTROKID, and the video, which was shot in downtown Baltimore, can be viewed and shared via YouTube.

Tiffany C. Ginyard is the founder of the Fly Girl Network, Inc., a non-profit organization focused on raising the collective consciousness and well-being of Black people in Baltimore and beyond through conscious-raising media, youth & leadership development, and collaborative healing initiatives.

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Becoming a better you: seven self-help books you should read in 2023

Kara Thompson Special to the AFRO — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 14:22:15 +0000

By Kara Thompson,
Special to the AFRO

Baltimore has long been known as the “City that reads,” and now is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book. While biographies, mysteries and science-fiction texts all have their place on the reading list for 2023, this month, the AFRO spoke with mental health professionals to recommend books that will help our readers become the best version of themselves in the new year.

Each of these books have their own focus on a certain aspect of life, and this is by no means an exhaustive list. While these books all came top rated, exploring more titles on your own may help you find a book that’s even more tailored to your personal wants and needs.

Clinical Psychology Kenya Ford, Psy.D., says it’s always good to check with a therapist before turning to a self-help book on a certain issue that you diagnose yourself with, as many diagnoses have overlapping symptoms.

“Consulting with a therapist can help you to get some diagnostic clarification on what you’re actually dealing with, and then that can better help you to figure out what self-help books you need,” Ford said.

Otia Blake, a Baltimore-based mental health therapist for out-patients, agrees, adding, “As a clinician, my ultimate goal is to enhance the social, emotional, and psychological well-being of marginalized individuals, particularly in the Black and African-American communities. In doing so I will utilize person-centered, strengths-based, and narrative approaches to meet you where you are in your therapeutic process.”

Both therapists say thoughtful self-help books can be useful tools. Here are a few to consider.

“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel van der Kolk

This book describes the experiences and findings of Bessel van der Kolk, who is one of the leading experts on traumatic stress.

“It just talks about how the things we go through have an effect on our body. We’re holding trauma and stress in different parts of our body,” Ford said, adding, “A lot of therapists will tell you how your thoughts and your actions, your behavior, all these things are kind of connected. “The way that your body is if you’re having a lot of body pains, it could potentially be because you’re having a lot of stress, maybe you’re clenching muscles; maybe we hold trauma in certain parts of our body.”

2. “When Bad Things Happen to Good People” by Harold Kushner

Blake also suggests this book to many of her clients. The text deals with consolation, comfort and clear-headedness in times of grief or suffering. Kushner, a rabbi, offers his wisdom, and pulls from his own experiences as a parent, such as when his young son was diagnosed with a degenerative disease, to offer readers insight.

3. “Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving” by Pete Walker

An area Ford has studied is complex trauma, and she thinks this book is really helpful and recommends it to clients who are dealing with many different traumas.

“It helps people who have been misdiagnosed with ADHD, bipolar, [or] a lot of other diagnoses, that [they] actually just have experienced a lot of trauma that’s kind of piled on top of each other,” she said.

Walker said that he wrote the book without using too much complicated jargon so that the average person can understand the psychological concepts he lays out and learn ways to deal with them.

4. “Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes

Rhimes, a creator and producer of many TV shows such as “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy,” published this memoir and self-help book in late 2015, after her sister at a 2013 Thanksgiving dinner made the comment that Rhimes “never says yes to anything.”

This moment was a wake-up call for Rhimes, who spent the next year saying “yes” to everything that scared her, and that she would have previously avoided.

How she navigated her experience through this year is documented in the pages of her book, which can serve as an inspiration for those in similar situations to Rhimes; introverted and reserved but wanting to make a change.

5. “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones” by James Clear

This book is for anyone looking to make little changes in their day-to-day routines and lives. Through his studies, Clear has found that the issue with not being able to break bad habits lies not with the person, but with having an incorrect system for creating change.

His extensive research and knowledge regarding habits and their formation led him to write this book, which includes recommendations for small, easy behaviors that can be applied to daily life in order to not only stop bad habits but encourage good ones.

6. “The Little Book of Big Lies: A Journey into Inner Fitness” by Tina Lifford

Self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-care are all important aspects of attaining “inner fitness,” according to Lifford. Her book deals with emotional health through asking readers a series of questions and helping to work through their answers.

Each chapter has a different topic of focus and ends with one of Lifford’s “inner fitness” practices that help people rethink “untruths” into more empowering, positive “truths,” which she pairs with advice on how to approach the topic from then on.

7. “The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love” by Sonya Renee Taylor

Taylor, an activist and poet, uses this book to help people celebrate the “enduring strength” of their minds and bodies, and to break the systems that maintain body shaming and oppression.

She focuses on the idea of what she describes as “radical self-love,” which goes much further than self-acceptance, to help people truly achieve peace with themselves and the bodies they are in.

Final tips from the experts

Ford noted that overcoming trauma and exhibiting personal care can be critical therapy. Experienced at working through racial identity issues, women’s issues, and being vocal about social justice, Ford said, “I tell my clients this is a collaborative thing. I’m the expert in the books. You’re the expert on your life. We’re working together.”

Blake also emphasized self-love to clients. “Every journey is unique, but one worth living,” she said. “Navigate and overcome the challenges of your specific journey by validating the ways in which you think, feel, and react to various circumstances.”

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Library group: book titles targeted for banning tripled in 2021

Capital News Service — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 22:00:00 +0000

By Kate Seltzer,
Capital News Service

The number of books people tried to ban from schools and libraries nearly tripled between 2019 and 2021, according to data from the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom tracked 729 challenges to 1,597 separate book titles in 2021. That’s up from 377 challenges to 566 book titles in 2019.

“It’s a situation that I’ve never witnessed in the two decades I’ve worked for the Office for Intellectual Freedom and a real change in the nature of the demands to censor books,” said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the organization.

In 2021, the ten most commonly banned books according to the ALA were “Gender Queer,” “Lawn Boy,” “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” “Out of Darkness,” “The Hate U Give,” “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian,” “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” “The Bluest Eye,” “This Book is Gay” and “Beyond Magenta.”

Book banning is not a new idea. In fact, Banned Books Week—which promotes book titles targeted over the decades—has been celebrated in libraries since 1982.

But the scope of efforts to ban books is new. Caldwell-Stone attributes the rise in book banning to advocacy groups calling for the removal of dozens of books at the same time.

“I want to clarify that it’s entirely appropriate for a parent to raise a concern about a book their student is reading and have discussions about that with librarians or teachers and even making a choice that the book isn’t the right book for their child or their student,” she said.

“But what we’re seeing now is advocacy groups going to school boards and library boards with a list of 10, 25 or even 50 books, demanding their removal all at once, often based on claims that the books are either inappropriate because they reference LGBTQ persons, or reflect the lives and experiences of Black persons or persons of color.”

Groups like Moms for Liberty and No Left Turn in Education have been vigorous advocates for book removal. The groups have ties to conservative groups and donors.

“Unfortunately, what we have found is that there is obscene graphic sexual content in books that are located in public school libraries across the United States of America,” said Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty.

“American parents are very concerned about the fact that their children have access to pornography in school, that it’s being done under the supervision of adults who are okay with children having access to pornography in schools, and so we have gotten involved to ensure that school districts follow the law because apparently they are unable to do that on their own,” she said.

Schools and libraries across the United States are facing intensified efforts to ban books. (James R. Carroll/Capital News Service)

Justice declined to enumerate books Moms for Liberty disapproves of.

“It wouldn’t be appropriate for a national organization to put out a list because we don’t want parents to think that every book is in every single library,” she said. “They need to go and do the work to find what books are in their libraries, and what books and what the laws and statutes are in their state.”

PEN America, a nonprofit that says it works to celebrate and defend free expression, identified at least 50 organizations pushing for book removals across the country.

“Previously, you might have somebody objecting to a particular book because of a particular slur or offensive statement, or representation or content with something people don’t like, but now we have this mass list of books or people going to databases and looking up with any book that has any LGBTQ content, or any book that touches on the history or contemporary commentary about racism,” said Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education programs at PEN America. “We’re seeing an escalation of book banning, culminating in something that is really different from the banning we saw even five years ago.”

The book challenges have been effective: According to data from Northeastern University, 15 states have passed legislation banning certain books in K-12 education, often on the grounds that they contain elements of critical race theory. An additional 16 states have proposed similar legislation.

“That’s the distressing thing about this time,” Caldwell-Stone said. “We’re seeing elected officials adopt the rhetoric that books dealing with race, racism and slavery are inappropriate for young people to read, or if they are available, can only reflect certain viewpoints—a certain view of history that the elected officials and the advocacy groups approve of. And we’re seeing elected officials also adopt the rhetoric that books dealing with gay, queer or transgender people are inappropriate for young people to read and demanding that such books be removed from schools and libraries.”

PEN America found that about half of challenged books are intended for young adult readers, but they also include picture books intended for elementary schoolers.

Books like “Heather Has Two Mommies,” “This Day in June” — a picture book about Pride parades — and “Anti-Racist Baby” have all been challenged or banned. The organization also found that 41 percent of banned books “explicitly address LGBTQ+ themes or have protagonists or prominent secondary characters who are LGBTQ+.”

Justice says that the idea that the book challenge fight is about LGBTQ issues is a lie.

“We’ve been very clear about saying that parents being concerned about pornography in schools whether it’s with heterosexual couples, homosexual couples, heterosexual children, homosexual children, their sexual orientation isn’t the issue,” she said. “It’s the pornography. That’s the issue and we need to be honest about that.”

Caldwell-Stone worries about this trend from both a legal and moral standpoint.

“We’re talking about public institutions, government-funded institutions, engaged in telling young people and telling families and telling adults what they can read and think about, which is repugnant to the First Amendment,” she said. “But also, it’s a matter of addressing the dignity and humanity of others who live in society and their right to find their lives and experiences reflected in the collections of a public library or school library that their taxes support as well.”

Friedman agreed.

“It’s having an impact for students, teachers, writers, publishers and librarians, some of whom have been harassed or intimidated,” he said. “It’s highly concerning because if you start reducing the availability of books based on anything anyone might object to, you’re very quickly going to run out of any kind of library or classroom book to have available to young people.”

Caldwell-Stone said she anticipates the number of challenged books this year will be about the same or higher than last year.

“The end result is that books that do reflect the diversity of society, that reflect the lives of persons who attend that school or part of the community and that the public library serves, are being told that they don’t belong and that their stories don’t belong,” she said. “And I think that is the ultimate tragedy here.”

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6 popular Black authors co-write teen romance ‘Whiteout’

Hillel Italie — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 15:56:21 +0000

BY Hillel Italie,
AP National Writer

Dhonielle Clayton is not just a bestselling author of young adult fiction. She’s an organizer, a former teacher and a founder of the grassroots publishing movement We Need Diverse Books. She’s also the kind of friend who can convince five of her well-known peers to collaborate on a single novel, and then come back for another.

Opinions differ over her personal style:

“A tiny tyrant,” jokes novelist Tiffany D. Jackson, whose books include “Monday’s Not Coming” and “Let Me Hear a Rhyme.”

“A little pushy,” says Ashley Woodfolk, author of “When You Were Everything” and “The Beauty That Remains” among others.

Or, as Clayton likes to describe herself, “the ringmaster,” “the center of the circus,” practitioner of the art of “tender leadership.”

“They say I bullied them into this. But I have leadership skills, and I was persuasive,” she says.

Clayton thought of a group narrative after seeing the 2019 romantic comedy “Let It Snow” and wanted to create a story centered on the lives, and loves, of Black teens. She brought in not just Woodfolk and Jackson, who agreed despite having a background in thriller writing, but fellow bestsellers Nicola Yoon (“Everything Everything”), Nic Stone (“Dear Martin”) and Angie Thomas, whose “The Hate U Give” is among the most talked about young adult books of recent years.

In 2021, the six authors teamed up on “Blackout,” a romance about Black teens during a power outage in New York. The Obamas’ Higher Ground production company is adapting the book into a Netflix series.

This combination of photos show, from left, Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk and Nicola Yoon, co-authors of the novel “Whiteout.” (Tiffany D. Jackson via AP)

The friends have just published a second novel about another city in a moment of paralysis: “Whiteout” takes place on a snowy day in Atlanta, where even a couple inches of precipitation can stop traffic as effectively as a blizzard up North.

Like “Blackout,” the new book follows a wide circle of young people at various points in their relationships. Clayton helped establish the narrative by sending the other authors a list of what she calls common romance tropes she thought worth dramatizing — exes to lovers, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, best friends to lovers and dude in distress (as opposed to damsel in distress).

“Each chapter is about helping a core couple fix their stuff,” Clayton says.

Stories with multiple authors aren’t new — Clayton previously co-wrote “The Rumor Game” with Sona Charaipotra. But the creators of “”Blackout” and “Whiteout” organized the books to the point of scientific certainty. If Clayton is best at getting the action started, Woodfolk is the resident expert on Google Docs, tracking the amount of sunlight for given sections of “Blackout” and placing characters in precise areas of Atlanta for “Whiteout.”

The book’s editor at the HarperCollins imprint Quill Tree Books, Rosemary Brosnan, kept her own records. She set up an Excel spreadsheet and called it “Whiteout — Continuity and Consistency,” through which she tracked “character details, setting, time stamps, character intersections” and other parts of the narrative. She needed another chart to make sure she knew every scene’s location.

“I’m unfamiliar with Atlanta, so I used Google Maps to map out where the characters were, and then asked the authors to resolve any questions about setting,” she added.

Individual authors rotated chapters, but readers aren’t told who wrote which, excepting a series of clues at the end that range from the easily searchable (“the only Atlanta native among us”) to the more mysterious (“the self-professed love grump of the group”). Keeping identities hidden was part of the fun, the authors explain, (“Kids love puzzles,” Clayton says), and a way of getting readers to focus on the book itself.

“One of the things we realized from ‘Blackout’ was that people were sort of obsessed by who was writing which story and were thinking of it as an anthology rather than an actual book co-written by six people,” Jackson says. “So there was an executive decision not to say who wrote each story.”

“People are biased with themselves whether they realize it,” Woodfolk says. “So seeing somebody’s name automatically colors the reading experience, the experience of the book.”

“Whiteout,” like “Blackout,” is a page-turning romance but also a message of love from the authors to their fans that their stories are worth telling and their flaws forgivable. Jackson remembers how rarely she saw people like herself in the books she read as a child and how often Black characters in romance fiction were relegated to the “sassy best friend.” Clayton believes that the contributors’ shared ambition helped make what might have been an unwieldy project assured and professional.

“We all understood the mission and that we needed to add our pieces to make the missions complete; everyone knew what they needed to do,” Clayton says. “We are all in the service of children and teens. This is purpose-driven work for us. So, that being the heart of what we do, means there is no nonsense when it comes to this work.”

___

This story has been updated to correct the first name of HarperCollins editor Rosemary Brosnan.

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Beyond The C-Suite launches new program to elevate Black women executives by helping them become published authors and professional speakers

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Thu, 27 Oct 2022 06:46:34 +0000

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer,
Report for America Corps Member,
msayles@afro.com

Beyond The C-Suite, a full-service communications, public relations and personal brand management agency, is launching a new program to advance Black women who hold senior executive positions.

The year-long Seen & Heard Experience will give Black women senior executives the opportunity to write their own books, with the help of experienced ghost writers, and train them in public speaking. The program will run two cohorts of 25 women per year, and applications need to be submitted by Nov. 19.

The Seen & Heard Experience is also accepting nominations for its cohorts.

“The idea was birthed from me working with my clients, and we’re trying to elevate them to this thought leader status,” said Deandra Coleman, CEO of Beyond The C-Suite.

Coleman chose the name “Seen & Heard” for the program because too often Black women are present in corporate conversations but not given a chance to speak. Or, when their advice and solutions are heeded, they do not receive credit and recognition for their contributions.

Coleman herself encountered this throughout her career in Corporate America. In her first C-suite role, Coleman said she was miserable.

The owner of the company constantly second-guessed her, and she wasn’t adequately compensated for her work. When she left the role for another senior executive position at a different company, the same thing happened.

The experience led her to form Beyond The C-Suite in 2020, so women like her could cultivate strong personal brands to carve out their own space in the corporate sector and determine their opportunities for growth.

“When you curate a really strong personal brand, it then becomes what people say about you,” said Coleman. “The positive things that precede you make people want to hire you, and it gives you stronger negotiation skills when you’re up for a new position or a promotion.”

During the Seen & Heard Experience, participants will be paired with a ghost writer and public speaking coach. The program will kick off in January with an all-inclusive five-day retreat where Black women executives can meet one another and learn about the basics of branding, book writing and speech development.

In February, the women will begin writing their books for about six months, and then they will spend three months learning about public speaking.

The final months of the program will be dedicated to marketing their books and new speaking talent, so they can generate additional streams of income and seize opportunities for public speaking engagements.

The Seen & Heard Experience will culminate in a red carpet celebration where the women can share excerpts from their books or speeches with fellow senior executives and friends and family.

Coleman said one of the underlying motivations for the program is to create an executive sisterhood where women can support and push each other to achieve their goals. When women join a cohort, they pledge to sponsor and elevate the Black women that come behind them.

“We now more than ever have this opportunity to hone a personal brand that feels good to us and allows us to step forward in our true light,” said Coleman. “I want to help Black women fully achieve that and be seen and heard and, subsequently, compensated very well for who they are, their expertise and their experiences.”

Beyond The C-Suite, a full-service communications, public relations and personal brand management agency, is launching a new program to advance Black women who hold senior executive positions.

The Seen & Heard Experience is also accepting nominations for its cohorts.

“The idea was birthed from me working with my clients, and we’re trying to elevate them to this thought leader status,” said Deandra Coleman, CEO of Beyond The C-Suite.

Coleman herself encountered this throughout her career in Corporate America. In her first C-suite role, Coleman said she was miserable.

In February, the women will begin writing their books for about six months, and then they will spend three months learning about public speaking.

The Seen & Heard Experience will culminate in a red carpet celebration where the women can share excerpts from their books or speeches with fellow senior executives and friends and family.

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Five books about Black traditions and tracing your roots

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 16:49:43 +0000

By Bianca Crawley,
Special to the AFRO

Keeping with our theme of discovering our roots and honoring the past from which we’ve come, the AFRO has compiled a short list of recommended books that address traditions of old, people who have contributed to the culture, and tracing family lineage.

Take a look at the list below and then head to your local library or your favorite Black- owned bookstore to find a copy!

African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions

by Lucretia VanDyke

This informative book focuses on holistic treatments and remedies which obtain healing powers to help replenish the body. Guiding the reader through ancient practices rooted in African traditions and folktales, readers learn about the healing traditions which have been seen and practiced throughout the African Diaspora both yesterday and today.

This outstanding book provides information on herbal skin care routines, medicine, food, and more with plenty to learn, understand, and incorporate into one’s own life.

A Nation of Descendants: Politics and the Practice of Genealogy in U.S. History

by Francesca Morgan

This eye-catching and mesmerizing book focuses on the deep-rooted history of family ancestry specifically within the American Black community. Taking the reader on an exploration of commonalities and ties that bring us together, the text does an excellent job of honoring all the things that make us unique.

This book is a must for those who are interested in gaining knowledge of who they are as a race and how that tightly ties them to those in the world around them.

Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree

by Tony Burroughs

This book is a must for all Black people interested in tracing their own families’ historical roots as well as learning about the challenges of African Americans since they were brought to the Americas. The novel gives you the step by step of everything you need to know to learn how to research your own personal family history, how to organize these documents, and how to best analyze and understand the research that has been found.

Foundational Black American Race Baiter by Tariq Nasheed

Tariq Nasheed is an author, actor, and producer who is known for his controversial work in reviewing Black history and systemic racism in America. He’s best known for his film series, Hidden Colors, which focuses on a collection of scholars and works discussing the historical roots of Black people throughout the African diaspora. His outstanding book Foundational Black American Race Baiter is an autobiography discussing Nasheed’s life and personal experiences growing up and experiencing systemic racism in America while living in different environments. His sometimes-controversial views shine a light on the challenges faced by many Black Americans while experiencing racism throughout different phases of their lives.

Black on Earth: African American Ecoliterary Traditions by Kimberly N. Ruffins

This controversial and intriguing book elaborates on the relationship between the culture and traditions of African Americans and other ethnic groups. It goes into great detail on significant distinguishing factors such as economic discrimination, environmental issues and differences, social and political contradictions, racism and more. This must-read book will keep you intrigued in the various types of research and thought that went into the creation and masterpiece of this work.

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Girl who witnessed George Floyd’s killing releases book for his birthday

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 18:24:09 +0000

by MSR News Online

It’s been two and a half years since the shocking death of George Floyd brought international renown to a little girl. Now that child is heading back into the spotlight. But this time it will be as an author, not an eyewitness. “I still think about that day sometimes,” said Judeah Reynolds. “It still makes me sad and sometimes I cry.”

On October 14, “A Walk to the Store,” a picture book that tells Reynolds’ story, will be released. The book details how the then nine-year-old girl wanted to buy candy at a store near her home in Minneapolis and her 17-year-old cousin Darnella Frazier agreed to accompany her.

As they left Cup Foods, the girls were horrified to see George Floyd on the street beneath Officer Derek Chauvin’s knee. Reynolds was at her cousin’s side as Frazier used her cell phone to record the brutal incident. That video sparked worldwide protests and has been credited with inspiring a new racial reckoning.

“My cousin told us I changed history,” Reynolds said. “They say we are heroes.” Now 11, Reynolds is a sixth-grader and probably six inches taller than the girl pictured in the pages of the book, wearing a pale green shirt emblazoned with the word “love.”

Reynolds and her family have since relocated to Chicago, but she was back in Minneapolis ahead of the book release. To prepare for the day, she had a morning at the beauty shop, in the chair of stylist Marsha D Carter.

On Friday, Oct. 14, Reynolds will visit the Legacy of Dr. Josie R Johnson Montessori School in North Minneapolis, where every one of the 160 elementary students will be given a donated copy of her book. Reynolds will read “A Walk to the Store” to the students and answer their questions.

“Judeah’s book is about a girl who overcame her trauma. She can show other kids that they can be brave too. And they can talk to an author who looks like them,” said children’s book author Sheletta Brundidge, who connected with Reynolds and her family and co-authored “A Walk to the Store.”

The book shows Reynolds suffering with sadness and “scary dreams” in the aftermath of the incident and tells how her parents let her unload her jumbled emotions and gave her their loving support. The book shows them returning to 38th and Chicago to see memorials to George Floyd and concludes that the community is “working to make things better because we told what happened.”

“People have wondered what became of that little girl. They say, ‘I hope she’s okay,’” said Brundidge. “Well, we can see she is thriving. After the trauma they’ve been through, her family is intact and strong.”

The last page of the book includes tips from Licensed Marriage and Family therapist Anissa Keys of Arubah Emotional Health Services in North Minneapolis. The advice guides caring adults on how to have conversations with children who have witnessed or have a fear of disturbing, upsetting, or traumatic events.

“We want to de-stigmatize therapy for young people in the Black community,” said Brundidge. “That’s not the first thing we think about. We tell them, be strong, be tough. Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks didn’t go to therapy. But it matters for mental health.”

The October 14 book release coincides with what would have been Floyd’s 49th birthday. ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, Brundidge’s podcasting platform, is sponsoring a birthday celebration. Two Black-owned businesses, Ice Cream Kingz and Flame Mobile Kitchen, will be on hand to treat the kids and mark the event that will celebrate Floyd’s life and impact, including the release of 49 balloons.

Reynolds will be in the middle of it all, experiencing a happy day that’s in balance with all that she has experienced. “When I’m sad, my mom helps me feel better. She gives me hugs,” she said. “Kids can be brave and it’s okay if we’re scared sometimes.”

For more info, visit http://www.awalktothestore.com.

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Local Black business giants highlighted in text by local author

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 17:25:35 +0000

By Sarah E. Crest,
Special to the AFRO

Harold D. Young chronicles the evolution of African-American business leaders in his new book, “From Lunch Counter Protests to Corporate America,” highlighting Black excellence and innovation.

From the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement to the Black Business Hall of Fame, the book details happenings of the Baltimore Marketing Association (BMA), and a variety of events that affected Black entrepreneurs over the years.

Young narrates the struggles of African-American business professionals through the life and leadership of Ackneil M. Muldrow II.

Readers are introduced to college student Muldrow as a participant in the historic 1960 lunch counter protest in Greensboro, N.C. After receiving his degree from North Carolina A&T University, Muldrow began his professional career as a temporary teacher at Baltimore’s Booker T. Washington Junior High School. In the fall of 1961 he was granted a full-time position.

In 1964 Muldrow was admitted into Montgomery Ward’s management training program. He would later recall that he was the first African American in the country accepted in the program. From that first opportunity, Muldrow navigated his way through local businesses, honing his skills and knowledge as he climbed.

In 1966 he was hired by the Commercial Credit Corporation (CCC) as their equal employment opportunity manager. In this position, Muldrow navigated a path forward for himself and promoted opportunities for young African Americans.

During his tenure at the CCC, Muldrow was invited to a meeting of the National Association of Market Developers (NAMD). He hoped that the organization would provide important support for rising African-American businesspersons, but the parent organization’s goals were at odds with the local chapter’s goals. The Baltimore Chapter sought to provide information on business culture, new opportunities, and continuing education to its members. The Baltimore Chapter of NAMD severed its relationship with the national organization in 1967 and became the Baltimore Marketing Association (BMA).

The five BMA founding fathers – President John Rich, members Ackneil M. Muldrow II, Gary Reynolds, Roland Henson, and Eugene Smith – all worked for major corporations in the Baltimore area. Muldrow became the organization’s second president.

Young details Muldrow’s leadership model, the organization’s growth and the development of scholarship and leadership awards. The BMA also launched economic ventures with the U.S. Small Business Administration and worked with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

The book concludes with the Black Business Hall of Fame that includes, among many others, Baltimore greats like AFRO-American Newspaper founder John H. Murphy Sr., Camilla White Sherrard, fundraiser for Arena Players, and expert salesperson and entrepreneur, Henry G. Parks.

The book is an informative read that provides a history of the development of African-American business and marketing professionals in the Baltimore area.

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Books by Black authors to add to your 2022 reading list

Word in Black — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 12:10:00 +0000

By Word In Black

Malcolm X once said that “I could spend the rest of my life reading, just satisfying my curiosity” — and at Word In Black, we agree. With book bans sweeping the nation, we’re reminded of how our ancestors fought and died for the right to read. Nowadays, due to inequities in our school systems, many Black adults struggle with literacy, as do our children. That’s why we’re so committed to reading, and highlighting the work of Black authors. Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, if it tells the story of Black America and sheds light on our experience, we’re reading it — and sharing it with you.

This book list will be updated periodically, and be sure to follow us on Instagram where we shout out a new Black book every Friday!

1. Take My Hand – Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s “Take My Hand” tells the story of Civil Townsend, who is just starting her first nursing job in Montgomery, Ala. The story follows her work with the town and then jumps to the future when she is ready to retire and leave the past behind. But certain stories can’t be forgotten.

2. It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him – ESPN journalist Justin Tinsley released this deeply reported biography in honor of what would have been Biggie’s 50th birthday. Through interviews with many people in his life, this book offers a new and fresh take on the life of Christopher Wallace.

3. Big Girl – Mecca Jamilah Sullivan’s “Big Girl” follows eight-year-old Malaya as she grows up in 90s-era Harlem. Malaya would much rather eat forbidden street foods with her dad than go to Weight Watchers meetings with her mom. Facing various pressures, she keeps gaining weight until a family tragedy makes her address the true source of her hunger.

4. The Changeling – Following one man’s thrilling journey through an enchanted world to find his wife who has disappeared after seemingly committing an unforgivable act of violence, Victor Lavalle’s “The Changeling” creates a complex world full of magic, love, loss, and mystery.

5. Rest Is Resistance – From the founder of The Nap Ministry, “Rest Is Resistance” is Tricia Hersey’s manifesto, written to help guide others through breaking free from the grips of grind culture. The book teaches readers that rest is an essential tool in reclaiming power and resisting systemic oppression.

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New book highlights key figures and moments in Black history

Special to the AFRO — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 01:50:19 +0000

By Sarah Crest,
Special to the AFRO

“Blacks Facts ~ The Ultimate Primer to the Historical and the Hysterical,” is now available in paperback form.

Black studies experts have responded favorably to the work, created by Tim and Deb Smith.

Dr. Daryl Cumber Dance, from the University of Richmond, had a glowing review of the work, calling it an “inspirational, informative, entertaining, and often hilarious study,” in a statement. Dance added that she “can’t wait to give autographed copies to the favorite people” during the holiday season.

The book is the culmination of two years of research and personal response to the upheaval that has rocked society. The Smiths say that their goal was to create something that could serve as a unifying force to build bridges between people.

Tim and Deb Smith retired from teaching and have now taken up writing careers. The pair decided their book “Blacks Facts ~ The Ultimate Primer to the Historical and the Hysterical,” would reflect the beauty of Black history and key figures in time. (Photo by Tim and Deb Smith on Amazon)

They wanted to do something, anything, that could possibly contribute to an initiative to get our country moving in a positive direction. Since retiring from their teaching careers, they’ve undertaken second careers as writers.

The two have written a weekly feature for our local paper in Rochester, N.Y. since 2015 and this will be their fourth published book.

“We write non-fiction, so that was a given. We had the notion that we wanted it to be purposeful, rather than preachy,” the authors said. “Readers appreciate our ability to inform as well as entertain.”

The authors felt the most effective way to approach their text would be to recognize the highs and the lows- from the election of the first Black President of the United States, Barack H. Obama, to the assination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Smiths also surveyed the entire spectrum of Black comedy and functioned in the role of research editors, serving up the best of the brightest and most brilliant Black comedic minds.

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What Message Do Book Bans Send to Black Students?

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 17:14:02 +0000

by Maya Pottiger, Word In Black

From bills being introduced to prohibit the teaching of “The 1619 Project” by Nikole Hannah-Jones to “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison being pulled off shelves, book bans are rising in the United States at unprecedented rates. Over the past two years, most bans are targeting books about the LGBTQ+ experience and race in America.

And the upswing in book bans shows no signs of letting up. This year has already seen a record number of books targeted — 1,651 unique titles from January 2022 through August 2022, according to a new report by the American Library Association. This surpasses 2021’s record of 1,597 banned titles, which had been the highest number of challenges or bans ALA has seen in its more than 20 years of keeping track.

Banning books equates to wanting to control a framework of thinking, whether it’s for certain people or issues or ideas, says Dr. Fedrick Ingram, secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers. This isn’t fair for young people, and it creates an uneducated populace, which isn’t good for democracy.

They can no longer teach books that have been taught as curriculum in English classes for years.
DR. FEDRICK INGRAM, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS SECRETARY-TREASURER

“Our public schools and libraries need to be protected,” Ingram says. “We need to be expanding access to universal books, and giving our students a comprehensive view of the world and their history and what they can actually become by reading everything so that they are independent thinkers.”

AFT’s Reading Opens the World campaign is helping to create more access to books by giving away 1 million books around the country. The ongoing bans haven’t impacted the campaign, but they are having a “chilling effect” on teachers. Ingram mentioned classics like “To Kill A Mockingbird” and “Of Mice and Men” — classics that are now banned in some states.

“Laws have been enacted that have teachers on their heels,” Ingram says. “They can no longer teach books that have been taught as curriculum in English classes for years.”

Which Books Are Being Banned?

The American Library Association isn’t the only group tracking book bans. PEN America, an organization dedicated to protecting free speech, created a database of book bans in libraries and classrooms from July 1, 2021, through March 31, 2022. In those nine months, the organization counted 1,586 bans against 874 authors and 1,145 books.

These bans span 86 school districts in 26 states, affecting 2,899 schools and over 2 million students.

Of the banned titles, the report found that 72% are fiction, 47% are classified as young adult novels, and 18% are picture books for children. And the content of the books in this database reflects the attacks around the country on books that discuss race and racism, LGBTQ themes, and sex ed.

In the database, 41% of banned books have protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color, and 22% directly address race and racism, the report found. It’s not just fiction that’s being banned, either. PEN America found that 16% of banned books are history books or biographies, and 9% have themes around rights and activism.

The LGBT memoir “Gender Queer” tops the list with 30 bans in that time period, followed by George M. Johnson’s Black queer autobiographical collection of essays “All Boys Aren’t Blue” with 21 bans. From PEN America’s database, only six books have received more than 10 bans, and four of them have to do with race.

Three prominent Black authors in the children’s and young adult space — Jason Reynolds, Angie Thomas, and Jerry Craft — are no strangers to book bans. Thomas and Reynolds are regular fixtures on the American Library Association’s annual Top 10 list of most challenged books. And despite writing the first graphic novel to win the Newbery Award, Craft’s “New Kid” has battled claims of espousing critical race theory.

The National Council of Teachers of English created a database of banned books and offers help to educators who need to write a formal “rationale” to be able to teach the books. However, you must be a member of NCTE to view them.

“Students have a right to read material that is of interest to them,” says Emily Kirkpatrick, the executive director of NCTE. She says recognizing Banned Books Week this year “is a reminder to all to remain vigilant, to remain committed to access to all kinds of material again, that speak to the interest of students, and, far more broadly, to readers across all ages.”

How Do These Bans Impact Schools?

Despite the widely publicized bans, books by Reynolds, Thomas, and Craft remain popular among teachers. From the 2020-2021 school year to 2021-2022, all three authors saw large bumps in requests for their books through DonorsChoose. There was a 58% increase for Craft’s books, a 29% increase for Reynolds’ books, and a 20% increase for Thomas’ books.

DonorsChoose works with schools and districts nationwide, classifying them as “equity focus” and “non-equity focus.” It defines equity focus schools as those with at least 50% of the student body being Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and at least 50% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

In the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, there were a nearly equal number of requests for these books at both equity focus and non-equity focus schools, with only about 300 more requests at equity focus schools each year.

There was a slight bump in requests for these books in the 2021-2022 school year in non-equity focus schools, with requests jumping 13%. But equity focus schools saw a 55% increase in requests for books by these authors.

Craft, in particular, has seen huge increases for “New Kid” every year, showing that attempting to ban a book can popularize it. There was a 213% increase for his book through DonorsChoose from 2019-2020 to 2020-2021, following the headlines he made after his virtual appearance at a Texas school was canceled because parents claimed his book supported critical race theory.

While book bans are often counterproductive because they increase sales of a book, this isn’t the case for all authors of banned books. Breanna McDaniel’s 2019 text “Hands Up!” — a picture book for children — was banned or challenged in a few states. As a result, sales of her book dropped, McDaniel says.

“People are very sensitive about messaging to very young children,” says McDaniel, also the program manager at the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books. “Since picture books are targeted towards that audience, picture books are touchy.”

Book Bans Send a Message

There are many impacts of banning books from schools and libraries. One is missing out on “certified classics,” Ingram says, including Pulitzer Prize-winning books and others that have stood the test of time. In order for people to formulate their own ideas, Ingram says, they need to have access to the entire history.

“Unfortunately, our students don’t get the full service of our schools, our libraries, our curriculum, and what, sadly, would be their own knowledge,” Ingram says. “Those are things that do not bode well for an educated populace in this democracy in trying to make this a more fair play.”

In this day and age, banning a physical book from a physical location only does so much. Books can be purchased, accessed online, or borrowed from another library. But the act of banning still sends a message to students.

In a recent interview with Reader’s Digest, Ibram X. Kendi, author of the frequently banned or challenged “How to Be Antiracist,” said that books challenging notions of Black inferiority are considered indoctrination, but books that don’t say anything about Black people or don’t reinforce notions of Black inferiority are considered education.

That message of inferiority means Black and Brown students likely see, hear, and feel the impact more than their peers.

“That is unfortunate because we live in a society where Black and Brown students already have to deal with overt racism, they already have to deal with politicians talking about their native country, and they deal with all of the cynical types of politics that we see,” Ingram says.

NCTE launched a campaign in May 2022 called This Story Matters to help fight the ongoing censorship because it says something “very dramatic and very troubling” about the storylines that are being banned, Kirkpatrick says.

“When students identify with a storyline or a character, the ultimate message that has been communicated is that you don’t matter,” Kirkpatrick says.

When students identify with a storyline or a character, the ultimate message that has been communicated is that you don’t matter
EMILY KIRKPATRICK, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS OF ENGLISH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

McDaniel echoes what Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, the “mother” of multicultural children’s literature, wrote in 1990.

“Books are sometimes windows, offering views of worlds that may be real or imagined, familiar or strange,” Sims Bishop wrote. “These windows are also sliding glass doors, and readers have only to walk through in imagination to become part of whatever world has been created and recreated by the author. When lighting conditions are just right, however, a window can also be a mirror. Literature transforms human experience and reflects it back to us, and in that reflection, we can see our own lives and experiences as part of the larger human experience.”

“For anybody, especially people who don’t always have opportunities to explore beyond what they experience, books provide those windows,” McDaniel says, “just like they provide the mirrors and the sliding glass doors that Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop taught us about when it comes to these conversations.”

And having politicians in the classroom telling teachers what they can teach and which books are acceptable has dangerous consequences. This is why AFT is giving out books and helping to open more libraries to give students “the entire spectrum of education … so that they can be better stewards of society.”

“When we attack our public schools and our classrooms,” Ingram says, “then this is going to jeopardize what we know as democracy for years to come.”

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The Thing I Love About Baltimore Revisited

Rev. Dorothy Boulware — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 22:10:00 +0000

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware, AFRO Managing Editor,
Dorothy@Afro.com

How fortuitous to be reviewing the AFRO book, The Thing I Love About Baltimore, at the eve of our 130th anniversary; seeing it was created to celebrate our 126^th anniversary.

So much was going on that year, so much being criticized and celebrated, so much being denigrated and . It was unbelievable that just before its release — as if timed to be a marketing gift — the then-president denigrated the city and its Congressional Representative, the late Elijah Cummings, who had consented to write the book’s foreword.

The smack back had already been created, and we resounded with the voice of many, The Thing I Love About Baltimore.

Rep. Cummings said he couldn’t possibly have refused the AFRO’s request.

“All too often, the press reports events and decisions in our lives that are difficult, dangerous and shocking. In contrast, the AFRO decided to reach out to the people of Baltimore and ask us to tell our neighbors and the world what we love most about our home town,” he said.

“Baltimore is a complex city and community that exemplifies all that is both good and troubling about our country. As such, we are a living, breathing window into the heart and soul of America as we live through an historic time. It is no accident, therefore, that Baltimore has always been, and remains, at the center of our nation’s continuing struggle for civil and human rights.”

AFRO Publisher, Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper is a lifelong resident who attended public schools and sent her to them as well.

“Things were different then, you might say. True, Yet, I still have a long list of things I love about Baltimore. At the top of my list, are the people who live here; the people who take pride in their neighborhoods; the people who support the Orioles and the Ravens no matter what; the hard-working people who go to work every day to support their families; the resilient, remarkable people of Baltimore who have the faith to believe in Baltimore’s future as a viable, vibrant city.”

The late Baltimore singer, Brenda Alford, called the city “a sister I miss so much till it aches when I’ve been away too long and that special teacher…who taught me to live, love laugh, work, pray and navigate a multitude of settings and situations.” She said it is “a solid old house with good bones.”

She actually wrote a song about Baltimore and shared it at the book’s launch.

“I’ve been on the road too long. Too many nights away from home.

Last night I spent the night in Baltimore and woke up feeling better than I’ve every felt before. The rhythm of the city was dancing in my feet. I knew I had to get there, and you’d be there to greet me.”

With more poetry, KYAIR Butts, 2019 Teacher of the Year, said, “At the corner of destiny and faith you’ll meet the Baltimore I love. Baltimore is a city that has historically presented people two choices much like life: love or fear: the path you choose determines how you’ll ultimately come to like or love Baltimore.” While not a native Baltimorean, he called his chapter a “note of love to the city that took me in and allows me to present my best self to others each and every day.”

And his first statement, “I love that Baltimore dares to risk being seen in all of its glory. Take a minute and stand at the corner of North Avenue and Howard and you can hear the low hum of beauty personified.”

He said, “I love the potential that today offers and tomorrow promises. I love that this city has seen all and weathered all to come back stronger.”

The Thing I Love About Baltimore is on sale on Amazon.com.

For Ladonna Speaks, it’s Port Discovery where she plays heartily and has fun with her cousins.

For Shakeem Blake, it’s the food. “It’s the best! I like eating it and the smell of the grease because it’s different than any other chicken in the world. I loved it the first day I tasted it. It is “delishous,” mmm. That was the tastiest day ever.” Shakeem must have met a chicken box!

For Haiven Spence, it was the Aquarium; “when I first saw it, it felt like victory. What I love about it is all the beautiful seas animals,” and her favorite part is the touching station.

These are three of the six young authors who, at the time were in Ms. Shannon Brown’s third grade class at Robert W. Coleman Elementary School

The Park Heights girl and one of the 11 Foremans, MESHELLE the Comedienne said she wished there had been only one thing she loved about Baltimore. She said her bird’s eye view of the two worlds she would come to know and navigate fluidly. “I knew the Preakness was something special, but had no clue it was a national, yet international phenomenon, a jewel in the Triple Crown no doubt. All I knew, is that a ton of fancy dressed ‘’White folks’ would pay top dollar to park in our backyard.”

What she learned from the two starkly different cities: “how to feel comfortable in my own skin, no matter where my life’s journey would take me. While there are some moments I now look back on and realize there were plenty of inappropriate racial undertones and blatant stereotypes laced in inequities, there are so many moments of pure childhood bliss. So much that I endeavored to give my three children as much of my Baltimore as possible.”

We are denizens of a mid–sized southern “town” that often imagines itself as a big northern city. This dynamic and world view has created some unique and distinctive traits that persist to today. We’re very parochial- it takes a long time for “outsiders” to be drawn to our bosom to a place of trust. High school affiliation far outweighs what college or university you attended. What neighborhood you claim as home is more important than your socio-economic status. And yes, what side of town you claim as yours is to this day a matter of acceptance in some circles.

This was the perspective of the late Bishop Douglas I. Miles, pastor, teacher and former AFRO columnist.

“I love the resiliency of Baltimoreans in the face of tremendous odds that dare us to move from what we are to what we can be, what it should be and what it must become. I see it in faith institutions that could have exited the city but chose to stay to serve underserved communities and to give resources to move us forward. I see it in business leaders who continue to invest in themselves and the other institutions that keep this city alive and vibrant. I see it in educators who could move to other jurisdictions facing fewer challenges, yet come to work day after day believing in their students even when the system sometimes fails them.”

There is much to love about Baltimore, despite its flaws: the signature marble steps, form stone fronts and up high cornices; snowballs, the lighting of the Washington Monument, the singing of the Morgan State choir, lacrosse teams, Arabbers, barber shops and beauty parlor chatter, lake trout, chicken boxes, the AFRO American Newspaper and the Reginald Lewis and the Great Blacks in Wax museums. We love Mother Mary Lange and the Oblate Sisters of Providence founded in Baltimore. There are many highly favored churches, synagogues and mosques. And consistently there is the annual New Year’s Eve Interfaith Service the Jesuits host at St. Ignatius Church.

Ralph and Dana Peterson Moore

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Recent and recommended books on Black homeownership

Lee Ross — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 23:22:26 +0000

By Lee Ross,
Washington Informer

Preventing Home Accidents: A Quick and Easy Guide

by Dan Hannan

Contrary to the perception that the home is a safe environment, a person is 10 times more likely to sustain a serious injury or die at home as a result of an accident than in the course of their employment. This book will help homeowners combat those odds by providing information adapted from proven techniques used by safety professionals. Filled with anecdotal descriptions and examples, the book offers much more than “safety tips” as it educates the homeowner on how to control risk through hazard identification. Information is concisely organized, uniformly formatted, and supported by high-quality images. Chapter topics include fall hazards (roofs, ladders, stairs, etc.), electrical safety, fire prevention, hand and power tool safety, emergency planning, and others.

Being Safe at Home

by Susan Kesselring

Presents tips for being safe around the house, including picking up toys when finished playing, only putting cords into sockets, and what to do when a smoke detector goes off. Did you know only cords should be plugged into wall sockets? If toys or other objects are stuck into wall sockets, you could get a dangerous electric shock. Find out more about how to be safe around the house in Safety at Home, part of the ‘Safety First’ series. This is an AV2 media-enhanced book. A unique book code printed on page 2 unlocks multimedia content. This book comes alive with video, audio, weblinks, slideshows, activities, hands-on experiments, and much more.

Your First Defense for Home Fire Safety

by Captain Harry Fast

Imagine If a fire started in your living room at 3:00 AM, would everyone in the home be alerted by a smoke alarm? Would they know what to do? Would they be able to safely escape from the home and know where to meet outside at a predetermined place of refuges, such as the sidewalk in front of your house or a neighbor’s driveway? This book will teach you how to answer, “Yes” to all of the above. You will look at home fire safety in a whole new way. You will understand the four P’s: – Prevention – Protection – Planning – Practice You will create your Action Plan.

First Aid and Safety for Dummies

by Charles B. Inlander, Janet Worsley Norwood, The People’s Medical Society

The key to emergency response is preparedness. First comes prevention; knowing how to stop emergencies before they happen. Yet if sudden injury or illness occurs, knowing what to do can make the difference between a mild emergency and a serious one, or even between life and death. When you don’t know, panic usually results; now you’re part of the problem. But don’t fret; the information you need to be the first step in the solution – basic first aid and safety skills – is relatively simple and easy to learn. First Aid and Safety For Dummies gives you the tools you need to save a life from performing CPR correctly to accident-proofing your home.

The Home Security Handbook: Expert Advice for Keeping Safe at Home (And Away)

by Lynne Finch

Author Lynne Finch takes a comprehensive look at ways to improve your family’s immediate safety and methods for protecting them in the future. Finch covers a wide range of topics from temporary ways renters can make their home secure, to more permanent changes an owner can make. As well as travel tips for domestic and international travel, with suggestions as simple as how to use your luggage tags to not only make your bag distinct but to be more security conscious. Through interviews with Law Enforcement officers, Finch provides advice on how to handle various social interactions that keeps you from becoming a victim.

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Library of Congress National Book Festival highlights Black authors

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 21:01:00 +0000

By Samuel Williams, Jr., Special to the AFRO
and Deborah Bailey, Contributing Editor
dbailey@afro.com

Black authors were featured front and center at the first in-person National Book Festival held by the Library of Congress since Labor Day weekend in 2019.

The award-winning festival, which started as a pet project by former first lady and librarian Laura Bush in 2001, has become the nation’s premier meeting ground for bibliophiles of every age and background.

Kwame Alexander took to the kids’ stage to preview his new children’s book, “The Door of No Return.” Author Derick Barnes also read his lively new children’s book, “The Queen of Kindergarten,” written with Vanessa Brantley-Newton. Activist and author Ruby Bridges was on-hand to debut her novel, “I am Ruby Bridges.” The book article details the historic day in 1960 when she attended an all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana.

In all, more than 50 Black authors, illustrators, and other creatives connected with the audience members filling D.C.’s Walter E. Washington Convention Center. There, they were doing what book lovers do – talking about books!

Author and academician Tomiko Brown-Nagin was one of several Black main-stage authors prominently featured at this year’s National Book Festival. Brown-Nagin brought to life the story of female attorney Constance Baker Motley to an audience of thousands, through her talk this past week.

Motley, although well known in Washington, D.C., made remarkable strides for the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. To be “under the radar,” nationally, was how she preferred to operate, said Brown-Nagin.

Brown-Nagin said that “Civil Rights Queen” is a tribute to a woman whose life needs to be more widely known in this generation.

“This nuanced biography of Constance Baker Motley examines the paradoxes in the remarkable life of a ‘first.’ She was the first Black woman elected to the New York State Senate, the first female Manhattan borough president, and the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary.”

Baker Motley was a leading lawyer for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Motley was also the first Black woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court, and one of the women who helped shape the civil rights movement. Between 1982 and 1986, Motley served as chief judge where she served thereafter as Senior Judge until her death in September 2005.

Brown-Nagin, dean of Harvard Radcliffe Institute, the Daniel P.S. Paul Professor of Constitutional Law at Harvard Law School, and a professor of history at Harvard University, sought to bring the story of a woman whose life and work opened doors.

“The sacrifices Baker-Motley made both professionally and in her personal life are not publicly known,” said Brown-Nagin, whose book examines the life and story of a Black woman who changed lives for many other women of color.

Brown-Nagin said that Motley was “reserved, eloquent and graceful.”

“She was a close associate of Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall and he assigned Baker-Motley to the famed James Meredith case,” Brown-Nagin said.

“Marshall was not going down to Mississippi to deal with the extreme racism, but Motley took the case. She and Medgar Evans faced incredible racist intimidation as they traveled to various court hearings,” Brown-Nagin told the audience.

Also featured at the National Book Festival’s main stage was actress, lyricist, and author, Janelle Monae, who read from her recently published short stories from “The Memory Librarian.” The short story was a compilation of science fiction (sci-fi), written in collaboration with Yohanca Delgado, Eve L. Ewing, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Danny Lore, and Sheree Renée Thomas.

When asked why she chose science fiction fantasy as her first choice to start her publishing work, Monae responded, “I grew up reading lots of sci-fi books and watching sci-fi films. Goosebumps was the first book that inspired me,” Monet said.

“I’ve always had a thirst for that genre where you can say anything, do anything. We get to decide who we are. I like world building and I felt like sci-fi allowed me to go beyond the binary,” Monae continued.

Actor Channie Waites dramatized the reading of “If Beale Street Could Talk.” As veteran music journalist and first Black editor of Billboard Magazine, Danyel Smith told the stories of the little-known Black women who created America’s music scene over the past three decades, detailed in her book “Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop.”

You can catch taped sessions of this year’s National Book Festival, and find a whole world of great books at loc.gov.

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‘Street librarian’ aims to bring Baltimore kids more books

Associated Press — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:40:43 +0000

By Aaron Wright,
The Baltimore Banner via The Associated Press

Araba Maze noticed neighborhood kids gathering around her as she read children’s books to her niece on her front stoop. As she wrapped up storytelling, one of the kids asked, “When are you gonna do this again?”

She later made it an everyday occurrence to have storytime readings with the neighborhood kids, and eventually became a librarian.

But she noticed that things felt different on the job: “After I was a librarian, I realized that I wasn’t reaching those same kids in my neighborhood inside the library.”

Maze took to the streets, becoming a “Radical Street Librarian” and the creator of The Storybook Maze Project, an organization that’s working to provide children’s books via community bookshelves, free pop-up book stands and book-vending machines to Baltimore neighborhoods classified as “book deserts.” Maze is one of many people and organizations trying to bring more equity to Baltimore in the form of diverse and relatable books to children and students in need of a read.

The group Unite for Literacy coined the term “book desert” to describe a geographic area where print books and other reading materials are hard to obtain. They are usually located in areas of high poverty and income inequality. The lack of books in a child’s reading development can negatively affect one’s vocabulary and ability to recognize words.

Baltimore City has a lot of book deserts, according to a global book desert map that Unite For Literacy made. The map shows the estimated percentage of homes with more than 100 books in areas of the city — and for the vast majority of East and West Baltimore, that figure is in the single digits. It also shows higher figures in some North Baltimore neighborhoods — for example, there’s an estimated 79% of homes that meet that criteria in Roland Park.

“We have in our communities, areas where there is a lack of resources to kids becoming lifelong readers,” said Mike McGuffee, CEO of Unite for Literacy.

A bevy of Little Free Libraries, bookstores and the Enoch Pratt Free Library system are working in tandem to address that gap.

“The map was trying to make the problem visible so that community organizations say, ‘I want to focus on this,’ and look at the map and you can pretty much guess where to do the equity work,” McGuffee said.

The map shows a significant difference in book access for those living in the “Black Butterfly” neighborhoods across the west and east sides of the city and the “White L” communities that run down the center and across the bottom of the city. Those in the “butterfly” are estimated to have less access to books at home, while those in the “L” are estimated to have more.

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that in 2019, about half of eighth-graders in Baltimore public schools scored below the basic level for reading. However, McGuffee suggested that part of the reason why reading scores are low is because nominal improvement in scores was prioritized over building regular reading habits.

“Sometimes I think we’re a little misguided about what we’re (moving) towards: grade-level proficiency, everybody’s reading level, that sort of thing,” McGuffee said. “What we really need to be talking about is ‘What do we want for our kids?’ And we want them to be lifelong readers.”

There are resources to do so in Baltimore, but each comes with its own constraints, from content to accessibility.

One way to increase access to books at no cost is through the Enoch Pratt Free Library system, which was founded in 1882, and has since grown into a network with 22 branches located all over the city.

Meghan McCorkell, the marketing and communications chief for the Pratt system, said that for as long as it’s been around, the library system has been one of the most trusted institutions in the city, with services that fit the needs of the community.

“I always laugh and say if there’s a community problem, even if it’s very far outside the bounds of a library, people always are like ‘Well, the Pratt can solve it,'” McCorkell said. “We actually had people in the pandemic say that they knew it was a real issue when the Pratt library closed … ’cause they trusted us so much that if we made the decision to close, then they knew (COVID-19) must be a real issue.”

Aside from offering books for checkout, the Pratt system has bookmobiles and a mobile job center that travel to neighborhoods to serve those who might not have the time or resources to visit their nearest library.

Maze believes that her efforts to provide free books to kids complement Pratt’s efforts.

“The library can’t do everything, so (Storybook Maze) is here to support them in that,” Maze said.

Kate Khatib, a worker-owner of a bookstore called Red Emma’s, said opening and maintaining bookstores in general is difficult because of a lack of resources for small business development in Baltimore City. This is particularly a problem in East and West Baltimore, she said.

“It’s especially hard, I think, trying to open a business outside of the immediate geographic center of the city because there are even (fewer) resources — even less support,” Khatib said.

It can be a challenge for a bookstore to succeed in lower-income communities, she said.

“If you’re opening a bookstore, sustaining a bookstore in an area that’s economically marginalized, if your client base is people that don’t have a lot of money, you’re struggling to figure out how to meet the needs of your community while also making enough money,” Khatib said.

Red Emma’s and other bookstores, such as Urban Reads Bookstore, manage to do so by having a dining and café component to keep the doors open and provide a community space for author talks and events.

“There are bookstores that exist to sell books and then there are bookstores that exist to create community,” Khatib said.

Khatib hopes to see all of Baltimore’s bookstores work together to help get kids the books they want to read.

“I would love to see and invite my fellow book sellers to think about how we can collaborate to address that,” Khatib said. “Between all of us … it’s our job to put those resources to work for the community.”

The Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that’s widely known for its mini-libraries on a post. What makes them great for getting books into people’s hands is that anyone can get a book from a number of these libraries for free, hence the title.

Maze is admittedly a huge fan of the Little Free Library initiative but acknowledged that there are challenges to setting up a library in a community, including cost and contents. For example, the cheapest Little Free Library kit starts at $169.95.

“It depends on the community to fund the initial building of it, have a property that it can stay on and keep it filled,” Maze said. “That’s why sometimes you tend to see them in more affluent areas, because those people can afford to build one, they own the property.”

This can be seen on the Little Free Library World Map. While there are Little Free Libraries all over Baltimore, there’s a higher concentration down the middle of the city and in North Baltimore and fewer in East and West Baltimore.

Storybook Maze has contacted an organization about helping to supply a steady supply of relatable children’s books to a Little Free Library. In addition, anyone with children’s books can donate them to a Little Free Library.

In addition, The Book Thing of Baltimore gives away free books once a month on the weekends, and are also accepting book donations.

One of the ways that Maze is thinking about getting children’s books to as many kids as possible is using vending machines to dispense free books instead of snacks. She plans to place these vending machines at high-traffic areas, including laundromats, general markets, hospitals and more.

Maze hopes that by reaching out to community leaders and organizations, she can eventually schedule and set up more free pop-up book stands like the one she initially established with Tendea Family, an organization that works to support Black communities in Baltimore. With every pop-up book stand, she uses her knowledge as a librarian to curate books to meet the community’s needs.

One thing that Maze, McGuffee, and Khatib agree on is that the books that kids should get reflect their experiences and identity, and that kids deserve to see themselves in all types of media.

“It really engages (kids) more when they can see themselves in the books or in the media that they’re consuming,” Maze said.

Khatib said that when she grew up as a brown girl in Kentucky along the Bible Belt, she experienced an information and representation desert because the reading material was mostly white- and Christian- centered.

“I was constantly looking and seeking, trying to find, ‘Is there anybody in any books that looks like me…that has an experience similar to mine?'” Khatib said. “When we set out to start Red Emma’s, it was not just me … there were other people who had similar experiences.”

McGuffee believes that if kids of all backgrounds are properly represented in children’s books, a greater number will become lifelong readers and develop the skills that come with that.

“Kids need to see themselves in books, and they need to see other kids that look like them are avid readers,” McGuffee said. “They need to see authors that look like them, represent them, all of that.”

Maze’s typical workday involves reaching out to local businesses seeking a permanent spot for her vending machines, and doing more outreach with pop-up bookstands during community events. She believes it’s worthwhile work.

“When I was reading one day on the stoop, I opened the page and the little girl stopped me from turning the page. She was just staring at an image of herself: that book also had a little Black girl living, and she was just transfixed,” Maze said. “That really affirmed for me that I’m doing important work.”

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Late Comedían Bernie Mac honored in novel

Nadia Reese — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 20:38:44 +0000

By Nadia Reese,
AFRO Editorial Assistant
nreese@afro.com

This year, comedian and actor Bernie Mac was honored in a daily motivational novel entitled, “I Don’t Care If You Like Me, I Like Me.” The book was created and released on May 24 by his wife, Rhonda R. McCullough, his personal publicist, Denise Jordan Walker and author and screenwriter, Melinda K. Bryce.

Bernie Mac, who died on Aug. 9, 2008, was a popular comedian. Mac was well known for his films and television shows such as “The Bernie Mac Show”, “The Original Kings of Comedy” and “Soul Men.”

Before fame, Mac lived in Chicago where he met McCullough at the age of 16.

“He was a very charismatic young man, very funny, loved music, and he just had a very nice personality,” McCullough told the AFRO. “I think that endeared him to me. He was pretty much the same person at home as he was on stage. What you saw was what you got, there was always laughter at home and he was a big practical joker.”

At 8 years old, Mac began doing stand up performances for his grandparent’s church in Chicago.

He would later do his first professional act at 19 years old at the Regal Theater in Chicago before joining the comedy club circuit in 1977. Mac did all of this while working various jobs such as a delivery truck driver.

“Bernie always delivered,” Walker said. “(Bernie Mac and I) would be at an event and he would say “I want y’all to know what I got going on, I got some TV vessels coming up.””

“I Don’t Care If You Like Me, I Like Me” is a motivational novel based on the experiences of the actor Bernie Mac who died at the age of 51.

Today, Mac’s team has done more to keep his legacy alive and to show what he has done to inspire more comedians throughout the community. Such as creating the Bernie Mac Foundation, a non-profit organization which helps to raise awareness of Sarcoidosis, a disease which weakens the lungs and what killed Mac.

“We have a Tiktok, an Instagram and a Facebook account called “Bernie Mac is Back” and on Facebook and some of those younger generations don’t realize that he’s gone,” Bryce said. “It’s kind of fun because they are interacting with these platforms and it’s like we are keeping him here for those younger generations.”

Though, this isn’t the only way Mac’s team is keeping his story alive. The novel, “I Don’t Care If You Like Me, I Like Me” is also sold as an audiobook voiced by comedian Reggie Reg.

“Reggie Reg is a local comedian from Chicago and not only is he a comedian, he does great impersonations,” McCullough said. “He is spot on with Bernie’s voice, so we just figured there couldn’t be anybody else that could do it.”

“Bernie was very prophetic. He could speak a word and it would come true. He just knew and felt things that most of us wouldn’t even think about or think would come to pass, but he always knew,” she said. “I want you to know that when you listen to the audiobook or if you buy the book, that you will know that he was very prophetic and he spoke from his heart.”

Readers who are interested in purchasing “I Don’t Care If You Like Me, I Like Me” can find it on Audible, the Kindle Store, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Google Play Books.

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PRESS ROOM: Autism influencer Jeremiah Josey releases a new book about his experience as a Black man with autism

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 21:42:00 +0000

By NNPA NEWSWIRE

An important addition to autism literature and a much-needed voice for autistic people of color.

(NNPA NEWSWIRE) — Autism influencer Jeremiah Josey’s new book, “Here’s What I Want You to Know 2,” brings the autistic perspective to the BLM movement with heart and passion. In simple and powerful terms, Jeremiah opens up about his experiences as a Black man with autism and recounts his racial awakening, when he was profiled by police in an airport while comforting a young white woman who had missed her flight.

Jeremiah writes that he is afraid that he might not understand police commands; that it is crucial to fight for what you believe in; and that resiliency and advocacy are your power. His story sheds light on the unique challenges autistic people of color face, while showing that anything is possible if you have the courage to pursue your dreams.

Jeremiah Josey is quickly becoming the face of autistic young adulthood. At just 22, he is already a baker, model, author, and motivational speaker. Undefeated by autism, he has cooked alongside a wide range of talented chefs, appeared on Steve Harvey’s show “Steve,” walked the runway at New York Fashion Week, and starred in print campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and Kohl’s adaptive lines. Jeremiah was chosen as one of the top 14 autism influencers on social media by The Mighty community and was named a 2020 Flutie Fellow, sponsored by the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism. Jeremiah has big dreams, and he’s inspiring others with autism to feel ambitious, talented, and confident along the way.

“When I first met Jeremiah Josey, I was instantly struck by his passion and drive… Jeremiah has shown incredible courage, inspiring others so that they too can be fearless in speaking up.” – Tommy Hilfiger

“Jeremiah has always been a beacon of hope. Hope that our future will be brighter than our present.” – Chef Kwame Onwuachi

“Here’s What I Want You to Know 2,” is available now at Amazon.com, AAPC Publishing, and all major retailers.

About AAPC Publishing

For over two decades, AAPC Publishing has been committed to helping people with autism spectrum disorder lead fulfilling and successful lives. We offer a variety of resources to support individuals, families, and professionals. Our goal is to educate, empower, and inspire others to reach their unlimited potential.

We strive to produce educational resources that helps create a more inclusive environment where neurodiverse individuals can thrive in any setting including schools, employment settings, and social interactions.

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#WordinBlack: It’s back-to-school time. Here’s what teachers need

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 19:14:35 +0000

By Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

This time of year, social media feeds are flooded with teachers posting lists of supplies they need for their classrooms and asking for the public’s help to ensure students have everything from art supplies and calculators to books and reading bean bags. #ClearTheList, as the hashtag goes, along with social media posts to fund their DonorsChoose projects.

Like with medical bills, these back-to-school campaigns are another form of crowdsourcing in American society. Teachers, who are already underpaid, take to crowdsourcing to ensure they’re providing students the best and most effective educational experience they can. They inevitably front many out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year — the average rising to $750 per year in 2021 — so these summer wishlists help them get started.

In fact, it’s such a commonplace thing in our society now that Abbott Elementary — the blockbuster ABC show about teachers at an underfunded school in Philadelphia — did a whole episode about it.

After a few turbulent years of virtual and hybrid classes, schools are in-person again for the 2022-2023 school year, and teachers’ classroom needs have changed. After returning to the classroom in 2021, Richmond-area elementary school teacher Demetria Richardson realized some students hadn’t picked up pencils the entire time they were away.

“When we came back into the classroom 21/22, the needs were very different because our students had that year-and-a-half gap where they were not in school,” Richardson said. “Even though we did do virtual learning, it wasn’t everything that our students needed.”

Who’s helping teachers?

DonorsChoose, an organization that gives teachers a platform to post their classroom needs for anyone to find and fund, has seen an uptick in teachers, schools, and districts using the space since the pandemic. Launched in early 2000, it now has over 700,000 teachers in its database, and four out of five public schools across the country have had a teacher make a request through DonorsChoose, said Kristina “Steen” Joye Lyles, the vice president of Equity & Impact. Plus, six states have partnered with DonorsChoose to make sure their teachers get what they need.

In fact, Joye Lyles said she’s seen trends in people rallying around teachers and their needs — especially for teachers of color. There’s even a page called #blacklistcleared that specifically aggregates Black educators’ projects that need funding.

“We’re seeing on our site additional support for teachers of color, their classroom projects, additional support for classrooms that are equity-focused,” Joye Lyles said. “Folks are really thinking about how you rally around getting more resources into classrooms this year.”

Classroom Basics and Flexible Seating Saw Increased Requests

So what are teachers requesting as they head back to the classroom this fall?

DonorsChoose works with schools and districts nationwide, classifying them as “equity focus” and “non-equity focus.” It defines equity focus schools as those with at least 50 percent of the student body being Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, or multiracial, and at least 50 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

In both equity-focus and non-equity focus schools, the early grades make up most of the DonorsChoose requests, regardless of whether the schools are classified as suburban or urban.

However, there was a 47 percent increase in requests from equity focus schools in 2021/2022 compared to the previous school year and a 38 percent increase in requests from non-equity focus schools.

In the non-equity focus schools, computers and tablets and flexible seating have been among the top five requested items going back to the 2018/2019 school year. For both school classifications, books, educational kits, and instructional technology — things like printers, computer accessories, and cameras — were the top three requested items in both the 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 school years.

At equity focus schools, computers and tablets were among the top four most requested items for three of the last four school years. Interestingly, in 2021/2022, computers and tablets fell very far down the list, and classroom basics and flexible seating rose to the top five.

This is because, when schools shut down, government funding allowed schools to purchase devices for their students to be able to learn from home, Richardson said. So, while computers and tablets were high in demand prior to the pandemic, they’re now “one-to-one” in most school systems.

In terms of classroom basics, Richardson said some of the need is replenishing supplies sent home with students for virtual learning, like rulers and whiteboards. And, at least in her school, students aren’t allowed to share supplies, like pencils and scissors, meaning more must be available. But the biggest need is headphones, which were supplied to students to help with learning from home.

But, now more than ever, teachers are looking for opportunities to get their students back in the classroom, Lyles said. And it’s critical for teachers to create an environment that students want to be in.

New Classroom Environments

Classrooms are changing to better accommodate students’ needs and be more inclusive learning environments. This is where flexible seating comes in, taking the form of wobble stools, rugs with beanbag chairs, and lap desks. These allow students to more freely move around the classroom whether it’s due to social/emotional trauma or hyperactivity.

Especially after years of virtual schooling, it can be challenging for students to go back into an environment and deal with the wiggles and wanting to move around in different ways. So the increase in flexible seating, Lyles said, could be evidence of teachers being mindful of their students.

“More teachers are realizing that we have to take care of and understand the needs of the child in order to educate the child,” Richardson said. “Whether it’s anxiety or whether they don’t want to be around their peers because they’re having trouble reading the passage, it’s giving them the option to move around the classroom, to sit in a different space to feel comfortable so that they can handle that anxiety but continue to teach them.”

Along with classroom designs and student needs, “one of the things we know” is that the education system is “forever changing,” Richardson said.

“We want it to continue to change, but we want it to change for the better of our students,” Richardson said. “We know that we’re a global society, and we want our students to be ready for what comes next.”

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#WordinBlack: Here’s why Black kids need Black books

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 18:57:01 +0000

By Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

While browsing the gift shop at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, librarian Kathy Lester watched a young Black girl grab a book and run up to her parents. Holding it up to them, the girl told them she’d read it at school, and it was one of her favorite books.

It was Grace Byers’ “I Am Enough,” which features a Black girl rocking her big, natural curls on the cover. Hearing kids speak like that shows there’s a connection, Lester said.

“If it doesn’t feel like the books reflect them, they pull away from it, like, ‘That doesn’t have anything to do with me,’” said Lester, who is also the president of the American Association of School Librarians. “Where, if they see themselves or find connections of themselves and books, then that helps inspire them to engage more and read more.”

In a 2009 TED Talk that’s been viewed 31 million times, Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talked about the danger of a single story. When children don’t regularly see an accurate representation of themselves, it “sends them a powerful and harmful message that they do not belong,” explained Katie Potter, senior literacy manager at Lee and Low Books, a New York City-based publisher that’s been publishing diverse children’s books for the past 30 years.

“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are inauthentic or negative, they learn a powerful lesson of how they are perceived in the world,” Potter said. “If readers cannot find characters who look like them and experience life in ways that they can relate to in the books they read, they can feel alone and isolated, all negatively impacting their academic engagement.

The number of children’s books by and about Black people has been steadily rising since 2018 when the Cooperative Children’s Book Center out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison started keeping a record. The rate was 17 percent in 2018, growing to 22 percent in 2021.

With the exception of Black authors, all diverse authors saw sizable drops in books published in 2020, followed by large increases in 2021. Plus, it can take years for a book to be published, so any progress made in 2020 or the following years might not be seen until 2022 or 2023, according to ABC News.

“The publishing industry still has a great deal of progress to make concerning the representation of Black children and protagonists in books,” Potter said.

Students who see themselves reflected in the books they’re reading are typically more engaged and curious about different things they can learn from a book, said Derrick Ramsey, co-founder of Young, Black and Lit, a Chicago-area nonprofit focused on increasing access to children’s books that center, reflect, and affirm the experiences of Black children. It’s important to see “the joys of life and the experiences of Black culture” in books, Ramsey said. It allows them to see things society might be telling them they can’t, Gage said.

“It makes them feel empowered and makes them feel like I can do this, too,” said Rochelle Levy-Christopher, founder and CEO of The Black Literacy and Arts Collaborative Project, highlighting the importance of cultural relevance. “If the story is based on things that we know about, that we’re familiar with … we get really excited because we don’t have that representation. So when we do, it’s that much more impactful.”

Nearly all diverse authors saw a dip in books published in 2020, followed by significant increases in 2021.

Lester echoes that, saying students need to “see themselves in books… and then be able to step in other people’s shoes” to help with a sense of belonging. But, especially for Black students, it’s not just about being represented in history-adjacent books but also in realistic fiction, fantasy, and graphic novels.

“Black children have the right to be in a world that includes them,” Potter said. “When Black children are exposed to and regularly engaged with texts that center Black protagonists and are written and illustrated by Black authors, they are validated, affirmed, and shown that they matter.”

Both The BLAC Project and Young, Black and Lit are working to make these books more available to children.

At The BLAC Project, giving away free books is only the beginning. They curate books based on every kid’s specific interests to make sure they’re getting things that will engage them. But the organization also runs programs and events to provide mentors and resources to help create a more equitable starting point between BIPOC communities and their White peers.

“We provide different types of literacy activities that don’t seem educational, but they are,” Levy-Christopher said. “They’re interactive, and they help bolster and improve literacy levels through different mediums in which the core focus is literacy comprehension.”

Young, Black and Lit also makes sure to get books out into communities that need them. As part of their donation program, they’re currently distributing 1,500 books every month to around 200 organizations across the country. One of their partners is Chance & Bri’s Books & Breakfast, featuring Chance the Rapper, which brings programs and giveaways to Chicago neighborhoods.

These organizations provide vital resources, especially during the summer months when it may be harder for students to access books.

“Although reading might be the last thing that children want to think about during the summer,” Potter said, “summer reading is important to keep their minds activated and on track for the start of the next school year.”

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Cherry Hill honors native Leon Bailey, the man who integrated Navy wrestling

Nicole Batey Special to the AFRO — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 01:03:46 +0000

By Nicole D. Batey,
Special to the AFRO

Leon Bailey, a trailblazer in U.S. Navy Wrestling, was the first African American to integrate Navy wrestling and win an individual title at the AAU New England Six-State Championship in 1964. His life story and accomplishments are shared in his self-published book, Leon Bailey: The Dream.

Born in May 1943 in Baltimore City, Bailey came from humble beginnings.

He was raised in Cherry Hill, which at that time was a new housing development for mainly Black families and veterans returning from World War II. Segregation and redlining were prominent in the city. Bailey lived in South Baltimore with his three other siblings, Lorraine, Carl, and George, and his mom, Mildred Toms, who was a single mother and domestic worker. Bailey describes old Cherry Hill as a beautiful place to live where neighbors helped and looked out for each other.

“Cherry Hill was so nice. I had so many friends and we would just go from court to court, street to street. There were so many trees there—cherry, apple. It was just beautiful,” says Bailey.

Bailey and his family left Cherry Hill in 1955 when he was 12 and moved further east in the city after his mother became the manager– and eventual owner– of a bar and restaurant there.

Not far from where he lived, Bailey was introduced to the world of wrestling at the McKim Community Center, joining its first wrestling team. Due to segregation, he could only go on Tuesdays and Thursdays, when other Black residents were allowed.

“The center started a wrestling team in 1955. I was a short, stocky guy with a muscular build who liked to play with weights and speed bags. I wrestled there from time I was 12 until I attended high school,” said Bailey.

He continued with his love for wrestling at Carver High School, playing on both junior varsity and varsity teams. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Navy in pursuit of his dream to either box or wrestle on behalf of his country. However, Bailey’s dream was deferred for almost a year and a half. Upon completion of basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in North Chicago, he was assigned to Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., working what he describes as unfulfilling jobs. He longed to be in combative sports.

“That time was really disappointing because I didn’t really have any interest in becoming an officer. All I wanted to do was wrestle or box,” said Bailey.

He was then transferred and assigned to the USS Essex aircraft carrier stationed in Rhode Island, however, the carrier was on tour in the Mediterranean, so he stayed at the Transit Barracks at Quonset Point Naval Air Station. There, he met Commander Josiah Henson, a former U.S. Naval Academy wrestler and 1952 Olympian, who was starting a wrestling team. One fateful day while sweeping in the gym, Bailey saw a sign saying, “Wrestlers Needed” and reported to the designated location after work.

Bailey joined the team in 1963 and was the only African-American on the team for almost two years. His team wrestled against colleges and universities in the New England area including Boston, Brown, and Harvard, and every opponent Bailey faced was white. In 1964, he became the first African-American to win a title at the AAU New England Six-State championship, which held more than 100 entrants. In 1965, Bailey became the first African-American to coach a U.S. Navy wrestling team, after Henson was promoted to a new assignment.

What is impressive, is how he won the championship in spite of a severe knee injury that sent him to the emergency room after the tournament.

“I didn’t want to come in second place nor did I want my team to get a lower point number. I wanted to wrestle the match, hurt or not. When the whistle blew, before I knew it, it was all over with. That was one of my fastest pins that day—maybe because I was hurt,” recalls Bailey. “Being in the moment, after I pinned him, when the ref held my hand up, what came to my mind was all the stuff I had to go through—the pain, the practice, being the only Black [man] on that team and winning that championship for the U.S. Navy. That was the moment I thought about all the stuff I had to go through from Cherry Hill and on, dealing with segregation and bigotry. I hold my [head] up! Nobody can take that away from me!”

Bailey’s idea for penning his life’s story didn’t come until some time after he left the Navy. He wrote it as part of his legacy for his children and grandchildren, as well as inspiration for others who have their own dreams.

“This not my story, it’s God’s story—He gave it to me. I was sitting in my basement and looking at my shelf with all my awards, certificates, and everything, and I started crying,” said Bailey. “It makes me a little emotional even now. God told me to tell other people ‘do not give up on your dreams.’ Also, we all have a story to tell, all of us, and we need to tell our own stories.”

To purchase a copy of his book, Leon Bailey: The Dream, go to leonbaileynavywrestling.org.

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Basketball icon Muggsy Bogues returns home for a book signing

Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 01:32:06 +0000

By Demetrius Dillard,
Special to the AFRO

Basketball legend, philanthropist and author, Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues released a new autobiography chronicling some of his life’s most memorable moments entitled “Muggsy: My Life from a Kid in the Projects to the Godfather of Small Ball.”

The former NBA star returned home to hold a book signing that attracted dozens of relatives, friends and supporters. Bar One Restaurant & Lounge, a relatively new Black-owned eatery in Harbor East, hosted the two-hour event.

“I’m coming here to pay tribute to a legend,” said Richard Catlett, one of Bogue’s friends.

“His legacy will always live throughout Baltimore. He’s been one of the greatest to ever come out of Baltimore- not only on the court but outside the court. He’s a great individual and a great man.”

Bogues, 57, rose to prominence as part of the Dunbar High School basketball dynasty in the early 1980s along with teammates Reggie Lewis, David Wingate and Reggie Williams. The four-man tandem set a precedent for Baltimore’s rich basketball culture and legacy.

NBA star Muggsy Bogues with Carl Stokes, former Baltimore City Council member, at the recent release of the athlete’s latest book. (Photo Courtesy)

Raised in East Baltimore’s Lafayette Housing Projects, Bogues went on to excel as a point guard for Wake Forest University’s basketball program before being drafted 12th overall in the 1987 NBA Draft by the Washington Bullets.

Making history as the shortest man to ever play in the NBA at 5-foot-3, Bogues’ prime years came when he starred for the Charlotte Hornets, where he played nine of his 14 seasons. He also suited up for the Golden State Warriors and Toronto Raptors before concluding his professional career in 2001. Bogues retired from the NBA as the league’s No. 16 all-time assist leader.

“Feels great to be back home. This is where it all began,” Bogues said. “I’m just honored to be in this position and I’m blessed to be able to say I came from Baltimore. “It’s good to see the people that you started with.”

Throughout the evening, Bogues signed books and spoke and took pictures with guests, who bought the autobiography, which was characterized by book reviewers as a “candid and insightful memoir.”

The 256-page book gives readers an in-depth glimpse into his career, obstacles and triumphs — from legendary duels with prominent figures of the 1990s like Michael Jordan, John Stockton and Gary Payton, to film “Space Jam,” to watching a young Steph Curry blossom into the star he is today.

Bogues overcame a good deal of adversity and is no stranger to being underestimated due to his height from childhood into adulthood. He graduated from Wake Forest as the ACC’s (Atlantic Coast Conference) all-time leader in assists and steals, to go on to excel in arguably the most competitive era of the NBA, distinguishing himself as a defensive specialist and floor general alongside Alonzo Mourning, Larry Johnson and Dell Curry.

The Charlotte, N.C., resident hopes the memoir can serve as an inspirational tool as well.

Basketball legend Muggsy Bogues recently held a book signing event in his hometown of Baltimore. (Photo Courtesy)

“This opportunity came around, and I wanted to put it out there because I wanted to give [hope to] a lot of folks that go through so many challenges, especially with the pandemic,” Bogues said.

“You want to make sure that folks have the opportunity just to believe that anything is possible. We face challenges that we feel are unvarying, that we can’t overcome, but hopefully, they can read my story and believe that anything is possible.”

Since retiring from the NBA more than 20 years ago, Bogues has worked in the real estate industry, gotten involved with promotional advertising and has coached youth basketball teams and programs. He also runs a nonprofit, the Muggsy Bogues Family Foundation, and serves as a team ambassador of the Charlotte Bobcats. Muggsy also became the special project adviser for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets.

His first book, “In the Land of Giants: My Life in Basketball,” was released in 1994.

Bogue’s daughters, Brittney and Tyisha, and his older brother, Anthony “Stroll” Bogues, attended the book signing along with a host of other family members and friends who still reside in the area.

“He [Muggsy] means a lot to this city and to this culture,” said Anthony Bogues, who works part-time as a basketball referee at various sporting events in the city.”

“I’m so proud of him, it’s no words I could say. I’m so proud of him, I love him to death and I’m glad for him to do what he does.”

Brittney Bogues works closely with her father in the family’s charitable foundation. She also is the owner and founder of Bogues Group, a North Carolina-based consulting agency.

“His life story transcends sports. He’s far bigger than sports,” Brittney said.

“The fact that he overcame all obstacles – where he grew up and being the shortest to ever play – I feel like this book really talks about his relationships and how he impacted the game while he was playing and also life after basketball.”

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#WordinBlack: Meet the Black literary society helping high schoolers fall in love with books

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 16:58:47 +0000

By Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

For two hours on Friday afternoons, a group of high school students split between Stockton and Sacramento, California, hop on Zoom to discuss the book they’re reading. Though they’ve never gathered in person, these students have created a space where they feel comfortable being vulnerable and engaging in enthusiastic discussion.

What is this virtual literary society that encourages Black students to read and talk about literature that reflects the entirety of the Black experience? Aptly enough, it’s called Black is Lit, and it brings Black youths together, amplifies their voices, and enables them to fall in love with books.

One recent Friday, the students discussed the n-word and history of the KKK, because it came up in their book selection “This Is My America” by Kim Johnson. Tiffany Herndon, the culturally responsive projects plan manager at Aspire Public Schools who also founded the Black is Lit program in 2021, watched her students engage in academic discourse that was rooted in the book, while also applying it to their personal experiences and offering emotional support from the racialized trauma.

It was a moment of seeing all of the elements of her program come together.

“They were free to be their authentic selves without fear of judgment,” Herndon says of the students. “We’re talking about these hard hitting issues that impact the Black community and thinking of ways in which they want to go out and support and encourage change.”

More Than a Summer Reading Program

Literacy has an impact on the trajectory of your life outcomes.

The Black is Lit program was inspired by the idea of having a summer reading program for Black students. Reading and language arts scores were down, and Herndon wanted to help — and make help accessible forstudents beyond her school. So Black is Lit was born, inspired by the concepts of “Cultivating Genius: An Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy” author Dr. Gholdy E. Muhammad who says literacy is liberation and education is a form of empowerment.

“We really wanted to reintroduce that concept and that spirit back into the learning environment for our scholars, and disrupt like the disproportionate outcomes that we see for Black students across the nation and low Black student achievement,” Herndon says.

The discussions included textual and character analysis, and making real world connections to the text. From relating to and interacting with the book, Diorue Hodges, 16, said she has been able to translate those skills to other classes, as well as better articulate her thoughts on racial matters.

“I now know how to engage in those conversations without just shouting or getting angry really fast,” Hodges says. “I can have that discourse with my peers and educators now.”

The Pilot Program

In its pilot year, Black is Lit consists of 22 students attending Aspire Alexander Twilight Academy in Sacramento and Aspire Langston Hughes Academy in Stockton. In the fall, the program will be available at all of Aspire’s 6-12 schools.

The program will focus on one book each year, and this year’s pick, “This Is My America,” which focuses on mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex. Each book chosen will have a social justice lens and cover a topic that adversely impacts the Black community.

Hodges said she’s gained a lot of insight, especially on the physical reactions to racism and discrimination. As someone who hasn’t experienced overt face-to-face racism, Hodges says she couldn’t understand why her mom, a dark-skinned woman, sometimes gets panicky or breaks down after racist interactions.

“In Black is Lit, we discussed that everyone has different reactions and approaches to racism,” Hodges says. “It did allow me to be more empathetic toward my mom and her feelings. And I was able to help her validate her feelings.”

‘I Can Be Comfortable With Being a Nerdy Black Kid’

All three students who spoke with Word In Black said that wanting to be part of an academics-based Black student group was their motivation to join Black is Lit.

“This was one of the first clubs that I felt connected to or that I could relate to,” Hodges says. She was skeptical to join because of the time commitment and having to be vulnerable with her peers. “We created an open and welcoming space. Other than [the Black Student Union], there wasn’t really many options for a safe space as a Black student that can just be myself unapologetically.”

William Ellington, 14, has always been a good reader, but he wanted a space where he could “be comfortable with being a nerdy Black kid.” Once the program is over, he’ll carry on the concept of literacy being liberation.

“I hope to maybe inspire other Black kids who feel like they might not be as smart or they might not be as able to articulate as other people when they’re just as able to, if not more than every other kid,” Ellington says. “And I really hope that this program helps inspire other kids to realize that.”

Though she just graduated, Nieja Harris isn’t leaving Black is Lit. While working toward her criminal justice major in college, Harris will intern with the literacy program because she “isn’t ready to leave.” Other than BSU, this gave her a space where her voice is heard.

“This is important to me because even though I know that I’m a senior and I graduated from high school, I wanted to do something more outside of school, and I want to do more advocacy for us as Black people,” she says.

Black is Lit Nationwide

Overall, Herndon wants her students to embrace the spirit that literacy is liberation and reconnect to how the Black community embraced education as empowerment. She also wants to reframe their learning experience.

“I want them to feel like they’re agents of change in their community and that they’re equipped to go out and be leaders,” Herndon says. “My number one goal is to experience a learning environment that is culturally responsive, and understanding what it feels like when your identity is at the center and is uplifted and validated in your learning space.”

Going forward, Herndon wants to scale the program to the state level and then take it national.

Most importantly, Hodges says, the key is having an open space.

“We didn’t feel like our voices were being silenced.” Hodges says. “We were able to just express ourselves, and that’s not something that a lot of students get on campus.”

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Honoring and celebrating healthy Black fatherhood

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 22:45:51 +0000

By Richard A. Rowe

Each year, the third Sunday of June is set aside to pay tribute to the many fathers that are devoted to their families and that have embraced fatherhood as an honorable and sacred role unlike any other. Unfortunately, in a number of Black households, this Father’s Day will be and feel different. A considerable number of Black men/fathers will not be present (physically, or psychologically) in their homes due to an uptick in police killings, unexpected deaths due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and from the emotional impact of race-based trauma that can result in social withdrawal, chronic stress and depressive symptoms. So, I would like to suggest that those of us who are fathers – especially Black fathers- honor and celebrate healthy Black fathering by doing the following:

1. Call, email or text at least 5 other Black men who are fathers every month and praise / encourage them to continue to do what they are gifted to do, which is to be present, to provide for and to protect all of their family members. Given all of the negative stereotyping depicting Black fathers as abusive, absent and malevolent, being a caring and committed father is one of the most difficult tasks facing Black fathers today.

2. Suggest to our family members and friends who would like to buy Father’s Day gifts – to first and foremost – lift-up, honor and celebrate the intrinsic value of Black fatherhood via home-based rituals to include the reciting of special poems, the sharing of father-centered affirmations and setting aside a few moments for family healing and meditations.

3. Reach out and back to the families headed by single Black mothers and offer our assistance and support whenever possible. Young boys can never be what they never see, and we must give our young girls positive and healthy images of manhood/fatherhood.

4. Do something beyond Father’s Day to restore hope, happiness and health to the Black community. For example, extend special greetings to the children on your block; clean up the space around your home/apartment and the space next door; and donate your time, talents and treasures to those institutions in the community that support, celebrate and honor Black fathers, Black love, Black women and Black family life.

5. Finally, ENCOURAGE all the Black father within your network to prioritize their mental, physical emotional well-being by scheduling and following-up with annual health care check-ups, developing daily / weekly self/soul care regimens and to participate in collective healing-focused and love-centered circles for Black men/fathers.

Let’s continue to support healthy Black fathering and to never forget that fatherhood is a sacred role that must be cherished and taken very seriously.

Richard A. Rowe
Husband, father and author of “Wanted Black Fathers:
Only Serious Black Men Need Apply!

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Encouraging and supporting Black fathers

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 22:19:49 +0000

By David C. Miller

Historically, Black fathers continue to be marginalized and depicted as absent, deadbeat, and emotionally disconnected from their children. Within public discourse, these exaggerated portrayals have become a self-fulling prophecy in the hearts and minds of too many Black fathers. While father absence remains a significant issue with far-reaching generational implications, imagine if we spent greater time and energy supporting the strengths of Black fathers and addressing the opportunity gaps.

On this Father’s Day, let us take a moment to examine the realities of Black fathers through data, and dispel popular myths and stereotypes associated with Black fatherhood. According to a 2013 CDC report, Black fathers are more engaged in their children’s lives than any other ethnic group. The report highlights engagement as Black fathers spending quality time with their children, translating into participating in fun activities, afternoon pickups from school, preparing meals, and other fatherly activities. The report reveals that many Black fathers surveyed did not live in the home with their children; however, the fathers surveyed value their roles and responsibilities of being a father. This data unearths what I see when I walk the streets of Baltimore–Black fathers, young and old, out with their children in tow. Black fathers can be seen with toddlers in strollers, standing at the bus stop, walking down the street, laughing, and holding hands with their children. These are the sights and sounds of Black fatherhood that are seldom mentioned in daily news accounts or on the six o’clock news.

When I pass young Black fathers out with their children, I often chat with them and share inspirational words about my fatherhood journey. These impromptu conversations help to emotionally support Black fathers and paint beautiful narratives about our collective experiences raising children. While too many Black fathers struggle with economic deprivation, legal support, and accessing quality mental health services, I see a glimmer of hope in the eyes of so many Black fathers I meet in barbershops, cultural events, and throughout the community.

I hope that we acknowledge the depth and the breadth of Black fathers in Baltimore City and marshal vital resources to support a forgotten population of citizens. If Baltimore is genuinely going to be a world-class city, better understanding the needs of Black fathers and providing safety nets to support these fathers and families is essential.

David C. Miller is a native of West Baltimore, father, husband, and author of Dare To Be King: What If the Princes Lives?

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#WordinBlack: Black Summer reading club

Word in Black — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 14:57:00 +0000

By Word In Black

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir… Team Word In Black loves books. During our meetings, we regularly talk about what we’re reading and share book recommendations. We also come across plenty of must-reads during our reporting. (It turns out that experts in their field also somehow find the time to write books!) That’s why our education data reporter, Maya Pottiger, came up with the brilliant idea of sharing the books written by folks we talk to with the Word In Black community.

Every Friday, we’ll be adding to our reading list to provide you new titles to check out this summer. After all, everyone can always use more reading recs, right? Click through the slideshow to find your next summer read right here.

Double Crossed – “Double Crossed” is a story about breaking generational curses. Serial entrepreneur and mental health advocate George Johnson wrote this memoir after learning the helpful practice of journaling in therapy. He talked about the practice and how it’s helped him heal in our June 1 Twitter Space about healing Black generational trauma.

All Boys Aren’t Blue – “All Boys Aren’t Blue” can be found among the top 10 on both the teen titles of 2021 list and the most challenged books of 2021. In the memoir-manifesto, George M. Johnson honors the LGBTQ+ community by telling their story through a series of intimate personal essays.

Unprotected -In her new memoir, “Unprotected,” Rae Lewis-Thornton shares how childhood trauma shaped her life and ultimately led to her contracting HIV. Read our interview with Thornton to learn more about her activism work and novel.

Not Paved for Us – “Not Paved for Us,” by Camika Royal, chronicles a fifty-year period in Philadelphia education, and offers a critical look at how school reform efforts do and do not transform outcomes for Black students and educators.

America, Goddam – In “America, Goddam,” feminist historian and author Treva B. Lindsey tackles the question “how can we stop the cycle of violence against young women and girls?” and she calls for others to support safe spaces for and by Black women and girls.

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Baltimore County Public Library announced a new digital literacy program

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 16 May 2022 03:30:37 +0000

By Special to the AFRO

Baltimore County Public Library has launched Northstar Digital Literacy, a free, online, self-paced program that teaches participants basic computer skills. Participants can learn about the online tools needed for success in daily life, employment, and education. Areas of learning include essential computer skills, essential software skills like Microsoft Office, and how to use technology in daily life including job search skills.

“Today’s library is a community learning hub providing opportunities for self-development to customers of all ages, needs, and abilities,” said Library Director Sonia Alcántara-Antoine, in a statement. “Our strategic plan outlines our commitment to teaching digital, financial, and health literacy making us a natural fit to partner with Maryland State Library and IMLS to launch this program. We are pleased to offer this expanded service to our customers.”

To participate, customers are encouraged to take an online literary assessment to gauge their skill level. This test can be taken independently on our website at bcpl.info or proctored at the North Point, Randallstown, or Towson branches.

After an initial assessment, each customer receives a recommended curriculum to explore more advanced training, certifications, or career pathways. This content can be accessed online with customer’s technology, by borrowing a Chromebook and hotspot from the library, or by visiting any of our 19 branches to use a public computer.

Completion of each class earns customers a badge online or a certificate through proctored sessions at the branches listed above. These badges and certificates can be empowering and help to improve lives for many including those formerly incarcerated, stay-at-home parents who are going back to the workforce, or older adults re-entering the job market.

Baltimore County Public Library was chosen by the State of Maryland Library to pilot this program with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

To learn more about the Northstar Digital Literacy Program, visit bcpl.info/services/digital-literacy.html

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Alexa Irene Canady: First Black female neurosurgeon in U.S.

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Mon, 16 May 2022 00:25:00 +0000

By NNPA Newswire

(NNPA Newswire) – It was during a health careers summer program at the University of Michigan that Alexa Irene Canady (b. 1950) decided to pursue medicine, a decision that would lead the trailblazer to become the first female African-American neurosurgeon in the United States.

At the time of her life-changing decision, Canady was a junior pursuing an undergraduate degree in zoology. During the summer, she worked in a genetics lab and attended a genetic counseling clinic, and she became convinced that continuing her studies at the university’s medical school was what she wanted.

“I fell in love with medicine,” she said.

And she never regretted her decision.

Initially, Canady thought her future would be in internal medicine, but after being introduced to neurosurgery, she changed her path.

Not everyone supported her decision, however. Some of Canady’s advisors attempted to discourage her from following through on her plans. And she experienced difficulties in obtaining an internship.

But those roadblocks didn’t impede her dream. After graduating cum laude from medical school (1975), she joined Yale-New Haven Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn., as a surgical intern. When her internship ended, she moved on to the University of Minnesota. There, she served as a resident of the university’s department of neurosurgery, making her the first Black female neurosurgery resident in the United States. When her residency ended in 1981, she became the nation’s first Black female neurosurgeon.

“The greatest challenge I faced in becoming a neurosurgeon was believing it was possible,” Canady is famously quoted as saying.

Canady admits that she came close to dropping out of college because she “had a crisis of confidence.” But, she pressed on, knowing there was a chance to win a minority scholarship in medicine.

And there also were external challenges. During her medical internship, for example, despite her qualifications and high GPA, Canady could not escape prejudices and micro-aggressive comments.

On her first day at Yale-New Haven, Canady recalls tending to a patient when a hospital administrator passed by and commented: “Oh, you must be our new equal-opportunity package.”

The tables turned when, a few years later at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (where she trained for her specialization in pediatric neurosurgery), her fellow physicians voted her one of the top residents.

At the University of Minnesota, Canady also had to convince the neurosurgery chairman that she was “not a risk to drop out or be fired, a disaster in a program where there are only one or two residents per year. I was the first African American woman . Along with that, my other greatest obstacle was convincing myself that someone would give me a chance to work as a neurosurgeon.”

During her 22-year career as a neurosurgeon, Canady worked with young patients facing life-threatening illnesses, gunshot wounds, head trauma, hydrocephaly, and other brain injuries or diseases. Most were 10 years old or younger.

She earned accolades for her patient-centered approach to medicine. And, under her care as director of neurosurgery at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the department was viewed as one of the best in the country.

Read more about Canady’s journey to overcoming racial prejudice, patriarchy, and sexism in “Dr Alexa Irene Canady: The Incredible Story of the First Black Woman to Become a Neurosurgeon” by Isabel Carson.

A version of this article originally appeared in Post News Group.

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Baltimore author chronicles daughter’s triumph over sickle cell

Sean Yoes — Sun, 15 May 2022 18:33:52 +0000

By Sean Yoes,
Special to the AFRO

Mothering the Crescent Moons is Gibson’s account of her daughter Aya Gibson Taylor’s battle with sickle cell disease (SCD). SCD affects millions of people around the globe and a disproportionate number of people whose ancestors are from sub-Saharan Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Central America, as well as other people of color, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

During a recent phone conversation, Gibson, a Baltimore native (she now resides in New Jersey), revealed that the sickle cell trait was prevalent in her family. “My brother Chiefy and I, we always knew we had the trait. I know that it came from my dad’s side and I know that my grandmother also carries the trait on my father’s side. Aya’s dad (Hakim Taylor) has the trait,” Gibson said. So, it seemed inevitable that Aya would have to embark upon this perilous and potentially deadly sojourn.

According to the Mayo Clinic, red blood cells are typically round and flexible, allowing them to move easily through blood vessels. However, with sickle cell disease (sickle cell anemia is just one of a group of inherited disorders known as sickle cell disease) some of the red blood cells are shaped like sickles or crescent moons (hence the title of the book). Those cells can be rigid and sticky, which can slow or block blood flow. Other symptoms of SCD include: anemia, episodes of excruciating pain, vision problems, delayed growth or puberty, swelling of hands and feet and frequent infections.

“So, I found out (Aya had SCD) once I was pregnant. I had serious conversations with my doctor, like what does this mean? Because…I only knew about having the trait, I never had the disease. I never had any issues health wise. So, I really didn’t know much about it,” Gibson revealed. “Can kids live with this disease? And he (Dr. Jeffrey Mazlin) was like, “Absolutely.” I wanted him to be honest and up front with me and he was and I’m so thankful and grateful for him,” she added. “So, I had her and she was fine.”

In fact, Aya, despite being born premature, seemed so healthy that her mother started believing her doctor had made a mistake with his diagnosis. “She came out six weeks early…but she was fine, just like a normal baby,” Gibson said. “I was hoping in my mind that maybe they misdiagnosed her, maybe she doesn’t really have the disease.”

However, the devastating disease first began to attack Aya when she was three-years old. And for almost nine years she endured one or two excruciating pain episodes annually, as well as long stints in the hospital for various reasons related to sickle cell disease. But, after vigilant lobbying of medical professionals of every type on the part of her parents, and then absorbing copious amounts of information about the treatment of sickle cell, Aya was finally poised to receive the miracle she and her family had been praying for.

On August 1, 2012, just a few weeks before her 12th birthday Aya received a potentially life-saving bone marrow transplant, under the care of Dr. Jennifer Krajewski, attending physician, Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. “She did two rounds of chemo, which wiped out her whole immune system. The process was pretty intense,” Gibson said. “Now she’s cured of sickle cell anemia…and she’s living a normal life like any other young adult.”

Yet, there was still another chapter to be played out in Aya’s odyssey with sickle cell disease. And this chapter also had a happy ending.

On July 9, 2016, Aya (then age 15) was able to travel to Heidelberg, Germany to meet the man who provided the bone marrow that ultimately destroyed the debilitating disease that had tormented her for almost a decade.

“It was so surreal to know that somebody helped me like that,” Aya said during an interview for the website “Tackle Kids Cancer,” an organization that Aya, now age 20, works closely with as an advocate for the transplant community. “He and his wife were so sweet. They were so happy that I was okay. Now they are like family,” she added. “I look at life differently. Without a transplant, I would still not be able to do a lot of things. I want to make the most out of my life. Not that many people get a second chance.”

She is making the best of that second chance and focused on “paying it forward.” Aya is currently a student at Loyola University in New Orleans, studying biology with the goal of becoming a pediatric hematologist, like her physician Dr. Bruce Terrin, who has been instrumental in Aya’s battle to defeat sickle cell since her mother was pregnant with her.

Tyrene Gibson has been determined to tell their story since those dark days before Aya’s bone marrow transplant, when her daughter bravely endured prodigious pain. After years of starts and stops she has delivered Mothering the Crescent Moons, which is a road map for others navigating the onslaught of this deadly disease.

“I started writing it when she was 10…I started but I put it down. Then when the pandemic hit and we really couldn’t go out that much, we were in the house. I said, you know what, I need to finish this,” said Gibson who is a real estate professional, first-time author and serves as the New Jersey ambassador for the Be the Match National Marrow Donor Program.

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#WordinBlack: Now even police are getting Black books banned

Maya Pottiger Word in Black — Thu, 12 May 2022 20:00:00 +0000

By Maya Pottiger,
Word in Black

The banning of Black books is making the headlines again. This time, it’s because some parents are claiming all types of Black books — like picture book biographies of Civil Rights leaders — are teaching critical race theory.

The American Library Association tracks annually the most challenged and banned books of the year, along with the reasons against them. So what’s the difference between a challenge and a ban? A challenge is when someone raises a concern about a book and asks for it to be moved — from youth to the adult or restricted shelves — or removed entirely. It’s upgraded to a ban if an official restricts access to the book, like if a principal removed a book from the school library.

In 2019, for example, 66 percent of the challenges took place in public libraries, compared to 19% in school libraries and 12 percent in schools, according to the ALA. Of these challenges, 45% were initiated by patrons, 18 percent by parents, and 13 percent by a board or administration, according to ALA data.

Book banning has raised First Amendment concerns, says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Director of the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. Removing books because of prejudices against their content, viewpoint, or author violates the right to access information.

“We’re one of the few societies where we have this incredible freedom to make our own choices … and the freedom to decide for ourselves without the government telling us what to think, telling us what to do,” Caldwell-Stone said. “We erode those liberties when we resort to censorship of others’ ideas because we don’t approve of them.”

The Top Banned Books

Word In Black created a database of the most challenged or banned books by year using the American Library Association’s Top 10 lists. The analysis covers a five-year span: 2016 to 2020, the most recent year the organization released. After studying the entries, Word In Black identified seven common reasons books were challenged or banned during the five years: gender or sexuality, using racist content like slurs or stereotypes, drugs or sex, politics, anti-police, and profanity. In the Word In Black database, the books are included in every category that went into the ban or challenge.

Across the five years Word In Black looked at, there were two top reasons that books were banned or challenged: having to do with gender or sexuality, or having drug- or sex-related content. Looking at the four books banned by Black authors, the most common reasons are having drugs or sex content, being labeled anti-cop, and profanity.

There are 12 books that have been banned multiple times over the analyzed five-year period. “George” by Alex Gino, a children’s book about a transgender child, was banned every year in the 2016-2020 time period. The most banned book by a Black author is Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give,” which tells the story of a teen who witnesses a police shooting and killing her unarmed best friend. This book has been on the top banned list every year since it was published in 2017.

The “Racial Reckoning” in 2020

Caldwell-Stone said she noticed a shift after George Floyd’s murder in 2020, which led to a nationwide uprising against racism in the United States — and increased pushback against calls for racial justice.

“We began to see challenges to books by Black authors, particularly books dealing with the history of racism and slavery in the United States, the lived experiences of Black persons, particularly books talking about police violence toward Black persons,” Caldwell-Stone said. “As a result, we saw change in 2020 where some of the most challenged books were books by Black authors dealing with those topics.”

The first reference of a book being challenged or banned for being “anti-cop” was “The Hate U Give” in 2018. Books weren’t labeled “anti-cop” again until 2020 when three were cited for having such views: “All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely; “Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice” by Marianne Celano, Marietta Collins, and Ann Hazzard; and, again, “The Hate U Give.”

In fact, Caldwell-Stone said, there’s a new “phenomenon” where police departments or unions are the ones objecting to books like “The Hate U Give” or “Something Happened in Our Town” because they feel police officers are “portrayed in a bad light.”

“Some of the challenges you’re observing from 2020 represent that trend of police objecting to the presence of these books in schools because they felt that it was an inaccurate portrayal of the work police do or harms the reputation of police with young people,” Caldwell-Stone said.

She also cited a recent case in Tennessee. A national group called Moms for Liberty went through classrooms and school libraries identifying a list of books they felt “violated that state’s ban on the instruction of divisive topics,” which included picture book biographies of Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges. In line with the push back against critical race theory, there’s also been an increase in legislation prohibiting the teaching of the truth about American history and the racist treatment of Black people and other people of color.

“We’re observing a chilling effect of self-censorship by educators and library workers in schools,” Caldwell-Stone says. “They’re looking for books that might raise controversy and removing them proactively to avoid that controversy.”

Though ALA hasn’t released its 2021 list of challenged and banned books, the National Council of Teachers of English reported that seven titles have or are expected to be challenged due to “promoting critical race theory,” according to Education Week. These are the books:

“All American Boys” by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
“Monday’s Not Coming” by Tiffany D. Jackson
“Monster: by Walter Dean Myers
“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” by Michelle Alexander
“The Poet X” by Elizabeth Acevedo
“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See
“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander

The Long Term Effects

As has been the case throughout the American K-12 education system, white supremacy is dictating what’s being taught to students and what’s available to an entire community.

“These are public institutions, and we live in a multicultural diverse society,” Caldwell-Stone said. “Both schools and libraries should be serving the needs of the entire community and representing the information needs of the entire community in their collections.”

Banning a book like “The Hate U Give” can be “incredibly destructive” both if you’re a Black teen who’s experienced police violence — and if you come from a different racial or ethnic background and need to learn about the realities of Black folks’ lives. If it’s removed, it gives the impression of being an invalid experience for young people to share.

“It’s intended to provide the understanding and generate empathy,” Caldwell-Stone said. “To allow individuals who might not otherwise be able to understand the experiences of Black teens experiencing racism and having to deal with violence directed at them from the police.”

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Be kind to yourself: a story of healing from relationship trauma

Mylika Scatliffe AFRO Womens Health Writer — Fri, 06 May 2022 22:32:42 +0000

By Mylika Scatliffe,
AFRO Women’s Health Writer

Trauma is defined as “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience; emotional shock following a stressful event or physical injury.”

Relationship trauma is abusive behavior between intimate partners, and can grow out of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse that occurs during a relationship. It can result in long term psychological and physical effects. Just as traumatic experiences and their effects are varied, so are methods of coping and healing.

Tia Parker, Tawanda Clark, and Hope Lee are family. Parker and Clark are sisters, and Lee is their cousin. Parker’s book, “I’ve Got a River: A Collection of Poetry” is a deeply personal collection with a section dedicated to past relationships, titled “Mirror of My Heart.” The women use a podcast of the same title to discuss their experiences with relationship trauma, and their individual journeys of healing.

“I Used to Love Him” is Clark’s favorite piece from her sister’s collection of poetry. Parker introduces the podcast by reciting the poem that inspired the episode. At the conclusion of “I Used to Love Him,” Clark states sardonically “I used to love him… but now I don’t,” a reference to the popular Lauryn Hill cult classic, “Ex-Factor.”

Relationship trauma is defined as abusive behavior between intimate partners. (Photo by Tobe Mokolo on Unsplash.com)

Clark recently divorced her ex-husband after a 20-year marriage. She candidly discussed issues in their marriage including his habitual infidelity which included fathering a child with another woman fairly early in their marriage. Still, she wouldn’t leave the marriage for another 15 or 16 years.

“I know it doesn’t make much sense now looking back, but I’d bought my house and didn’t want to leave it, and after everything that happened in our marriage, I felt he owed me. So, I stayed.”

It took seven years for Parker to write about her relationship with her son’s father. She could not write it until she was absolutely certain she was 100 percent over him- after all, she had been with him from ages 20 to 25 and gave birth to their son when she was 21-years-old.

They’d been friends for years before the relationship became romantic, but after their son was born he subjected Parker to verbal, emotional, and physical abuse.

Parker now realizes that low self-esteem and her tendency to “love VERY hard” kept her in this and other relationships longer too long.

While Parker remained in the relationship with her son’s father while he was imprisoned for violently assaulting her, she credits God with transforming her during her time away from him. She joined the Empowerment Temple church in Baltimore, started writing and performing her poetry, and connected with like-minded, similarly talented people. She ended the relationship with her son’s father for good once he was released from prison.

The podcast with Lee was of an entirely different, and heart wrenching nature. “From a Mother’s Heart” was written in honor of Lee and her son, Nickalas, who succumbed to an asthma attack almost nine years ago at age 23.

Lee described receiving a phone call at 4 a.m. on July 23, 2013, that her son was in an ambulance and being raced to the hospital with severe breathing difficulty.

Then came the call informing her that he didn’t survive.

Lee’s life quickly spiraled. She was full of anger and looking for someone to blame for Nicklas’ death, so she hired an attorney to pull his medical records. She intended to sue the ambulance driver because she believed he took his time responding because there had been numerous previous calls to her son’s address. Once his medical records revealed there was no one to blame, Lee proceeded to blame herself. “I felt like I should have been there. A mother is supposed to protect her son,” she tearfully recalled.

Lee began to use alcohol to cope and eventually attempted suicide.

Though they all have individual paths, the ladies agree there is no “easy” button.

Therapy, particularly letting go of the stigma surrounding mental health, has played a major part for all three ladies in addressing and getting to the root of their trauma, particularly for Clark and Lee.

Therapy helped Lee realize she had unresolved issues and anger to unpack. Once her son died, she turned all her negative emotions inward.

“I finally realized I had this proverbial suitcase full of issues that needed to be unpacked one-by-one,” she said.

Clark discussed with some chagrin, how she always had good self-esteem which slowly eroded during her marriage. She started to feel unattractive and make less effort with her appearance.

Emotionally and financially stressed, she began to experience physical ailments including severe nosebleeds, unexplained stomach pains, heart palpitations, all of which disappeared once the marriage ended. Thinking back, she can see now that she was almost dying for her marriage.

Now, she has regular sessions with a therapist and enjoys new things in life – taking her first international vacation after applying and receiving her first passport.

Clark realized she does not want another relationship or marriage because she stated emphatically, “I want to keep my peace of mind. Peace is better than sex, money, and food. You hear people say the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but my grass is a gorgeous green and it’s not fake.”

“When you hear me say ‘I used to love him but now I don’t’, the words themselves may not seem like a big deal,” said Clark, “but when I speak them they’re full of power- power I didn’t have for 20 years because I didn’t take it.”

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Top five books written by Black women

DefenderNetwork.com — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 22:23:37 +0000

By Laura Onyeneho for the Houston Defender

This is a new year and what better way to kick it off than to find things to do that stimulate the mind. Many of us need an escape from what’s happening in the world and pour into yourselves intellectually, emotionally, and mentally. So why not pick a good book?

Here are our top 5 books published by Black women that you should consider adding to your list:

Gabrielle Union- You got Anything Stronger?

Award-winning actress Gabrielle Union is back with a new book “You Got Anything Stronger?” a sequel to Union’s 2017 New York Times best-selling essay collection “We’re Going to Need More Wine.” She sparks a powerful conversation about feminism, fame, gender, color, and power through her personal experiences. She continues to push the envelope as she guides her readers into her married life, surrogacy journey, and reflecting on the entertainment community’s response to the Black Lives Matter protests.

Luvvie Ajayi- Professional Trouble Maker

What is a professional troublemaker? Nigerian-born Chicago-raised author and speaker Luvvie Ajayi Jones has the answers to that question in her latest book “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual.” The New York Times best-selling author, known for her color vocabulary, sharp wit, and humor, introduces you to a powerful and hysterical way to tackle your fears, speak truth to power, and live fully.

Yvonne Orji- Bamboozled By Jesus

Actress and Comedian Yvonne Orji—best known as Issa Rae’s BFF on the HBO series, Insecure, published her first book “Bamboozled by Jesus: How God Tricked Me Into the Life of My Dream. She gives her readers the secrets they need with a modern-day biblical twist to live the life of their dreams. Each chapter talks about God’s presence through the unforeseen twists and turns and blessings on her way to her journey to success.

Stacey Abrams- While Justice Sleeps

Veteran author, voting-rights activist and politician Stacey Abrams has published her new legal thriller “While Justice Sleeps.” The work of fiction is set against the backdrop of the U.S. Supreme Court and gives readers a glimpse into the legal system, while examining greed and power. Follow Avery Keene, a law clerk for Justice Howard Wynn, as she navigates the drama of her career and a troubled family.

Tarana Burke- Unbound: My story of liberation and the birth of the #MeToo Movement

Tarana Burke is the activist behind one of the largest movements of our generation: the #MeToo movement. Burke debuts a powerful memoir about her experience with sexual assault at a young age, her fight with guilt, the process of healing, and her pursuit of justice and finding a community. Unbound is a story of her inner strength and perseverance.

Laura Onyeneho

Laura Onyeneho covers Houston’s education system as it relates to the Black community for the Houston Defender as a Report for America corps member. She is a multimedia journalist and has reported on social, cultural, lifestyle, and community news for 7 years and counting.

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New book explores “Double Consciousness” in Black celebrities

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 18:00:23 +0000

By Nadine Matthews,
Special to the AFRO

In 1903 W.E.B. DuBois’ seminal work, The Souls of Black Folk, introduces the term “double consciousness” to explain a feeling of embodying multiple social identities. For more than a century the term has been mulled over by thought leaders, authors and social activists. Even today, the questions and debate regarding the Black experience persist.

Professor Joshua Wright, of Trinity Washington University, recently explored how this double-consciousness affects Black celebrities in his book Wake Up Mr. West: Kanye West and the Double Consciousness of the Black Celebrity. Wright dissects how double-consciousness affects Black celebrities and the different ways in which they choose action or silence regarding the advancement of social causes, among other things.

Wright explained, “In this book, I wanted to use Kanye as a case study for a bigger discussion on race and fame in America. He’s a paradigm shifter in hip-hop music and culture in the way that he portrays masculinity, the topics he has in his music and fashion.”

Wright designed and developed the first hip-hop course as a professor at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2012 and later, the Trinity Washington University in 2021.

“DuBois said as Black people we are always seeing ourselves through the eyes of White people. For the Black celebrity, they’ve always had this special place. They’re seen as a “credit” to the race and so they had to watch what they did at all times,” said Wright. “If you mess up, you are seen as a stain on the race.”

Being a “credit” to your race often involves using one’s platform to speak out on social issues. “Some people in the Black community will say, ‘Well, if you don’t speak up on these issues, then you only care about those dollars that you’re getting from the White man.’ By speaking out, however, they then risk alienating their non-Black fans.” Wright stated. “Then you have those in the mainstream who may feel as though you betrayed them, like, ‘I can’t believe you feel this way. Why do you feel this way?’”

Kanye West has embodied both- first as someone unafraid to speak out against White supremacy.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Kanye West, who had already made a name for himself as a producer and rapper, famously declared that George Bush did not “care about Black people.”

A few years later, he rushed the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards stage and stated that Beyonce deserved the title for “Best Music Video,” as Taylor Swift stood with her trophy next to him. Kanye drew the ire of millions, but he also pointed out the racism many saw in how MTV Video Music Awards were distributed.

West was seen as someone using his platform for good by giving a voice to the larger Black community they would not have otherwise had. He was then a hero among heroes in the Black community. Even more so because of the climate around Black celebrity culture at the time.

Wright explains, “At that time Black celebrities didn’t really want to rock the boat.”

However, in a 2018 interview, West said “slavery was a choice” made by the enslaved, thereby blaming them for injustices against them and boosting the case of White supremacy. His infamous visit to Donald Trump’s White House cemented that impression. After that, “A lot of people were saying he had turned his back on the Black community, that he was canceled, that he had fallen into the sunken place,” Wright said.

The term “sunken place” is a metaphor for the state of a Black person who has fully internalized their racial oppression. It was introduced by director Jordan Peele’s 2017 hit horror film, Get Out, to explain a Black person who has become complicit in White supremacy.

Wright pushes back somewhat on the idea that West is in the proverbial sunken place. “He is doing some things right, from a financial standpoint,” he believes.

“There are some people who were in the sunken place. I would say O.J. [Simpson] definitely was there and there is evidence to document that. But I don’t put Kanye in that category.”

Wright puts West primarily in another category altogether. “Kanye is really a contrarian, meaning when people say ‘it’s hot,’ Kanye will say ‘it’s cold.’”

Personally, however, Wright indicates that there is a responsibility for those who are privileged to have a platform, to use it to advance issues that affect the majority of Black people.

“For me, I would do something. I’m not wealthy or famous but I was taught that I’m supposed to do something with the position in which I’ve been placed,” he said. “That I should help and give back. I would like to see Kanye and other celebrities like him use their power for good.”

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In Memoriam: Valerie Boyd, Zora Neale Hurston biographer, dies

Nsenga K. Burton NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Edi — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 14:50:00 +0000

By Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D,
NNPA Newswire Culture and Entertainment Editor

Valerie Boyd, world-renowned author of the definitive biography of Zora Neale Hurston, “Wrapped in Rainbows: The Life of Zora Neale Hurston,” died Feb. 12, 2022, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

A native Atlantan, Valerie Jean Boyd was born on Dec. 11, 1963, to Roger and Laura Jean (Burns) Boyd. Her mother was a homemaker, and her father owned a gas station and later a tire shop in the Bankhead area of the city where she grew up.

Boyd was the Charlayne Hunter-Gault Distinguished Writer in Residence and Associate Professor of Journalism at the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Media. Boyd co-founded and directed the distinguished low-residency MFA Program in Narrative Nonfiction at the college. Boyd was known for working with the community, mentoring her students, and connecting students with faculty and industry leaders to enhance their academic training. In 2015, Boyd organized an intimate session to introduce 12 high school students to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker at UGA’s Wilson Center for the Humanities and Arts.

At the time of Boyd’s passing, the author had recently completed work on “Gathering Blossoms Under Fire: The Journals of Alice Walker.” Hand-picked by Walker to work on the project, Boyd spent seven years researching and editing the project which will be released by Simon & Schuster in April 2022.

“Valerie Boyd was one of the best people ever to live,” Walker said via a statement from Simon & Schuster. “Even though illness was stalking her the past several years, she accompanied me in gathering, transcribing, and editing my journals Gathering Blossoms Under Fire, and stood with me until the end. This was a major feat, a huge act of love and solidarity, of sisterhood, of soul generosity and shared joy, for which she will be remembered.”

In addition to her work at UGA, Boyd had a storied career as an arts editor at the Atlanta Journal & Constitution, senior editor for The Bitter Southerner, editor-at-large for UGA Press and as a contributor to the Oxford American and anthologies including In the “Tradition: An Anthology of Young Black Writers” (1992), edited by Kevin Powell and Ras Baraka. Part of the new wave of Black writers in the 1990s shaping culture and the craft in major Black cities, Boyd co-founded and launched the magazine “HealthQuest: The Publication of Black Wellness” in 1993. She also launched “EightRock,” a journal that focused on African American arts and culture.

A founding officer of the Alice Walker Literary Society and a member of the National Book Critics Circle, Boyd earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s of fine arts degree in creative nonfiction writing from Goucher College.

Boyd’s most recent journalism project HealthPlus, a digital-first publication for The Atlanta Voice, focuses on African American Health. Boyd served as consulting editor on the project which launches in March 2022.

Boyd is best known for detailed and illuminating work on Harlem Renaissance writer and icon Zora Neale Hurston. The Southern Book Critics Circle chose “Wrapped in Rainbows” for the 2003 Southern Book Award for best nonfiction book of the year. The American Library Association selected her biography of Hurston for a 2004 Notable Book Award. In 2017, she received a Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities from then-Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife Sandra Deal.

The award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia’s economic, civic, and cultural vitality. Boyd will be posthumously inducted in the 2022 Georgia Writers Hall of Fame where she will join fellow illustrious writers Tayari Jones, Toni Cade Bambara, Clarence Major, Jericho Brown, W.E.B. DuBois, Pearl Cleage, Clarence Major, John Lewis, James Alan McPherson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Alice Walker and Kevin Young among others. A foodie and lover of culture, Boyd served as a board member for the Southern Foodways Alliance and was known to curate food experiences for friends and family.

Boyd was preceded in death by her parents Roger and Laura Boyd and her older brother Michael Boyd, who passed away Feb. 18, 2022, from cancer. She is survived by her younger brother Timothy, niece Kaylisha, and life partner of 23 years Veta Goler.

A private service will be held for Boyd March 5, 2022. The public is invited to view Boyd’s celebration of life at 11 a.m. online at the following link https://vimeo.com/683541854.

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Poet Sonia Sanchez to receive Edward MacDowell Medal

Hillel Italie — Fri, 11 Mar 2022 19:10:00 +0000

By Hillel Italie,
Associated Press

The poet, activist and educator Sonia Sanchez is this year’s winner of the Edward MacDowell Medal, a lifetime achievement honor started in 1960. The award has previously been given to Robert Frost, Toni Morrison and Stephen Sondheim, among others.

“I had tears in my eyes as I learned about this award.” Sanchez, 87, said in a statement released March 6 by MacDowell, an arts organization that funds and supports the work of visual and performance artists. “When I consider my dear friend, Sister Toni (Morrison), and so many others who have been given this award, I feel so welcomed to be part of that group. It is a great honor to be this year’s awardee. MacDowell has such great herstory and history of caring and concern for artists; it is a joy this place exists to keep the world on a path toward re-civilization, peace, and humanity.”

The MacDowell Fellowship is an artist residency founded in 1907, with fellows over the past century including James Baldwin, Leonard Bernstein, Louise Erdrich and Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Sanchez was a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and is known for such poetry collections as “Homegirls and Handgrenades” and “Shake Loose My Skin.”

Novelist Walter Mosley will present Sanchez her medal on July 10 on the MacDowell grounds in Peterborough, New Hampshire, the first in-person ceremony since 2019, the year before the pandemic.

“Sonia Sanchez’s illustrious career spans seven decades; her commanding oeuvre continues to elevate language’s ability to give voice to entire communities (their daily pleasures and pains) inside our shared and troubled history,” poet and playwright Claudia Rankine, chair of this year’s MacDowell Medal selection panel, said in a statement.

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Donna Storey taps into the power, history of waistbeads

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 23:45:28 +0000

By Nadine Matthews,
Special to the AFRO

Donna Storey’s waist bead journey began as a result of her weight loss journey. The Baltimore native, entrepreneur and author of “Waistbeads and Western Society: A Sisterhood…” told the AFRO, “It started off with me wanting to lose weight and needing a way to gauge when I was making progress as opposed to when I wasn’t doing so great.” Storey had changed her diet and wore waist trainers but wanted something more.

Around the same time, she embarked on a journey to learn more about the heritage of her ancestors in Africa and incidentally discovered that waist beads were used all over Africa. Storey said, “They were put on babies to see if they were gaining weight before the naming ceremony. After the naming ceremony, they removed the beads from the boys but left them on the girls.” Storey explained further that the girls would continue accumulating waist beads at key points in life such as onset of menstruation. At marriage, the beads worn in childhood are removed and replaced with white beads. “No other man would be able to see those waist beads except her husband, which also helped create a deep connection between the couple. Historically, when you lay something on your womb, it magnifies ,” Storey said.

Luckily, a co-worker who knew about both of Storey’s journeys returned from a trip to Nigeria and brought back waistbeads, which she gifted her. Storey began wearing them to help with her dieting. “When you eat too much they roll up, if you eat less, they roll down,” Storey said.

Donna Storey outlines how her passion for wasitbeads began as a result of her weight loss journey in her book Waistbeads and Western Society: A Sisterhood… and through the journals she created around the subject. (Photo Courtesy)

She also became more curious about them in general. “I became obsessed with finding out as much about waist beads as possible.” She realized that there was not much information readily available, however. “I had to start really digging to find out the real history and meaning behind it.” She also began a Youtube channel to become a point of reference for others who were seeking information about waistbeads.

Among other things, she found that the wearing of waist beads has to do with “connecting to the seat of divine feminine energy. With the waistbeads on, you are always mindful of your womb.” They also help with improving spirituality. Storey said, “They come with different adornments and crystals that have different vibrations that allow you to manifest different things in your life.” Storey gives the example of rose quartz helping to bring about love, first from within.

The waistbeads, Storey said, also help in meditative practice. “They help with meditation because as you breathe in and out, you feel the waistbeads roll up and down your body.”

Storey cautions though that to get the full effect from waistbeads, from which women from birth through beyond menopause can benefit, you must receive them in the right manner. “In the spiritual community, we believe everything is an exchange of energy. In order to create the waistbeads properly, the person has to set their intention on anything that adorns the waist beads as far as crystals, colors, etc. She sages it to give it positive energy and she infuses it with her energy and sends it to you. When you go into womb wellness, which is what waist beads symbolize, the person you purchase it from is obligated to teach you how it all works.”

It’s also possible to use your own jewelry or belt etc. to create the waistbeads; however there is a caveat. “You could use a regular string or piece of jewelry,” Storey said. “But in order to magnify its strength, you would have to be educated properly and be in the right mindset.”

In addition to her book, Waist Beads and Western Society: A Sisterhood… Storey has also written an accompanying journal, both of which can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Everybody’s Place, and Tracey’s She Shed. She is also on social media spreading the word about waistbeads and the physically and spiritually healthy lifestyle that goes along with it at @anaturalhairstorey.

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Journalist, best-selling author Linsey Davis has new book to help children, guardians breach the conversation of death, loss

Micha Green — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 19:37:16 +0000

By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. and Digital Editor

mgreen@afro.com

Two years into the coronavirus pandemic and with more than 900,000 American lives lost, ABC News Correspondent and bestselling author Linsey Davis has a new children’s book that is sure to resonate with readers who have lost a loved one. Using her own conversations with her son about loss, and considering the hundreds of thousands of young people who have experienced loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, How High is Heaven is a narrative that helps children understand the complicated and nuanced subject of death.

“How High is Heaven? basically is based off of my son coming to me one day after school and saying how come his friend has two grandmas and two grandpas and he just had one of each. So we were talking about Grandma P, his grandmother who passed away when he was just one and he didn’t remember her and so he wanted to see her. And at first I thought he meant he wanted to see pictures so I’m getting out pictures of her with him when he was a baby. And he said, ‘No! I want to go see her in Heaven,’” Davis recounted in an AFRO Live interview.

“He ended up with this kind of preoccupation, I’d even call it, for several days and then weeks about how he wanted to go to Heaven. So we started having the conversation. It was the first time we had talked about the idea of death and loss and then fast forward a few months and we were on a plane and he was looking out the window and he said, ‘I don’t see her.’ And I said, ‘You don’t see who?’ And he said, ‘I don’t see Grandma P. We’re up here in Heaven and I don’t see her.’ And that’s when I said, let me write this book,” the ABC News Correspondent, wife, mother and proud Christian added.

With How High is Heaven?, Davis’s fourth children’s book, the mother and author said she had to consider the convoluted conversation of death and how hard of a subject it is for adults to even grasp, much less children. Davis was tasked with finding a way to relay the ideals of death in the book, considering both a child’s perspective and the Christian notion of God’s promise of everlasting life in Heaven.

“So really what I did, because I think you have to meet children where they are, and so death can be heavy and a really complicated conversation for adults even because there’s really so much we don’t truly know, but for those who believe in God’s promise of Heaven being our reward, there is this idea that we are going to be reunited. And the message that I hope that I am able to successfully deliver for kids and for parents, alike, is that from what I observed from my son, the one thing that kind of gave him solace is this idea that he would be reunited with her, that he would see her again,” Davis explained .

“The book is really about my son going in search, trying to physically get to this place of Heaven. And the little boy and his sister, the main characters in the book, try and build a lego staircase to heaven, take a pogo stick, a trampoline, a spaceship, a hot air balloon, and all of these physical ways that they try to get to Heaven, and ultimately, by the end of this story the little boy learns that’s not really what it’s all about as far as getting to this place called Heaven and that for now he’s going to enjoy Heaven here on Earth. But he knows he will see Grandma P,” the author added.

While death is an unfortunate constant— thus meaning an evergreen relevancy for the need of this book— Davis said she considered the hundreds of thousands of children who have experienced loss due to COVID-19 when writing How High is Heaven?.

“I definitely think, especially during this time of loss for COVID, I mean people are losing lives all the time of course, but there’s just been this intense loss, and in particular for children. We just passed the grim milestone of more than 900,000 American lives lost to COVID-19. And there was a journal by pediatrics a few months ago that talked about that one-in-four of those deaths, they were the primary caregiver of a young child. So you have all these children, who have really been orphaned in a way by COVID, and so we’re talking about more than 200,000 over the course of the past two years who are now growing up without that grandmother, grandfather, mother, father. And I think that, especially when you have that intense relationship then all of a sudden that person isn’t there anymore, you need to try and kind of have that discussion,” Davis advised.

The mother and storyteller said that her goal is for How High is Heaven? to be both educational and uplifting for both adults and children.

“I hope that is an inspiring and hopeful message for young kids and a way for parents to kind of open up the conversation in their own household.”
How High is Heaven? releases Feb. 15 and can be purchased on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other bookstores.

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Q & A with Chef Darline Dorcely

AFRO Staff — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 17:35:55 +0000

By AFRO Staff

Haitian-born Chef Darline Dorcely is the general manager of premium catering company, Chef Lilian, based in Connecticut. She inherited her love of cooking from watching her mother pour her love into meals for her family. With deep roots in the Caribbean, it was only natural that Chef Dorcely created a cookbook called “Taste of Caribbean Cuisine” that highlights all of her favorite Caribbean recipes. Below are some questions that Chef Dorcely was able to answer about her latest book:

Q: What was it like growing up eating the types of foods highlighted in your cookbook?

A: Growing up eating these types of foods was always a joy. The food was always well seasoning, and the taste was different.

Q: What is your favorite dish in the cookbook, and why?

A: My favorite dish from the book is the coconut creole conch. I love seafood, especially the conch. I can cook it in different ways; I can make it into a salad, a stew or sauté.

Q: What advice do you have for new chefs learning to cook Caribbean food?

A: The advice I have for the new chef is to always be willing to learn new recipes from different cultures because you can never know everything at once.

Q: What is your go-to spice that you use for cooking?

A: The go-to spice I use for my cooking is Liline Creole spices. This is the best spice. It gives the food the best taste.

Q: Are there any plans for another cookbook in the future?

A: Yes, there will be another cookbook. I have a lot of recipes that I did not have a chance to add to this first one, and also, I promised some of my customers to give them somevegan recipes.

Chef Dorcely’s “Taste of Caribbean Cuisine” is now available on Amazon.

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10 banned books that are crucial to Black culture

Special to the AFRO — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 19:21:08 +0000

By Nadia Reese,
Special to the AFRO

Recently, schools across the country have begun banning books on topics such as religion, “witchcraft,” sexuality, police brutality and racism from the classroom and pulling them from school libraries. It is no surprise that most of the books that made the banned book list are written by Black authors and focus on topics relating to issues and experiences within the Black community.

The Color Purple

“The Color Purple” by Alice Walker is a novel set in 1900s Georgia and is narrated by Celie, the main character and protagonist as she details her experiences with her family including her mother, her abusive father and her sister Nettie. Though the story teaches women that they can be resilient in any situation with support from other women, the book was pulled from the shelves due to homosexuality, violence and explicit language. Between 1984 and 2013, the book was banned from school libraries across the United States. Then, Texas State Prisons banned the book for profanity and violence in 2017.

The Bluest Eye

“The Bluest Eye” was written by award-winning author Toni Morrison in 1970. The novel takes place between 1940 and 1941 in Lorain, Ohio which is also Morrison’s hometown. Bluest Eye tells the story of a girl named Pecola Breedlove who comes from a family considered to be troubled, unhappy and ugly due to the color of their skin. Many of the characters in the novel are Black or of Mixed ancestry who long to be White. Though this novel was banned due to racism, treatment of women and obscenity, it is important for students who deal with the same insecurities as Pecola to read this story. The story was listed as No. 2 on the American Library Association’s (ALA) list of the most challenged books in 2013 and again in 2014. It was banned in Montgomery County, MD after a mother described the book for being too “lewd.” Then it was banned in other schools and counties in states such as Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, Michigan, North Carolina, Indiana and California.

Go Tell it on the Mountain

“Go Tell it on the Mountain” written by novelist James Baldwin is set in 1935 in Harlem, N.Y. and tells the story of a Black teenager named John Grimes who is described as intelligent by peers and teachers. The novel is based on James Baldwin’s own experiences who also grew up in the city of Harlem. In the novel, Grimes came from a religious family and centers around his view on religion. Though the premise of “Go Tell it on the Mountain” centers on intellect and religion, this text was banned because of racism, violence, explicit sex, references to rape, treatment of women and profanity. The novel was banned in Prince William County, Va. in 1988 and in Hudson Valley, N.Y. in 1994.

Native Son

American author Richard Wright’s novel “Native Son” takes place on the South Side of 1930s Chicago and revolves around a 20-year-old Black man known as Bigger Thomas who is described to be illiterate and impoverished. Bigger goes through a life where racial prejudice is prevalent, and where he believes that he has no control over his life. Unfortunately, Bigger deals with his struggles in anger, stress and fear. Although he is not the typical protagonist, he is the definition of what a “native son” is; which is made up of the racism and violent culture within American society. Although “Native Son” was banned because of sex, violence and profanity, it’s beneficial for students to relate to a character. Native Son was banned from Irvington High School in California after parents complained about its violent and sexual content.

And Still I Rise

The inspirational poem “And Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou shares the oppression and strength of minorities, most specifically Black women. The book, also features other poems such as “Rememberance” and “Phenomenal Woman.” The words in Angelou’s poem are meant to instill confidence as Angelou describes how she rises above the obstacles, however, the book of poems was banned due to its sexual content. The book was challenged after complaints about its sexual content were made by parents from several school districts.

The Hate U Give

“The Hate U Give” was published in 2017 by author Angie Thomas. The story focuses on the topics of police brutality and institutional racism as it tells the story of Starr, a teenager who navigates two different worlds as she attends an elite school while living in an underprivileged community. However, Starr is a witness to the death of her childhood friend Khalil who is killed by a police officer. Readers are able to see Starr stand up against racism and challenge the criminal justice system, though this book was banned in part of the idea that The Hate U Give spoke against police officers. In 2017, it was also banned in Katy, Texas due to the use of profanity.

This is Your Time

Ruby Bridges is a civil rights activist who is better known for being the first Black child to attend a predominantly White elementary school in New Orleans, LA. Bridges wrote “This is Your Time” in the form of a letter to the reader. Her letter lists and describes the experiences that Bridges went through as a child as she attends her newly integrated school. “This is Your Time” was banned for racism even though the purpose of her story was to encourage readers to take action in standing up for their community.

A Lesson Before Dying

“A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest J. Gaines centers around a 21-year-old named Jefferson who lives in the fictional town of Bayonne, La. in the late 1940s. Jefferson is an uneducated black field worker who is wrongfully accused of robbing and murdering a White man. The lesson before dying was given to him by a teacher known as Grant Wiggins who volunteers to prepare Jefferson for his death. His last lesson would be to “never give up.” The purpose of A Lesson Before Dying was to teach readers to value their lives even at the time of death. The novel was banned in Savannah, Ga. in 2001 for violence, sexual content and language.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

“Their Eyes Were Watching God” by author and educator Zora Neale Hurston focuses on the roles of men and women. The story is set in early 20th Century Florida and it follows the story of Janie Mae Crawford who is described as an independent Black woman. In 1997, the text was banned after a parent of a Virginia high school student complained about its obscenity and sexual content.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Published in 1965, ‘‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was co-authored by journalist Alex Haley, acknowledges activist and religious leader Malcolm X. The reader is able to view his leadership and the racism which he endured throughout his childhood. This novel was banned for the novel, readers are also able to comprehend the Black American experience.

Banning books for racism and other “inappropriate” topics that may be affecting other students is not the answer. In order, to teach students and to prevent what happened in the past, it’s important to have difficult conversations. Racism, violence and abuse still stand in today’s society. However, allowing others to learn from another person’s story can encourage the next generation to combat these issues.

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D.C. Democratic Women’s Club hosts Critical Race Theory Forum

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 13:02:56 +0000

By Valca Valentine
Special to the AFRO

Some argue that racial oppression, discrimination, and inequality in America is a fairytale. Others cite evidence that measures the impact of past and continuing racial inequity. Why discuss these issues at all?

Critical Race Theory (CRT), the study of the origin and systematic impact of racism – is fueling heated debate among parents, teachers, and elected officials. The outcome is sure to influence education, healthcare, and upcoming elections.

On Tuesday, Feb. 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the D.C. Democratic Women’s Club (DCDWC) will frame Critical Race Theory at its Virtual Black History Program.

The distinguished panel, to be moderated by Dr. Ayo Sekai, includes the Hon. Sharon Pratt, Esq.; Hon. Dr. Frank Smith, Rev. Dr. George Holmes; Emira Woods, and Dr. C. Patrick Burroughs.

CRT is increasingly the focus of conservatives and lawmakers’ motivation around policy decisions. This year, legislation prohibiting the discussion of CRT in state agencies and K-12 public schools was introduced in Congress and 22 state legislatures. Legislation has passed in 6 states.

Jeannette Mobley, DCDWC President and host of the free program said the 55-year-old organization of more than120 members, is charged with education and advocacy around issues impacting political, social, and economic well-being.

The D.C. Democratic Women’s Club (DCDWC) will host a virtual Black History program on Critical Race Theory on Feb.8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Courtesy Photo)

“By focusing on Critical Race Theory, our intention is to create an opportunity for robust discussion on the intersection of race and law in the United States,” Mobley said.

“We’re featuring an excellent panel with expertise ranging from politics, economics, religion to history,” the DCDWC President added. Interaction is encouraged among regional and national attendees who have already begun to register. Mobley encourages those interested in joining the discussion to register on DCDWC’s website at www.dcdemocraticwomensclub.org.

Some CRT scholars argue that the idea of race “advances the interests of White people at the expense of people of color, maintaining a racially unjust social order with racially discriminatory outcomes.” Many academic and political critics of CRT argue the theory is “based on storytelling instead of evidence and reason, rejects truth and merit, and opposes liberalism.”

Although now popular in national discussion and headlines, CRT is not new. Scholars coined the phrase in their research during the post-civil rights era through the 1980s. Public policy experts incorporated the study to explore avenues to protect civil rights. At the same time, there are those who used the theory to maintain discriminatory practices.

According to an article, “Why Are States Banning Critical Race Theory?” published last year by the Brookings Institute, CRT has “become a new bogeyman for people unwilling to acknowledge racist history and how it impacts the present.”

“Opponents fear that CRT admonishes all White people for being oppressors while classifying all Black people as hopelessly oppressed victims,” the article continues. “These fears have spurred school boards and state legislatures from Tennessee to Idaho to ban teachings about racism in classrooms.”

The Brookings article authors Rashawn Ray and Alexandra Gibbons, warn against a fundamental problem: “these narratives about CRT are gross exaggerations of the theoretical framework. The broad brush that is being applied to CRT is puzzling to academics, including some of the scholars who coined and advanced the framework.”

Mobley, a long-standing D.C. political operative and civic leader, said the impact on our communities and political system requires heightened awareness of Critical Race Theory.

“The Supreme Court Justice nomination, COVID and healthcare, and voting rights protection demand that we become educated about this theory,” Mobley said. “We hope people from across the country will join us in what promises to be a great educational experience.”

The D.C. Democratic Women’s Club (DCDWC) promotes candidacy for women, advocacy, mentoring and training to empower and successfully engage women at all levels of the Democratic Party. Chartered in 1966, the DCDWC is an affiliate group of the Washington, D.C. Federation of Democratic Women, a member group of the National Federation of Democratic Women which is recognized by the Democratic National Committee.

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Dr. King was inspired by Jesus, Gandhi

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 10:24:04 +0000

Wanda Watts (Courtesy photo)

By Wanda Watts

When I was asked to write about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I agreed right away. But, when I started thinking about what to write, I drew a blank.

What could I say that people didn’t already know? He was a husband, father, minister and peaceful leader of civil rights, but everyone knows that. We all know he was an excellent student and entered Morehouse at the age of 15, by skipping grades, and in his lifetime was arrested at least 29 times for things like driving too fast and in support of voting rights.

So, of course, I started googling to see if there were things I didn’t know, and lo and behold there were a few things I had never heard. For instance, his original name was Michael and later his father traveled to Germany and upon his return, named Martin after the Protestant Reformist Leader Martin Luther! King Sr. changed his and his 5-year-old son’s name.

Later, when Martin was 12, his grandmother died and in grief he jumped from the second story window of his house. Thankfully he survived to become the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. And, during my research, I learned that George Washington and Martin Luther King Jr. are the only Americans to have a National Holiday named after them.

In 1963, he had a speech planned for the March on Washington, but at the urging of Mahalia Jackson, He told the audience “I have a Dream” which has become his most famous speech to date. And, in 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed a year after the “I have a Dream” speech.

In the United States there are more than 730 streets named after Martin Luther King and the motel where he was killed is now the National Civil Rights Museum.

Rev. King knew the value of an education in shaping successful people and believed the function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of education.

Dr. King often said he got his inspiration from Jesus Christ and his techniques from Mohandas K. Gandhi, and he believed these principles should be embraced as a lifestyle. These fundamental tenets of Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence are described in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom.

PRINCIPLE ONE: Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people

PRINCIPLE TWO: Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding

PRINCIPLE THREE: Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice not people

PRINCIPLE FOUR: Nonviolence holds that suffering for a cause can educate and transform people and societies

PRINCIPLE FIVE: Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate

PRINCIPLE SIX: Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice

It is my hope that this will give some little-known information about one of the most phenomenal people in my lifetime, but also educate and inform us that we must continue to carry on his work against the triple evils of poverty, racism and militarism.

Wanda Watts is the director of www.thewattsline.net.

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Woman-owned Black Garnet Books leads the pack in Bookshop.org’s donation program for local schools and organizations

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 03:17:34 +0000

Dionne Sims is the founder of Black Garnet Books, the only Black-owned bookstore in Minnesota. Her bookstore partnered with Bookshop.org’s donation program to provide copies of “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” to local high schools and organizations. (Courtesy Photo)

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer
Report for America Corps Member
msayles@afro.com

Bookshop.org, an ethical online marketplace that supports local bookstores, launched a book donation program to celebrate the publication of Nikole Hannah-Jones’ “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story,” and Black Garnet Books, the only Black-owned bookstore in Minnesota, is leading the effort.

The book drive, which is in partnership with Random House imprint One World, began in November and ends Jan. 31. Through Bookshop.org, customers can buy a copy of Hannah-Jones’ latest work from independent bookstores that will then be sent to local organizations that include schools, libraries and book banks.

“The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” is a substantial expansion of The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning reframing of American history, which places slavery and its continuing effects at the center of the country’s narrative. It weaves together 18 essays and features 36 poems and works of fiction.

Of the 5,926 copies already donated, Black Garnet Books alone has contributed over 700 books. Dionne Sims, owner of Black Garnet Books, wanted to join the donation program because of her appreciation for Hannah-Jones’ analysis of race and culture in the United States.

Sims first chose Patrick Henry High School in North Minneapolis for the book donation program and set a goal of 140 copies for the school’s freshman U.S. history classes. Now that she’s exceeded that goal, Sims has been able to donate to about 10 other schools and youth organizations across Minneapolis.

“I remember my high school history classes honestly really didn’t even touch on slavery. They were very focused on European history, as well as American history but from a very White, Eurocentric lens,” said Sims. “I never really got a comprehensive education about slavery and the ways in which it still affects current affairs laws, so if I can get this book into the hands of kids that would be really cool.”

Sims founded Black Garnet Books during the summer of 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Books had always been a way for her to feel more connected to herself and to process her emotions, but the closest Black-owned bookstore was in Chicago.

She tweeted that opening a Black-owned bookstore in Minnesota was her new dream, and there was an outpouring of support for the endeavor. This summer, Black Garnet Books will open its new permanent location in Saint Paul.

For Sims, “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” has the opportunity to teach youth why and how racism carries on today by examining the long-lasting, systemic impacts of slavery and Jim Crow laws.

“I’m hoping that if we can get our kids to understand this at a young age that they’ll grow into adults who can really harness that information to make change a lot sooner than those of us who’ve learned later in life can,” said Sims.

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NABJ Hall of Fame inductee Rodney Brooks releases guide for Blacks to close racial wealth gap

Demetrius Dillard Special to the AFRO — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 20:57:13 +0000

By Demetrius Dillard
Special to the AFRO

Since being inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Hall of Fame in December 2021, veteran financial journalist and author Rodney A. Brooks has added another achievement to a long list of accomplishments.

Veteran journalist and author Rodney Brooks releases book to act as self-help guide for Black Americans to fix the racial wealth gap.

The honor comes after a decorated career at USA Today that spanned three decades, where he has authored numerous thought-provoking articles covering finance, wealth and business. Brooks went from a general assignment reporter early in his journalism career to deputy managing editor/personal finance and retirement columnist in his last years at USA Today.

It’s been six years since Brooks retired from USA Today, but he still spends a good deal of time offering valuable insight on the topics he is passionate about as a columnist for AARP and the U.S. News & World Report. Aside from writing insightful columns, Brooks has authored a few books covering similar subject matters.

The abundant knowledge he obtained surrounding personal finance, retirement, and racial wealth disparities over the course of his journalism career, along with a profound endeavor to share that information with Black Americans, prompted Brooks’ latest literary work entitled “Fixing the Racial Wealth Gap.”

The book’s title is self-explanatory, and delves into the historical origin of the racial wealth gap and some of what Black Americans can do to combat the financial obstacles and hardships that left many of them in a downtrodden economic and social condition as opposed to their counterparts.

“This is a book that’s aimed at improving the financial education of Black Americans,” Brooks told the AFRO.

Establishing and sustaining generational wealth, retirement, having an emergency fund and the importance of having a will are some other topics Brooks discusses in “Fixing the Racial Wealth Gap,” also considered a “self-help” guide that thoroughly documents the plight of Black America while offering actionable solutions for Black people to position themselves better financially.

“Racism and discrimination put us here, but this is how we can save future generations,” according to the cover of the 214-page book, which also highlights financial literacy disparities. According to the Brookings Institution, the net worth of the average White family is $171,000, nearly 10 times greater than a Black family’s $17,150.

Also, the Black homeownership rate is around 43% compared to 73% for White Americans, Brooks highlighted.

The aforementioned grim statistics paint a picture of the systematic discrimination that continues to plague Black America and played a crucial role in Brooks’ decision to explore those topics in his journalistic and literary work.

“For years, my friends and colleagues have been saying I should write a book that offers financial planning advice for Black Americans because where we are and what we face is so different from White Americans,” said Brooks, a native of Baltimore by way of Newark, N.J.

“Fixing the Racial Wealth Gap,” released in October 2021, also addresses ongoing issues like the student debt crisis while advising Black Americans to wisely invest in the stock market, set up a life insurance policy and hire financial planners. Contrary to common belief, one doesn’t have to be excessively rich to employ a financial planner.

While less than 2% of certified financial planners in the U.S. are Black, Brooks suggests looking into the Association of African American Financial Planners for viable options.

“I’m big on financial literacy, and this was not something that my family discussed when we sat down at the dinner table. It is something that White families do discuss, so White kids go into college already have one up on us because they know about things we don’t know about,” Brooks said.

“So one of the things I say in the book is ‘we need to discuss finances with our children.’ For some reason, Black families feel like it’s a taboo subject, but the more we discuss it, the more they’ll be prepared as they grow up.”

Brooks, a Silver Spring resident, joined several dozen individuals for two virtual book launches: one a few weeks after it was released and another in early December. He is still an active member of NABJ and was grateful for his hall of fame induction, especially considering the various ways in which contributed to the organization – from serving as treasurer to co-founding a business taskforce.

“I am honored that they took all of that into consideration and voted me into the NABJ Hall of Fame. I’m really humbled by that,” he said.

From the time he was in junior high school, Brooks knew he was going to be a journalist. After years of impacting numerous communities through his work, Brooks now joins a distinguished class of media practitioners by earning one of the most prestigious honors in the world of Black journalism.

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Conversations with Dr. Kaye: It’s mourning in America: The incredible loss of bell hooks

Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 22:02:51 +0000

Dr. Kaye Whitehead (Courtesy Photo)

By Dr. Kaye Whitehead

As the president of the National Women’s Studies Association, I sent out a letter to our members mourning the passing of Dr. Gloria Jean Watkins, Ph.D./bell hooks: genius, scholar, cultural critic, author, professor, truth speaker, a lover of words and of us. She challenged us, taught us, spoke to and sometimes for us. She gave us the words to say and the courage to say them. bell hooks never gave up. She never gave in. She was more than we could have asked for and gave us more than we could have ever imagined. As someone said, our heroes are dying, and our enemies are in power.

When I first heard, read, finally accepted and understood that bell hooks was gone, all I could do was sit down and catch my breath. It is sometimes hard to imagine being in a world where the geniuses of your time are no longer in it. I started thinking about how I could honor her and mark this moment. Years ago, when I lived in Nairobi, my host mother told me that when someone in their family dies, everyone comes together to say that person’s name over and over again. She said that you can shout it. You can whisper it. You can cry or moan or shake while adding your voice to the collective of love. I had so many questions, but my host mother told me that it would not make any sense until I was there to witness and experience it for myself. When her cousin died, we traveled outside the city to the village for the funeral. After a long, more formal program at the church, we arrived at the gravesite and it finally started. Her aunt went first, and voice after voice joined in: some were moaning, some were crying, some were angry that she had left them. It just went on and on, and by the end, I was exhausted and spent, but I felt whole. It was cathartic. It was healing. It was a moment to recognize her life and contributions and give voice to it. My Nana, when I shared this with her, said that when people die, they run on ahead to see how the end is going to be, and maybe when we say their name, it marks the moment that their journey begins, or perhaps it marks the moment that this journey has ended.

I think about that whenever someone I know, or I know about, passes away. I said my Nana’s name, my nephew’s name and my grandfather’s name. I have said my mother-in-law and my father-in-law’s name. I said Breonna’s name, Tamir’s name and Trayvon’s name. I said Maya Angelou’s name and Toni Morrison and Audre Lorde and Toni Cade Bambara. I said their names over and over again. Sometimes, I spoke their names into the wind; sometimes, I said it as I wrote it down. I did it to remember them, to mark the moment, and add my voice to the collective of love. bell hooks, our shero, has run on ahead to see how the end is going to be and when I finally accepted it, I stopped and did what was most cathartic and healing for me: I simply said her name.

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On Dec. 15, we lost a giant. A genius. A fire. A brilliant incandescent spirit. For those of us who knew her or knew her work, we lost our radical intellectual spirit guide who helped us to find our way. I am not ok. Black women are not ok. None of us, feminists, scholars, activists, truth seekers, survivors, who sat at the feet of her work are ok. Not today. Not at this moment and not for a minute. It is not enough to say she saved me from cutting off my tongue because unless you know her genius, you will think that this is just about violence and not about salvation. It is not enough to say that she saved me from burning it all down because unless you know her brilliance, you will never understand how her words taught me how to come through the fire and be better and stronger on the other side. Because she wrote and published extensively, “bell hooks” will never leave us, but Gloria Jean Watkins did. The sun is not shining as bright as it was when she was still with us.

We speak her name.
We tell our stories.
We lift her up.
We do this to remember.
We do this to mark the moment.
We do this to thank her for loving us, for teaching us, and for reminding us.

It is mourning in America but like our sista bell hooks taught us, we will get through this and come out stronger on the other side.

Karsonya Wise Whitehead (todaywithdrkaye@gmail.com; Twitter: @kayewhitehead) is the Founding Director of The Karson Institute for Race, Peace, & Social Justice at Loyola University Maryland and the 2021 Edward R. Murrow Regional Award- winning radio host of “Today With Dr. Kaye” on WEAA 88.9 FM. She is the president of the National Women’s Studies Association (NWSA,) and lives in Baltimore City with her husband and their dog, BellaReds.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 145 W. Ostend Street Ste 600, Office #536, Baltimore, MD 21230 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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Robert J. Brown, A look beyond civil rights

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 21:45:41 +0000

Mr. Brown (Photo/J.J. McQueen)

By J.J. McQueen
Special to the AFRO

When the COVID-19 outbreak was announced in 2020, no one knew that the world would change forever. For many there hasn’t been a silver lining, but for others the pause provided a window of time to revisit and explore the stories of yesterday’s giants, and today’s living legends. One of the unsung civil rights heroes of the modern era is Robert J. Brown.

At the height of the movement there were many African Americans working diligently behind the scenes to create a better life for those that were less fortunate. A life that some thought they’d never see as it relates to opportunities for economic advancement, home ownership and access to a quality education. Mr. Brown, or “Bob” to those that know him personally, was one of the individuals that answered the call of leadership during treacherous times. His leadership style and approach wasn’t polar opposite to leaders like Malcom X, his close friend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the likes of Fannie Lou Hamer.

Mr. Brown Pointing to a photo of his tour of HBCU’s. (Photo/J.J. McQueen)

Mr. Brown’s approach has always been subtle, firm and confident. Born into the age of the Great Depression, he was no stranger to being creative. Those attributes were helpful in pouring water on the many fires during the F. W. Woolworth lunch counter sit-ins in the winter of the early 1960s. His actions combined with his faith, helped negotiate employment opportunities for blacks who weren’t previously allowed to eat at the lunch counters at the infamous Woolworth chain. Brown’s resume also includes being the primary spokesman in persuading the South African government to release Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990.

The native High Point, North Carolinian also went on to become White House aide to President Richard Nixon. The assignment wasn’t one that was popular among African Americans. However, he used his platform to help generate the first wave of fiscal momentum and government support to Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Following his days of working internationally, he went on to form BNC associates, a public relations firm that services clients globally.

Executive Staff Mtg (Courtesy of Mr. Brown)

Mr. Brown’s journey from being a child of the depression to his days in the White House are well documented in his book, “You Can’t Go Wrong Doing Right How a Child of Poverty Rose to the White House and Helped Change the World.”

At age 86, after having spent decades navigating the murky waters of poverty, segregation and serving the needs of people across the globe, he now spends his free time playing golf and passing the torch of public relations wisdom onto the next generation of leaders.

One of his favorite sayings is, “Keep pushing ahead.”

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bell hooks, author, professor and feminist, dead at 69

Special to the AFRO from the Amsterdam News — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 17:29:43 +0000

Author bell hooks. (Photo/Amersterdam News)

By Stephon Johnson

Acclaimed and celebrated author bell hooks passed away Dec. 15 at the age of 69.

According to her niece Ebony Motley, as reported by the Lexington Herald Leader, hooks had been battling an unknown illness. Motley also said that hooks was surrounded by close friends and family as she died.

hooks (whose real name is Gloria Jean Watkins) was born on Sept. 25, 1952 in Hopkinsville, Ky. She adopted the “bell hooks” moniker as a tribute to her maternal great-grandmother whose name was Bell Blair Hooks. hooks, allegedly, didn’t capitalize her name because she wanted the public to focus on her ideas and not her personality.

She made her living battling accepted norms that centered masculinity above all else. Her works and speeches on feminism, particularly Black woman-centered feminism, made her presence even more important in a white, female-dominated space.

She has written over 34 books, including 1981’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” 2002’s “Communion: The Female Search for Love” and 1999’s “All About Love.”

Near the end of her life, hooks taught at Berea College, a liberal arts institution in her native Kentucky. This fall, the school opened the bell hooks center, which celebrated her life and legacy. After news of hooks’ death made its way to the school, officials released a statement that celebrated her legacy balanced with the sadness of her absence.

“bell came into the life of many Bereans in 2004 to help the college get closer to its Great Commitments, particularly the Fifth Great Commitment focused on the kinship of all people and interracial education; the Sixth Great Commitment dedicated to gender equality; and the Eighth Great Commitment centered on service to Appalachia,” read part of the college’s statement.

Prominent figures commented on her passing using Twitter. Kimberly Foster, feminist and founder of For Harriet, a multi-platform digital community for Black women, and Black Girls Gather, a live event series, tweeted that hooks “invented the kind of Black feminist cultural commentary that is so popular right now. We’re all copying her.”

Clint Hill, an author, and a writer for The Atlantic, tweeted that hooks’ work was “imbued with a deep commitment to truth-telling, but also with a profound sense of care and love for community.”

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Health disparities hit survival rates for cancer, COVID

Special to the AFRO — Wed, 15 Dec 2021 21:04:37 +0000

Dr. Leana Wen

By Jayne O’Donnell, Julianne Hill and Enijah Brennon

Leana Wen knew her mother, who got winded walking to her car, wasn’t simply anxious or depressed. But that’s what the medical doctors treating Sandy Ying Zhang thought and that’s what mattered. It was the early 2000’s and Wen was in medical school, but her mother scoffed, “How would you know? You’re not a real doctor yet.”

In her new book, “Lifelines: A Doctor’s Journey in the Fight for Public Health,” Dr. Wen, now an emergency medicine physician and George Washington University health policy professor, tells the story both for insight into the painful friction with her late mother and the flaws of the healthcare system. It took a year for doctors to diagnose her mother’s breast cancer, which by then had metastasized to her lungs, brain and bones. She was given six months to live at 47, but lived seven more years before she died in 2010.

People of color who have cancer tend to be misdiagnosed, underdiagnosed or diagnosed late, adding challenges to care and lowering chances of survival, Wen said in an interview.

The past year of isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced some families to reschedule routine doctor’s appointments, screenings and other healthcare, delaying cancer diagnosis and even treatment.

Though the causes of cancer and COVID-19 vastly differ–one is influenced by genetics and the environment while the other is an infectious disease–the reasons for the disparity in incidence and survival rates for both overlap.

In Baltimore, for example, where Wen once served as the city health commissioner, the COVID case rate for Latinx people is 142.7 per 100,000, 57.4 for whites and 84.4 for Blacks, according to the Baltimore City Health Department. Death rates per 100,000 are 0.8 for Latinx, 1.2 for whites and 2.1 for Blacks.

That echoes the pattern seen for cancer nationally. Collectively, Blacks have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial or ethnic group for most cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

“While many people seemed surprised at these disparities during the pandemic, they existed long before COVID made some more aware,” Wen said. “COVID-19 did not create health disparities…if anything it’s unmasked disparities.”

Poverty, not race, may be biggest risk for cancer

Poverty is a bigger risk factor for cancer diagnosis than race, said Dr. Otis Brawley, an oncologist and Bloomberg distinguished professor at John Hopkins University.

People living in low- and middle-income counties in the U.S. are more likely to die of cancer than those living in high-income counties, according to a report in JAMA Open Network. Eight factors, such as access to high-quality medical care, food insecurity, smoking and obesity, may explain more than 80% of the relationship between poverty and disparities in cancer death rates, according to that study.

About 600,000 people die a year of cancer. “And about 130,000 of those 600,000 deaths would not occur if everybody got what college-educated Americans get, in terms of risk reduction/prevention…adequate high-quality screening and adequate high-quality treatment,” Brawley said.

But while education levels are often used as a proxy for income, the correlation doesn’t always hold– Wen’s family, for example, was well educated, but also was certainly poor. Wen and her parents moved to the U.S. from China — in the early 1990s — when Wen was a child for her mother’s PhD program in education. They had $40 and relied on Medicaid and food stamps and were occasionally homeless.

Profound personal experiences including her mother’s cancer misdiagnosis moved Wen into public health. Back in China, her political dissident father refused hospital treatment for bleeding ulcers for fear of imprisonment. After her family moved to Los Angeles, Wen, then in fifth grade, tried to help save a young Mexican boy with her own inhaler. The boy later died from the asthma attack after his parents refused to call 911 for fear of deportation.

“There is a systemic issue at play,” said Wen, “ hatever community you’re in, you can find disparate rates whether by race or socioeconomic status.”

Access to care

One factor driving racial disparities in occurrence and survival is access to adequate care, including medication, said Brawley. People who have high-quality, affordable health insurance have higher cancer survival rates, according to research on the topic.

“We have many studies to show that equal treatment yields equal outcomes,” he said. “Results from major hospitals for cancer, for example, rarely show racial differences in outcome.”

Quality care includes both screening and treatment. Brawley cited his earlier research showing 7% of Black women with early stage, curable breast cancer in Georgia did not receive treatment for it in the first two years after diagnosis.

“There’s a lot of programs out there pushing people to get screened, but there’s very few programs out there pushing people who have been screened and diagnosed to get treated,” Brawley said.

Since Medicaid, the main public health insurance program for the poor, reimburses care at a lower rate than private insurance, doctors are less likely to follow up with lower-income patients who have been diagnosed, Brawley said.

Since not all doctors and hospitals are willing to take Medicaid patients, those that will have overcrowded waiting rooms and overwhelmed doctors, which means patients get ‘less than optimal care,’” he added.

Participation in clinical trials low, but only part of problem

Researchers have long had trouble with getting minorities to participate in clinical trials. Nationally in 2018, white people made up 67% of the population, but were 83% of research participants, while Black people made up 13.4% of the population and only 5% of clinical trial participants.

“We should try to have clinical trials as representative as possible in all ways– racial, socioeconomic, even regional. The result would then be closer to what would be expected if all people could get the treatment,” Brawley said.

However, lack of diversity in trials is not the key problem, he said. “Once we figure out a treatment that works, I can guarantee you that Black people are less likely to get it.

“It’s not that the drugs do not work in Black people. It’s that Blacks do not get the drugs,” he said.

Healthy, adequate food plays critical role in cancer prevention

Beyond– and before– diagnosis and treatment, healthy living conditions, including clean air and adequate, nutritious food, can make a big difference in reducing the risk of developing cancer.

Far more work is needed in the area of prevention tied to these social determinants of health, –such as creating greater access to healthy food, Brawley and Wen agree.

For instance, being overweight or obese is linked to a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer– 40% of all cancers diagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Over 60 percent of black women are obese compared to 35 percent of white women. Now why are they obese?” Brawley said. “It’s for numerous social reasons.”

These include:

More low-income people and people of color live in communities with limited access to safe places to exercise and play;
COVID-related job losses hit the Black community particularly hard because they were more likely to be employed in sectors with layoffs, making it harder to afford healthy foods;
Low income people often live in food deserts, where access to fresh affordable food is limited.

“In my city in Baltimore, one in three African-Americans live in a food desert without access to healthy fruits and vegetables compared to one in 12 whites,” Wen said.

Instead, they eat food available nearby, often at gas stations or convenience stores.

Sometimes there isn’t even unhealthy food to eat. In one of her book’s most powerful anecdotes, Wen recalls that while working as Baltimore health commissioner she was called before 6 a.m. one day about a burglary– the third in a month– at a health clinic she didn’t think had anything left to steal.

After rifling through the staff’s belongings, Wen and others discovered the suspected teen burglars took only snacks and old lunches.

“I thought about how desperate these kids had to be. They committed a crime by breaking and entering,” she said. “But how hungry must they have been to go into a fridge and eat old leftover food?”

Systemic, historical inequities that influence cancer rates and survival– where people live, the quality of their education, the types of jobs they can work and what type of healthcare they can access–may not be immediately or completely reversible, the experts said.

“The five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day, the maintaining of normal body weight, the avoidance of pollution, all of those things can help to prevent cancer,” Brawley said. “That’s where the ‘haves’ have an up on the ‘have nots’ to begin with.”

To reduce the gap between these two ends of the spectrum, the experts agreed, is possible, though. Funding programs and education in minority and low-income communities is a start, along with simply raising awareness.

“ I don’t want people to take away, “Well, the problem is just too big,’” Wen said in an interview. “’There are different roles that we each can play in different ways in our lives,” ranging from activists who call out their legislators to grass-roots community groups that feed homeless people to public officials who approve funding for preventative programs that teach about childhood obesity.

Wen wanted to be an emergency room doctor so she wouldn’t have to turn anyone away, even if they didn’t have insurance or documentation to be in the U.S. She went into public health because she saw that the U.S. healthcare system doesn’t address the root causes of diseases like cancer, or the poverty that often determines whether people have access to high-quality care.

Public health, she wrote, “is the ability to level the unequal playing field. It’s the social supports that give everyone their best chance to survive.”

Jayne O’Donnell is founder and Julianne Hill is managing editor of the Urban Health Media Project. UHMP student Enijah Brennon is a high school junior in Washington, D.C. Shawna James, Alaina Wheeler and Lanae Williams, high school students from Philadelphia, D.C., and Baltimore, respectively, contributed to this story.

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Prize-winning 1619 Project now out in book form

Hillel Italie — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 14:44:07 +0000

This combination photo shows cover art for “The 1619 Project: Born On the Water” based on a student’s family tree assignment, with words by Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson and illustrations by Nikkolas Smith, left, and “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story”. (Kokila/One World via AP)

By Hillel Italie
AP National Writer

Thais Perkins is the owner of Reverie Books in Austin, Texas, and the parent of a middle school student and high school student. Among the books she is eager to have in her store, and in the schools, is an expanded edition of “The 1619 Project”.

“My store is a social-justice oriented bookstore, and this book fits very well within that mission,” she says. “I am promoting community sponsorships of the book, where people can purchase a copy and have it donated to one of the schools.”

That is assuming, of course, the school will be allowed to accept it.

The “1619 Project,” which began two years ago as a special issue of The New York Times magazine, has been at the heart of an intensifying debate over racism and the country’s origins and how they should be presented in the classroom.

The project has been welcomed as a vital new voice that places slavery at the center of American history and Black people at the heart of a centuries-long quest for the U.S. to meet the promise — intended or otherwise — that “all men are created equal.” Project creator Nikole Hannah-Jones received a Pulitzer Prize for commentary.

At the same time, opposition has come from such historians as the Pulitzer Prize winner Gordon Wood, who denounced the project’s initial assertion that protecting slavery was a primary reason for the American Revolution (the language has since been amended) and from Republican officials around the country. Sen. Tom Cotton, of Arkansas, has proposed a bill that would ban federal funding for teaching the project, and the Trump administration issued a “1776 Commission” report it called a rebuttal against “reckless ‘re-education’ attempts that seek to reframe American history around the idea that the United States is not an exceptional country but an evil one.”

In 2021, Republican objections to the 1619 project and to critical race theory have led to widespread legislative action. According to Jonathan Friedman, director of free expression and education at PEN America, dozens of bills around the country have been proposed or enacted that call for various restrictions on books seen as immoral or unpatriotic. Two bills passed in Texas specifically mention the 1619 project.

“When you look at the current movement about critical race theory, you can see some of its origins in the fight over the 1619 project,” Friedman says.

The Texas laws, Friedman says, are “opaque” about how or whether a given school such as the ones attended by Perkins’ kids could receive a copy of the 1619 book. He cites a passage which reads “a teacher, administrator, or other employee of a state agency, school district, or open-enrollment charter school may not … require an understanding of the 1619 Project.” The provision “effectively bars a teacher from teaching or assigning any materials from the 1619 Project,” he says, but not the school library from stocking it — especially if the book has been donated.

A spokesperson for the Austin Independent School District says in a statement that the “academics team is currently working on this internally, and we are not yet able to speak to the issue.”

The 1619 book appears destined for political controversy, but it’s also a literary event. Contributors range from such prize-winning authors on poverty and racial justice as Matthew Desmond, Bryan Stevenson and Michelle Alexander, to Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins, to “Waiting to Exhale” novelist Terry McMillan and author Jesmyn Ward, a two-time winner of the National Book Award for fiction. Along with essays on religion, music, politics, medicine and other subjects, the book includes poetry from the Pulitzer winners Tracy K. Smith, Yusef Komunyakaa, Rita Dove and Natasha Trethewey.

“It’s just such an amazing part of this book,” Hannah-Jones says of the poems and prose fiction. “It gives you these beautiful breaks between these essays.”

“The 1619 Project” book already has reached the top 100 on the bestseller lists of Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. Online seller Bookshop.org has set up a partnership with the publisher One World, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for independent stores such as Reverie Books to donate copies to local libraries, schools, book banks and other local organizations.

Hannah-Jones’ promotional tour is a mix of bookstores and performing venues, and at least one very personal journey. She will make appearances at the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Free Library of Philadelphia. She will visit Waterloo West High School in her home state of Iowa, partner with Loyalty Bookstore and Mahogany Books for an event at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington and attend the Chicago Humanities Festival.

She also will speak at the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English. Lynsey Burkins, who leads the council’s Build Your Stack initiative, which helps teachers build their classroom libraries, says it was important to reflect a diversity of experiences in the classroom texts. Burkins, a third grade teacher in Ohio, says that it’s easier to engage students with topics like history when they can see themselves in the work they’re reading.

“The more books that we have in our menu, the more that students get to start learning about historical events in a way that is humanizing for them,” Burkins says.

Hannah-Jones says that reaching classrooms was not on her mind when she conceived of “The 1619 project,” but that schools have become important outlets. Through a partnership with the Pulitzer Center, which has teamed with the Times before, the project has been embraced by dozens of schools and educational centers around the country, from high school history faculty in Baltimore to grade school teachers in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the advocacy group Texas Trailblazers for Equity in Education.

Hannah has a second book out this week. The Penguin Random House imprint Kokila is publishing the picture story “Born On the Water,” a collaboration among Hannah-Jones, co-writer Renée Watson and illustrator Nikkolas Smith that Hannah-Jones says she was inspired to work on after readers of the Times magazine asked for something addressed to younger readers.

It is a mini-history – with verse and images – that traces centuries of Black lives from their thriving communities in Africa to their forced passage overseas and enslavement to their hard-earned freedom. Those once “brokenhearted, beaten and bruised” became “healers, pastors and activists,” Hannah-Jones and Watson write, “because the people fought/America began to live up to its promise of democracy.”

Jess Lifshitz, who teaches fifth grade literacy in the Chicago suburbs, says that although she was familiar with “The 1619 Project,” she didn’t plan to directly incorporate the work into her classroom because of her students’ age. That changed when she received a preview copy of “Born on the Water.”

“It honors what children are able to wrestle with and grapple with, and I think so many books written for children underestimate what they’re capable of,” Lifshitz says. “With all the tension that is swirling around adults, sometimes it’s hard to remember what a beautiful picture book that tells an accurate story about history can do for the kids sitting in the room.”

___

Annie Ma, who covers education and equity for AP’s Race and Ethnicity team, contributed to this report. Follow her on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/anniema15

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Many use e-books, most prefer the old fashioned way

Nicole Batey Special to the AFRO — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 20:41:52 +0000

According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 37% of Americans claim to only read print books, while 7% read ebooks. (Photo courtesy Unsplash)

By Nicole D. Batey
Special to the AFRO

Although e-tablet or electronic readers, like the Kindle by Amazon or Nook by Barnes and Nobles, enhanced the way people read today, the physical book is still preferred by the majority of readers across the country.

According to Tonerbuzz.com, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center on book consumption and book formats, traditional print is still the most popular reading format for both adults and children. Below are the results of that survey:

72% of adults in the United States read a book in some format over the last year
65% of respondents claimed they read a book in the last 12 months
37% of Americans claim they only read print books
28% say they read both print books and e-books
7% say they only read e-books

A number of older adults are turning to e-books for their source of reading because of convenience and the ability to change the font, making it easier on the eyes to read.

Eric Peck, 74, felt the need to start reading to help strengthen his mind. “When I first started reading, I was using regular books. Then I bought a tablet from Amazon and have been reading books on that ever since. They’re easy to order and pull up when I want to read. Also I have access to multiple books at one time, anywhere that fits in the palm of my hand.”

Alison Penny, 57, agreed. “The older I get, the more I like reading on my e-tablet. I can adjust the font to a larger size and do other manipulations to the e-book I’m reading easily. Also, the app I use will make recommendations of books to read, so I find myself reading more consistently, especially during the pandemic.”

There are some however who still prefer a good physical book. One Baltimore resident, who prefers to remain anonymous said, “I prefer a real book in my hand. I want to use a highlighter or write notes in the book if I’m studying. When I’m reading for leisure, I enjoy turning the pages.”

Over the past 10 years, our nation’s libraries have been offering more book selections in both the physical and the digital format. Maryland uses the Libby app to offer readers the choice of e-book and audio options, and digital magazines are available as well. To access Libby, you can register online or in person at their local branch for a library card, download the Libby app and follow instructions to register.

The pandemic has also pushed the increase of book sales. Barnes and Noble has reported double-digit sales growth in books over the past year. The retailer says teenagers and tweens are part of the reason for the surge in sales. According to the New York Post, sales of Manga or graphic novels are up by as much as 500 percent at some stores where young adults are crowding the aisles.

Physical books are still in high demand among readers of every age across the country. However, the e-book is making reading more easily accessible to everyone. Whatever your preference, books continue to be a great source of education as well as entertainment.

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Spelman graduate teaches kids the ‘ABCs of HBCUs’ in new book

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 22:14:03 +0000

(Courtesy of The ABCs of HBCUs)

By Nadine Matthews
Special to the AFRO

Thanks to people like T-Nehisi Coates (Howard), Kamala Harris (Howard), Spike Lee (Morehouse), and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, mainstream America has finally started becoming more aware of HBCUs, or Historically Black Colleges. Mostly located in the south, HBCUs are a group of colleges founded beginning in the 19th Century, to provide post secondary education to Black-Americans when most were prohibited from attending predominantly White institutions.

Still, too few people remain unaware of the current value, unique culture and significant place in history these institutions hold. Oakland school teacher and Spelman graduate Claudia Walker is remedying that by writing a children’s book, The ABCs of HBCUs, that introduces these vaunted houses of higher learning to elementary school-aged children. A proud second-generation HBCU graduate, her book is inspired by her undergraduate experiences at Spelman College.

“If it hadn’t been for my mom who attended an HBCU, Savannah State, and sang its praises or the show A Different World, which let me live out the fantasy of attending an all Black college,” stated Claudia Walker, “I probably wouldn’t have attended an HBCU.” Walker shares that her high school guidance counselor, “spoke very negatively about HBCUs.”

Walker didn’t listen to their advice and is happy she took that course. “I had so many great experiences there that I’ve carried with me for a long time, and I got opportunities from attending an HBCU that I wouldn’t have gotten if I hadn’t gone to Spelman.”

During her teaching career she found that the disturbing trend hadn’t abated since her own days in high school. Many of her students had either been given the wrong impression about HBCUs, or had never heard of them at all. “It made me really want to create a book, now a book series, that teaches children about the legacies of HBCUs and some of the great thinkers and activists that have come out of those schools as early as possible.”

Like many who attend HBCUs, Walker had always attended PWIs prior to college. Stepping onto the campus of Spelman, she said, “Felt like home. It’s a space that really celebrates and uplifts Black students. We don’t have to explain or defend our existence or why we’re taking advanced classes. It made me recognize my own power as a woman.”

(Courtesy of The ABCs of HBCUs)

Going to an HBCU, Walker stated, also opened her own eyes to the diversity within the Black community itself. “Sometimes people come from small towns where the narrative is that all Black people are the same or they come from a PWI where they are one of just a few Black people. When you go to an HBCU you realize how vast the diaspora is. You may be in class with Black people from a town you’ve never heard of, or Europe, or the Caribbean, or Ghana.”

Walker also points out that today, going to an HBCU may increase the chance of being offered opportunities at larger companies looking for talent. “Oftentimes when corporations are recruiting and intentionally looking to diversify and make sure they have more African-Americans at the table, they’re going to HBCUs because they know it’s a numbers game. They’re gonna come out with a strong group of potential new hires.”

The value of HBCUs also lies in the fact that they are institutions made with the needs of Black students in mind, not as an afterthought. “I can’t think of any other institution in America,” states Walker, “that is designed to support our educational, emotional, and social advancement.”

It’s for these reasons and others that Walker stresses the responsibility of Black America to keep the institutions thriving by supporting them financially. “Many of the reasons people push back on HBCUs is because they believe there aren’t enough resources. It is our responsibility to make sure we’re supporting our institutions. If not, they die off; and we’ve seen that happen. Very often HBCUs are at risk of closure because of lack of financial support.”

She encourages those who don’t know much about HBCUs to “Be open to listening to the experiences of those who have. attended.” She also stressed the need to consistently keep history alive and emphasize the significance of these institutions in America’s history. “The first HBCU was founded in 1837. We couldn’t go to White colleges. We created something because nothing else existed for us so it’s important to keep those legacies alive.”

Please visit www.hbcuprepschool.com for more information about The ABCs of HBCUs.

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For scores of years, newspapers printed hate, leading to racist terror lynchings and massacres of Black Americans

Capital News Service — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:28:49 +0000

By DENEEN L. BROWN
The Howard Center For Investigative Journalism

For decades, hundreds of white-owned newspapers across the country incited the racist terror lynchings and massacres of thousands of Black Americans. In their headlines, these newspapers often promoted the brutality of white lynch mobs and chronicled the gruesome details of the lynchings.

Many white reporters stood on the sidelines of Jim Crow lynchings as Black men, women, teenagers and children were hanged from trees and burned alive. White mobs often posed on courthouse lawns, grinning for photos that ran on front pages of mainstream newspapers.

These racist terror lynchings — defined as extrajudicial killings carried out by lawless mobs intending to terrorize Black communities — evoked horror as victims were often castrated, dismembered, tortured and riddled with bullets before being hanged from trees, light poles and bridges.

Lynchings took different forms. Some Black people were bombed, as four little girls were in a church in Birmingham, Alabama. Black men were whipped by mobs to silence them. Emmett Till was kidnapped, tortured, beaten and thrown into the Tallahatchie River with a cotton-gin fan tied around his neck with barbed wire.

“Printing Hate,” a yearlong investigation by students working with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, examines the scope, depth and breadth of newspaper coverage of hundreds of those public-spectacle lynchings and massacres.

This project investigates the cumulative effect of how newspaper headlines and editorials incited racist terror and falsely accused Black people of crimes.

The series uncovers the widespread practice of publishing headlines that accelerated lynchings and massacres. That included newspapers announcing “Negro uprisings,” publishing uncorroborated stories of Black men accused of “assaulting” white women, and printing false allegations of arson and vagrancy — all in an attempt to justify racist terror inflicted on Black people.

Many of the newspapers examined in this project ran racist headlines, calling Black people “brutes,” “fiends” and “bad Negroes.”

Newspapers across the South greeted readers with “Hambone’s Meditations,” a racist caricature created by The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tennessee. (The Commercial Appeal was owned by Scripps-Howard from 1936 to 2015, when the company spun off its newspapers. The Scripps Howard Foundation supports the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland.)

Some of the newspapers advertised upcoming lynchings, often printing the time, date and place where mobs would gather. Some white reporters watched, took notes and wrote riveting accounts of the barbarity of mobs, documenting the horror of the wounds inflicted, with blow-by-blow descriptions of the attacks, as though they were writing about a sporting event.

But those reporters, as skilled as they were as writers, often failed to practice good journalism, by undertaking the basic job of reporters — pursue and tell the truth.

Many of those reporters failed to identify white people in the mob. They also failed to hold government officials accountable by asking hard questions of the sheriffs, judges and other local law enforcement officials who stepped aside while white mobs attacked Black people.

This series found that the collective impact of those accounts was devastating.

Triggered by front-page headlines, Black people were often dragged from their homes, ridiculed, tormented and whipped with straps so sharp their flesh was shredded.

Sparked by reports, a white mob of more than 2,000 people in Salisbury, Maryland, pulled 23-year-old Matthew Williams from the “Negro ward” of the hospital, on Dec. 4, 1931, threw him out the window, stabbed him with an ice pick, and dragged him to the courthouse lawn. Before dousing him with gasoline, they cut off his fingers and toes, then drove to the Black side of town, where they tossed his body parts onto porches of Black people, while shouting for them to make “N—– sandwiches.”

The project reveals how the scope of the news of the day for some Americans was often ghastly, shaping the American landscape and psyche.

The front pages included pictures of people being killed in the most horrible ways. The lynchings were covered as an everyday occurrence, often reported side by side with who graduated from college that day and stock prices.

A reader could open the newspaper in the morning and casually scan the headlines reporting baseball scores, finalists in beauty contests, reports on tariff negotiations and a news story advocating lynchings.

The fact that lynchings took place is generally known, and the fact that some newspapers incited lynchings is generally known. But the Howard Center’s reporting shows how widespread this incendiary coverage was.

It was not a question of this coverage just happening in places like Wilmington, North Carolina; Montgomery, Alabama; or Atlanta, but it happened in small towns across America.

Not all white-owned newspapers were guilty, and there were degrees of guilt. In some instances, editors looked the other way. In other instances, they not only covered the fire; they lit the fuse.

A flag announcing another lynching. “A MAN WAS LYNCHED YESTERDAY,” is flown from the window of the NAACP headquarters on 69 Fifth Ave., New York City in 1936. (Everett Collection/Shutterstock)

“Printing Hate” examines white-owned newspaper coverage of lynchings and massacres from the end of the Civil War in 1865 to the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.

During those 100 years, thousands of Black people were murdered in massacres and lynchings. In that same period, nearly 5,000 racial terror lynchings of Black people occurred, according to a Howard Center analysis of the Beck-Tolnay inventory of Southern Lynch Victims and the Seguin-Rigby National Data Set of Lynchings in the United States.

Lynchings were often public-spectacle executions “carried out by lawless mobs, though police officers did participate, under the pretext of justice,” according to the NAACP, which in 1919 published “Thirty Years of Lynching in the United States, 1889-1919,” to promote awareness of the scope of lynching.

A MULTIFACETED INVESTIGATION

The series of stories in “Printing Hate” resulted from a multifaceted investigation by 58 student journalists from the University of Maryland, the University of Arkansas and five historically Black colleges and universities: Hampton University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Morgan State University and North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University.

The students spent months examining hundreds of newspapers to detail the complicity of many white newspaper owners, publishers and journalists who used headlines, articles and editorials to incite racist mob violence and terror, in the form of lynchings, massacres and pogroms.

In the course of this investigation, student journalists examined hundreds of headlines and news reports that were collected in an original database designed by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism.

“We found lots of examples of sensationalized coverage and trumped-up charges,” said Sean Mussenden, data editor at the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, who worked with student journalists who built a database to allow many papers to examine their past lynching coverage. “As someone who has worked in the industry for a long time, I understood newspapers to be imperfect institutions that nonetheless served as guardians of truth who righted wrongs and exposed corrupt officials. I was shocked by the role so many papers played in promoting a culture of racial terror.”

The students were not the first to uncover the white newspaper coverage, which was often countered by the Black press.

However, they were able to investigate as reporters of a new generation bringing a 21st-century perspective to the project.

This investigation of newspaper coverage of lynchings comes at a time of “racial reckoning” in newsrooms.

The stories dive into the country’s racist history, at a time when states are passing laws to prevent that truth from being told, under the guise of banning the teaching of critical race theory — designed to be taught in law schools.

The series begins at a time when several major newspapers have issued statements, acknowledging and apologizing for racist coverage. “Printing Hate” attempts to add to this discourse by providing a more comprehensive review of that racist historical newspaper coverage that incited the deaths of thousands of Black people.

ROLLOUT

“Printing Hate” will roll out over the next three months, publishing to the University of Maryland’s Capital News Service and Howard Center website. It is set to be published by Word In Black, a “groundbreaking collaboration of the nation’s leading Black news publishers,” and is scheduled to appear on the National Association of Black Journalists’ website.

Over the course of these months, the project seeks to tell the story of the Black Americans who were betrayed by American newspapers, whose job should have been to report the facts and circumstances fairly and accurately.

NEWSROOMS

“Printing Hate” contains interviews with current newspaper editors who have issued apologies and with those who have not. The project examines how the U.S. government failed to enact anti-lynching legislation to prevent the murder of Black people.

Readers will find interviews with descendants of lynching victims, including an account of the lynching of William Henderson Foote, who was killed by a mob in Yazoo City, Mississippi, in 1883. He was the first Black federal officer to die in the line of duty, “defending the rule of law in protection of a citizen’s basic civil right,” the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined.

The series showcases compelling narratives of those impacted by newspaper accounts, including the 1908 case of Annie Walker, who begged “night riders” for mercy before she was killed, according to a report in the Public Ledger newspaper in Kentucky.

The project features a timeline, written by a visiting professional, which connects the dots between racial terror massacres and lynchings, and failed attempts by Congress to pass anti-lynching legislation.

The shadow of lynching painted over a crowd of white people. In the 1920 and 1930s, the NAACP created and distributed lynching-related images (Everett Collection/Shutterstock)

“Printing Hate” includes a story explaining how white-owned newspapers conspired to destroy a political party in Danville, Virginia, coverage of the lynching of Sank Majors and the inhumanity of Waco, Texas, where massive public lynchings of Black men were nurtured by the city’s newspapers.

The project includes a story about The Columbus Dispatch, which condoned the lynching of John Gibson, published under the headline, “NEGRO FIEND MEETS HIS FATE.”

Readers will discover a report from a student journalist who dove into history and emerged with a story about the managing editor of The Atlanta Constitution and publisher of The Atlanta Journal, who ran for governor on platforms championing the fallacy of white supremacy.

The Atlanta Journal wrote an editorial in 1906 in support of “the legal disenfranchisement of 223,000 male negroes of voting age in Georgia.” The Journal claimed to support the disenfranchisement of Black men because “we are the superior race and do not intend to be ruled by our semi barbaric inferiors.”

The “Printing Hate” package of stories sweeps west to the blood-soaked cotton fields of Elaine, Arkansas, where newspapers inaccurately reported in 1919 that Black people in Elaine were engaged in an “uprising” against white people.

Those headlines were essentially dog-whistle calls to white people in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and surrounding states to descend on Elaine and literally hunt and kill Black people.

In “Printing Hate,” students write how the press covered jazz great Billie Holiday when she sang about “Strange Fruit”; how lynching photos and postcards were used by the media to foment terror; and about the courage of many journalists in the Black press who — often despite threats to their lives — pursued the truth about lynchings.

This includes fearless anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells-Barnett; Walter White, who investigated lynchings for the NAACP; Robert S. Abbott, founder of The Chicago Defender, whose masthead promised “We Print THE TRUTH No Matter Whom IT HURTS;” Simeon S. Booker Jr., the first Black reporter for The Washington Post, and an award-winning journalist who covered the civil rights movement for Jet and Ebony magazines; Moses Newson, a reporter for the Tri-State Defender in Memphis and the Baltimore Afro-American, who covered the 1955 trial of the white men who lynched Emmett Till in Mississippi.

Roscoe Dunjee, the founder and publisher of The Black Dispatch newspaper in Oklahoma City and a fearless crusader for justice, wrote in a 1919 editorial that white editors across the country — including at The New York Times and The Washington Post — should cease printing inflammatory headlines and false reports about Black people, which Dunjee wrote incited racist violence.

As evidence, he cited a July 1919 Washington Post headline that provided the precise time, date and location where white mobs would “mobilize” near the White House to continue attacks on Black people during the D.C. Massacre of 1919, which left as many as 39 people dead.

“As long as editors encourage lawlessness as cynically as the editor of The Washington Post, there can be no hope of averting mob violence anywhere,” Dunjee said.

C.R. Gibbs, a historian and author of “Black, Copper, & Bright: The District of Columbia’s Black Civil War Regiment,” said newspapers often amplified community attitudes about race and racism.

“They provided the oil to throw on the fire of racial intolerance,” Gibbs said. “They essentially abandoned the cardinal rule of the press to report fairly and accurately. When we look at the vitriol splashed across newspapers across the country, when it came to race, they should still be liable for some sort of justice. These headlines had the real effect of taking people’s lives, of making people’s situations that much worse time and time again. They were not fighters for truth and justice. They were propagators of violence, oppression and bloodshed.”

Victoria A. Ifatusin, a graduate student at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism, said working on the project was a profound experience.

“We talk about social injustices today and how Black people were treated back then quite often,” Ifatusin said. “But I don’t think that people, including me before this project, really understood how Black people were horrifically mistreated, to the point that their lives were taken just for their skin color. And newspapers, a medium of truth, aided in that mistreatment. As a young reporter, it deeply hurts to know that reporters of this time who were meant to seek truth, deliberately printed false information that harmed Black people. This only contributes to the passion I have for journalism in efforts to tell stories truthfully without creating harm to anyone.”

The stories, headlines, photos, editorials and cartoons detailed in the “Printing Hate” series may hit readers in the gut because of the cumulative effect of the resulting racist terror lynchings and massacres.

The package of stories is unflinching. But it is required reading because the role some white-owned newspapers played in inciting racist terror lynchings and massacres against Black people in America is undeniable.

Vanessa Sanchez and Brittany Gaddy contributed to this report.

DeNeen L. Brown is an associate professor of journalism at the University of Maryland.

“FRIED OVER SLOW FIRE: Negro Commits the Unspeakable Crime and Is Put to Death With Horrible Torture; MOB GLOATS OVER FIENDISH BARBARITY”
– Herald Democrat, Sherman, Texas, May 23, 1902

“LYNCHING CAUSED BY BRUTAL MURDER”
– The Times and Democrat, Orangeburg, S.C., July 14, 1914

“NEGRO UNDER SENTENCE TO HANG LYNCHED AT TALLAHASSEE”
– The Pensacola Journal, Pensacola, Fla., June 8, 1909

“BLOODY WORK OF MOB”
– The Choctaw Plaindealer, Ackerman, Miss., Aug. 12, 1910

“Gov. Brough Fired Upon by Negroes at Elaine; NEGROES HAD PLOT TO RISE AGAINST WHITES, CHARGED”
– Arkansas Democrat, Little Rock, Ark., Oct. 2, 1919

“THE ASSAULT ON WOMAN AVENGED–DAVIS DRAGGED FROM JAIL AND LYNCHED–MOB RIDDLED NEGRO RAVISHER WITH BULLETS; HUNG TO TREE ON BRICKYARD HILL AT EARLY HOUR THIS MORNING; BRUTE CONFESSED BEFORE THE CROWD–SAID HE INTENDED TO MURDER HER AS WELL”
– Evening Capital, Annapolis, Md., Dec. 21, 1906

“3,000 WILL BURN NEGRO”
– The New Orleans States, New Orleans, La., June 26, 1919

“Nab Negro for Attacking Girl In an Elevator”
– The Tulsa Tribune, Tulsa, Okla., May 31, 1921

“JOHN HARTFIELD WILL BE LYNCHED BY ELLISVILLE MOB AT 5 O’CLOCK THIS AFTERNOON”
– Jackson Daily News, Jackson, Miss., June 26, 1919

“FIXED FOR A BARBECUE; Preparations to Roast Jim Buchanan, Negro Murderer. Had the Mob Secured Him at Nacogdoches This was to Have Been the Programme”

– The Southern Mercury, Dallas, Texas, Oct. 16, 1902

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October becomes Margins Bookstores Month to celebrate diverse booksellers

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:29:51 +0000

Viniyanka Prasad, executive director at The Word. (Courtesy Photo)

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer
Report for America Corps Member
msayles@afro.com

For the first time ever, October is being recognized as Margins Bookstores Month. The Word, a Denver-based nonprofit that promotes equity through literary arts, has joined forces with Bookshop.org to celebrate bookstores across the country owned by members of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled and neurodiverse community.

“The entire literary space really struggles with a long-standing, historic homogeneity, and there’s no reason that creativity should be valued from one sector of our society,” said Viniyanka Prasad, executive director at The Word.

According to the American Booksellers Association, there are only 173 bookstores in the country that serve marginalized communities in their local area. Systemic barriers have bred a scarcity of diverse booksellers, which has made them overpressed in serving the population.

Margins Bookstores Month is a way to acknowledge their hard work and impact. Throughout October, Margins Bookstores have hosted and will continue to host discussions with diverse authors and booksellers.

The Word has also partnered with Chronicle Books to create “The Margins Bookstores Journal,” which was illustrated by Kah Yangni and highlights the 47 bookstores that are a part of the Margins Bookstores collective.

In the journal, readers can discover new stores and learn more about the ones they already frequent. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds directly funds the participating bookstores.

“Hopefully, it really builds something lasting with the individuals who are reading through this database and finding bookstores that may really speak to them in a way that they haven’t necessarily had that community in their own space,” said Prasad.

The Margins Bookstores collective has also nominated and selected three authors to win awards. One of those being the Activating Read Award, which was given to Black activist and author Mariame Kaba for her book “We Do This ‘Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice.”

According to Prasad, one of the ways to tackle marginalization is accessing books from different perspectives. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and by seeking out diverse points of view they can increase their understanding and awareness of those different from them.

It’s also important for members of diverse communities to have access to books written about them because it builds community connection, according to Prasad.

The plan is to continue Margins Bookstores Month annually, and Prasad hopes that this year’s celebration will provide a financial boost to marginalized bookstores and foster enduring relationships between readers and booksellers. Ultimately, she said the month is about joy.

“This moment is more about celebrating the work they do every single day, but also really just giving them a chance to shine and for all of us to party together,” said Prasad.

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Warrior survivor: Dr. Taleshia Chandler plans to win the fight of her life

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 16:22:00 +0000

Dr. Taleshia Chandler is a 47-year-old administrative dean in the Richmond Public School system in Virginia. After Chandler’s mammograms were mishandled by her doctors, she and her husband were shocked to learn that she had Stage 4 breast cancer. (Courtesy photo)

By Mylika Scatliffe
Special to the AFRO

Dr. Taleshia Chandler is a 47-year-old administrative dean in Richmond, Va. public schools. She is the mother of three children, ages 23, 21 and 18. She loves to sing and travel. When we began this interview, I referred to her as a breast cancer survivor; she corrected me and told me she is a warrior. A google search yielded the definition, “A warrior is a noun that refers to a soldier or someone who is involved in a fight.” Chandler’s idea of having cancer was simply getting a diagnosis and having chemotherapy or maybe radiation. Her story is anything but simple. She’s had to fight, but not in the way she expected. She wants to share her story so what happened to her doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Every December, Chandler’s birthday gift of self-care is to have her annual check-ups: mammogram, pelvic exam and physical. In 2013, when she was 39, she had a baseline mammogram. She was told everything was normal, given a rose per the usual post-mammogram practice at that facility, and told to return the following year.

Fast forward to nearly a year later in November 2014. She’s not sure her previous mammogram films were ever sent to her family practitioner, as requested, so they could follow her mammogram results from year to year. Chandler was finishing studies for her doctorate degree, and while doing a self-exam, she noticed her breast was hard as a rock and dimpling. She mentioned her concerns to her family practitioner and gynecologist. The concerns were noted in her chart, but no one ever followed up with her. In February 2015, she visited her family practitioner again because she noticed her nipple was inverted. The family practitioner still didn’t see an issue and even went so far as to suggest she visit a plastic surgeon if she was dissatisfied with the appearance of her breasts. Chandler returned to the original facility for another mammogram because they offered same day results and a chance to review the x-ray films. While viewing the films, she questioned the white spot she noticed on her breast. She was told it was calcification, and everything was normal. She received her rose, and instructions to return in May for a repeat exam, since her breast tissue was dense. After the May exam, she was told again there were no issues. Keep in mind, she was not only having mammograms, but ultrasound examinations as well. She’d also requested MRIs from her family doctor and gynecologist. Both refused, telling her they were too expensive, and coverage would be denied by her health insurance.

(Courtesy Photo)

Between May and August of 2015, Chandler developed severe back pain. Wanting to get in shape and maybe strengthen her back, she started working with a personal trainer. Doing sit-ups was excruciating, enough that she requested they not be included in her workout routine. Getting no relief, she went to an urgent care facility where she was diagnosed with a pinched nerve and/or back spasms and given a prescription for the pain. Next, she sought out a chiropractor. His manipulations were so painful she was rendered immobile on his table for 10 minutes or more, sobbing from the pain. The session ended with the chiropractor being profusely apologetic and dumbfounded since nothing like this had ever occurred with any of his patients.

Out of options, she finally went to the emergency room where she was given hydrocortisone. The ER nurse suggested she see an orthopedic doctor. At her visit with the orthopedic doctor, he tested her range of motion, asked about her family history of cancer and osteoporosis, and prescribed an MRI. It didn’t escape Chandler’s notice that these steps hadn’t been taken by any of her regular practitioners. Once the MRI was complete, she was referred for a bone scan. By this time, she began to understand the implications of all these tests. She tearfully recalled that she was panicked and online researching everything that had to do with cancer. When she went for the bone scan the technician even asked her what she did “to mangle her bones.” All this pain and still no answers.

Without her knowledge, the radiologist who read her MRI results contacted her husband Anthony and gave him her diagnosis first and asked him to bring his wife to his office. The next day, flanked by her husband and mother, she was informed she had Stage 4 breast cancer, and that it had metastasized to her liver and bones. “Hearing that was like being outside my body and watching it happen to someone else,” Chandler recalled. Especially when she learned that the radiologist reviewed all her previous mammogram films and determined the cancer was present in 2013 at the baseline mammogram.

(Courtesy Photo)

She thought, “How can this be? I did everything I was supposed to do. I did my self- exams. I had yearly mammograms. Why didn’t any of it work for me?” In 2016, she filed a civil lawsuit against her family practitioner, gynecologist and the first radiologist to no avail. She alleged in the lawsuit that her mammograms had been misread and the cancer had been missed three years in a row; she was told the statute of limitations had passed. In 2018, she learned the cancer had spread to her brain.

Today, Chandler has a trusted medical team, led by Dr. Joseph Evers, the oncologist referred to her by the radiologist that discovered the cancer. She praises him saying, “He sees me as a person – not just a diagnosis. He is phenomenal. Dr. Evers is meticulous and well respected. His staff is diligent and attentive knowing that he won’t stand for anything less for his patients. If I mention something that seems inconsequential, he takes note and follows up.” When she noticed tingling in her hands and feet, her concerns were heard, and she was referred for a brain MRI.

(Courtesy Photo)

Chandler has opted not to know her prognosis, instead concentrating on solutions. She initially took a year off work; the chemotherapy and medical treatments were too much while still working. She receives support from her husband (they’re high school sweethearts) and their three children. Two of them are away at college and she misses them of course, loves them beyond measure and appreciates their unwavering support, and the way the course of all their lives has been altered.

She loves and enjoys her work with special needs children. “I’m blessed to work with good people; they look out for me every day. One of them has committed to carrying my bags to and from my car daily,” says Chandler. She recognizes every bit of help she receives, from the smallest to the largest as an enormous blessing.

She’s the author of two books, “Sparkling Through Adversity: Traveling Through Life’s Toughest Journeys With Style Grace and Shine!” and “A Divine Detour: From Doctorate to Diagnosis to Destiny,” both of which are available on Amazon.com.

According to the World Health Organization, breast cancer became the most common cancer globally as of 2021, accounting for 12% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide. As of January 2021, there are more than 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the U.S. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment, according to breastcancer.org. She’s traveled the world, written two books, released a single. Her husband Anthony describes her as, “the strongest, bravest, toughest, courageous and most resilient person I know.”

Chandler told her story to me with steely determination, through tears and traumatic recollections of details she surely would rather forget; but wants this to reach as many people as possible, so what happened to her doesn’t happen to anyone else. She’s been interviewed numerous times and is still trying to find someone to represent her in a lawsuit against the medical professionals she said, “miserably failed her.”

“Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion if you’re not being taken seriously or you’re being dismissed,” she states emphatically. “If your doctor is impatient or not giving you the answers you want or need, find another one. I was going to the same radiologist again and again and now I feel like he was only concerned with getting as many patients as possible to make as much money as possible, not correctly reading mammograms and diagnosing patients. “

The weight of knowing she has a disease that’s caused so much suffering among women around the world is a heavy emotional weight for her to bear. She makes no secret that the last few years have included panic attacks, depression and insomnia. Her team of caregivers include a psychiatrist and a therapist to deal with the mental trauma alone. She has chemotherapy every three weeks and looks fabulous in the process. “I believe that we don’t have to look like what we are going through. My condition doesn’t determine my conclusion.” Spoken like a true warrior.

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Scorned, scrutinized, yet media king on the throne

Wayne Dawkins — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 11:49:08 +0000

King Al: How Sharpton Took the Throne,” is a biography by Ron Howell, a longtime New York tabloids reporte rand foreign correspondent. (Courtesy photo)

By Wayne Dawkins
Special to the AFRO

This infamous Black pastor agreed to serve as an FBI informant. Worse, he falsely alleged in 1988 that a 15-year-old Black girl was raped by a gang of White law enforcement people in upstate New York. The sexual assault story was a hoax, and the minister had an $345,000 defamation settlement paid to an injured county prosecutor.

The pastor, who does not have a church home, was vilified and scrutinized in the New York metropolitan area media during the 1980s and 1990s, but two decades into this century, his three toughest critics have died, and the minister who would have been silenced had he been another man is possibly the most visible and influential Black communicator on TV.

Introducing the Rev. Al Sharpton, host of “Politics Nation” on MSNBC and the inspiration for “King Al: How Sharpton Took the Throne,” a biography by Ron Howell, longtime New York tabloids reporter and foreign correspondent .

Howell does not come to bury or praise Sharpton. Through interviews, keen analysis and the public record, he tries to understand how the pastor beat journalists at their game. Sharpton is effectively the last man standing.

Sharpton apparently recognized the seismic media shift that the scribes ignored. Between 2008 and 2019, reported the Pew Center, newspaper newsroom employers declined 51% but the other mediums, television, radio, cable and digital native, remained stable and grew from 43,000 to 53,000 employees. Count Sharpton in that latter group. He signed with Comcast-owned MSNBC a decade ago, despite howls of protest from members of the National Association of Black Journalists.

Sharpton has other critics, including two Black lawyers, his teammates, who were disbarred because of their tactics during the Tawana Brawley false rape allegations of 1987-1988 .

There were the Black militants who suspected that Sharpton was a government spy trying to get them to out Assata Shakur who managed to escape from a U.S. prison and take refuge in Cuba.

Depending on the sources Howell spoke to, maybe Sharpton was never serious about delivering Shakur to the feds. The minister just played along to keep the heat off him because authorities tried to link him to criminal activities in the music and entertainment industries, the other fields where Sharpton played because of his associations with James Brown, Don King and Michael Jackson.

Too be clear, nothing nefarious stuck to the pastor.

To call “King Al” a biography is misleading. In this slim [160-page], yet well-sourced book. Sharpton is about one third of the story. The rest is about the media that made Sharpton a star, then largely collapsed, leaving the pastor on the throne as king.

Howell singles out Newsday journalist Mike McAlary, among the writers of the Sharpton-wore-a-wire story. He died from cancer in 1997.

Village Voice writer Wayne Barrett revealed Sharpton’s connection to political dirty trickster Roger Stone, who supported Sharpton’s 2004 U.S. presidential run as a Democrat. Could it be that the GOP operative assisted Sharpton because he was still radioactive to moderate, mostly White voters, and would sap strength from the Democratic Party, Barrett wondered. He died in 2017 just before Donald Trump, another Barrett target, was sworn in as president.

Stone went on to be a Trump operative who was convicted of perjury and witness tampering, and then pardoned by the 45th president.

Furthermore, Newsday editor Les Payne, who broke the Brawley hoax story, died in 2018, two years before his Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of Malcolm X was published.

Wayne Dawkins is a writer, and a professor of professional practice at Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication.

Sharpton meanwhile stands lean and mean. The former rotund man lost half of his weight and traded in the jumpsuits and sneakers for tailored suits and wing-tip shoes. Instead of operating as an activist outsider, he is now a kingmaker, an adviser to Barack Obama during his 2009-2017 presidency. Also, the pastor was a go-to power broker when it was time and vet and choose the eventual 2020 presidential winner, Democrat Joe Biden.

Ron Howell tells a remarkable story of survival, cunning and gamesmanship.

The writer is a professor of professional practice at Morgan State School of Global Communication.

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I never stopped fighting

Special to the AFRO — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 21:41:44 +0000

By Brent C. Trammell
Special to the AFRO

I became ill in Aug. 2013, diagnosed with advanced liver disease that progressed into hepatocellular carcinoma, an inoperable, terminal cancer. Over the following two years my condition worsened, but I never stopped fighting even with a prognosis of a one year life expectancy. On Oct. 17, 2015, after 12 attempts of no answers, patients sick or out of state, I was the 13th person called to receive a liver. On Oct. 18, I received a life saving liver transplant that changed my life. I am now cancer free. I wrote and compiled a series of faith based poems over the three years of my illness. My inspiration is drawn from my battles fighting cancer and the strength and support from my family and friends. I’ve written from my hospital bed, bagel shop, dictated over the phone, a parking lot and mostly alone. I hope you will find them relatable, inspirational, uplifting and enjoyable. Here are two of the poems from my book “No One Fights Alone“:

(Book cover screengrab/Amazon)

The Fight

I’m sick, I’m weak, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t remember last week, I always repeat what I just said, can’t concentrate, I’m confused,

Can’t get out of bed, I need my meds, can’t brush my teeth, even putting clothes on I have to cheat,

When will this end, who did I offend?

I’m high, I’m low, I’m too slow, I don’t know what will happen to me next, I don’t know what to expect.

I can’t climb a stair, ain’t got no air, always in despair,

I need some help, these are the cards I’ve been dealt.

I’m hot, I’m cold , why do I feel so old, my body is suffering, feels like network congestion and buffering.

No beginning, no end, no family, no friends, here with me now, got to make it somehow.

Hospital again, 6th floor we are friends, family in shock but here around the clock.

It’s serious now, doctors on the prowl, talking in code, don’t want me to know, until they’re sure there is no cure.

They’re sure, they confer there’s no cure, it’s a blur….

Ok, no shame, no playing the blame game, no more vain, staying in my lane, I’m going insane.

I have cancer.

*****

Most amazing person I know

Someday you may wake up with your life in the balance. Who will you lean on, who will you count on, who will help you pull through. This is my story and I’m going to tell you, my wife is my hero, the most amazing person I know.

My wife is the one with the grit and the grind, she was there every day. Forsaking her own needs for everyone else, no matter what you tell her, it’s never about herself. I became ill, she became strong, I never saw her complain, I never saw her face long. Unbelievable strength, with unconditional love, she took care of all my needs, got the kids to school, went to work, and still had time to please. I treated her poorly at times. I know my condition was no excuse. She kept me first over everything despite my abuse. I was angry, I was mad , I felt it was of no use. If she felt the same way you would not have known the truth. With every challenging moment her strength continued to be shown. Not knowing what she’d come home to, not knowing if I’d pass on. Under tremendous pressure she remained so strong. The stress she must have felt, how did she go on. I lost My income, her love grew stronger. I lost my motivation, she pushed much longer. She watched me suffer, her husband of 22 years, deteriorating from cancer over the 3 years. I never saw her cry, never saw her shed a tear. She was fearless, she was brave, she never switched gears. She always kept positive, she always made sense, she always pulled me together, she always stood up to the test. With all her strengths I would be remiss if I didn’t say, her personal support group is off the chain. They stood by us and helped us through. I’m not talking about family, I’m talking about you. For all of you who helped lift us up and make it through, you must all be angels , God has blessed you. You know what you did, you know who you are, I am forever at your service, no matter what the stakes are.

The pressure is off, the struggle is gone, we will always have challenges with my health, but she is here for the long haul.

By the way, her name is Melinda, if you didn’t already know, you better ask somebody. She is the most amazing person I know. I love her more than you will ever know.

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The Seasoned Finisher

Special to the AFRO — Sun, 17 Oct 2021 20:10:11 +0000

Deneen Penny-Rymes said she was “through with a life of destruction,” and declared herself to be a finisher. (Courtesy Photo)

By Deneen Penny-Rymes

The following passage is an excerpt from the book “Life Happens…But You Can Finish: The Trials, Triumphs and Truths of 12 Amazing Finishers,” by Frances “Toni” Draper and Pam Love.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)

I am a finisher!

I may not have looked like a Finisher in the summer of my life (my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s) but now that I’m in early autumn (my 50’s) I can look back and declare without a shadow of a doubt, “I am a finisher!”

My summer was sizzling, steamy and stormy. Some of my intense summer heat resulted from a traumatic experience I suffered in my springtime —at the tender age of 8— at the hands of a supposed friend of the family. Mr. Joe was hired to paint our new house. However, Mr. Joe did more than paint. He repeatedly raped me, a young innocent baby, and forced me to perform oral sex every school day for more than a month. I was too scared to tell my parents; thinking that somehow it must have been my fault. To this day, the third grade is a big blur. I don’t even remember my teacher’s name or many of my friends’ names. All I remember are the horrible afternoons with Mr. Joe.

Later on, around age 13 or 14, I began hooking school, smoking cigarettes, experimenting with drugs and hanging out with the roughest kids I could find. I had an abortion at 16. Needless to say, my late spring season, (my late teen years), was full of rebellion. I was an emotional wreck!

In the spring, my parents divorced. For me, this was a good thing because my father was a functional alcoholic and my parents’ constant arguing really got on my nerves. However, the spring paled in comparison to the summer of my life—especially the first decade — my 20’s. So much happened that I don’t even know where to begin.

My drug use escalated and life continued to happen. I had a daughter by my high school sweetheart. We finally married and had another child – this time a one pound, one- ounce boy who was born when I was only six months pregnant. His lungs were so underdeveloped that he stayed in the hospital for several weeks. Finally, he reached four pounds and was able to come home.

A few days later, the unimaginable happened. Our house had a gas leak and caught fire in the middle of the night. I screamed at my husband to get my daughter, while I grabbed the baby and ran out of the door to a neighbor’s house. Then I turned around and saw my house explode in a ball of fire. For 20 minutes, I did not know if my husband and daughter had made it out. I went into shock. But thanks be to God, they were safe.

We lost everything — every piece of furniture, every stitch of clothing. We were homeless, but eventually moved into an apartment. Two years later, my husband was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. So, here I was with two young children, an incarcerated husband, an on and off again drug addiction and a need to work two, sometimes three jobs, just to survive.

I was forced to drop out of Johns Hopkins University a couple of years earlier and wasn’t quite sure what direction my life would take. To make matters worse, my paternal grandfather, who I adored, died. I was so naïve. I didn’t know these kinds of things could happen to a young woman like me – a young woman who was raised in church by a mother who only wanted the best for her two daughters.

My mother always did nice things for my children, but I never asked her for too much help once I was on my own. She was so disappointed in me and in my tendency to make poor decisions. My survival skills were shaky at best. I thought I knew something, but I really didn’t know “jack.” I thank God for my godmothers, my mother’s girlfriends who stuck by me through it all. They told me, over and over again, how special I was and that God did indeed have a wonderful plan for my life. In retrospect, I thank my mother for not always rescuing me but helping me to take responsibility for my actions.

Although I continued to go to church, I was still extremely substance abuse dependent. My grandmother said I was just “BAD.” I even had ‘hits’ put on me three times because I stole from drug dealers—once from a Chicago bank robber. My father, a city cop, got me out of trouble so many times. I had no idea what I was doing. I had seen one too many black and white movies.

I experienced all of this in the summer of my life, and for me, the summer was 110 degrees and scorching hot! I finally got clean at the ripe old age of 29. My summer wasn’t over yet, but my drug-dealing, drug-using days were. It wasn’t easy, but with the help of a methodical, effective 12-step program, and caring friends and church members (including my pastor), I made up my mind to leave drugs behind and pursue my true destiny. I was finished with a life of destruction. I am a Finisher!

When I look back at my drug-using days, I realize that self-medication may have actually saved my life. I’m not extolling the virtues of mind-altering drugs, but I might have lost my mind totally if I had not been sedated. I was also finished with my first marriage.

My summer season wasn’t all hot and humid. In my 30’s, I accepted my call to ministry and began preaching the gospel. This in itself was amazing because, although I stayed in church, I had pursued so many religions in the past. You name it, I probably tried it. But my true calling was as a follower of Jesus Christ. In pursuit of my calling, I planted and pastored a church that is still meeting (although I am no longer the pastor).

I remarried and divorced in my late summer season (in my 40’s). I also wrote my first book, “What the Devil Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good.” Since that time, I have written three other books. In addition, I completed my training as a mental health therapist and traveled the country as a motivational speaker and leadership trainer. I am a Finisher.

Now, I am in the first decade of my autumn. I thank God that I am wiser and emotionally stronger because seven years ago I was given six months to live. I had to stop working. I had no energy, no strength, received weekly blood transfusions, and regular chemotherapy because the doctors thought I had liver cancer. Thank God I do not have cancer, but I have been diagnosed with a rare liver disease. I was given antidepressants that made me feel even worse. My friends and church members were supportive and my mother was there for me in so many ways. My mother died in 2013 and I honor her memory. Because of her, I’m able to interact with people from Yale to jail. She helped me become the woman that I am today. It may have taken me a while, but I finally learned how to have value and self-worth. Because I am a Finisher, I am purposeful in everything that I do.

My view has always been more global. I believe in justice, in doing what’s right, fairness, and in being of help when the need arises. My goal is to become one with God — everything else is incidental.

Each season of my life caused me to run closer to God, not away from Him. In another decade or two, I will enter the winter of my life. In the meantime, I am writing my fifth book, The Truth Will Make You Free, and I am determined to live every day to the fullest. I am a Finisher!

Lessons Learned:
• Every season of life is valuable.
• I am called to be a living epistle. Being is more important than doing.
• Life has many seasons, but God is in charge of them all.
View life with an open mind, recognizing that life is a series of commas, not periods.
Truth is not revealed through one source, but through a journey of experiences accompanied by spiritual awakenings.

Each chapter of “Life Happens…” ends with poetry written by Andrea Jamel Evans

The Seasoned Finisher
By Andrea Jamel Evans

There is nothing new under the sun. There is a season for everything.
There was a season of child abuse, God was there to repair the brokenness.
There was a season of rebellion, God was there to restore.
There was a season of abortion,
God was there to heal the seen and unseen scars.
There was a season of drug addiction, God was there to fill that void.
There was a season of single parenting, God was there to protect and provide.
There was a season of illness and depression, God was there to regulate.
There is a season of preaching, God is there to speak.
There is a season of writing,
God is there to spread His message.
There is a season of testifying,
God is there so that others can be blessed.
There are season changes throughout life, God is always there He is the constant.

Reprinted with permission from “Life Happens…But You Can Finish: The Trials, Triumphs and Truths of 12 Amazing Finishers,” by Frances “Toni” Draper and Pam Love.

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Reading is good for the mind and body regardless of age

Nicole Batey Special to the AFRO — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:57:35 +0000

A study found that 30 minutes of reading lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress just as effectively as yoga and humor did. (Photo courtesy of Black Health Matters)

By Nicole D. Batey
Special to the AFRO

Read any books lately? Research has shown that reading has positive benefits on your mind.

In Psychology Today, Christopher Bergland wrote, “Neuroscientists have discovered that reading a novel can improve brain function on a variety of levels. The recent study on the brain benefits of reading fiction was conducted at Emory University. The study titled, “Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Novel on Connectivity in the Brain,” was published in the journal, Brain Connectivity.

Researchers found that reading a novel enhances connectivity in the brain and improves brain function. Moreover, reading fiction “improved the reader’s ability to put themselves in another person’s shoes and flex the imagination in a way that is similar to the visualization of a muscle memory in sports.”

Reading strengthens your brain. According to Healthline.com, researchers using MRI scans confirmed that reading involves a complex network of circuits and signals in the brain. As your reading ability matures, those networks get stronger and more sophisticated.

Reading may also help in the fight against Alzheimer’s and prevent cognitive decline. Although research hasn’t proven conclusively that reading books prevents diseases like Alzheimers, studies show that seniors who read and solve math problems every day maintain and improve their cognitive functioning. The National Institute on Aging recommends reading books and magazines as a way of keeping your mind engaged as you grow older.

Reading can increase empathy in an individual. Literary fiction, specifically, can help its readers understand what others are thinking by reading other people’s emotions, according to research published in Science.

Ever curl up with a good book? Reading can relieve stress and help you relax. In Healthline.com’s article, “Benefits of Reading Books: How It Can Positively Affect Your Life,” it was noted that in 2009, a group of researchers measured the effects of yoga, humor, and reading on the stress levels of students in demanding health science programs in the United States. The study found that 30 minutes of reading lowered blood pressure, heart rate, and feelings of psychological distress just as effectively as yoga and humor did.

If you’re reading before going to bed, then you should exchange your e-reader or tablet for a physical book. The light emitted can have an adverse affect on your sleeping and keep you awake.

Reading can also increase your student’s vocabulary. Studies show that students who read books regularly, beginning at a young age, gradually develop large vocabularies. And vocabulary size can influence many areas of your life, from scores on standardized tests to college admissions and job opportunities. It can also help students articulate themselves better. This certainly helps make the case for why universal pre-K and programs like Headstart are so important in the African-American community.

Reading can improve your focus and concentration. By reading books or other long-form media, as opposed to tweets or statuses, we help rewire our brain to not be distracted as easily. Instead, we are forced to increase our concentration as we have to follow the story in-sequence, according to Ideapod.com. Making time to read 15-20 minutes every day can improve your ability to focus and ultimately help you to be more productive.

These are just some of the reasons reading is good for the mind. It’s not too late to develop the habit of reading or too early. Parents and guardians can read to their children until they’re able to read for themselves. A good suggestion, write down any words you don’t understand and then look up their definition, this will help improve vocabulary.

There’s so much literature out there to be read—fiction, non-fiction, paperback, hardback, e-books, magazines, and newspapers, like your weekly AFRO-American Newspapers (hint, hint!) Take advantage of the mental health benefits of reading today.

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Commentary: I can’t imagine life without literacy

Jessica Dortch — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 21:05:00 +0000

Let’s face it: words are everywhere. Traffic signs, street names, store receipts, contracts and even the apps on your cell phone all involve reading.

By Jessica Dortch
AFRO News Editor

There’s a saying that goes “if you want to hide something from a Black person, put it in a book.” That statement always bothered me because I couldn’t imagine life without literacy and the ability to absorb information that someone took the time to write down. Although I took to literature rather naturally, I’ve always felt that the lack of interest in reading in the Black community was one of the things that held us back.

Historically, the ability to read was outlawed for enslaved Blacks and those who could read had to do so in secret. Other Blacks relied on those who could read to relay messages and share crucial information that Whites wanted to withhold from them. Reading was a form of independence, yet it is now seen as an option that, sadly, many Blacks choose to opt out of.

Let’s face it: words are everywhere. Traffic signs, street names, store receipts, contracts and even the apps on your cell phone all involve reading. In my opinion, it is a basic necessity.

When I was younger, my mother would take my sister and Me to different Enoch Pratt Library locations around the city every weekend. It was a free activity that was educational and got us out of the house for a while. We would spend hours there, reading, searching and collecting books to take home. The rules were printed in plain sight on the wall: “Quiet please,” yet the silence called me. I would grab something that piqued my curiosity, find a cozy corner near mom and get lost in a story that was waiting to reveal itself to me.

Those experiences will stay with me for life and have even blossomed into a lifelong love of words and the opportunity to have a content-based career that I love.

The app deems itself as the ultimate reading experience and was created to make information as accessible as possible to everyone.

Over the years, I read less and less as other things filled up my time. And honestly, after a hard day’s work, sometimes that is just not how I want to spend my time, especially because I make a living as an editor. However, I wanted to up the ante and challenge myself to read more, and the Kindle tablet that I received for my birthday made it a lot easier to do so. I finished off a few novels in a few weeks, before I found myself basking in the residue of a gripping tale. It’s a strange space, but it prompts me to hurry up and find another story to immerse myself in.

I saw a few Instagram ads for an app called Headway. The app deems itself as the ultimate reading experience and was created to make information as accessible as possible to everyone. With quick reads, ranging from 15 to 20 minutes, on a variety of topics, Headway enticed me to go on a self-help book binge.

This app has revolutionized my book collection and made it very convenient to read on the go, which is perfect for when I have a few minutes here and there to kill throughout the day. I can join book challenges, connect and read with other users and even set a weekly reading goal for myself. I can honestly say that it has been so refreshing to absorb, reflect and meditate on the nuggets from these short stories and in some ways it has changed my outlook on life.

Reading is simply fundamental. It has always been something that relaxes me and gets me out of my head, for lack of better words. It was a quiet place that never went away and was always available whenever I was ready to visit. I can’t imagine life without literacy, especially now with all the apps, tools and other resources that make your favorite book accessible from almost any device, you can read as little or as often as you want.

My story isn’t much different from other kids who could use a break from their reality or a safe space to cling to. I wish I could bottle up my experiences and share them with younger kids of color. If only they knew of the power, freedom and historical significance of literacy, they would see it as a gift and not a burden. Maybe they will fall in love like I did and their lives can, too, be changed.

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#WordinBlack: Racist much? Katy ISD bans another Black book

DefenderNetwork.com — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 19:00:26 +0000

Jerry Craft. (Photo courtesy Harper Collins)

By Houston Defender

This post was originally published on Defender Network

The Katy Independent School District is at it again – banning a Black book because of its ‘racial’ content. Award-winning children’s author Jerry Craft was scheduled to visit students virtually on Oct. 4 to discuss his books. But 500 Katy ISD parents protested and demanded the visit be canceled, claiming the subject matter promotes critical race theory, so the district quietly canceled the visit and removed the book from all of their libraries.

Craft is the writer and illustrator of “New Kid” and its sequel “Class Act,” about a young Black boy struggling to fit in as one of the few kids of color in a prestigious private school. Both books are #1 New York Times Bestsellers. Craft is the winner of the 2020 Newberry Medal, the Coretta Scott King Author Award, and the Kirkus Prize. His books focus largely on the culture and lives of modern-day Black preteens and are based on the actual experiences of Craft’s two sons.

Universal Pictures has acquired film rights to New Kid, with LeBron James’ The Spring Hill Company on board to develop and produce.

A flyer sent out at the start of the school year touted Craft’s Oct. 4 virtual visit with 3rd through 5th graders at Roosevelt Alexander Elementary school. Last week, parents and guardians received another notice that they could opt their students out of the visit.

More than 30 parents opted out. One of them, Bonnie Anderson, started a petition calling on the district to cancel the virtual visit and ban the books.

“It is inappropriate instructional material,” said Anderson, a former candidate for Katy ISD school board and a party in a lawsuit against the district’s mask mandate.

Anderson says the petition garnered 444 signatures before she says it was taken down for violating the Change.org community guidelines.

“They are pointed at white children displaying microaggressions to children of color. The books don’t come out and say, ‘we want white children to feel like oppressors’, but that is absolutely what they will do,” Anderson said.

Katy ISD says any parent who wants to challenge a library selection, is free to do so.

“Katy ISD library books are routinely reviewed through this process. Pending the outcome of a review committee, school day activities associated with the selection under review are temporarily placed on hold. School activities pertaining to selections under review and hosted outside of the instructional day, however, may continue as a formal review process takes place,” said Laura A. Davis, Media Relations Director at Katy ISD.

Davis says students can still read the book, just not as part of the curriculum. Last year, Katy ISD banned “The Hate You Give” by popular author Angie Thomas because it dealt with racism and police brutality.

Parent Jada Massey says those protesting parents want to whitewash history.

Jerry Craft. Photo via YouTube.

“They want their kids to be taught this rosy picture of both the past and present. They want their kids to grow up oblivious to anything that doesn’t fit nicely into their narratives. And now, they’re using ‘critical race theory’ as a cover. It’s really sad,” Massey said.

The Defender reached out to Craft, who has written more than 10 books and is well-known for his graphic books and illustrations. He can’t comment at the time, but readers say Katy’s efforts will only lead them to further rally around the book.

“I’d never heard of Jerry Craft until a friend shared this yesterday. My kids are past this age now. But I bought the books strictly because of this. I hope lil Miss Bonnie makes him a lot of money over this stunt,” said parent Joi Bailey Green.

Added Deborah Lewis, “I’m definitely going to order books and encourage my friends to purchase too. I hope this backwards move make his sales explode.”

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Adrienne Allen pens message to children living with drug-addicted parents in new book

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 00:37:27 +0000

Adrienne Allen, author of children’s book, “My Parents Are Addicted To Drugs” (Courtesy photo)

By Nadine Matthews
Special to the AFRO

For many Americans, the pandemic brought certain things full circle. Some people started cooking again, others revisited their long-ago passion for painting or dancing. Some people started working out again. For Maryland native Adrienne Allen, it was something much more painful and closer to home: drug addiction. Specifically Allen, both of whose parents were substance abusers in her childhood, came across a poem she wrote over 10 years ago about the experience.

Allen, owner of IPY Agency, a public relations and event planning firm, told the AFRO in a recent interview, “Something just came on my heart to turn the poem into a book. The beautifully illustrated children’s book is called My Parents Have a Drug Problem, and was written to be relatable to younger children who can’t yet understand the effects their parent’s addiction has on their lives.

“Especially during the pandemic,” said Allen, “We had more attention being placed on the opioid epidemic. I felt this could be used to have conversations with children of drug users so I decided to turn it into a children’s book.”

“When I read the poem it brought back a lot of those feelings and made me realize that most of the conversations we have around drugs are not geared toward children who live in homes with addicts.”

The book includes teachable moments that help guide the conversation and ask questions otherwise overlooked or forgotten. The My Parents Have a Drug Problem accompanying guide, A Guide to Talking to Children About Drug Addiction, takes a closer look at addiction and gives some tips on talking to children about addiction and what their parents may be experiencing.

Allen recalls she was about nine or 10 when she realized her parents were behaving differently. Because she had a relationship with her parents prior to the onset of their addictions, particularly with her father, it was confusing and traumatic. “You could say I was a daddy’s girl,” she stated. “My father was in a motorcycle club and he would come by and take me on rides.”

Then she started noticing disturbing things. Her dad lost a lot of weight and he couldn’t keep a job. Things started disappearing from their home. “By the time he ‘borrowed’ my Sega Genesis, I had already caught on that borrowing something meant that I would never see it again.”

Still, Allen had no concrete way of processing the changes in her parents. “I was living with my grandparents, and they never talked about it. It was talked about in the streets, but there was never anyone who had a conversation with me to say, ‘this is what your parents are dealing with.’”

Allen, who lost her father to an overdose 25 years ago, remembers her foremost emotion during all of it was anger. “I was angry because they would ask me for money or they would try to steal my things.”

She also rebelled, falling in with a bad crowd and skipping classes when she was a teen. “I went to Western High School and did horribly. I had like, four lunch periods. I made lots of friends, but I made them by not going to class.”

She also feels she made a lot of wrong decisions as she entered adulthood. “I was still angry and rebelling and I knew it hurt my grandparents. They wanted better for me.”

In her late 20s, Allen made the decision to get serious about her life. She went to college and started her career. She also made a drastic decision to leave Baltimore and settle in Georgia. “I just felt I had to separate from Baltimore and create another path for myself and my children.”

Allen is only now beginning to really process the experience emotionally. “It took a long time to say ‘this is a disease they are dealing with’ and not just be angry with them.” Part of reconciling herself with her childhood has been, ironically, distancing herself from her mother. “About a year ago I had just had to disconnect from my mom, because it was a detriment to me.” Her mother, who is still a heavy drinker, is still unable to accept Adrienne’s attempts to care for her.

Even with all the strides made in raising awareness, Allen believes nothing much has changed. “I don’t feel I see any changes or policies that are making an impact. With the opioid epidemic, it’s being talked about more, especially since it impacts another demographic, but even with that, children are not being spoken to.”

My Parents Have A Drug Problem is available on Amazon and BN.

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Book review: Carmelo Anthony’s ‘Memoir of Survival and Hope’

Ralph E. Moore Jr. — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 20:49:42 +0000

(Courtesy Photo)

By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO

Carmelo Anthony’s memoir, “Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised” (co-authored with D. Watkins) reads like a friendly conversation on the front steps of a rowhouse on a calm summer night. It is an easy read in tone and accessible storytelling style. The book starts with his early life in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York but ends somewhat abruptly in 2003 with his draft into the NBA at the same time as LeBron (King) James. There is never a dull moment in the book as trite or commonplace as that may sound.

The reader will meet Carmelo as a little boy looking up to his dad, his legendary namesake (Carmelo Sr.) and a tall, strong Puerto Rican man, who died when Carmelo Jr. was two years old. He is unceasingly loved by his mother, Mary, who cared for everyone she encountered in need, wherever they lived. She was her brothers’ and sisters’ keeper and still managed to keep her baby boy straight. He greatly admired his pretty sister, Michelle, for her sweetness and magnetic personality. His big brothers, Justice (Jus) and Wilford (Wolf) were streetwise and though not exactly role modeling, they looked out for their youngest brother giving him advice on life and sports. Clearly, Carmelo Anthony came from a loving family.

But it got to be hard, “Sick of the violence, sick of the killings, sick of the drugs and sick of all of the negativity plaguing our neighborhood, my mother was officially done with New York,” Carmelo writes. Once his family moved to Myrtle Avenue in Baltimore, part of the Murphy Homes Projects neighborhood, he, at eight years old, discovered both a safe haven recreation center, Robert C. Marshall, and his love for basketball with his budding skill level. Watching his older, live-in cousin, Luck, inspired him toward the sport.

Carmelo recounts growing up on the mean streets of West Baltimore but not being of the streets. He watched, listened and learned basketball the hard way at the sharp elbows of his cousin Luck. “Gimmit that sh-t!” he’d say as he shouldered me, elbowed me, crushed me. I’d be wanting to cry, and he’d clip, like, “Yo, you better not cry!” “We were men, and men don’t cry,” Anthony said.

As you read his book, you realize the life experiences and personal relationships that made him who he is – an everyday young boy from the ghetto who made it out by focusing and becoming an elite sports star. His years at Towson Catholic High School are somewhat painful to read: long, twice daily commutes from Baltimore’s westside on transit buses, mean teachers, an unforgiving freshman Theology class, a vice principal who didn’t care for Carmelo and didn’t care if he knew it and a departure from the high school without a final report card or a diploma.

His decision to attend night summer school at Frederick Douglass High School and his making the choice to go to Syracuse University are episodes of his life Anthony shares.

Clearly, he has captivating stories to tell but there is some evidence that Carmelo Anthony is assisted by his co-author, another son of Baltimore, D. Watkins. Watkins knows Baltimore’s street stories and classrooms (he teaches writing and pushes reading good books). Watkins is a New York Times best-selling author of “The Beast Side”, “The Cook Up” and “We Speak for Ourselves”. “He didn’t really know me when I was picked to help him write his story, even though I played basketball against him once. But he was Carmelo Anthony and I was the last guy picked for my team. We were not in the same league,” Watkins said laughingly in a recent phone conversation.

Carmelo Anthony ends his book when he is picked in the 2003 NBA draft in Madison Square Garden by the Denver Nuggets. If you are looking for Anthony’s, take on his NBA career you will not find it in this book. Perhaps another book will be written once he retires from professional basketball.

One’s hope is raised the way he ends “Where Tomorrows Aren’t Promised.” His selection is announced and he’s walking to the podium toward The Commissioner of Basketball, David Stern. “I firmly shook his hand and pulled my Nuggets hat over top of my braids. I’m here, Luck. We did it. Let the story begin.” If he writes a second set of memories it will be a book of stories well worth waiting for.

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Author & mother pens love letter to her children in sentimental new bedtime story

Special to the AFRO — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 23:12:37 +0000

Goodnight My Blessing by author Glo Rose. (Courtesy Photo)

Glo Rose presents her debut children’s picture book “Good Night My Blessing: A Mom’s Love Letter” to remind children they are tremendously loved

PHOENIX. – As a loving and proud mother to two amazing young sons, author Glo Rose was inspired to share the love she feels for her children in a book suitable for all families to enjoy so other children may know how special and loved they are as well.

In her debut children’s picture book, “Good Night My Blessing: A Mom’s Love Letter” she shares a beautiful and touching bedtime story that recounts the fun day a mother and son had together as she tucks him in at night. Filled will inspiring and caring words such as letting the child know “you are the smile I see when I want the best view” and “you are the hug I need when the days seem too long” will provide children with a much-needed reminder by the parent reading the book how precious they are to them and that they are tremendously loved.

“As parents, we are raising the next generation and that is not always easy,” said Rose. “As a result, our children constantly need to know they are loved. Even the littlest trait about them can bring a smile or a laugh to someone they love. We can’t always be our children’s best friends, but we can always be their biggest supporters and let them know they are extremely loved no matter what.”

Parents have the responsibility of teaching, nurturing, and guiding their children and sometimes that means they may need to be harder on them than they mean or want to. The book provides a love letter for parents to read to their children to let them know what they truly mean to them, and the words and thoughts in the book will provide love and comfort to them always.

“Good Night My Blessing: A Mom’s Love Letter”
By Glo Rose
ISBN: 978-1-6632-1980-0 (sc); 978-1-6632-1981-7 (e)
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iUniverse

About the Author

Glo Rose is in her early 30s and is the mother of two wonderful little boys. While she was lucky to have a wonderful father and mother to love and watch over her, she saw many friends while growing up who were not so lucky. Rose knew she always wanted to write books that would inspire and help children feel love, brave, cherished, and special no matter what their background or where they are from as all children should feel that they can and deserve to be the best at whatever they want to be. She has a bachelor’s degree in IT/Visual Communications and master’s in Adult Education and resides in the Midwest. Rose also recently published her second children’s book, “The Flag and Me: America” and is currently working on a teen journal called “You Don’t Need Likes.” To learn more, please visit www.glorosebooks.com.

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Eighth grader brings attention to bullying in new book

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 23:55:45 +0000

Amber Richardson created “Mariah Gets Bullied” as a result of her witnessing one of her peers get bullied. Richardson’s debut book is now available on Amazon. (Courtesy photos)

By Nadine Matthews
Special to the AFRO

When eighth grader Amber Richardson started writing the story “Mariah Gets Bullied,” she had no idea that she was starting to write her first book. “I took a writing class and it was something that I had to do. In order to pass the class you had to write a short story, but then I guess I took it way out of proportion,” Richardson told the AFRO.

The story is about a young girl who is bullied daily. “Eventually, her mom tells her that she needs to fight back. Her mother doesn’t specifically say get physical, but she tells Mariah to stand her ground and try to make the bully stop,” Richardson said.

Her grandmother, who is also a writer, helped Richardson out with the title, which was originally much longer. “She told me don’t use a title that gives away the whole plot of the book, so I changed it to “Mariah Gets Bullied to keep a little suspense there.”

Although Richardson, who attends Francis Scott Key Elementary and Middle School, is already a published author, writing was something the thirteen year-old had to warm up to. “I’ve been writing since sixth grade,” she stated. “Before sixth grade, it was kind of something that I had to do. They asked us to write about things like what kind of candy we like and I didn’t really enjoy it.”

However, more interesting subject matter started to be presented to her eventually, particularly in her favorite subjects: social studies and history. “Now we get to write about things like African-American history and police brutality. I’m very passionate and love talking about those things so I love writing about them too.”

It wasn’t first-hand experience, but empathy that motivated Richardson to choose the topic of bullying. “I saw someone get bullied and it wasn’t really talked about. I decided that we should shed some light on the whole topic,” she explained.

Though Richardson hopes “Mariah Gets Bullied” will discourage others from engaging in the behavior, that wasn’t her main goal in writing the book .“It was more so to help those who are being bullied and convince them to speak up because we know that’s something that’s really hard to do.”

When people first read her story, Richardson revealed it was somewhat controversial. “I got a mix of positive and negative reactions because there were different perspectives. Some really liked the fact that I was so young writing books, and other people didn’t like the fact that I was writing about bullying and violence. But I got more support than criticism.”

In terms of how she dealt with the negative reactions, she said, “I didn’t really take it to heart because how many people my age are writing books and really enjoy writing. I still don’t take anything to heart because negative comments don’t really matter to me.”

Her family, however, has been overwhelmingly encouraging. “I think they are the ones buying most of my books’” she laughed. “My great-grandparents bought five. They have all been really supportive.”

Richardson spends her time, in addition to writing, making and editing videos. She plans to try to apply that experience to making more Youtube videos in the hopes of making it big one day. “I’d do a little bit of everything but will probably focus on lifestyle and do vlogs where people could come with me when I get my nails done and things like that.”

Richardson shared that she is looking forward to partnering with businesses and organizations who would like to purchase her book in bulk to distribute to young people or for some of their programming.

Her advice for any young person who also wants to write a book, is “go for it.” But she also cautions them to know ahead what they are getting into. ”You have to be aware that if you want to take it seriously that you have to do things like interviews to talk about the book and sometimes you might want to just be watching TV or playing video games instead.”

Richardson’s book “Mariah Gets Bullied” is available on Amazon.

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The AFRO with David Rubenstein on The American Experiment #SecuringtheBag

PK Semler Special to The AFRO — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:26:11 +0000

By PK Semler, Special to the AFRO

Baltimore native and Carlyle Group co-founder David Rubenstein filmed by The Afro-American Newspaper using CI Glass discussing his new book, American Experiment: Dialogues on a Dream featuring Ken Burns, Madeleine Albright, Wynton Marsalis, Billie Jean King, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and how the son of a Baltimore postman rose to found the largest private equity fund in the world., The Carlyle Group, at Talk of The Hill moderated by Bill Press at The Hill Center of Old Naval Hospital on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on September 8, 2021.

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‘Departure Story’ explores coming of age as a Black immigrant in the U.S.

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 17:27:58 +0000

Departure Story honors and highlights the Caribbean-American and Black immigrant experiences through the eyes of Celestine, who arrives in the United States and begins testing the boundaries of her power in several facets of life. (Courtesy Photo)

By Dareise A. Jones
Special to the AFRO

Rowana Abbensetts Dobson, writer, mental health advocate and entrepreneur published her first novel Departure Story this summer.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to parents who immigrated from Guyana, the Abbensetts family moved to Queens when the author was in elementary school.

Abbensetts Dobson describes her family as “Caribbean transplants in Queens,” who were deeply connected to their Guyanese roots, while also learning and adapting to African American culture.

She wrote Departure Story to honor and highlight the Caribbean-American (and Black immigrant) experience, a perspective, she explained, is not seen enough in media and literature. It is her love letter to the African Diaspora and culture.

“It’s a novel about displacement and creating home. It’s also about finding your voice within the chaos and making a stand for what you believe in wherever you are. Celestine (the main character of the novel) gets to a new country, and she’s testing the boundaries of her power in love, friendships and politics. I hope it will make some Black girl who is reading White male authors in her American Lit class feel seen,” Abbensetts Dobson said of the fictional coming-of-age story.

Departure Story is for those who have felt misunderstood, underestimated and judged based on stereotypes.

Abbensetts Dobson pulled inspiration from her own experience of being the “odd one out” in majority-white spaces in college and at the start of her career.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Kenyon College in Ohio, where she had many great experiences, but also struggled with feeling seen and heard as sometimes the only, or one of a few Black students in classes and other campus activities and environments.

“I went to a PWI (predominantly White institution), and it wasn’t necessarily the space where Black stories were being nurtured, or where I felt safe developing or speaking in my own voice,” she revealed.

The loneliness and isolation she experienced during college triggered depression and anxiety for the author. Her mental health declined so much that she attempted to end her life. This severe mental health crisis motivated her to get help, which she says was abundant on her college campus.

“I was fortunate to have so many more mental health and wellness resources at that time,” Abbensetts Dobson explained. “When I lived in Jamaica, Queens we had to go outside of my community to find my therapist.”

Rowana Abbensetts Dobson is a Guyanese American writer and entrepreneur who recently released the novel {Departure Story}. (Photo by Adeline Artistry)

After graduating from college, Abbensetts Dobson was excited about her first job working for a mainstream publishing company. It allowed her to fulfill her dream of working with literary agents and scouts. Her role was to write reports on books the company sent to movie studios and foreign publishers for deals.

Once again, she was the only, or one of a few people of color there. She decided to use that to her advantage to get more authors of color published. She was disappointed when she saw firsthand how stories about people of color were overlooked in the mainstream publishing space.

Disillusioned and drained, Abbensetts Dobson moved on to serve as a social media manager for a non-profit that was also a magazine. She says she soon realized their allyship for Black and Brown communities was shallow.

“They would put people of color on their cover,” Abbensetts Dobson shared. “But when it came to police brutality and the real issues that are affecting Black and Brown people, as their social media manager, I would get pushback when I wanted to post tweets about the real issues.”

Abbensetts Dobson’s disillusionment with her experience in the publishing industry and her journey to mental wellness motivated her to create Spoken Black Girl, “a space for womxn of color to tell their stories of joy, pain, growth, and transformation while sharing practical solutions for holistic healing.”

The Spoken Black Girl community has become the safe space Abbensetts Dobson needed during her college years.

Abbensetts Dobson wanted to own and control her work, so she decided to self-publish Departure Story through her company Spoken Black Girl Publishing. This route is risky and takes a lot of work, but her tribe, which includes Alexandria Marble Editing, Pretty Entrepreneur and Women Creatives Chat founder Emelda De Coteau, who handles public relations, have contributed their skills and support to the project.

Departure Story inspires readers to tap into their courage to create the lives they desire. The story isn’t just about a physical departure from one’s home country to another, it is also about the importance of the departure from the judgment, stigmas and self-limiting beliefs that stifle our power, and our power is our unique, flawed, painful and beautiful stories.

Departure Story is available at www.spokenblackgirl.com, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Follow @spokenblackgirl on Instagram to learn more about Rowana and to join the Spoken Black Girl community.

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Baltimore’s David Miller encourages Black boys to read and dream

Marnita Coleman Special to the AFRO — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 19:45:39 +0000

David Miller’s new children’s book, Chef Toussaint. (Courtesy Photos)

By Marnita Coleman
Special to the AFRO

While college touring in Florida with his daughter, we caught up with David Miller, Baltimore’s esteemed social entrepreneur, for a candid conversation about the launch of his new children’s book, family dynamics and future projects on the horizon.

Miller’s latest contribution to the world of children’s books is a culturally rich, inspiring story of Toussaint Palmer, a 9-year-old award-winning chef from Atlanta, Ga. whose aspirations led him to become the youngest chef to win the coveted Buckhead Cook-Off. Through his children’s books, Miller aims to awaken the dreamer in children of color, feature relatable characters and culture, and pass on Black historical nuggets. By the way, Chef Toussaint, is strategically named after Toussaint L’Ouverture, leader of the Haitian independence movement during the French Revolution, a fact not widely taught in schools today. Miller chooses to name his characters after historically famous people to educate kids about who they are.

Brilliantly illustrated by C.J. Love, a MICA graduate, Chef Toussaint sizzles with vibrant images of the chef’s specialties like black-eyed peas, grilled sea bass with mango sauce, and last but not least, pecan pie. Miller’s vision to feature characters that look, dress and talk like the Black boys he addresses is fully captured. And on the final pages of the book, he cleverly includes three culturally appetizing recipes with tips to parents on how to engage children in the art of cooking.

Miller believes there are “book deserts,” and one’s zip code is a factor in whether or not a community has access to books. He points to parents as forerunners for introducing books to their children and improving literacy rates. Miller credits his mother for instilling the love of books in him. “My mother was a voracious reader.” As a purist, he confides, “Ebooks are okay, but I like holding a book in my hand, turning the pages and running my finger down the spine.”

As a boy, Miller was fascinated by the library, which he and his brother frequented on Fridays. His favorite read was National Geographic. Miller was captivated by the pictures of distant lands and the narrative of people that lived there. National Geographics inspired him to dream beyond his family’s home in Ashburton, beyond Pimlico Middle School, and beyond Walbrook Senior High School to see faraway places in Africa and Australia.

Those dreams propelled his extensive travel empowering and developing Black men and boys in Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and throughout the US. Miller has trained parents, teachers, police officers, fraternities and countless others, providing solutions to the vulnerabilities that hinder Black males like anger, poor decision-making and violence.

Growing up, Miller found himself in some difficult situations. He witnessed a fatal shooting as he and the victim stood side-by-side on Maryland Avenue. He admitted knowing men that are currently serving jail time in the penitentiary. And, unshielded from life’s unexpected pangs, Miller’s mother, a school teacher, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 31. She passed away last year.

Unapologetically Black and focused on issues related to Black life, Miller’s humble persona blazes with relentless passion for his work. He recalled getting his insatiable work ethic from his father who once worked at the post office. Miller recognized the importance of self-care that many Black men neglect, and shared that during his down time, he enjoys fishing and kayaking.

Miller is staying busy by creating new stories and adventures for girls of color implementing famous figures like Winnie Mandela.

The Baltimore native is the epitome of who Black men and boys can become. When presenting Chef Toussaint, a publisher stated to Miller that Black boys don’t read. The fortunate reality is Black boys not only read, but they also dream, as Miller has unequivocally proven and paved the way for others to follow.

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A Kids Company About accumulates $7 million in funding to expand its brand

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 19:40:40 +0000

A Kids Book About has now expanded to A Kids Company About to include podcasts and classes for youth to tackle challenging and critical topics, including mental health, careers paths and social justice. (Courtesy Photo)

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Business Writer
Report for America Corps Member
msayles@afro.com

Back in 2018, Jelani Memory, a native of Portland, Ore., decided he would write a book for his five kids. It was titled “A Kids Book about Racism.” As an African American himself, he wanted to find a creative way to talk to his children about what racism is, how it makes those who experience it feel and how to detect when it’s happening. Memory only intended to write it, design it and print a single copy, but the reaction from his children inspired him to do more.

“They had the most remarkable response to it. They were like ‘This is great, dad. You should make more,’” said Memory. “Then, they started to offer me all of these amazing and really tough topics that I was really surprised about and could make more books on.” The adults he showed the book to had the same response.

This led Memory to establish A Kids Book About in 2019. The publishing company launched with a small team and six books. It quickly achieved success and was featured in Oprah’s Favorite Things 2020. Now, the company’s collection houses over 50 books ranging in subjects from immigration to anxiety.

It also garnered over $7 million in capital to officially expand to A Kids Company About in August. In addition to its books, the media company will now employ podcasts and classes to empower generations of kids through diverse storytelling centered on important and challenging topics.

“I wasn’t actually thinking about going out to raise, but when we sort of sat back and looked at what we were doing with books, I thought there were more stories to tell and more storytellers to bring into this ecosystem,” said Memory. The Series A fundraiser was led by Black-owned venture capital firm Pendulum Holdings, and 93% of the raised capital was derived from Black and Brown investors.

Traditionally, the brand’s books have targeted five to nine-year-olds, but Memory and his team wanted to reach preteens and teenagers so they created classes to teach the youth about life skills and careers. A Kids Company About currently offers five classes covering topics that include discovering your passion, being a musician, mental health, living with authenticity and being an entrepreneur.

A Kids Company About’s podcast network provides programming that tackles a range of subjects, including climate justice and current events. It also features a podcast named The Activators, which is hosted by 8-year-old activist Leo Perry. “It’s a really wide set of shows all focused on real, true things,” said Memory. “We think kids’ media is full of fiction, and that’s great. There’s a place for fiction, but those aren’t the only stories that kids are interested in.”

Along the way, Memory’s wife and children have been his biggest supporters. He considers his kids his products’ best beta testers, and they never hold back when giving him feedback. His daughter, Ella, is even part of a pilot for an upcoming podcast called Everyday Feels, where she will discuss her emotions.

Looking across different generations of parents, Memory said before millennials, there was the Silent Generation, who typically didn’t engage with their kids, and the Baby Boomers, who had their hands full with jobs. When it comes to millennial parents, they are statistically more involved in their children’s lives.

“We definitely want to talk to our kids, but we don’t have that know-how,” said Memory. “Our books, podcasts and classes act as this great bridge to help foster and create those conversations.” He hopes that A Kids Company About can help to cultivate a generation of youth who are more inclusive, empathetic, thoughtful, loving and kind.

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MahoganyBooks to open second location in Prince George County’s National Harbor

Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:09:20 +0000

Ramunda and Derrick Young gained inspiration for their bookstore’s name from their daughter, Mahogany. The shop sells books written by and about people of the African Diaspora. (Courtesy Photo, credit to Kea Taylor)

By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer
Report for America Corps Member
Msayles@afro.com

MahoganyBooks, a bookstore that exclusively sells works written by and about people of the African Diaspora, is opening its second store at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County.

Co-founders and owners Ramunda and Derrick Young initially intended to launch this location on June 19 to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday, but the permit process was delayed, in part because of the pandemic. The couple is hoping to open the shop this Saturday, July 3, but if not, they plan to host their soft launch next week.

MahoganyBooks derives its name from the Youngs’ daughter, Mahogany, as well as the color, which the couple said represents the strength and beauty of the Black community. It originally opened as an online bookstore in 2007, and in 2017, the Youngs established their first bricks-and-mortar location in the Anacostia neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

Now, they are migrating to Prince George’s County to reach their target audience. The county’s population is 63% African-American, and they said it’s important to provide the community with a bookstore that focuses on them.

As young people, both Ramunda and Derrick had an interest in books. Growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Ramunda did not have access to books written by or about Black people until she attended college, but it was important for her to learn more about the history and accomplishments of her community.

“Knowing how important our history is and knowing how impactful our culture is was a huge impetus for why we started,” said Ramunda.

According to Derrick, books were a significant part of his childhood, but similar to Ramunda, they really began to impact him when he attended college. Through reading, he was better able to identify his roots and discover what he wanted to become of his legacy.

“I wanted to be able to be in business for myself, but in doing that, I wanted to find something that would allow me to have an impact and give back in a way that I had the chance to grow from and be empowered by,” said Derrick.

Although MahoganyBooks is targeted at the Black community, it also serves as an educational setting for the wider American community where regardless of ideology, ethnicity, gender and sexuality, people can access information to better themselves.

“When people connect with other ethnicities and backgrounds it creates empathy, and right now, more than ever in the world, we need more empathy,” said Ramunda. “We need to understand different cultures and ethnicities, and Black books allow people to do that.”

The new location is three times the size of the Anacostia bookstore and will provide a larger selection of books for customers to browse. MahoganyBooks is also partnering with Jirani Coffeehouse, a Black-owned business, to serve coffee to its patrons.

Although being in business together as a married couple has come with its challenges, the mutual respect and trust Ramunda and Derrick share has allowed them to capitalize on their strengths and remain successful.

“I learn from him, and he learns from me, and we grow, not just as business people, but as a husband and wife team as well,” said Ramunda.

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Commentary: Book called ‘boy.’ gives voice to mothers of Black sons

Special to the AFRO — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 00:52:49 +0000

This palpable emotion, ranging from distress to defiance, is expressed in 48 personal letters from Black mothers to America that comprise the book “boy,” also known as “Defending Our Black Sons’ Identity in America.” The book also is commonly referred to as “The Boy Book.” (Courtesy photo)

By Norma Adams-Wade
Special to the AFRO

Eric Garner’s mother Gwen Carr knows paralyzing grief first-hand. Other Black mothers across the nation say they share a similar mind-numbing foreboding: the possibility of fear or hatred of Black people by police or racists killing their Black sons.

Compiling author Sherilyn Bennett, who collected the mothers’ letters, is an entrepreneur, consultant in graphic design, branding and corporate diversity, ordained minister, and mother of two adult sons, both school football coaches. She was born in Ocala, Fla. and lives in Charlotte, N.C.

Images of watching media reports of the May 25, 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer would not allow her to rest until she completed the “boy.” book that she views as a catalyst for change in America.

The book also includes chapters about (a) what your rights are and how to act if stopped by police, (b) a historical perspective about treatment of Black men and women by police, and (c) a licensed mental health counselor’s assessment of lingering trauma from police brutality and/or racist treatment in various settings.

“We must recognize that not all fights against racial inequality happen in the streets,” Bennett said in a promotional piece.

Bennett, Eric Garner’s mother Gwen Carr, and a couple of the mothers who wrote essay letters will be in Dallas this month for a book signing, meet and greet, and to encourage other mothers who have experienced or are experiencing similar traumas of losing sons in police or racist encounters.

Gwen Carr, Eric Garner’s mother, wrote the book’s Foreword. Some of Garner’s last words, “I can’t breathe,” became a national rallying cry after the 43-year-old, 6-foot-3, 350-pound, great-grandfather of six died July 17, 2014. He had several existing health problems including severe asthma.

Video recordings show that Garner repeated “I can’t breathe” 11 times while Daniel Pantaleo, a White New York police officer, used a chokehold, already illegal at the time, while arresting Garner. Authorities say the police suspected Garner was selling cigarettes illegally on the street in Staten Island. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, but a Richmond County grand jury refused to indict the officer who was then acquitted.

New York City later reached a $5.9 million out-of-court settlement with Garner’s family. Five years later, the Justice Department refused to bring criminal charges against the officer but under a New York Police Department disciplinary hearing, Officer Pantaleo finally was fired in August 2019. Garner’s mother said the five-year ordeal transformed her. She now pushes for legislation beyond street protests.

“I chose to be a catalyst for change because I refused to be a culprit of complacency,” Carr wrote in the Foreword. “I transitioned from mourning to movement and from sorrow to strategy! … Eric’s name is one of too many names belonging to Black males that have been murdered by police officers who were acquitted

Rhonda Willis of Fort Worth wrote one of the letters. Her husband Fred Willis is helping promote the book. She tells of their son Joshua, now 11, earlier in grade school when a White classmate told her son that he (the White student) was better than her Black son. When her son shared the story, she said she and her husband immediately began to regularly affirm their son’s worth to counteract any possible damage to his self-esteem.

“I used to think that racism didn’t start until boys were teenagers or young men but this really opened my eyes…,” she wrote in her letter.

Besides the book signing, the book also is available through Amazon and at some major retail book departments including walmart.com. To learn more, visit www.boybooknation.com.

Norma Adams-Wade, is a proud Dallas native, University of Texas at Austin journalism graduate and retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and was its first southwest regional director. She became The News’ first Black full-time reporter in 1974.

Samplings from the 48 letters:

This one tells how an adult Black son politely held a restaurant door open for an elderly White man who arrogantly responded, “Thank you, boy.” The adult son felt insulted but did not retaliate.
This one tells of university campus police who detained a Black male on campus saying he was not a student. The football coach finally verified him as a member of the team.
Another titled “Mother Grizzly’s Letter to America” tells of her anguish following the 2012 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watchman as the youth walked to his dad’s house carrying a bag of Skittles candy.
This one details a 10-year-old son who has a 4.0 average in gifted classes; yet the mother worries that “Several studies prove the more educated… articulately vocal a Black male is, the more at risk he becomes to encounter injustices.”
This one tells of having “the talk” with her sons, schooling them that “no amount of education, wealth, or accomplishment can fully shield them from being Black.”
And this one: “Imagine feeling obligated to tell your sons: – Don’t drive certain cars or go certain places – Don’t put your hands in your pockets – Don’t put your hoodie on – Never leave the store without a receipt or a bog. – Never leave the house without your ID. – If you every get pulled over, put your hands on the dashboard and do not make any movements without asking. This is our existence. I wish that I did not have to have these talks with my Black sons.

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 145 Ostend Street, Baltimore MD 21230 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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BOOK REVIEW: ‘Traveling Black’ captures experiences of Blacks during their journeys in the U.S.

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 21:39:58 +0000

By Glenn C. Altschuler
Special to the Florida Courier

(NNPA Newswire) – “Personal liberty consists in the power of locomotion, of changing situation, or removing one’s person to whatever places one’s inclination may direct, without restraint,” Supreme Court Justice John Marshal Harlan declared in 1883. “But of what value is this right of locomotion if it may be clogged” by state-imposed restrictions?

Justice Harlan’s opinion, alas, was a dissent from a Supreme Court decision that did not protect African Americans’ right to travel freely.

“Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance’’ by Mia Bay. Harvard University Press. 391 pages. $35.

In “Traveling Black: A Story of Race and Resistance” Mia Bay (a professor of American History at the University of Pennsylvania, author of “The White Image in the Black Mind,” and co-author of “Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans, with Documents”) captures the experiences of Blacks in trains, buses, planes and on our nation’s highways.

Long after emancipation, she demonstrates, Black travelers were forced into segregated and vastly inferior accommodations, required informally and by Jim Crow laws, in the north and the south. And Bay recounts the long history of Black protest against transportation discrimination.

Far from equal

Extraordinarily informative and insightful, “Traveling Black’’ illuminates an immensely important civil rights issue.

Although 19th-century Americans often boasted that their railroads had “no second-class cars for the inferior classes because all of our citizens rank as gentlemen,” they were often divided by class, race and gender.

Faced with suits by “uppity” Blacks against segregated waiting rooms, exclusion from dining services, and decrepit, filthy, dimly lit, smoky cars, packed with baggage, that (unlike fire resistant steel cars) often collapsed during collisions, railroad managers, Bay reveals, often got judges to agree that the accommodations were equal to those provided to whites.

Automobile ownership, Bay indicates, gave Blacks more choices about where to shop, work, travel, seek recreation, and escape white surveillance. That said, they often had to observe a “racial right of way” and segregated parking regulations, and pay exorbitant insurance rates.

Some Black men who drove expensive cars wore chauffeurs’ caps to avoid offending Whites. Guides, including the “Negro Motorist Green Book,’’ helped Blacks identify gas stations, restaurants, and hotels that would serve them. But guide or no guide, African American motorists still had to take their chances in unfamiliar places.

Laws relegated Blacks to the back of buses, in uncomfortable seats located over the rear axle. Georgia and South Carolina briefly required that they ride backward, a recipe for motion sickness. Blacks eventually regarded buses as the worst form of Jim Crow travel, “narrow, cramping, and tortuous,” with drivers sending them “forthwith, straight to the rear, the horizontalized bottom of the social pyramid.”

Slow progress

A popular guide, the “Negro Motorist Green Book’’ helped Blacks the establishments that would serve them.

Even on airplanes, Blacks could not always avoid Jim Crow. In 1951, American Airlines instructed personnel to mark reservations E-111 to indicate that the passenger was African American, or, if the reservation was made by telephone, presumed to be Black, so the individual could be segregated during the flight.

Protests against Jim Crow transportation began to get traction during World War II, when soldiers and women working in defense industries refused to abide by “the public theater” of segregation.

A nine-fold increase in membership during the war years gave the NAACP resources to litigate the stream of cases sent their way.

Nonetheless, progress was slow. Even after a 1955 boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, gave African Americans the right to sit anywhere on buses transportation segregation was not vanquished in southern states.

When the Freedom Riders elicited sympathy and support from northern Whites, however, President Kennedy’s Justice Department began to vigorously apply the commerce clause of the Constitution to fight discrimination in inter-state travel.

Division remains

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in all places of public accommodation – and the law was quickly upheld by the Supreme Court in Heart of Atlanta Motel Inc. v. The United States. Its impact on transportation, Bay reminds us, “was nothing short of transformational.”

Even so, she insists, the right “has yet to be fully realized.” Black motorists are now far more likely than Whites to be stopped and searched, get traffic tickets, and be treated disrespectfully (or worse) by police.

Even though Jim Crow laws are no longer on the books, Professor Bay concludes, “The nation’s divided and divisive racial geography remains very much intact. There’s no need to travel back in time to travel Black.”

Dr. Glenn C. Altschuler is the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies at Cornell University. He wrote this review for the Florida Courier.

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‘The Other Black Girl’ book explores workplace war and racism in publishing

Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 20:09:40 +0000

Atria Books refers to Harris’s latest work as a “whip-smart and dynamic thriller and sly social commentary that is perfect for anyone who has ever felt manipulated, threatened, or overlooked in the workplace.” (Photo: zakiyadalilaharris.com)

By Stacy M. Brown
NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Lindsay Sagnette, the vice president and editorial director at Atria Books, said she could not remember the last time she was so confident that a book was going to set the world on fire.

That’s because it had been so long since Sagnette encountered anything like author Zakiya Dalila Harris’ “The Other Black Girl.”

“The Other Black Girl is a psychological masterpiece, where microaggressions and gaslighting turn a company’s ‘civilized’ atmosphere into a slowly unraveling horror,” Sagnette declared.

“Zakiya Dalila Harris is a storyteller of the highest order, and she will sear Nella Rogers into your consciousness. I hope you are as overcome as I was when turning the pages of this mind-blowing and important book and that you will join me in celebrating the arrival of this major new literary talent.”

With a June 1 release date and reportedly 100,000 copies shipped, unique for a debut novel, The Other Black Girl tracks the story of 26-year-old Nella Rogers.

According to the publisher’s website, Rogers is an editorial assistant tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books.

“Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers,” according to the book’s synopsis.

They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust.

That’s when strange notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: “LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.” the book details.

It’s hard for Nella to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as she starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career.

“The Other Black Girl will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last twist.”

Harris spent nearly three years in editorial at Knopf/Doubleday before writing The Other Black Girl. She also inked a television deal with Hulu and is writing the pilot with Rashida Jones.

Her inspiration for the book came one day while she was still working for Knopf/Doubleday. She told the New York Times that as she was washing her hands one day, a Black woman she’d never seen emerged from a stall.

The two were the only two African Americans working on that floor.

Harris, who earned an MFA in creative writing from The New School, found her first group of Black female friends in college and has often felt anxious with other Black people about “just not feeling Black enough.”

“I remember being so excited,” Harris told the newspaper. “And then being like, ‘Oh, OK, we, we’re not having a moment. Cool.’ I don’t think she noticed any of this.”

As she walked back to her desk, she thought about why she had been so eager to connect with this stranger. “She had been the only Black woman in her department for so long, as she had often been the only Black girl in her classes growing up in Hamden, Connecticut,” Harris shared with The Times.

The beginnings of a story started to form in her mind.

Harris told the Times that she had Black readers in mind, particularly Black women, and she made a conscious decision not to explain every reference that might slip by other demographics.

She hopes others in publishing won’t read the book and seek someone else to blame for the industry’s problems.

“The thing I didn’t want readers, especially ones who worked in publishing, I didn’t want them to be like, ‘Oh that’s definitely that person, and I never would do anything like that,’” Harris said. “Having them all be representative of the industry itself was really important to me because the accountability feels that much more pressing.”

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Dwayne Ratleff’s memoir lovingly recalls Baltimore of yesterday

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Fri, 14 May 2021 16:55:24 +0000

Dwayne Ratleff, author of the memoir Dancing To The Lyrics. (Courtesy photo)

By Nadine Matthews
Special to the AFRO

Dwayne Ratleff spent so many of his early school years as a Special Ed student, it’s still hard for him to believe he wrote a book. He tells Baltimore Afro, “I was a Special Ed student. I didn’t learn to read and to write until I was around ten or eleven, so if someone had told me that I would be writing a book, I would have laughed at them.” This is a big part of the reason he wrote Dancing To The Lyrics. “I wanted to give people like me hope. I think a lot of children put in Special Ed are really late bloomers.”

Ratleff describes Dancing To The Lyrics as a memoir, “because it’s more islands of true memory, connected by bridges.” Though names are changed and some of the incidents fictionalized, they track very closely to his own life. Like Ratleff’s own childhood, at the center of the main character’s life are his two sisters, mother, and his step-father, who sadistically abused Ratleff’s mother physically and mentally for years.

Ironically, it was his step-father’s naked, unabashed approach to violence that spared Ratleff some emotional turmoil as an adult. “His behavior was so obviously bad, I knew it wasn’t about me,” stated Ratleff. “I thought, ‘I just have to live long enough to get out of this house.’ I feel good because I’m out of that. Other than him, I had a good childhood.”

Born in Ohio, Ratleff and his family moved to Baltimore when he was about five, and lived there for six years before moving to Connecticut. In Dancing To The Lyrics, he weaves Baltimore of the mid-20th Century as a rich tapestry full of bold personalities and colorful characters of all ages. “Baltimore was such a rich, beautiful city. They used to sing while they sold the newspapers, and it was one of the few cities that still had arabbers,” he stated, referring to the iconic street vendors selling fruits and vegetables from colorful horse drawn carts. “I wanted to write something that would show that vitality of the city.”

Though Baltimore was never “the deep south,” Ratleff describes the Baltimore of his youth as deeply southern. “So many of the people in Baltimore then,” he explained, “had recently migrated from the South.” People also looked out for each other.“This was ‘pre-The Wire.’ Yes, there was violence, but there was such a strong sense of community.”

The story plays out against the backdrop of a radically changing country during the 60s. The biggest touchpoint being the murder of Martin Luther King, and the ensuing civil disobedience. Seen through Ratleff’s childhood eyes, Baltimore was set ablaze by “glowing balls of fire,” was “invaded” by the military. Adults’ whirlwind emotions confused him. His mother forced him and his sisters to wear their Easter clothes to watch the televised funeral for the civil rights leader. Ratleff’s young protagonist also has a dawning realization that though he saw few White people, they immensely impacted on his life as a Black American.

Ratleff, who has lived with HIV for 30 years, said he also wrote the book because he was always asked what it was like to grow up gay in Baltimore during that time. “There was homophobia for sure. Like, if you were caught coming out of a gay bar, you could get beat up.” Most of Black Baltimore, however, didn’t really judge his sexuality, though many realized he was gay at a young age. Ratleff, however, escaped this in Baltimore, where he counted many adults as friends and mentors. “The older people, especially those not in the church, didn’t care. I encountered more homophobia when me and my family moved to Connecticut.”

His HIV diagnosis, he said, gave him the freedom to “go ahead and just live life.” He decided to open his own cleaning business. “I decided I would rather clean people’s mess than put up with it,” he said half-jokingly. He traveled the world and auditioned as a contestant on Jeopardy.

Ratleff’s completion of his book is remarkable in another way. He was seriously injured in a car accident a few years ago which left him without full use of his hands. “I had to type the whole thing with one finger,” he explains. “I wanted to say I may have been Black, I may have been gay, I may have been Special Ed, I may have disabilities, but I still went ahead.”

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Lil Kim set to release debut memoir about her hip-hop career

BlackPressUSA/NNPA — Mon, 10 May 2021 16:09:30 +0000

Lil Kim at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards (Photo by Norman Johnson for rolling out)

By Michael “Ice-Blue” Harris

Lil’ Kim just announced that she’ll be releasing her debut memoir on Nov. 2, called Lil’ Kim: The Queen Bee. The book will be co-written by Kathy Iandoli and published via Hachette Books. The memoir will look at the female MC’s childhood growing up in Brooklyn, to meeting the Notorious B.I.G., joining the Junior Mafia, and the hits and rollercoaster ride that followed.

“IT’S FINALLY HERE!! That’s right, the book, Lil’ Kim The Queen Bee Life Story. I’m so excited to announce my memoir dropping in November!! You thought you knew me but you have no idea. Thank you @kath3000 and @hachettebooks for helping me get my story out,” posted Kim on Instagram.

Lil’ Kim: The Queen Bee takes a look at how she blazed trails for women in hip-hop and her blueprint can be currently seen in artists like Nicki Minaj, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Kim also discusses some of her high-profile relationships in the book as well her prison stint and winning in a male-dominated industry.

“I’m excited to finally get to tell my story after all this time,” Lil’ Kim told People. “Many people have thought they knew the story of Lil’ Kim but they have no idea. I’m thrilled Kathy and I have put together something special with Hachette Books for my fans.”

In related news, the “All About The Benjamins” rapper performed at an Aids Walk event in Florida last Saturday, April 24, and brought her 7-year-old daughter Royal Reign out to perform. Kim’s mini-me graced the stage with her mom and danced as the rapper performed her “Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix).”

The young lady just might follow in her mother’s footsteps as she appears to have Kim’s signature sway down pat. Check out the video of the two divas jamming on the next page in the clip provided by TrueExclusives as well as her and Trina taking the stage together.The post Lil Kim set to release debut memoir about her hip-hop career appeared first on Rolling Out.

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Darryl Strawberry tells Black Press how everyone can make a turnaround in life

Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent — Mon, 10 May 2021 15:52:11 +0000

“I’m glad for my walk, my road,” Strawberry declared. “People say. ‘you could have been in the Hall of Fame,’ but look at me now. I am an evangelist, and I’m encouraging people about life. It all works out as long as we don’t quit.” (Photo: Darryl Strawberry poses with fan, August 2016, NYC / Wikimedia Commons)

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Just as it did when he first arrived in the major leagues 38 years ago, Darryl Strawberry’s name evokes awe.

His picture-perfect left-handed swing that launched 335 home runs and drove 1,000 RBIs, remains one of baseball’s all-time pleasing memories.

But even at the height of his superstardom, the South Central, Los Angeles-born athlete suffered.

“My life was fractured,” Strawberry revealed in an interview with the National Newspaper

Publishers Association and the Black Press of America’s live morning news program, “Let It Be Known.”

“Like many who come from the inner-city who didn’t have a male figure in their life – I didn’t have a father – my pain led me to my greatness, but my greatness would eventually lead me to destructive behavior,” the candid former slugger revealed.

Strawberry opens up even more in his new book, “Turn Your Season Around: How God Transforms Your Life.”

In the book that he writes with author Lee Weeks, Strawberry, now an evangelist, explains how individuals heading in the wrong direction can move positively.

He is candid in writing about tragedy, personal failure, and transforming injustice.

Despite winning four world championships with the New York Mets and New York Yankees, Strawberry fell victim to drug addiction, spent time in prison, and battled cancer.

His co-author noted that “Strawberry’s life story is proof that you can overcome life’s adversities one decision, one step at a time. It’s time to turn your season around.”

There were “lots of expectations about me when I first came up to the big leagues in 1983,” Strawberry recalled. “I always tell young people that expectations are not who you are. The only expectations you should have are for yourself and not what others put on you.”

With the sweetest of swings and five-tool talent, Strawberry faced the pressure of mounting expectations even as a teen. “I was the Black Ted Williams, the next Willie McCovey,” he told the Black Press during his 25-minute interview.

“It got to a place where I had to have confidence in myself and just be myself,” Strawberry continued. “You can’t be anyone else. God has made each of us unique.”

Because of his off-the-field challenges, Strawberry didn’t make the Hall of Fame. Now, as focused and determined to help others as he’s ever been, Strawberry shrugs off those who remind him of what he could have accomplished.

Strawberry’s new book, Turn Your Season Around, is available at most book-sellers, including amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

Click here to see the Black Press of America’s full interview with Darryl Strawberry.

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Commentary: Lady Day, “Strange Fruit” and the Test of Time

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 23 Apr 2021 16:43:40 +0000

Carole Boston Weatherford (Courtesy Photo)

By Carole Boston Weatherford

Lady Day, “Strange Fruit” and the Test of Time

When Billie Holiday released “Strange Fruit” in 1939, Time magazine panned the song. But not before dissing the 24-year-old singer. The music critic went from body-shaming her for not dieting to claiming that she chose the song only for its tune, rather than its political lyrics, which he deemed over her head.

How dare he suggest that a Black woman of the Jim Crow era was oblivious to lynching. Born Eleanora Fagan in 1915 and raised in Baltimore, Md., Holiday likely did not recall some events of her early childhood: the 1915 Ku Klux Klan film The Birth of a Nation, the Red Summer of 1919 or the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

Yet, she surely encountered the color line in everyday life. Beginning in 1910, Baltimore passed a series of laws requiring segregated housing. Public schools, like the one Holiday attended, had segregated faculty and student bodies. And a 1922 National Urban League study found that two-thirds of Baltimore’s factories would not hire Black workers. As Baltimore native Thurgood Marshall noted, “The only thing different between the South and Baltimore was trolley cars. They weren’t segregated. Everything else was. . . .”

After Holiday moved to New York City with her mother and became a singer, she faced discrimination in the jazz world. She performed at the Cotton Club, the Harlem speakeasy where Black entertainers and staff catered to a whites-only audience. On tour with the all-white Artie Shaw band, she was sometimes barred by promoters from performing. And a Detroit theater owner forced her to wear dark makeup for fear that she might be mistaken for white while fronting Count Basie’s all-Black band. Back then, Black performers had to enter through back doors, use service elevators and stay with Black residents in towns lacking a Black-owned hotel.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909 to fight “racialized violence” and inequities. From 1909 to 1939, 755 African Americans were lynched in the U.S. In protest, the NAACP hung a flag, “A Man Was Lynched Yesterday,” from its New York headquarters.

Even if that somber flag escaped Holiday’s notice, she knew the toll of white supremacy. Suffering from pneumonia while on tour in Texas, her musician father died after a white hospital refused care.

In 1938, Holiday was headlining at Café Society, New York’s first integrated nightclub, when owner Barney Josephson shared the song “Strange Fruit” with her. Composed first as a protest poem—and later put to melody—by schoolteacher Abel Meeropol (under the name Lewis Allan), the song resonated with Holiday. Capitol, her record label, refused the song but released her to record it with the smaller Commodore label.

Recorded on April 20, 1939, the song rose within weeks to number 16 on the charts, making it Holiday’s biggest hit. That Time critic pegged the song as propaganda for the NAACP.

“Strange Fruit” became Holiday’s signature song but also a cross to bear. Warned by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN) to cease performing the anthem, Holiday bravely resisted. She ended each set with “Strange Fruit” and granted no encores. As Lee Daniel’s film The United States vs. Billie Holiday documents, her activism provoked the Federal Bureau of Narcotics to frame her on drug charges. Her conviction cost her not only her freedom but also her cabaret license. After Holiday’s release from prison, federal agents continued to dog her. Arrested while hospitalized, she died in 1959 at age 44 under police custody.

And by 1999, Time had changed its tune, declaring “Strange Fruit” the song of the century. Sadly, the song is as timely as ever today.

Carole Boston Weatherford has authored more than 60 books including the verse novel Becoming Billie Holiday, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. A Baltimore native and two-time NAACP Image Award-winner, she teaches at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina. http://cbweatherford.com

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‘Chat and Chew’ to create wealth

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 23:42:29 +0000

Kimberly Manning

Kimberly Manning is a financial strategist, author and speaker. She’s spent well over 20 years in corporate America with numerous awards and accolades on her path to success. That was the corporate side of Manning’s evolution; however, her personal life was quite different. Often being called “Nurse Betty,” she had become the private chauffeur for doctors’ appointments for her grandmother’s friends, part-time chef, caretaker, part-time financial consultant and a college funding source. Following a long conversation with a college friend, she had her “AHA moment;” that servitude was not only her passion, but it sparked her professional awakening. As she evolved in the financial arena, she realized the lack of education being offered to strategically assist families in creating wealth, long-term care, business succession planning, college funding and balance retirement. Recognizing the missing component, Ms. Manning has developed a client-centered model that supports and meets the needs of her clients. Kimberly’s client base is predominantly professional women, business owners, executives, and soon to be retirees or retired woman looking to create and preserve wealth. In 2021, Ms. Manning took a leap of faith and pinned her first book Wealthy Women Chat and Chew 7 Strategies you did not learn at the kitchen table or the board room to create and preserve wealth.

Kimberly Manning discovered her heart for service. (Courtesy photo)

To find out more about this book she calls “riveting, powerful, and mind-changing,” join her at the Hyatt Regency, 300 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 on May 15, 2021, 2-6 pm for a book-signing. It’s both in-person and virtual and will celebrate dynamic women who have overcome challenges and redefined their wealthy place. The in-person (COVID-safe) investment is $65 which includes a rooftop experience (weather permitting) autographed book, networking, appetizers, finance games, prizes, and fun. The virtual investment is $45 which includes the book, finance games, prizes, and fun.

Visit www.emergingwealthstrategies.com or call 1.800.518.6906 to secure your spot.

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A shrewd businessman and a proud son of Morgan State University

Ralph E. Moore Jr. — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 17:00:13 +0000

Earl Graves Sr. turned to business after the 1968 assassination of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, for whom he’d been an administrative assistant. (Courtesy of Morgan State University)

By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO

When Earl Graves Sr. left this world a year ago, it was a little bit wealthier for Black people than he’d found it. The wealth and income gaps between Whites and Blacks in America is stubbornly wide. The Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C. think tank, says the average net worth of African Americans is $19,049 while the average net worth of Whites is $130,472 and is only $12,329 for Hispanics. Earl Graves sought to close that gap and he had a level of success.

A proud ROTC graduate of Morgan State University in Baltimore, class of 1957, Graves was born in Brooklyn, New York to immigrant parents. After graduation he entered the U.S. Army where he rose to the rank of captain. Following his military service, he became an administrative assistant to Senator Robert F. Kennedy. But upon Kennedy’s assassination Graves then turned to business and never turned back.

Graves was creative and enterprising from an early age. Even while at Morgan, he struck a deal with a couple of florists and sold their flowers on campus for a percentage of the profits. Graves, an economics major in college, eventually became associated with wealth creation: teaching it, assisting others in attaining it and writing about it. He is best known as being the publisher of Black Enterprise magazine, that first hit newsstands and mailboxes in 1970. The readership has been listed as 3.7 million with a 2013 total circulation number of 534,752 as well. Either way, Black Enterprise since its inception is considered a prime source of information and advice for Black businesses, entrepreneurs and for content in career development, technical assistance and many things money related. Corporate executives, various professionals, budding and seasoned entrepreneurs and important decision makers read regularly.

With growth outward from the magazine, Black Enterprise publishes in print and online. Since 1973 it has listed the top 100 Black businesses in the nation (the B.E. 100s). For teenagers, starting in 2002, it has produced a supplement to the magazine entitled, Teenpreneur, to inspire, encourage and inform Black youth regarding business entrepreneurship. Black Enterprise also has two nationally syndicated television shows, Our World with Black Enterprise and Women of Power.

Graves, a champion of Black business enterprises, poses with his book “How To Succeed In Business Without Being White.” (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

“Earl Graves has done more to increase Black wealth than any other person in the modern era,” said Dr. David K. Wilson, Morgan State University president. “He promoted Black entrepreneurs and gave them visibility. Some Black businesses would not have been successful without him.”

In 2015 the university honored Graves by naming the school in the Business Center for him, the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management. Undergraduate through doctorate degrees are offered there. The Graves Honors Program is likewise named for him.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Black Enterprise, the school has adorned the campus with “historic magazine covers of Black Enterprise,” according to President Wilson.

“I had a chance to get to know him. Graves came to campus frequently for homecomings, for sporting events and he came to my inauguration. He loved Morgan State. Whenever you’d see him on campus he would proudly be wearing his orange and blue. He was a proud Morgan grad.”

It was said by Graves that Morgan University was equal to any other educational institution in the country. With his confidence, Graves opened doors for Blacks to go through. He was not bashful, it was said of him, in pushing corporate America to open its doors as he walked through them and urged others to follow him. Dr. Wilson: “For students on campus, Earl Graves motivated and inspired them with his spirit and tenacity whenever they would encounter him.”

Graves died on April 6, 2020. He had been married to his wife Barbara for 37 years, and together they had three sons, most notably Earl (Butch) Graves III, who is the current CEO of Black Enterprise.

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Deborah Owens, ‘America’s Wealth Coach’ AFRO Guest editor

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 17:39:48 +0000

Deborah Owens, CEO and founder of WealthyU

Deborah Owens is CEO and founder of WealthyU: A financial wellness company, through which she creates customized financial education content on multi-media platforms. She is a 20-year financial services industry veteran and former vice president with Fidelity Investments.

Owens is the author of three critically acclaimed books, A Purse of Your Own, Nickel and Dime Your Way To Wealth and Confident Investing. She is a financial expert and sought after speaker and has been featured on NPR, TVOne, CNN, ABC, Sirius XM, Essence and Ebony magazines.

She is the recipient of the AAUW Women of Distinction Award, Allstate’s From Whence We Came Award, Heart and Soul magazine’s Women of Distinction in Finance Award.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University of Maryland. Visit her website http://wealthyu.com

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Book Review: ‘Black Suffering’

Special to the AFRO — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 01:51:02 +0000

Rev. Dr. James Henry Harris (Courtesy Photo)

Educator/Pastor gives a ‘call to consciousness’ in his new book ‘Black Suffering’

By Timothy Cox
Special to The AFRO

HANOVER, MD — A new book has pulled back the sheets and exposes how racism permeates American life to the detriment of Black people.

Rev. Dr. James Henry Harris ─ an African American pastor and author of “The Forbidden Word” and many other books ─ has written “Black Suffering: Silent Pain, Hidden Hope,” released in October 2020. It explores many timely atrocities, such as the Memorial Day 2020 police killing of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, and the plight of Black people amid the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic. Nat Turner, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and even Job of the Bible are part of his call to consciousness.

Drawing on decades of personal experience as a pastor, theologian, and educator, Harris, gives voice to suffering’s practical impact on church leaders as they seek to forge a path forward to address this huge and troubling issue. The book “Black Suffering” identifies Black suffering while beginning a larger conversation about correcting the historical weight of suffering carried by Black people.

The book, his 10th, combines elements of memoir, philosophy, historical analysis, literary criticism, sermonic discourse, and even creative nonfiction to present a “remix” of the suffering experienced daily by Black people.

Pastor Harris’ unique insight stems from his early experience as the fifth of 10 children, reared by his parents, Richard Harris and Carrie Anna Jones Harris. In his Central Virginia environs, the younger Harris learned to accept a life filled with outdoor toilets and segregated, unequal classrooms in what he describes as “backwater, rural” Richmond, Virginia. His father was a tobacco farmer who, uniquely enough – owned his own land and taught his children to become farmhands, eager for education.

Prior his call to the ministry, Pastor Harris graduated from the segregated George Washington Carver High School in 1970. Soonafter, he worked in several industries – including retail, as a college intern with the JC Penney company. Also while an undergrad business management major at Virginia State University, Pastor Harris worked as a tray-loader with the Brown & Williamson tobacco company – packing cigarettes.

“Due to the corporate culture,” Pastor Harris said he and his co-workers were coerced into becoming smokers by the company. “They gave us two packs of cigarettes at the start of a shift – to smoke during smoke breaks, then upon ending your shift – they gave you two packs to take home.” Needless to say Pastor Harris said he became addicted to nicotine while working on the “KOOL” brand, floor.

At age 67, Pastor Harris credits “God’s grace, a miracle and a young son’s plea,” for helping him escape the smoking train. “My son said something like, ‘you’re going to burn down the house’ and that triggered me to make an effort to stop, he said. He smoked from 1970 through 1984.

Pastor Harris and his wife Demetrius Harris, are parents to James Cory Alexander Harris and Cameron Christopher David Harris. Both sons are Hampton University graduates and have successful budding careers. The Harris’ were married in 1979. She’s a graduate of Norfolk State University and a media library specialist with a masters in divinity from Virginia Union, as does her husband.

Though he’s earned a PhD from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, he purposely refrains from using the term “doctor” as his moniker. “It’s He says it’s more about the work you do, and then you let others bestowe the titles on you – if or when it’s warranted,” he said.

Pastor Harris also has masters degrees from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville, Virginia Commonwealth University and doctorate of philosophy in Urban/Black Studies from Old Dominion University.

Academics aside, Pastor Harris, is a 30-year senior minister of Second Baptist Church (Westend) in Richmond, Virginia, where he continues to “preach” as a traditional fire and brimstone Baptist minister. During the Pandemic, he’s adapted his congregation to a virtual stance and currently offers live weekly discussions of his book on Facebook to ignite conversations about correcting the historical weight of Black suffering.

In the process of his Facebook presence, he hopes to encourage book clubs at houses of worship and elsewhere, using the book to spark national discussions.

Pastor Harris is also is the Distinguished Professor and Chair of Homiletics and Practical Theology and Research Scholar in Religion at the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond.

Black Suffering, Silent Pain, Hidden Hope is published by Fortress Press, which has the book for sale on its website: www.fortresspress.com. It’s also available at Amazon.com.

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Local stylist, entrepreneur launches ‘Black Women’s Business Directory’

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:55:30 +0000

The Joy of Styling launched the Boss-ish Black Women’s Business Directory as part of Women’s History Month. (Courtesy Photo)

By Savanna Samuel
AFRO Intern

As The Joy of Styling (TJOS) celebrates its five-year anniversary, the image consulting company continues to serve the community through fashion, outreach and awareness, such as in the 2021, “Boss-ish Black Women’s Business Directory.”

With the in-person world limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Joy Lawson, the CEO of TJOS found a way to bring back her successful 2020 “Boss-ish Black Business Market,” with a virtual twist.

“Getting to the fifth year I wanted to be intentional with everything I was doing and wanted to ensure the business was aligned with where I am- as it is a representation of me as I continue to grow and just elevate within so many different levels. But also how everyone else has grown as well,” Lawson said on AFRO Live. “God said, ‘You should do Boss-ish’ again- do it virtually- but you should speak specifically to Black women.’ And I said, ‘Ok,’ and I came up with the Boss-ish Black Women’s Business Directory.

The Joy of Styling was established in 2016 with the goal to empower and uplift within fashion and styling. Lawson started her love for fashion while modeling in adolescence, and launched her professional styling endeavors as a college student.

While matriculating at St. John’s University in New York, before graduating in 2015, she became engrossed in campus activities, which allowed her to learn about more than, what would be considered, the cosmetics of fashion- modeling and designing. Confirming that this has always been her passion, she became well-versed in the background and business aspects of fashion and styling and her business acumen and ideas began to flourish.

These experiences then pushed her into event planning and expanding the idea of fashion in the community with various ways to serve. Some of the recurring events curated by TJOS include, Boss Talk Women’s Panel, Style Workz for Girls and the annual Fashion on Wheels. Many of her events are a means of networking for the many area bosses, entrepreneurs and creatives, who continue to further the culture and conversations in the D.M.V.

The Joy of Styling CEO Joy Lawson, with D.C. editor Micha Green on {AFRO} Live. (Screenshot)

“I’m just super, super excited to see the growth that has happened and how it has just really changed into a movement within the area in the D.M.V.,” said Lawson. “But really speaking to what you can do within the fashion industry and how fashion can connect to anyone.”

As the world continues to live through the COVID-19 pandemic, entrepreneurs like Lawson have had to constantly make changes and pivots to assure that their businesses thrive through this unprecedented time. Despite not being able to host events like her Black Business Market, Lawson switched gears and created a Black business directory focused on Black women.

In consideration to March being Women’s History Month, she wanted to empower Black women and highlight those with businesses to emphasize the importance and history of support within the Black women community. This initiative can only be accessed by donating to a Black-woman owned organization, Uniquely YOU Summit based in Philadelphia, to encourage Black women through “community, history, and love.” Donations for the business directory will continue through the end of March.

“I wanted to give. The first event that I wanted this year, I wanted to make sure that I was giving,” said Lawson. “And the directory allows you to not only access over 50 businesses of amazing Black women, but you are donating to a non-profit owned by a Black woman.”

The image consulting business offers package services and utilizes its features and collaborations, to ensure success in “Passion, Purpose and Personality” for its clients and those in the community. Additionally, the business provides wisdom to those looking for guidance as they enter the fashion industry through internships and other opportunities to get a foot in the door. Through these interactions, Lawson has been able to spread her knowledge of fashion and her journey for those who resonate.

“We continue to empower young Black women,” Lawson emphasized. For more information about The Joy of Styling, visit tjoyofstyling.com and @thejoyofstyling on Instagram.

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New children’s book celebrates historically Black colleges and universities

BlackNews.Com — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:35:06 +0000

(Photo courtesy BlackNews.com)

By Black News.com

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams, Toni Morrison, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. all attended Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs.) Unfortunately, many children are unaware of these institutions. With HBCU Prep School’s help, author Claudia Walker has written and published The ABCs of HBCUs to raise awareness about Black Colleges.

From A to Z, The ABCs of HBCUs gives readers a front-row, all-inclusive tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It is the first children’s book to introduce young readers to college campuses like Howard University, Spelman College, Lincoln University, and Meharry Medical College.

Readers will learn about time-honored traditions such as the Battle of the Bands, homecoming, and Black fraternities and sororities.

In a recent interview, Walker said, “As a teacher, I know that some students only learn about HBCUs during their senior year of high school, if at all. I want to change that, and ensure that students are exposed to these historical institutions as early as possible.”

Award-winning brand-designer Jessica E. Boyd provided the illustrations for the book. Boyd, a double HBCU alumna, captured and translated the essence of the Black college experience into a language that speaks to young children.

This is a debut book release for Walker and Boyd.

Learn more about the book at HBCUPrepSchool.com

About the Author

Claudia Walker is an Oakland-based author, speaker, and teacher whose work has been featured in the New York Times, Essence, and Vogue. As a proud second-generation HBCU graduate, her debut book, The ABCs of HBCUs, is inspired by her undergraduate experiences at Spelman College.

Deeply committed to showcasing and celebrating stories that mainstream publications tend to overlook, Claudia launched HBCU Prep School, a publishing company that centers on Black voices and Black joy in children’s books.

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“A Weekend from Hell’ in a lifetime of remarkable achievements

Ralph E. Moore Jr. — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 22:47:47 +0000

Walter Massey (Courtesy Photo)

By Ralph E. Moore Jr.
Special to the AFRO

Sept. 12-14, 2008, was once described as “the weekend from hell” by a man born years earlier in the Hattiesburg, Mississippi of 1938. Walter Massey grew up to be a “go to man for all reasons.” After completing his study of theoretical physics at Morehouse College in Atlanta, a rare choice of major for an African-American student, he began his professional career as a faculty member at the University of Illinois. Then Massey spent 10 years at Brown University, starting as a tenured associate professor of physics who became dean of the college in Providence, Rhode Island. He next became director of the Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago (where he had once worked as a researcher). He was appointed Provost of the University of California System before returning to his alma mater, Morehouse College, as its president. He retired in 2007 but remained on some boards of directors. One such board seat was with Bank of America and eventually, suddenly and surprisingly, Massey, a theoretical physicist, became the chairman of the board. And that is when the weekend from hell happened.

Dr. Massey writes about his fascinatingly adventure-filled life in a memoir entitled, “In the Eye of the Storm.” He is an obviously gifted man, who has lived quite a varied, demanding, never-a-dull-moment life, giving of himself. And so, when voted by his fellow board members to the leadership of one of the most highly respected banks in the nation, he accepted the challenge. Massey tells the story of the near collapse of the country’s financial world with names, quotes and suspense. Those who can remember it recall the tension reported on the broadcast news and the feeling in the air of impending doom.

It fell to a scientist-professor-administrator to chair the board of a major player bank in the national and potential global crisis. He was not a banker.

The bad news of investment firm Merrill Lynch’s actual financial circumstances unfolded after the Bank of America acquired it. Then on Oct. 3, 2008, President George Bush created TARP (The Troubled Asset Relief Program) signed into effect and thus began the bailout of the banking industry including the housing market. Events, actions and circumstances moved quickly and impacted other pieces like solving a Rubik’s cube. As a very new board chairman, Massey made phone calls for hurried meetings, faced unmerciful deadlines and worked with an inside face while struggling to steady the financial ship of state. His leadership of the board had implications for the whole banking fleet and his outside face had to keep things calm. He learned about credit default swaps, bad debt and the details of the housing market.

Then Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest investment bank in the world went bankrupt, dropping the stock market 504 points in one day.

Eventually the stock market collapsed but to learn how Massey helped Bank of America through the nation’s worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, reading his memoir is a must.

Massey’s life story is woven around that fateful weekend of September 2008. His growing up in the South, his love of physics, his teaching and administrative posts are told in such a way that you want to know more. His wife, Shirley Anne, his sons, Keith and Eric, their two dogs and their two cats made for a fine, supportive and loving family that dutifully accompanied Dr. Massey on his professional journeys to new places of employment.

Massey’s trip to the eye of the storm will rivet your attention until the calm comes after the storm as he tells it.

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Ayesha Curry launches new lifestyle magazine for Black women

Black Health Matters — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 14:23:45 +0000

Ayesha Curry’s new lifestyle magazine called “Sweet July” also includes 22 mouth-watering recipes for readers to explore. (Courtesy of Black Health Matters)

By Black Health Matters

Ayesha Curry’s life just got a little bit sweeter with the official launch of Sweet July, her new lifestyle magazine for Black women.

Curry revealed the premiere cover to People earlier this month and dished about what readers can expect from her new release.

“I’m so nervous and excited about it,” Curry said in an interview with People. “This first issue is all about presence and gratitude, which I think is so important, not only in life, but especially right now. I just hope that people find a sense of peace from it.”

The name “Sweet July” holds a special place in the mother of three’s heart. She married her husband, the Golden State Warriors guard, Steph Curry, in July. Her children, Riley, Ryan and Canon also each share birthdays in the month.

With food being a common theme throughout the magazine, this issue, which Curry called a “mini cookbook,” features 22 mouth-watering recipes.

Other features in her quarterly publication include her “Connected” column, which features an intimate conversation with hubby, Steph. She will also debut her “Ask Mom Anything” feature that will answer questions from her daughters Riley and Ryan. “Everyone was so excited to contribute,” she said.

Curry isn’t the only Black woman trailblazer in the world of print, but she is the first woman of color to launch her own magazine since Oprah Winfrey introduced “O” in 2000 and the late B. Smith’s B. Smith Style in 1998.

“Representation matters,” Curry said. “It was so exciting to know that as my girls grow up, they can see themselves within the pages.”

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The Pratt Library Stands Against Hate

AFRO Staff — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 12:35:18 +0000

The Pratt Library Stands Against Hate

Words have power. The Enoch Pratt Free Library condemns the increasing attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. As information professionals, we categorically denounce the disinformation about the coronavirus that has given rise to the xenophobic and racist assaults against the AAPI community.

We stand in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and pledge to continue our work combating hate and discrimination while promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. #stopasianhate

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Former Motown artist inspires with new book ‘Blessings in Uncertain Times’

Special to the AFRO — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 02:26:56 +0000

(Courtesy Photo)

By Dareise A. Jones

Clarence “KD” McNair knows all too well the anguish of anxiety and the fear, doubt and stress that uncertainty bring.

He also knows that God is present during these times and there are many opportunities that can go unnoticed due to dire circumstances, which inspired him to write his third book Blessings in Uncertain Times: God is Always Present during the pandemic.

The former Motown artist, who was part of the early-2000s group Prophet Jones recalls the embarrassment and depression he experienced when the quartet disbanded due to internal issues.

After the loss of their record deal, fame and posh lifestyle, Clarence admits, “My confidence was messed up and I went through this period where everybody kept asking ‘what happened to your group?’ so I stopped coming out to family cookouts and stayed away from everything because I got tired of explaining. It was embarrassing honestly.”

McNair and a friend tried to put another group together, but it didn’t work out.

“I was really, really lost,” he said. “It tormented me. It messed with my self-esteem because it’s like as a man, I felt like I let my family down.”

The East Baltimore native was raised by his single-mother. His father was incarcerated when he was 8 or 9 years old. His mom had been working on his music career since he was in elementary school and he had finally tasted fame and success, but then found himself in a familiar place: uncertain and lost.

Clarence “KD” McNair (Courtesy Photos)

“My whole life has been uncertain,” he stated. “Where I grew up, there is no stability. That word doesn’t exist in the hood, you just have to figure it out. For many people, everything is uncertain. Most people didn’t know if they were going to be able to pay their rent or keep the lights on.”

He remembers when things shifted in a positive direction for him. It started with prayer, watching Bishop T.D. Jakes’ sermons, seeking professional help and changing his thoughts. McNair began encouraging himself to “give it one more try” which became the title of his first book.

During the beginning of the pandemic, McNair says during an interview he talked about how “This time is giving the world an opportunity to trade places with people who live on restrictions all the time. Before the pandemic, there were people who could not go out to dinner because they didn’t have the money. There were people who had to isolate themselves and wear masks because of health challenges.”

All the changes the world had to make were normal for some people and because uncertainty had been normal for him all his life, he knew he had to share that this time was an opportunity for growth, shifting, healing and seeing the value in the little things.

So, his third book, Blessings in Uncertain Times: God is Always Present, was born.

The book, which includes a foreword by Cora Jakes-Coleman, preacher, author and daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, “offers hope by teaching us to stay connected to God” in our darkest days. Clarence also emphasizes the importance of not overlooking blessings because sometimes God answers your prayers in the craziest ways.

He knows this for sure because during every uncertain time in his life, God has provided for him and led him into roles and positions that not only blessed him, but allowed him to be a blessing. McNair has gone from entertainer to entrepreneur, author, life coach and music industry consultant. He has also endured adversity and come out better and with this book he is giving you the blueprint so that you can too.

Blessings in Uncertain Times: God is Always Present is available at Amazon, Audible and Barnes & Noble. Follow @therealkdmcnair and @mcnairbooks or visit www.mcnairbooks.com for more information about Clarence and his books.

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Books don’t create racists

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 17:04:41 +0000

Submitted by Kevin Palmer

Dear Afro.com Editor,

To discontinue publishing six Dr. Suess books because of racist and insensitive imagery will not help change America’s racist character no more than dressing up like a clown changed serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s character.

Hiding racially insensitive books from children does not foster long-standing amicable race relations. Books containing racist imagery are opportunities to teach children how not to allow another’s racist beliefs to influence their character development. As children learn to become less racist, America will become less racist.
Instead of becoming less racist, America has become like the Teacher and Pharisee described by Jesus in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 23. Jesus said, “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside is full of dead men’s bones. In the same way, you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”

Not publishing racially insensitive books is just more whitewash for the tomb.

Kevin Palmer, Evans, GA

The opinions on this page are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the AFRO. Send letters to The Afro-American • 1531 S. Edgewood St. Baltimore, MD 21227 or fax to 1-877-570-9297 or e-mail to editor@afro.com

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Award winning poet Mecca Verdell debuts book

AFRO Staff — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 16:25:06 +0000

Award-winning Poet Mecca “MeccaMorphosis” Verdell. (Courtesy photo)

By AFRO Staff

Mecca “MeccaMorphosis” Verdell is an exceptional young poet. In 2016 she shocked the poetry world and put Baltimore on the map as a not-to-be-ignored underdog collective when she became the Brave New Voices International Champion. The win established her as a notable contender in the spoken word arena.

In 2020, Verdell won the DC Poet Project, an open-to-all poetry competition which offers the winner a book contract. The DC Poet Project is a project of the literary arts non-profit Day Eight. Entering its sixth year in 2021, the DC Poet Project is a highly competitive competition that supports the development and publication of poetry and prose by emerging writers who are based in the DMV. Past winners prior to Verdell include Susan Meehan, John Johnson and Kevin Wiggins.

Verdell’s premiere book, Things to Unlearn, is a bold and uncompromising collection of prose and poetry that is firmly grounded in Black radical poetic traditions that assesses and acknowledges the humanity of Black lives. Verdell’s voice speaks from the perspective of a defiant generation of creatives and change-makers who are not afraid to engage in the tireless struggle to tear down old constructs and forge new hopes for sustainable Black futures.

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Black Storytelling Project launched by Penguin Random House, Rolling Out, and BLACKBOOKSTORE.COM During Black History Month

AFRO Staff — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:23:40 +0000

ATLANTA – February 8, 2021 – To commemorate Black History Month, Black-owned media companies Rolling Out and BlackBookStore.com, in collaboration with publishing giant Penguin Random House, have launched a historic content partnership called #AmplifyBlackStories. Company representatives said the initiative’s mission is to introduce more stories written by Black authors to a diverse group of readers.

“As our content and media partner, Rolling Out has developed a full slate of programming throughout the year,” said Anthony Key, Director of Multicultural Marketing at Penguin Random House. “Our collaboration will allow us to propel the awareness of Black literary excellence and introduce more stories by Black authors to a diverse group of readers.”

#AmplifyBlackStories will give power to the truth and testimonies of a wide array of Black voices through deep-dive discussions and thoughtful insights sharing from the book selections. This collective will include authors across the spectrum of gender identities, multigenerational writers, faith-based thought-leaders, and creatives in the LGBTQIA+ community. The partnership between Rolling Out, BlackBookStore.com, and Penguin Random House will undoubtedly help inject more pivotal Black stories into the American literary canon.

“This partnership and cultural collaboration with Penguin Random House will herald Black creativity and promote cultural understanding by amplifying Black storytelling and Black voices,” said Munson Steed, CEO at Rolling Out. “We are on a mission to celebrate Black authors, both familiar and new, who are helping to tell a more complete cultural story––from social justice and betterment to romance and sci-fi.”

#AmplifyBlackStories kicked off in February with Rolling Out’s Meet the Author series featuring renowned writer Kevin Powell talking about his long career telling Black stories, including his intriguing journey from reality show pioneer to a congressional candidate.

#AmplifyBlackStories will continue to pay homage to Black authors with a roster of virtual programming throughout the month, including:

The Rolling Out Book Club (February selection is A Promised Land by President Barack Obama)
The Children’s Club (February selection is I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes)
The Sunday Read (authors read favorite excerpts and reveal stories of inspiration)
Black Book Brunch (a virtual sip and dine while uplifting our favorite Black authors and their journeys)
Modern Manual (relevant thought-leadership books, beginning with The Purpose of Power by Alicia Garza)
Literally Speaking (smart and layered talks of Black literature and the writing process)

“Our partnership with Penguin Random House demonstrates the importance and impact of connecting culture and commerce,” said Steed. “Giving content creators—our equity partners—opportunities to learn and grow with a Black-owned company produces real economic progress.”

To join the virtual programming for #AmplifyBlackStories, please visit www.rollingout.com and follow Rolling Out on social media channels. Books can be purchased at www.blackbookstore.com.

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Baltimore-based HBCU grad creates game to encourage minority wealth-building

AFRO Staff — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 14:46:55 +0000

LEGACY! Card Game (Courtesy Photo via Kickstarter)

By AFRO Staff

Growing up as the youngest of eight children in the Bronx, N.Y., Ruby L. Taylor remembers being anxious about the family’s finances.

“As a Black woman, I grew up worrying about money. If my dad lost his job, what would happen to us and our home? Family members relied on my parents for help, but I knew we had nobody to help us if we needed it,” she said in a statement.

Working as a social worker, Taylor saw her story replicated many times over, and realized how important it was to teach Black and Brown children how to build and manage their finances.

That is why the Howard University alumna has created Legacy! Card Game, a fun interactive way for children of color and their families to be exposed to new financial concepts and career paths and how their choices in those regards can impact generational wealth building.

“As a school social worker, I watched my students choose their career paths. However, when the careers in your community keep you near or below the poverty line, you’ll never know you need to dream of or work for something more,” Taylor said.

“That’s why I’ve created LEGACY, an interactive game that teaches families how career and financial choices impact wealth, longevity and their legacy, lessons that I wish every family had access to.”

Now living in Baltimore with her partner and two children, and having survived traumatic brain injury, Taylor is determined to do her part to help others overcome their challenges just as she did.

To find out more about Legacy! Card Game, visit, https://legacycardgame.com

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HBCU law student’s book empowers Black youth

Michelle Richardson — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 01:49:49 +0000

(Courtesy photo)

By Michelle Richardson
Special to the AFRO

Did you know that out of 1.3 million attorneys only 5% are African American? Okoye Morgan, a St. Petersburg, Fla. resident and a Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) law soon-to-be graduate, decided that those numbers aren’t good enough.

Morgan, who also has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tampa, decided to write a children’s book encouraging little Brown boys and girls to go to law school.

“I did some research and saw that only 5% of lawyers are Black. It’s such a great racial disparity within the legal community. Just from the police brutality and the systemic injustice and inequality that we’ve seen, it motivated me to say ‘Let’s do something to get the next generation’s interest into this field so we can close this disparity and start having substantial change,’” said Morgan.

Two percent of attorneys are Asian, 5% Hispanic and none are Native American, according to the bar association.

Morgan’s self-published book “The Boy Who Went to Law School” was released on Thanksgiving and has been gaining traction through the holiday season and now in the new year.

“It’s been a blessing to make a mark on these young people’s lives and change their perspective. I didn’t grow up in a neighborhood with attorneys, so when you pique a child’s interest it gives them more opportunities to say ‘I can be what I’m seeing in this book and the cartoons that look like me,’” Morgan said he hired an illustrator to bring his vision to life and the book took off from there.

“The feedback from “The Boy Who Went To Law School” has been amazing,” said Morgan.

“Pre-schools that want a more diverse literature have contacted me wanting to carry my book in the school system. One lady called and asked if I could be the mentor to her nephew and I’ve been asked to read at elementary schools. On Christmas we did a toy drive and book giveaway.”

Morgan says his goals in the next six months are to finish law school and publish another book, all while studying for the bar. “The book initiative is great because it’s allowed me to tap into my creative side, but these books are building a scholarship foundation for African-American students that decide to go to historically Black law schools. Proceeds from the books offer scholarship opportunities, so I’ll be writing more. For Black History Month, I’ll be launching t-shirts that will also go towards the scholarship foundation.”

Morgan, who plans to be a criminal defense attorney, will take the bar in Florida, but wants to be bar certified in multiple states.

“I feel like God has a calling on my life to help people all over, so I want to be able to be there when someone calls me for anything, whatever it is, whether it’s police brutality or whatever they need. I want to be there.”

“The Boy Who Went To Law School” follows a young boy whose heart is set on being a lawyer despite other kids laughing at his vision of lawyers. He sees them as superheroes fighting for human rights.

In the end, he goes to law school and earns a 4.0 GPA. The book closes with a career page where kids can see the various areas lawyers practice, including corporate, entertainment and immigration law among others.

“The Boy Who Went To Law School” is now available on Amazon.

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Black Teenpreneur, Tattered Cover & Nile Rodgers team on diversity in literature

Special to the AFRO — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 22:04:06 +0000

Submitted by We Cancerve Movement, Inc.

We Cancerve, Tattered Cover Team on Little Library Initiative

Black Teenpreneur teams with nationally renowned independent bookstore on diversity, inclusion in literacy initiative

February 2, 2021

Bel Air, Md. – The We Cancerve Movement, Inc., a Bel Air, Md. nonprofit that brings happiness to homeless, sick and foster children, and Tattered Cover, nationally renowned independent bookstore based in Denver, are partnering on a project to promote diversity and inclusion in children’s literature.

We Cancerve is building free community libraries in low-income communities throughout Baltimore and Harford County as part of ongoing efforts to bring happiness and enrichment to vulnerable youth. The project is funded by a grant We Cancerve Founder Grace Callwood received as a We Are Family Foundation’s (WAFF) Youth to the Front Fund (YTTFF) “Frontliner” grantee.

WAFF, founded more than a decade ago by legendary musician Nile Rodgers, focuses on bringing people together from different ethnicities, cultures and backgrounds, and in supporting youth leaders from around the world whose activism advocates for basic human needs such as food, water and shelter. In 2020, the foundation created YTTFF to support and fund projects and initiatives created by youth under 30 who are at the forefront of fighting systemic racism, inequality, inequity and injustice in the United States and around the world.

Callwood is one of 20 youth – ranging from ages 13 to 28 – from around the globe recognized by the foundation for work addressing racial and systemic injustice.

“It feels amazing to form a partnership with the nation’s largest black-owned bookstore,” said Callwood, 16, a sophomore in Edgewood High School’s Global Studies International Baccalaureate Programme, referring to a December 2020 Black Enterprise article about the bookstore. “Tattered Cover’s legacy as an independent bookstore brings special attributes like a sense of community, creativity and interpersonal contact with their customers mixed with their passion for diversity and inclusion programming that will help advance this project.”

Founded in 1971, Tattered Cover is a Denver-based independent bookstore that serves as a haven for knowledge, community and conversation. Under the guidance of CEO Kwame Spearman, Tattered Cover is committed to giving a voice to the voiceless, creating a more equitable, diverse and inclusive literary landscape.

“It’s been remarkable to work with such a visionary young woman who is driving real change in her community, while still balancing the demands of high school,” said Spearman. “We believe wholeheartedly in the mission of We Cancerve and are proud to be Grace’s partner in making the magic of books more accessible to children from all walks of life.”

Callwood is looking to collect a few dozen K-12 fiction and non-fiction books that reflect characters from diverse ethnic, cultural and financial backgrounds, and physical abilities. She said she’s familiar with studies that prove books about diverse populations promote empathy and positive self-esteem in youth. She believes partnering with Tattered Cover will help her achieve We Cancerve’s goal of opening three libraries this year.

The first is scheduled to open in Edgewood’s Windsor Valley community in early March. Children in that community are zoned to Magnolia Elementary School.

Public and school libraries throughout the county have been closed since last March, which means youth, especially those who come from economically-depressed families, likely have had limited access to books, experts say.

According to the Save the Children Foundation, more than 60 percent of low-income families cannot afford books in their homes.

“Reading is a great gateway to knowledge and a great way to use imagination,” Callwood said. “The beauty to literature is that there doesn’t have be visuals to go with it; we can let our minds soar and see characters, settings and events in our minds as the author describes them. In that way, we expand not only creative thinking but our understanding of others.”

In 2019, We Cancerve opened indoor children’s libraries at the St. Agnes Pediatric Emergency Room in Baltimore; Department of Social Services Visitation Center in Bel Air; and Hall’s Cross Roads Elementary School’s Community Resource Center in Aberdeen.

Want to donate to We Cancerve’s library projects? Shop our wishlist today.

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Tendea family impacts Baltimore community

Michelle Richardson — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 18:36:45 +0000

Tendea Family members Nicolas Fullard, left, Briahna Jackson, Tasin Muhammad, Founder Elijah Miles and Iheanyi Nwosu Jr. (Courtesy of the Tendea Family)

By Michelle Richardson
Special to the AFRO

There is something special about people who invoke change in the communities they grew up in and the Tendea Family embodies what it means to give back. They selflessly serve the Baltimore community through various events and initiatives.

“We’re not the type of people that want to leave Baltimore City and we feel like too many people…

The Tendea Family, the name Tendea is Swahili slang for “hustle,” was founded on the campus of Morgan State University in 2015 by Elijah Miles, Tasin Muhammad and Iheanyi Nwosu.

“ Young, Black people from Baltimore City that wanted to do something to change and impact the Black community,” said Miles.

“We want to advance Baltimore City’s Black community by operating transformative programs related to identity, self-improvement, community service and engagement.”

To put action behind their mission, the Tendea Family operates various programs such as community cleanups that were started three years ago and have seen 150 clean ups and counting every Sunday morning.

“During the community cleanups, in the winter months, we give out coffee and donuts, and during the hot seasons we create smoothies on the spot and pass those out to the community.”

“We’re out there engaging with the residents. We’re building relationships with them so when issues arise, they’ll have a support system,” stated Miles.

The Drawing Board, which is a Black history book club held every Sunday afternoon is a discussion held on how certain books relate to Baltimore City. Wednesdays, there is a sisters dinner for Black women to talk about the issues that relate to women and build sisterhood.

On Monday’s, community workouts are held in hopes to get Black people caring about their health and fitness.

Tendea recently held their first annual Kwanzaa event which coincided with the family’s fourth annual Black book giveaway.

“In honor of Kwanzaa, we started our Black book giveaway because we felt like a lot of our kids haven’t been gifted books, so we created a solution for that.”

“It was a beautiful event. There was performances by poets like Black Chakra who is from Baltimore and is a national poetry slam champion, we had singers, dancers, and speakers. We have out a whole bunch of books and people learned about Kwanzaa and themselves.”

“This year because of COVID and people so distance, we thought it was an ample time to have a Kwanzaa celebration. We knew we had to have a lot of precautions so people could be safe but we thought it was really important for us to celebrate a community Kwanzaa event,” stated Miles.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Tendea family had to shift their focus. Programs were held virtually for a while but Miles says the pandemic motivated Tendea in its mission so much more because the family had a lot of free time to think about what really matters.

“At the start of the pandemic where people were getting laid off and losing their jobs, we immediately initiated a emergency grocery program where we gave out over 600 bags of grocery to people. For about two months, we delivered groceries to families that needed them.”

All of the events held by the Tendea Family are free and open to the public and anyone that wants to volunteer can “just simply show up to one of the events,” encouraged Miles.

Tendea also has open membership says Miles. “It’s a process to get in but someone can start as a volunteer but end up an employee.”

For more information on The Tendea Family and its programs, visit www.tendeafamily.com or checkout the family on Instagram and Facebook at Tendea Family.

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2020 in review: latest words added to the Dictionary

Nadine Matthews Special to the AFRO — Sun, 20 Dec 2020 16:12:18 +0000

Some of the dictionary’s latest additions include words and phrases like “AF,” “G.O.A.T.” and “contactless.” (Photo by Seven Shooter for Unsplash)

By Nadine Matthews
Special to the AFRO

It’s one of those things that brings out the little nerd in all of us. Finding out what new words, many of which we probably already use in our everyday lives, are now an official part of the English lexicon. That is, in 2020, they’ve been added to one or more of the major english dictionaries such as Merriam Webster, Cambridge Dictionary, Dictionary.com and Oxford Dictionary of the English Language.

For a word to be added to any major dictionary, it needs to be in use by a great number of people over a sustained period of time, and seem likely to stay in use for a long time. There were, of course, a number of new entries related to the coronavirus, including “PPE,” “contactless” and “WFH.” It’s debatable if anyone wants them around for very long, but undoubtedly are now universally recognized and used.

Below are some of the most popular words and phrases that have been formally adopted into everyday parlance. You can now use them with full confidence in your next game of Scrabble!

Dictionary.com

This year, one of the biggest changes isn’t actually a new word in and of itself but how that word is formulated and used.

“Black,” as in Black person or person of African descent, is officially being used with the “B” capitalized. Not only does the use of the capital communicate a measure of dignity to Black people that a racist society deliberately denied for generations, it also plants Blacks squarely on par as a distinct ethnic group, in addition to being a racial group. This is the same way that Native Americans, Jewish-Americans, Asian-Americans and other ethnic groups have always been capitalized, while recognizing that African-American, while acceptable, also erases certain groups or historical experiences.

“Whitesplain” and “brownface” have also entered the lexicon. The former being analogous to “Blackface” but applied to ethic groups such as Native Americans and Asians. Whitesplain of course is similar to mansplaining, where a person in a privileged group attempts, usually condescendingly, to explain someone else’s experience as a member of that marginalized group. Here we mean a White person (probably named Karen or Chad), telling a POC what their experience is.

It’s annoying when someone makes a statement into a question because they want to manipulate you into agreeing with them, right? Well, what might be less annoying is having to spell three whole words out when you could just make it one smooth hella cool word. “Amirite” has joined the dictionary chat.

While we’re on the theme of literary efficiency, the acronym inspired by a descriptive term often used for luminaries such as Serena Williams, Prince, and Michael Jordan, “G.O.A.T.” is also now a word- again- in a different way. You know what I mean.

Cambridge Dictionary

You may be shocked AF to learn that the abbreviation “AF,” is an adverb describing how intense something or some quality is. Used as sort of a guilty slang term, is now totally legit. That being said, I’d still think twice about telling the boss she’s late AF to a meeting or she’s being annoying AF.

Merriam Webster

Speaking of “AF,” one dictionary with a reputation for being shady (particularly during the most recent presidential administration), is Merriam Webster, which added over 500 words this year. They include “deepfake,” the word we might use for those sketchy videos from Facebook your auntie or grandpa sometimes sends you, like the Jordan Peele deepfake that had President Obama uttering expletives. A “deepfake,” according to Merriam Webster, is an image or recording that has been convincingly altered and manipulated to misrepresent someone as doing or saying something that was not actually done or said.

And if you were ever going to look for “finna” in the dictionary, this is the year to do it. That term, as southern as fried catfish, trap music and sugared grits has also just been officially added to Merriam Websters.

Oxford English Dictionary

You can now sound perfectly respectable when you call your dumb family and friends exaclty what they are, as “chickenhead” is now in the Oxford English Dictionary. The same goes for “weak-sauce.”

In the past, words like “turnt” and “basic,” were also birthed in the streets, only to end up in the pages (digital and otherwise) of mainstream publications. We shouldn’t be surprised that some of these words added this year are also of the same urban provenance. So, is it only a matter of time before “dusty” and “WAP” make their entrance? What guiltily indulgent words or slang terms do you think will soon be added to the dictionary next year?

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The gift of a little knowledge

J.K. Schmid Special to the AFRO — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 17:02:11 +0000

By J. K. Schmid
AFRO Freelance Writer

Every millenial dreads being found out as corny, but in the spirit of seeking truth and reporting it, here goes:

The greatest gift I ever got was a full set of encyclopedias. I don’t remember the brand, but they were huge, black, hide-bound tomes. Each spine had a red label with gold lettering.

They’d always been there, it seemed. But when I was seven, a lot of things had “always been there.” I know they’d followed the family in the move from Ferndale, Md. to Starbeck, England.

I remember learning to read from a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles coloring book. In England, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are “heroes” because “ninjas” are too scary for kids. I was late to the literacy club, and reading didn’t really take for me until I was well along into seven. So the encyclopedias were more like furniture in the playroom, filling out the bottom bookshelf just right.

Mom and dad were watching a movie one night, and there was much screaming, yelling and panic coming from the tube. I came downstairs to see what was so terrible.

Probably perfect timing, Alex Kintner had just been devoured by Jaws’ 25-foot shark “three tons of him,” and I missed it. Dad sent me back upstairs. The film was too scary, he said.

I lingered, until Dad ordered me upstairs again. My last look at the screen was Alex’s mangled inflatable raft flapping in the surf.

This would not do.

I went back upstairs to the playroom, and ran my fingers down the encyclopedia spines: A, D, H, J, U-too far, S. Here we go.

S-H

S-H-and here we go: Shark.

Well, that’s not so bad. Very smooth, twin-toned, flat featureless grayish brown over that white belly all fish seem to have. Kind of a dull expression in the cat-like eyes. Says underneath it’s a lemon shark. This is it?

One turn of the page and, wham. A mouth the size of a rain barrel coming right out the waves, ringed with huge triangular saw-edged teeth, one huge black eye staring right into the camera. The nose was hideously scarred, and and dangling out of itswell, jaw, was a horse leg.

I was transfixed. A real, literal monster. A great white, the caption said. I wouldn’t let my fingers get near the mouth in the photo, but I was determined to learn everything about them. From there, it was the number of gill slits, nictitating membranes, ampullae of Lorenzini; habitat, diet, range; threats, predators, and competitors.

I didn’t see Jaws for another five years, but in the meantime, sharks were my thing, waiting through whole years of Ranger Rick for more sharks, digging through back National Geographics for more sharks, appointment viewing of Discovery Channel; every new article was a feast.

In between dispatches, it was back to the encyclopedias, and the growing stack of new material on the upper bookshelves, to revel in my cache of what felt like forbidden knowledge.

Sometimes I’d go too far and wind up in “space,” or I’d switch out volumes to learn about the “fossil” in “living fossil” and the Mesozoic Era. And, accidentally, I had this whole tapestry of interconnected points of knowledge that made elementary, middle and high school biology and sciences a breeze.

They proved foundational, and I like to credit the encyclopedias making me the reporter that’s eager to listen, but also as eager to do the research and reading.

Merry Christmas.

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Jay-Z’s Roc Nation forms book publisher with Random House

Hillel Italie — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 15:28:21 +0000

This combination photo shows the logo for a new imprint for Roc Lit 101, left, and Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, who is starting the imprint with Random House. (AP Photo)

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — A decade after publishing his memoir “Decoded,” Jay-Z is forming a more lasting partnership with the book industry.

Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by the rapper, is starting an imprint with Random House called Roc Lit 101. In a joint announcement Tuesday, Random House and Roc Nation promised “books at the dynamic intersection of entertainment and genre-defying literature.” Among the initial releases for next summer: “Till the End,” a memoir by the retired pitching star CC Sabathia; and music journalist Danyel Smith’s “Shine Bright,” a story of Black women in music that combines memoir, criticism and biography.

Future releases will include a book by Meek Mill on “criminal justice and survival,” memoirs by rappers Yo Gotti and Fat Joe and fantasy fiction from rapper Lil Uzi Vert, along with everything from cookbooks to children’s stories.

Roc Lit 101 will be led by Chris Jackson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of the Random House imprint One World and a recent recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Center for Fiction; and Jana Fleishman, executive vice president of Roc Nation.

“Our aspiration for the imprint is to create books that draw from the best of pop culture— its most imaginative and talented storytellers, innovators, and literary chroniclers — to create beautifully written and produced works that will entertain and enthrall readers, but also illuminate critical issues,” Jackson, who published “Decoded” and has worked with Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ibram X. Kendi among others, said in a statement.

Fleishman said in a statement that “There are so many untold stories and we consider it a true privilege to be able to amplify diverse voices while exploring the uncharted worlds that are about to open to us.”

Random House declined comment when asked if Jay-Z himself might publish a book through Roc Lit 101, or if Beyoncé might publish through the new imprint.

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Tina Turner reflects on her life in new picture book

Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 01:53:21 +0000

In “That’s My Life,” the Queen of Rock n’ Roll reflects on growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, and how her hometown became an escape from the harsh realities of her life. (Photo: Tina Turner, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, 1984. Pre-Private Dancer tour. / Tim Duncan / Wikimedia Commons)

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “I was the child who always had scraped knees and tousled hair because I climbed trees and rolled in the grass,” the “Private Dancer” singer writes. “As an adult, I wanted my clothing to reflect that free spirit and keep it alive. Leather, feathers, silk, and other natural fibers, metals, stones, and gems make me feel at one with the natural world I love.”

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

At 81, Tina Turner quietly reflects on her “imperfections and all” in a telling new pictorial autobiography where she explores her fashion and artistic expressions.

In “That’s My Life,” the Queen of Rock n’ Roll reflects on growing up in Nutbush, Tennessee, and how her hometown became an escape from the harsh realities of her life.

“I was the child who always had scraped knees and tousled hair because I climbed trees and rolled in the grass,” the “Private Dancer” singer writes. “As an adult, I wanted my clothing to reflect that free spirit and keep it alive. Leather, feathers, silk, and other natural fibers, metals, stones, and gems make me feel at one with the natural world I love.”

Turner’s life story is well-documented. Chronicled in the blockbuster 1993 autobiographical film, “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” the famed singer suffered through a violent marriage to Ike Turner.

The unspeakable battering and sexual assault besieged upon her by her former and late husband raised eyebrows within the music industry. It also gained Turner a new generation of adoring fans because of what she overcame.

Now, Tina Turner’s new book attempts to focus more on her and not the terror heaped upon her during her 18-year marriage to Ike.

The 320-page hardcover book captures Turner’s vast shoe collection and wigs. It contains quotes from people like Mick Jagger and Oprah Winfrey while chronicling her many collaborations, performances, and what she calls her defining moments.

Turner writes that she “became stronger, more confident, happier, loved,” capturing her three-decade romance with German music executive Erwin Bach, whom she married in 2013.

“I wanted to create an atmosphere of mutual respect. I never dressed to appeal to the men in the audience,” Turner told NBC News this month.

“I wanted to show women that it was possible to look glamorous and exciting without being immodest — that I enjoyed looking good in a way that was joyous and celebrated my femininity without exploiting it.”

She continued:

“I often had three generations of fans at my concerts: grandmothers, mothers and fathers, teenagers and children. I wanted everyone to feel comfortable because it was all about having a good time together.”

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This real estate professional wants to close the wealth gap hurting Black people

BlackNews.Com — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 08:33:58 +0000

Shaquanna Wilson (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

By BlackNews.com

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Licensed realtor and young adult mentor Shaquanna Wilson has released a new book titled From Debt to Deeds Planner, which offers readers a cost-effective, easy-to-follow tool for creating a budget, fixing credit, and understanding the process of purchasing and paying off a home.

The book also reveals surprising racial disparities among racial groups in the US, with Black people seeing the lowest rate of homeownership since 1968. One of the primary reasons Black people are denied mortgages, Wilson says, is because of poor credit or lack of income. She says this also stems from a lack of education in Black communities.

Despite the challenges Black people still face in securing mortgage loans and investing in property, Wilson says there is a clear path ahead for those who are ready to read her message and hear her story.

“You can be the change future generations need, and you don’t need an inheritance or a handout to make that happen,” Wilson says, who struggled tremendously to overcome massive debt and other social barriers to success. “It all starts with having the knowledge in hand to manage your financial standing, and it starts with little steps that will push you into levels of success you never thought possible.”

While many people are focused on the next president in the hopes their favored candidate will improve the economic outcome of Black people, Wilson believes people should instead start focusing on changing their own outcome right now. Real estate has provided Wilson with amazing opportunities for herself and her family, and she remains passionate about educating others who share her sense of responsibility for the future of their communities. She holds free classes for young adults on wealth building several times a year.

To learn more about From Debt to Deeds Planner and Wilson’s experience and expertise in real estate, visit her website at RealEstateVisionista.com or follow her on Instagram @RealEstateVisionista.

About the Author

Shaquanna Wilson is an Augusta, Georgia-based licensed realtor and young adult mentor focused on empowering the next generation to improve their communities through education and entrepreneurship. Through her workshops on goal-setting strategies, Wilson has touched hundreds of young lives. She is the founder and former chapter president of the first Black Real Estate Association in Augusta, a subsidiary of (NAREB) National Association of Real Estate Brokers. She holds two college degrees but believes the most valuable and hard-learned lessons come from the streets and relationships.

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December issue of Speakers Magazine features Becky A. Davis

BlackNews.Com — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:28:38 +0000

(Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Becky A. Davis knows first-hand how fragile life can be – even before the COVID-19 pandemic shook our world. Davis admits for years she wanted to start her own business but was afraid.

When asked how she overcame fear, Becky said, “You take on a whole new sense of urgency when death is as close as the next heartbeat away.”

Davis survived her near-death experience and made a commitment to herself to really pursue her dreams and not let fear stand in her way.

Davis is the Founder of MVPwork and one of the most respected and in-demand experts for small businesses and leadership. She is known for hosting her Annual Bosspreneur All White Holiday Party in Atlanta.

As Chief Bossprenuer, her accomplishments reflect a wide range of qualifications, skills and talents. Yet, her greatest joy comes from providing an environment of support and guidance for Black women. She believes this is her passion and her purpose. As the National Spokesperson for The Coca-Cola Company’s 5by20 STEP training initiative, she helps women entrepreneurs build and scale their business.

Bosspreneur, trademarked by Davis, is a flourishing brand that is upheld by a community of empowering women nationwide.

In the December Speakers magazine are four featured speakers:

Zondra Evans, award-winning talk show host and author
Judge Leonia Lloyd, author and keynote speaker
Athena Lucene, spiritual thought leader and podcaster
Shannon Battle, women’s empowerment speaker

Also, articles by:

Juanita Rasmus
Kadena Tate
LaShanda Henry
Danielle Tucker

“Each month, we feature people who are living their professional speaking dreams. They are impacting the lives of others. I am excited to showcase this group of shining stars who are brilliant at what they do,” said Pam Perry, Publisher of Speakers Magazine.

To download the current or previous issues, view the speaker reels of the featured speakers or to learn about Speakers Magazine, visit www.speakersmagazine.net

To watch the video preview, go here

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Psychologist creates first ever therapy card deck for Black teen girls

BlackNews.Com — Sun, 06 Dec 2020 22:22:31 +0000

Dr. Ebony Butler, the creator of My Therapy Cards (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Dr. Ebony Butler, the creator of My Therapy Cards, the first card deck and self-help tool for Black women, has done it again! Because she strongly feels that Black girls should not be left out of the conversation about mental health and self-care, she has also created My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition, the first card deck created specifically for Black girls!

Similar to the original edition, the Teen Edition helps Black girls and other girls of color work through those thoughts, habits, and behaviors that impact their growth and development. My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition does not only provide support for self-exploration and insight but intentionally provides language to teen girls so that they are better equipped to understand their emotional experiences and communicate what they want and need. The Teen Edition also provides an age-appropriate guide for self-care and various activities for emotional self-expression.

The mission is to make sure that Black girls have access to quality tools and resources to take care of themselves and their mental health. Not only does the Teen Edition help make the process of emotional, mental, and behavioral exploration more accessible for teens of color, the deck serves as a valuable resource to help parents, teachers, administrators, and therapists partner with teens in their growth process! Working through the deck is sure to make for great exploration, conversation, and dialogue no matter if the teen chooses to work through the deck alone, with friends, with a teacher, or with a counselor/therapist. The prompts and tasks have been carefully crafted and vetted to provide the type of experience that is sure to guide teens through a deeper level of understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Just as with the original version of My Therapy Cards, Dr. Ebony took extensive and intentional measures to ensure that My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition included language, prompts, and tasks that actually resonate with Black girls, other girls of color, and teens in general. No matter if the issue is self-esteem, social media, home life, emotional expression, or peer pressure, My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition makes the work more doable! This is the very first self-help card deck and therapy tool specifically for Black girls, and we are excited to center the mental health and well-being of Black girls in a way that gives them full permission to learn more about themselves right where they are! We care about representation, accessibility, and breaking stigmas associated with seeking help, especially for our Black girls. My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition directly addresses all of this!

The My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition deck includes:

* 15 prompts and tasks per category for a total of 45 cards designed to address mental blocks, habit blocks, and ineffective coping skills.

* Glossary card designed to define common terms and language.

* Emotional wheel to help guide language around emotional experiences and emotional intelligence.

* Self-Care menu card created to provide a variety of ways to practice self-care.

* Resource card for additional support and guidance, including how resources for locating local therapists for continued support outside of the card deck.

* Access to emails containing tips for best practices, additional prompts, follow-up questions, and support!

My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition centers the mental health and self-care needs of Black girls and increases the conversation around ways that we can continue to take care of our Black girls and other girls of color.

The introductory price for My Therapy Cards – Teen Edition is $49.97 per card deck. To purchase or learn more about My Therapy Cards, visit MyTherapyCards.com

About

Ebony Butler, Ph.D. is a Licensed Psychologist and Food Relationship Strategist who is committed to helping women of color heal and thrive in the areas trauma and diet recovery, as well as in the areas of communication, identity development, and relationships. She is a speaker, advocate, author, and program facilitator. Learn more at DrEbony.com

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Every Year, Every Christmas celebrates 25th anniversary

AFRO Staff — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 07:07:20 +0000

By AFRO Staff

If you ask anyone over the age of 45 who are their top five singers, you can bet Luther Vandross is in the count!

This year is the 25th Anniversary of Luther Vandross’s Christmas album “This Is Christmas” and featured the popular song “Every Year, Every Christmas.”

Novelist, screenwriter, award-winning playwright, and author Anthony Lamarr has released his third book inspired by Vandross hit song just in time for the holidays.

“The lyrics told a story that was heartfelt and moving,” Lamarr says. “Then Luther’s masterful vocal delivery added genuine emotions and made the story real It instantly became one of my favorite holiday songs.”

During Christmas 2018, Lamarr decided to do something about the song and the story.

“Every Year, Every Christmas,” centers around Bryant Fuller, a newspaper reporter, who returns to a small café in Chicago in hopes of reuniting with Cassie, a beautiful woman he met and fell in love with at the café on an unforgettable Christmas Eve four years ago.

“I was in the car when “Every Year, Every Christmas” came on the radio,” Lamarr recalls. “It was my first time hearing the song since the previous Christmas. As soon as it came on, Bryant and Cassie’s story started to replay in my mind. Right then, I knew it was time to put their story on paper.”

The novel’s film rights were acquired by D’Angela Proctor’s Undaunted Co.. Proctor is a former director of development for Code Black Films / Lionsgate and the director of original programming for TV-One.

The novel, which went on sale in October, has received positive reviews thus far from critics and fans alike.

“Anthony Lamarr shows how love transcends the boundaries of time and stays aflame… Lamarr makes his characters so realistic that readers cannot help rooting for them, cheering them on, or secretly wishing for a happy ending. I would recommend this book not only to those who appreciate romance but also to anyone who needs a feel-good story right now,” wrote Readersfavorite.com’s Shrabastee Chakraborty.

One Amazon customer wrote,

“This book is so great and holds your attention with adding suspense. I didn’t want to put it down when reading. I enjoyed this book so much I ordered one for my cousin!”

“I wanted to capture the magic of a chance meeting and instant romance between two strangers on Christmas Eve, and I hope that’s what I’ve done,” Lamarr explains.

“I love writing and literature, but I’m also a lyricist and a shower singer,” Lamarr reveals. “So, music has a major impact on my writing.”

“Every Year, Every Christmas” is available for purchase on Amazon.com.

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Ta-Nehisi Coates’ ‘Between the World and Me’ adaption airs on HBO Max

AFRO Staff — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 15:17:52 +0000

New York Times Best Selling Author TaNehisi Coates’ novel “Between the World and Me” recently surpassed 100 weeks on the best-sellers list. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)

By AFRO Staff

In July, HBO announced that author Ta-Nehisi Coates’ best selling novel “Between the World and Me,” would be the foundation for a special centered on racism, injustice and police brutality. The announcement came at the height of racial unrest in the country, after multiple incidents of killings as a result of police brutality gained national attention.

The special was directed by Apollo Theater Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, who handled the 2018 stage adaption of the same novel. The program featured excerpts from the novel, and words from celebrities, activists and public figures like Angela Davis, Oprah, Mahershala Ali, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad and more.

“Between the World and Me” premiered Nov. 21 on HBO. For more information, visit www.hbo.com

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‘The 5th Little Girl’: Book on Church Bombing Survivor Done

Associated Press — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 20:06:40 +0000

Church bombing survivor Sarah Collins Rudolph speaks to Alabama’s parole board in opposition of an early release for convicted bomber Thomas Blanton Jr. on Aug. 3, 2016. Rudolph, who was badly injured in the bombing and whose sister Addie Mae Collins was killed, recently wrote a book about her experience. (AP Photo/Jay Reeves)

By Shauna Stuart
The Associated Press/AL.com undefined

For more than a decade, Sarah Collins Rudolph, one of the victims of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, has traveled the country telling her story. Now, her full story will come out in a forthcoming book, published by Africa World Press and The Red Sea Press.

“The 5th Little Girl: Soul Survivor of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing (The Sarah Collins Rudolph Story)” is now complete and available for purchase. Written by Wright State University political science professor Tracy D. Snipe after hours of conversation with Rudolph, the book is a chronicle of her life growing up in civil rights era Birmingham. The biography is also a deep dive into Rudolph’s relationship with her family and the aftermath of the bombing, according to a description from Africa World Press:

“In this intimate first-hand account, Sarah imparts her views on topics such as the 50th year commemoration, restitution, and racial terrorism. This story also delves into the bond between Sarah and her mother, Mrs. Alice Collins. In the backdrop of a national reckoning and global protests, underscored by the deadly violence at Mother Emanuel in Charleston, SC, and tragedies in Charlottesville, VA, and Pittsburgh, PA, Sarah’s unflinching testimony about the ’63 Birmingham church bombing is illuminating.”

Rudolph was 12 years old when dynamite planted by the Ku Klux Klan inside of the 16th Street Baptist Church exploded on Sept. 15, 1963. The blast blew glass and shrapnel at her face, leaving her blind in one eye, and killed her sister Addie Mae Collins and their friends Carole Robertson, Cynthia Wesley, and Denise McNair.

Collins Rudolph had glass fragments in her chest, left eye and abdomen for decades after the explosion.

In June, Thomas E. Blanton, the last surviving Ku Klux Klan member convicted in the 1963 bombing, died in prison. Blanton and Bobby Frank Cherry both were arrested in 2000 on murder charges, nearly four decades after the deadly Birmingham bombing.

In July, lawyers representing Rudolph wrote a letter to Gov. Kay Ivey asking for an official apology from the state and possibly compensation. Two months later, Gov. Ivey issued an apology to Rudolph for the state’s role in fomenting the 1963 attack.

“If feels good that her story is coming out because it’s long overdue. But you cannot rush the process,” Collins Rudolph’s husband George Rudolph told AL.com in a brief phone interview. “I’m thankful that it will finally happen. Because this is the true story.”

The forthcoming book will include details that Sarah Collins Rudolph has never shared publicly. While the 70 year-old Birmingham native isn’t giving any further insight those details just yet, she told AL.com that she is glad a years-long process has finally come to fruition.

“I’m very excited about it because we have waited so long. It came out on my birthday and it makes me so happy.”

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Author Troy Gathers Releases New Book “African World History” to Reflect on the Greatness of Ancient Africa

BlackNews.Com — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 16:02:57 +0000

Author Troy Gathers (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

By BlackNews.com

Nationwide — In these recent months, the country has witnessed an obvious racial divide. Although many factors have led up to the atomic bomb we see on the evening news, a cultural split definitely tops the list. Countless groups and organizations are on the frontlines fighting for equality and justice yet there is still a void in understanding each other’s frustration. Author Troy Gathers believes that a suitable solution in addition to justice is education.

“Other communities, as well as the African American community, should be educated on African world history,” says Troy. The systems of racism and prejudice are fueled with seeds of ignorance and the lack of concern for any other cultures’ traditions. Troy wants to close the gap with his new book African World History. He trusts that after reading this book, there will be a shift in energy and new grounds to build as one and not a nation at odds.

The history of Africa has never been a permanent fixture in the history books in America, thus leaving countless people without awareness of Africa’s immense history. As a matter of fact, only 10% of the African American population in America has knowledge of ancient African history. This may be a direct relationship with people of color making a plea that their lives matter. African World History is Gathers’ fifth book however one that he shaped carefully. Troy states, “I understand the History of Ancient Africa is vast, yet this book points out key kingdoms and rulers to set the stage for your research.”

Troy resides in Atlanta, GA but hails from Charleston, South Carolina. He is an entrepreneur and Ph.D. candidate focused on educating and inspiring his readers. He began working on literary books in 2015, reaching millions with his original quote books. African World History is his attempt to educate all races about the immense history of Africa before the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. “There are far too many great rulers and kingdoms from Ancient Africa that are never discussed in school. That is not fair to any race to omit a part of history that can bring all of us closer as one,” Gathers says.

For more about Troy Gathers, visit his website at TroyGathers.com and follow him on Facebook at Facebook.com/beyoupublishing

African World History is available for purchase on Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com

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Kaepernick’s Company Publishing Essays On Policing, Prisons

Associated Press — Wed, 07 Oct 2020 12:01:45 +0000

Colin Kaepernick publishing company is putting out a collection of 30 essays over the next four weeks about abolition, police and prisons. The project is titled: “Abolition For the People: The Movement For A Future Without Policing & Prisons.” Kaepernick envisioned and curated this project following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. (AP Photo/Todd Kirkland, File)

By The Associated Press

Colin Kaepernick’s publishing company is putting out a collection of 30 essays over the next four weeks about abolition, policing and prisons.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback envisioned and curated this collection following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

The project is titled: “Abolition For the People: The Movement For A Future Without Policing & Prisons.”

In his introduction, Kaepernick writes the killings of Floyd and Taylor “forced our nation to grapple with not only the devastation of police terrorism, but also the institutions that constitute, enhance, and expand the carceral state.”

Some of the pieces are written by political prisoners and family members of those who faced police violence and incarceration. Other essays are by organizers, movement leaders and scholars.

“Colin gathered respected leaders on abolition to build and support his stance on a society without police,” said Jermaine Hall, director of the Medium editorial group, an online publishing platform. “He delivered a comprehensive body of work to amplify a national conversation.”

In 2013, Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens. He began to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 to protest racism and police brutality. Kaepernick hasn’t played in the NFL since that season and settled his collusion grievance with the league.

___

More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

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Walter Mosley to Receive Honorary National Book Award

Hillel Italie — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 16:08:17 +0000

Author Walter Mosley attends the 2018 National Art Awards in New York on Oct. 22, 2018. Mosley, who is among the most acclaimed crime novelists of his time, is receiving an honorary National Book Award. He will formally receive the medal during a Nov. 18 ceremony that will be held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Walter Mosley is receiving an honorary National Book Award, cited for dozens of books which range from science fiction and erotica to the acclaimed mystery series that has followed the life of Los Angeles private detective Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins.

The 68-year-old Mosley, whose works include the novels “Devil In a Blue Dress” and “Down the River Unto the Sea” and the nonfiction “Twelve Steps Toward Political Revelation,” has won the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, which has been given to Toni Morrison, Robert Caro and Arthur Miller among others. The National Book Awards are presented by the non-profit National Book Foundation.

The first Black man to win the lifetime achievement medal in its 32 year history, Mosley is among the most acclaimed crime novelists of his time, even if he rejects being called anything but a writer. He has received numerous prizes, from an Edgar Award for best mystery novel to an O. Henry prize for short stories to a Grammy for his liner notes to the Richard Pryor anthology “… And It’s Deep Too!” He is also well known to National Book Awards officials, having formerly served on the Foundation’s board of directors and once hosting the awards ceremony. But like such previous medal winners as Ray Bradbury and Elmore Leonard, he has never been nominated for a National Book Award in a competitive category.

Mosley knows well the reason: Crime fiction is usually bypassed when lists for a year’s best books are considered.

“I mean the genres are treated like something else, not real literature,” he said during a recent telephone interview from his home in Los Angeles.

In a statement Thursday, National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas noted the quantity, and quality, of Mosley’s work.

“Mosley is undeniably prolific, but what sets his work apart is his examination of both complex issues and intimate realities through the lens of characters in his fiction, as well as his accomplished historical narrative works and essays,” Lucas said. “His oeuvre and his lived experience are distinctly part of the American experience. And as such, his contributions to our culture make him more than worthy of the Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.”

Mosley doesn’t see himself as a crime novelist even when he’s writing about Rawlins, through whom he has explored Los Angeles and the country in the post-World War II era. He thinks of his books less for their plots than for the composite view they offer of Black men in the U.S., or more specifically Black heroes, whether Rawlins, the philosopher Socrates Fortlow or the mail clerk in the short story, “Pet Fly,” part of his upcoming collection “The Awkward Black Man.”

“When I think about writers like Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald, I don’t like those writers because they are crime writers but because of what they tell me about people. In my own work, I’m actually trying to understand human nature,” he says, adding that he considers “The Awkward Black Man” a showcase for “Black characters who don’t make it into the stories we tell.”

As always, Mosley is busy working on future books, including another Easy Rawlins novel, set in Los Angeles during the late 1960s. It’s a chance for Mosley to revisit an era of protests against the Vietnam War, and to see it through the perspective of Rawlins, a World War II veteran.

“Easy changes as he gets older and the world changes, so dealing with that world becomes a different thing,” Mosley says. “I’m always writing about something new and my character hopefully has some things to say. When I started working on the Rawlins novels, I had been talking about my father, but after (the 2007 novel) ‘Blonde Faith’ I realized I was talking about myself.”

Mosley will formally receive the medal during a Nov. 18 ceremony that will be held online because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mosley’s friend and fellow author Edwidge Danticat will introduce him. The Foundation also will honor Carolyn Reidy, the late CEO of Simon & Schuster, who will be given the Literarian Award for outstanding service on behalf of books and reading.

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Black-Owned Coffee Brand Gets Certified By the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

BlackNews.Com — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 20:23:42 +0000

Laure Lemboumba, founder Golden Made Kafé Intl, LLC. (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

By BlackNews.com

Houston, TX via BlackNews.com — Golden Made Kafe Intl, LLC, a business specializing in providing exclusive coffee blends inspired by American, French, and African recipes, is proud to announce national certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Telle Whitney, President & CEO of the Anita Borg Institute stated, “Diversity drives innovation – when we limit who can contribute, we in turn limit what problems we can solve.”

WBENC’s national standard of certification is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business and site inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women.

By including women-owned businesses among their suppliers, corporations and government agencies demonstrate their commitment to fostering diversity and the continued development of their supplier diversity programs.

About Golden Made Kafé:

Laure Lemboumba founded Golden Made Kafé Intl, LLC. Originally from Gabon in Central Africa and raised in France, she improved her skills by enrolling for a degree in supply chain management from the University of Houston-downtown and successfully graduating in 2014 (in the United States). The Genesis of Laure’s love for coffee began when she began to work for a coffee manufacturing plant in Houston. The art of coffee manufacturing and the work put behind the finished product intrigued her to be part of the industry. In March 2019, she launched her coffee brand named Golden Made Kafé inspired by different cultures to provide you a unique cupping experience. Golden Made Kafé Intl, LLC goes the extra mile of contributing to positive change in millions of people’s lives around the world by offering educational opportunities, access to water, and better sanitation. To learn more about Golden Made Kafé Intl, LLC, please visit GoldenMadeKafe.com or via phone at +1888-396-1112.

About WBENC:

Founded in 1997, WBENC is the nation’s leader in women’s business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 13,000 certified Women’s Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and over 300 Corporate Members. More than 1,000 corporations representing America’s most prestigious brands as well as many states, cities, and other entities accept WBENC Certification. For more information, visit www.wbenc.org.

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Introducing “Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit” by Mary-Frances Winters

BlackNews.Com — Sat, 12 Sep 2020 20:23:32 +0000

“Black Fatigue” by Mary-Frances Winters, founder and president of the Winters Group Inc.(Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

By BlackNews.com

Oakland, CA via BlackNews.com — The Black Lives Matter movement is an international symbol of racial solidarity in the face of countless atrocities against people of color across the planet. Its progress is not just the result of political and corporate reactions to outrage fueled by the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and so many others but with the Black communities’ struggles for equity since the Middle Passage. Mary-Frances Winters, author and CEO of The Winters Group, is here to make it clear that Black people are exhausted from the long history of blatant racism.

Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body and Spirit by Winters (Berrett-Koehler Publishers; on sale September 15, 2020; 216 pages; available wherever books are sold) is a beautifully written treatise on the effects of racism on the Black psyche. Drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation American born of African Canadian parents, her endurance of racism in education and in corporate America, and deeply researched facts and statistics, Black Fatigue examines the collective phenomenon of having had enough of the gut-punch of continued institutional racism.

Black Fatigue empirically proves that “Black children often grow up too fast” because of their social circumstances and stereotypes that they are less innocent than white children. The mass incarceration of Black men greatly contributes to the striking statistics on how few of them marry. And the most striking of her findings is the startling connection between Black people and their psychological and physical health challenges as a result of enduring racism.

The racist system is not just killing Black people; it is tearing the whole nation apart. In every aspect of life, from socioeconomics to education, the workforce, criminal justice, and very importantly, health outcomes.

Black Fatigue is not only timely but a necessary edition to the 21st-century canon of critical writings on race and culture. Winters’ nine-chapter exploration of the subject is not only proof of racial disparity, but a step-by-step guide designed to educate the reader on the overlooked and forgotten history of discrimination and discontentment and what we can do about it. It is a timeless chronicle of both a Black woman’s path on the narrow road of white male privilege and the ancestral burden of being from a family that escaped the American South for Canada via the Underground Railroad. Winters’ story is unique, captivating, and right on time in both enlightening and containing a world on fire.

Key Talking Points

Winters is a leader in the DEI space. The Winters Group partners with many Fortune 500 companies and organizations of various sizes that are seeking to create more inclusive and equitable environments.
Were the recent corporate mea culpas and rallies for equity just a moment and not a movement? Is what is said publicly the same as what is happening privately in corporate culture today? Is racism still too uncomfortable of a subject?
“Black Fatigue”, as a state of being, overshadows the progress both legal and social spheres because incidents of systemic racism continue to evolve just as quickly as intended corrections are made.
There is nothing more powerless as a Black parent, than to be able to elevate your family’s social and economic status and still be discriminated against by the community in which you live.
For Black people, being middle-class and from a two-parent family does not protect you from systemic racism.
Racism has adverse effects on the literal health of Black people. Recently Michelle Obama spoke of her “low grade depression” because of the pandemic and racial injustice in the U.S.
The compounding fatigue of multiple stigmatized identities—Black, Gay, Disabled, for example.
Well-meaning white people literally do not know what to do in confronting racism.
Millennials and Generation Z continue to suffer under the hand of systematic oppression. We have not reached a post-racial America as some asserted with the election of Barack Obama as president.

About the Author

Mary-Frances Winters is the founder and president of the Winters Group Inc. She has been helping clients create inclusive environments for over three decades. She was named a top ten diversity trailblazer by Forbes and a diversity pioneer by Profiles in Diversity Journal and is the recipient of the prestigious ATHENA Award, as well as the Winds of Change Award conferred by the Forum on Workplace Inclusion. Winters is also the author of We Can’t Talk about That at Work, (named by Forbes as one of 11 books for leaders to read), and Inclusive Conversations.

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VIDEO: The Scoop from ESPN’s Jackson

Mark F. Gray — Tue, 25 Aug 2020 13:44:13 +0000

The sports commentator’s new book tackles the power of protest in American sports.

By Mark Gray, Zenger News

ESPN national columnist and essay writer Robert “Scoop” Jackson began noticing how pro athletes—especially young NBA stars—started lifting their voices to address civil rights concern by using their platform in professional sports about four years ago, which was roughly the same time that NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality against black men by taking a knee during the national anthem. However, it was a change in his responsibility at the high-profile worldwide leader of sports media which allowed him to venture deeply into the aggressive social activism from current and former pro athletes.

Jackson’s new book, “The Game Is Not a Game: The Power, Protest and Politics of American Sports,” sprang from his leaving behind the grind of deadline reporting for ESPN’s website to writing essays for the network. In the book, he “digs deeper” into this sudden influence by those who were once told to “shut up and dribble.”

“When Steph started speaking up as a suburban kid from the south and it was OK I knew something was brewing,” Jackson said. “But when Carmelo Anthony showed up at his ESPN shoot dressed like a Black Panther, I was like, this is extra.”

Jackson’s career has been marked by the poignant commentary blending sports and hip-hop culture. That synergy allowed him to chronicle how those forces have increased calls for reforms to the American justice system and influenced young urban perspectives.

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Black-Owned Bookstores Want Action after Influx in Business

Associated Press — Sat, 22 Aug 2020 16:35:01 +0000

By Cheyanne Mumphrey
The Associated Press

A renewed focus on social justice in the wake of police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd has seen sales soar at Black-owned bookstores around the country as customers seek out knowledge from their own communities.

The stores have always served as a community space for Black people to gather and educate themselves and their communities about their culture and history.

Sales increased exponentially after calls on social media in June encouraged people to spend their money at Black-owned businesses amid national tension.

Owner Ali Nervis displays books on race relations at his bookstore Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 in Phoenix. Black-owned bookstores across the U.S. have seen increased sales following the police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and store owners are now asking people who have read about Black history and culture to take action against the systems that have enabled racism. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Ali Nervis, the owner of Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar, Phoenix’s only Black-owned bookstore, said in two days his store received 200 orders for books on race relations, more than all they had received since opening in September 2019.

“People have this sense to be educated on what is happening in the country and what led up to this point,” Nervis said of protests and community tension in Phoenix. “We carry a lot of books about social commentary, history and books written by Black authors. I think that is part of the reason why we’ve seen a dramatic increase in our book sales.”

Nervis has since caught up with an increase in sales and has taken time to reflect on what is happening in society, like other Black leaders in the industry.

“It’s wonderful that Black people are wanting to support Black people — it’s not new, but support has expanded, interest has increased and more people have taken it on,” said Paul Coates, owner of Black Classic Press, a Black-owned publishing and printing company based in Baltimore.

“I’ve seen increases in demand before. There was a bump during the Civil Rights Movement and during the Black Power Movement. People were searching for information. There was interest around the time Roots came out too.”

“Roots,” written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Alex Haley, became a wildly popular nine-hour miniseries that gripped the country in 1977. Haley based the epic tale on his own family history from his ancestors’ enslavement though several generations to their liberation.

Black Classic Press has operated as a publisher for 42 years and has printed books for 25 years, Coates said, adding that he has seen books help power movements for decades.

Donya Craddock, co-owner of The Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, Texas, said she could attest to the correlation.

“Every time we have a community crisis, the bookstore is a place for people to vent on,” she said. “We have created a space for people to gather, and talk about their frustrations.”

She has always seen parallels with what is going on in the community and in the bookstore because it energizes people. “People want to share their emotions, people are hurt, and everybody don’t want to go to a bar believe it or not,” she said.

Craddock opened The Dock Bookshop with her sister, Donna, in 2008. The store serves to educate people about Black history and culture through books, in-person events and other programs. It is one of the largest Black-owned bookstores in the Southwest.

The owners not only want to educate their communities, but also encourage people to use what they learn to take action against systemic racism.

The owners of Turning Page Bookshop have said Goose Creek, S.C., does not have a large African American community, but they provide and serve surrounding communities, such as Charleston and Summerville since opening in June 2019.

“From June 2 until about July 25 we received from 75 to 150 orders a day,” said VaLinda Miller, who runs the store with her best friend Arrylee Satterfield.

She said some of the biggest sellers included “White Fragility,” “Me and White Supremacy,” and “How to Be an Antiracist.”

Miller said she didn’t want people to just buy the books because they were popular, but to help them understand how the system has made them the way they are. “I don’t want you to stop learning after reading the book. I want you to take that book and go out and look for something else to listen to and learn from.”

There has to be some action that follows the education, Nervis said, adding that he is not optimistic interest will last much longer. “That’s why we continue to do what we do and ask for the support. Not just our bookstore, but everyone doing work in Black communities.”

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Emerging Artist Creates Coloring Book Series For Black Girls That Celebrates Their Hair

BlackNews.Com — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 18:01:39 +0000

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Taaj Marjanee, owner and illustrator of Yumme Brand, believes that Black girls should enjoy being creative while coloring and painting characters that look like them. Growing up she didn’t see coloring books dedicated to Black girls and neither did the women in her family before her.

After playfully sketching her face on top of an ice cream cone, she thought it could be fun to design a coloring book. So she mixed up different types of sweet treats with all the unique hairstyles that Black girls wear every day and decided to call it Color Me Yumme.

Taaj Marjanee, owner and illustrator of Yumme Brand (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

She did market tests as “The Brown & Black Crayon Conversation” which were free events for girls and their parents sponsored by local libraries. After her tour, many parents were reaching out for another book. Taaj later illustrated Color Me Yumme International Vol.1.

The second book is more of a workbook that includes games, and researching capitals of countries within the Slavery Diaspora where Afrodescendant girls live. Naturally, she revisited the libraries for round two and the crowd grew.

What’s next for Yumme Brand? Four characters have been pulled from Color Me Yumme and given background stories to be featured in picture books for early readers that address friendships, self-esteem, and everyday issues little girls experience while growing up. Later in development, there will be something magical about one of the characters.

For more details and/or to order, please visit YummeBrand.com or follow the brand on Facebook @ColorMeYumme and Instagram @yummebrand.

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Civil Rights Activist Ruby Bridges Writes Children’s Book

Hillel Italie — Sat, 15 Aug 2020 21:29:16 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Civil rights activist Ruby Bridges has written a children’s book with a candid telling of the past and positive message for the future, inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests.

Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, announced Friday that Bridges’ “This Is Your Time” will come out Nov. 10. It arrives 60 years after she made history at age 6 by becoming the first Black student at an all-White elementary school in New Orleans, walking past crowds screaming racist slurs. She was later honored by Norman Rockwell in the painting “”The Problem We All Live With.”

This combination photo shows the book cover for “This Is Your Time,” left, and a portrait of the author Ruby Bridges. (Random House via AP)

The book is an open letter from Bridges to young readers and includes images from the 1960s and from recent events.

“During the first few days of watching events unfold in our country recently, I felt myself waiting for guidance and I know many were feeling the same. Having spent years speaking to young people about racism, I felt compelled to say something, and after careful consideration, I decided a letter to my young people was the way,” Bridges said in a statement.

Bridges is also the author of “Through My Eyes,” a memoir published in 1999.

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Author’s Book Helps Children When They Begin to See Race and Notice Differences

BlackNews.Com — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 20:02:09 +0000

Nationwide via BlackNews.com — Ella: Who Am I? by La’Shaun Garcia is a children’s book about learning and understanding one’s culture and ethnicity in a fun way for all children and families. How to help answer the question of differences through example. The book features beautiful illustrations and simple text to show a child’s curiosity and boldness through the love of family and togetherness.

La’Shaun Garcia (Image courtesy BlackNews.com)

The synopsis:

Meet Ella. She’s a curious five-year-old who loves to play, and she’s about to discover a little more about her heritage! When Ella goes to kindergarten, she realizes that she doesn’t look like the other kids. Her teacher, Mrs. Chang, suggests that Ella ask her parents about their culture. And so begins an entertaining and educational journey as Ella explores her American culture and her parents’ heritage. Through this multicultural book series, Ella discovers that learning about your family can be fun!

Garcia’s most recent book to date, the 7×10 color paperback in the fiction / cultural heritage category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $14.95. Ella: Who Am I? is also available in its 8.5 x 11 color casebound edition for $19.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/ellawhoami was launched simultaneously with the book’s publication.

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Black Author, “Broken Pieces Made Whole”

BlackNews.Com — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:14:24 +0000

SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR LISA R. JENKINS RELEASES HER FOURTH BOOK “BROKEN PIECES MADE WHOLE” TO GIVE A VOICE TO THE VOICELESS

Chicago, IL (BlackNews.com) — Chicago-native Lisa R. Jenkins recently released Broken Pieces Made Whole – Making a New Life After Escaping the Old One(s), her fourth book and accompanying personal manual. Through her pen and voice, Jenkins strives to be a resource to those who have been silenced by fear. She has discovered the importance of living a fulfilling and purposeful life through self-publishing four books to date including How to Get the F#@% Out (Under the pseudonym Skylar James), A Mother’s Love Through A Broken Heart, and an eBook, How to Identify Four Common Generational Curses.

Broken Pieces Made Whole is a detailed account of how she lived through and overcame a dysfunctional relationship with her mother, an abusive relationship with her daughter’s father, and Endometriosis that tried to destroy her life and career. The personal manual was created to help readers gain practical knowledge and experience in various areas surrounding self-reflection, domestic violence, generational curses, toxic relationships, self-care, and much more.

Lisa R. Jenkins Jenkins is a self-published author, CEO of KRA Communications.

Jenkins assumes that through its design her readers will become educated by becoming actively involved in the learning and growth process and by experiencing firsthand concepts and techniques. Much of the material included consists of things readers can think about, experiment with, and practice on their own. She also encourages everyone to modify the exercises so that they will become meaningful on a personal level. There is also an accountability pledge at the back of each manual that can be personalized and removed as a motivational keepsake.

When asked why she chose Broken Pieces Made Whole to connect her past traumas, author and CEO Lisa R. Jenkins said, “Through my healing, I have turned those experiences into a drive to help others harness their own power through my books, advocacy, workshops, and interviews. I am currently in grad school to become a mental health counselor so that I can tie all of my experiences and testimonials together to help change the world one person at a time.”

When it comes to its daily operations, she knows that maintaining a solid reputation is imperative for its success. “What sets KRA Communications apart from similar businesses in the communications industry is the personal attention given to each client. Whether it is a cleaning service or haircare line in need of a social media campaign, or coaching others on how to become self-published authors, we strive to create new ways to service or educate our clients,” Jenkins added.

Broken Pieces Made Whole, the book and personal manual, are both available on Amazon. To stay up to date with her mission-based activities or to learn more about KRA Communications and its services, please connect with Jenkins on her Facebook and Instagram pages @kracomm and @kracommunications1, or through her website at www.kreativekorner.org.

About Lisa R. Jenkins
Jenkins is a self-published author, CEO of KRA Communications, and is currently a graduate student pursuing a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Chicago State University, a Professional Studies Certificate in Public Relations in the Digital World from Loyola University at Chicago, and Substitute Teaching and Paraprofessional Licenses from the City of Chicago.

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Books Help Black Girls With Etiquette

BlackNews.Com — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 13:55:43 +0000

LEADING ETIQUETTE EXPERT LAUNCHES BOOK SERIES TO DEVELOP SOCIAL GRACES AND ETIQUETTE IN BLACK GIRLS

New “Bougie Girl Chronicles” Book Series Unlocks the Young “Lady” in Urban Girls 9-12 Years Old

Dallas, TX (BlackNews.com) — Award-winning author and etiquette expert, Trenette Wilson (aka Lady Trenette Wilson) has announced the release of the Bougie Girl Chronicles, a three-part book series for girls 9-12 years old. The series follows the fictitious life of Nyah Bridges, a 12-year old sixth grader as she attends the prestigious Ellen Stein Finishing School where she learns about friendship, self-esteem, and bougie-girl antics.

“Bougie stands for Brilliant, Outstanding, Unique, Girls, in Elevation,” said Lady Wilson the bestselling author of Understanding My Daughter’s Brown Body: A Mom’s Guide to Raising Body-Confident Black Girls, and founder of the largest etiquette association in the nation serving urban youth, the National Association of Urban Etiquette Professionals (NAUEP).

Award-winning author and etiquette expert, Trenette Wilson (aka Lady Trenette Wilson) has announced the release of the Bougie Girl Chronicles, a three-part book series for girls 9-12 years old.

“The purpose of the Bougie Girl Chronicles is to provide a space for young black girls to be celebrated, encouraged, and inspired to be their best. The main characters, which include Nyah Bridges and her Bougie Crew provide direction for and a reflection of pre-teen black girls today who are learning to navigate middle-school drama, develop social competencies, as well as self-awareness and acceptance,” continued Wilson.

The nine-book series, which is divided into three parts, will be released monthly with book 2, Nyah’s Big News scheduled to be released in August 2020. For more information about the Bougie Girl Chronicles, for an interview or to find out more about Lady Trenenette Wilson call, 469-222-4683, email news@urbangirlz.org or log on to www.nauep.com.

About Trenette Wilson (aka Lady Trenette Wilson)
Lady Trenette Wilson is the founder and CEO of the National Association of Urban Etiquette Professionals (NAUEP), the largest etiquette association in the nation providing etiquette workshops for urban communities. An author of more than 60 books and curriculum, Lady T is a highly-sought-after speaker, etiquette instructor, and book coach who most recently was recognized as one of Dallas’ Who’s Who. Lady Wilson resides in Dallas, TX with her family where she is a trusted resource providing workshops and conferences across the nation.

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New Book Explores Black Hair, Standards of Beauty

BlackNews.Com — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 20:04:36 +0000

By Blacknews.com

The ongoing debate between permed and natural hair among Black women has left many questioning the very crowns on their heads. To perm or not to perm? That is the question Kendolyn faces as the main character of Empress of Coils. The book for young readers about self-reflection, confidence and pride by first-time author Lynn Graham, is available for pre orders on Kindle today.

“The book is powerful. Not only is Kendolyn surrounded by a community of people encouraging her, she realizes she has the support of historic queens behind her,” said E. Danielle Butler, CEO, EvyDani Books, LLC. “That’s what we need for ourselves as women and the children that we are responsible for stewarding.”

Empress of Coils” explores themes like self-reflection, confidence and pride. (Courtesy Photo)

Kendolyn is a typical 10-year-old preteen girl. She loves everything about herself, except her hair. She convinces her mother, a hairstylist, to perm her hair. Although her mother agrees, it’s under one circumstance. She must read a book of her mother’s choice. Kendolyn agrees but puts little effort into reading the book. Choosing to veg out in front of the TV instead. Kendolyn carelessly tosses the book only to quickly learn it wasn’t your ordinary book. What she found inside took her on an unforgettable journey into knowledge, self-discovery, history and self-awareness.

“We’ve all had days when we don’t know what to do with our hair,” said Lynn. “However, for little Black girls, these moments are more than everyday frustration. Wearing your hair straight or in its natural curly state is a question that taps into their self-esteem and self-confidence. The main character of Empress of Coils looks just like them. The book tells a story that they can relate to from start to finish. It also creates opportunities for Black girls and women to talk about hair and the importance of the crowns on their heads.”

“Fantabulous book! I can’t wait to give this book to all the little empresses that I know,” said Tameka Warfield from Los Angeles, Calif.

Those who preorder the book can email a copy of their receipt and mailing address to support@theclickurban.com to receive a custom made bookmark. Find the book, available in paperback, hardcover and Kindle on major online retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Barnes & Noble, and for more information visit www.EmpressofCoils.com.

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Author, Raped as a Teen, Reveals Heartfelt Tips on Avoiding Unhealthy Relationships

Press Release — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 03:01:18 +0000

Overcoming the trauma of becoming getting raped as a teen, Cowan draws from her past to share her journey, her triumphs and her strategies, helping women unpack their purses to live more fulfilling lives.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 14, 2020 – Montrella Cowan, a licensed therapist and relationship expert, author and speaker has penned a gripping new book, “The Purse – An Essential Guide to Healthy Relationships,” that offers timely advice and strategies on how to avoid unhealthy relationships.

Based on her own heart-wrenching personal experiences of becoming a teen mother after getting raped by a friend, she has devoted nearly 20 years advising individuals, couples and families, Cowan’s book pulls no punches in helping women overcome trauma and identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship – and how to move beyond it to live a healthy, enriching life.

“The Purse” (The Vision of Fruition Group, 2020) is available at Amazon and all online bookstores.

“I learned for sure that I don’t break, that I wasn’t spoiled and I damn sure wasn’t weak,” writes Cowan, who takes a holistic approach to her psychotherapy, tapping into the mind, body, and spirit to help people have healthy relationships and families.

Cowan, who has her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) and owner of Affinity Health Affairs uses the analogy of a women’s purse to unpack those items typically in a woman’s purse, such as “The Mirror,” “The Sewing Kit,” “The Keys,” “The Panty Liners,” “Pepper Spray and Tissue,” “Lip Gloss,” and “Perfume”.

She guides readers through a series of “recipes” to take steps to assess their own lives and provides tools to improve one’s self-worth. “Years spent in one bad relationship after another have gifted me with pearls of wisdom, and now, I gift them to you as you create and maintain a healthy, harmonious, and loving romantic relationship!” Cowan writes.

Readers’ reviews illustrate how the book is touching a nerve with women – and men. Wrote one woman, “I’m up reading your book and your story speaks to me when it comes to relationships. My past relations soooo much like yours and your healing is soooo much like what I am now going through… thank you for sharing your story!” One man wrote, “Your book touched my soul because I went through trauma too. Everyone should read your book because it is so inspiring.”

The Washington, D.C.-area based licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) sticks to a fundamental theme throughout her book where she urges women to, “Never be afraid to demand better from the people around you, especially when it comes to romance.” She believes too many women, especially those who experienced trauma, give up on themselves and their dreams to keep others happy instead of finding happiness in their own lives. “Forgiving yourself is one of the most important things that you can do because it requires first being honest with yourself,” Cowan advises.

To learn more about Cowan, go to Affinity411.com. For interviews, contact Neil Foote, Ascendant Group Branding, neilfoote@ascendantgroupbranding.com, 214-448-3765.

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6-Year Old Girl Donates 5,000 Books

BlackNews.Com — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 16:30:18 +0000

6-YEAR OLD GIRL DONATES 5,000+ BOOKS TO KIDS DURING PANDEMIC

New York, NY (BlackNews.com) — Six-year-old Kelly Boston-Hill wanted to help other kids and do something a little different for her birthday. So, she hosted a “Contactless – Social Distancing” Book Drive to benefit a non-profit organization called The Book Fairies. Her efforts have been so successful that she has been able to collect and donate more than 5,000 books. The organization has named her a Book Fairy Jr. and she has been named one of the Long Island Nets “Heroes of Long Island” for being so kind.

Kelly launched Kelly’s Doll House during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic to read to children that may not have access to books but may have access to video. Kelly has a passion for reading and releases book reviews and read-alongs on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram TV. During the New York COVID-19 shelter-in-place mandate by Governor Cuomo, Kelly watched The Book Fairies read along and with one shout out from the host, she instantly fell in love. Kelly expressed, “Coronavirus caravans are cool but I want kids to read and books are amazing.” The Book Fairies launched Contactless Book Drives and Kelly knew The Book Fairies would be a perfect fit to celebrate her birthday with a purpose.

Six-year-old Kelly Boston-Hill. (Courtesy Photo)

Eileen Minogue, Executive Director for The Book Fairies, had this to say about Kelly’s drive: “On a yearly basis, The Book Fairies works so hard to open up access to books for kids and adults in need, distributing 2.3 million books since 2012. However, since COVID-19 has hit, the requests for books have increased as so many of the most vulnerable have been left in the dark without access to books. It is absolutely amazing and inspiring, how six-year-old Kelly has selflessly and generously given up her birthday gifts for children who are less fortunate. She is leading by example and we are so grateful to her and her family for their support in helping us to continue giving the gift of reading. Because it starts with a book!”

Kelly’s Doll House collected over 3,000+ books within four hours that will be donated to local schools and community-based organizations in New York City and Long Island. The 3,000+ books were delivered via a drop off social distancing event on Saturday, June 27th and is the biggest collected drive during COVID-19 that The Book Fairies experienced, all coordinated by a five-year-old, now six-year-old girl. Special guest appearances were seen by Todd Jones “The Donutologist” – Cuzin’s Duzin; Collette V. Smith, the NFL’s 1st African American Female Football Coach and the New York Jets 1st Female Football Coach in franchise history; New York State Assemblywoman Taylor Darling (18th District); Dr. Michele C. Reed – “The Fit Doc”; and Celebrity DJ Ms. Chu.

Family, friends, and neighbors from New York City (Queens/ Brooklyn), Long Island, and across the nation answered the call to gather old/used or new books for children and adults to help Kelly’s Doll House increase literacy. Additional contributors to Kelly’s Doll House Book Drive include Queens Courier, Tenenbaum Law P.C., Walter The Vault, The Fit Doc Wellness Group, and Vera Moore Cosmetics. Kelly’s Doll House also received support from members of several organizations including ESOTA Dance School, Epsilon Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., The Greater Queens and Eastern Shore Chapters of The Links, Inc., Jack and Jill of America Nassau County Chapter, Girl Scouts of America, Inc. Daisy Troop #1277, Brooklyn-Long Island Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Diner en Blanc Long Island, and The Fit Doc Wellness Group.

For more information about Kelly’s Doll House, visit KellysDollHouse.com

For more information about The Book Fairies, visit TheBookFairies.org

Recap & Highlight Videos:
YouTube Channel – https://bit.ly/2Y3CI1O

About

Ice Princess Legacy is Kelly’s family-owned and operated production company that develops family-friendly content, and is driven to help kids learn. During the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic, Ice Princess Legacy created Kelly’s Doll House to allow 6-year old Kelly the opportunity to read along to children worldwide. Ice Princess Legacy continues to grow and currently manages Generation Alpha brands – Kelly’s Doll House and Keith’s Zone. Currently, Kelly’s Doll House is rapidly evolving into an influential global kids and entertainment brand through digital and broadcast entertainment, dolls, toys, fashion, and consumer products. Kelly’s kindness places philanthropy at the forefront of her life as she places kindness and love above all.

The Book Fairies is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that collects reading materials for people in need throughout metropolitan New York. The reading materials foster literacy and academic success, provide a respite from personal struggles, and nurture a love of reading across age groups.

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Book Helps Parents Talk About Racism and Police Brutality

BlackNews.Com — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 13:19:55 +0000

BLACK AUTHOR RELEASES BOOK TO ASSIST PARENTS IN STARTING THE CONVERSATION ON RACISM AND POLICE BRUTALITY

“The Talk: A Black Family’s Conversation about Racism and Police Brutality”

by Ama Karikari-Yawson, Esq.

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — All over the country, parents are having the “the talk” with their kids about racism, stereotyping, and police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’s killing and the various forms of protests that have ensued. Starting this conversation may feel overwhelming, especially as we are collectively stuck in the midst of two pandemics in the United States: COVID-19 and racism.

Moreover, there has not been much practical guidance with respect to how to facilitate such a conversation about race. More tangible guidance is especially necessary as Americans balance working from home, home education, safety, health, and the well-being of the nation.

Now, that guidance is here.

African-American mother, author, radio host, entrepreneur and educator, Ama Karikari-Yawson, Esq., recently released The Talk: A Black Family’s Conversation about Racism and Police Brutality. With this powerful and uplifting fictional story, Yawson hopes to bring to light the importance of a loving and open dialogue about race conversations with children, which is both educational and interactive.

“Even though I am a mom, author, attorney, and diversity trainer, I could not bring myself to discuss the George Floyd killing by police immediately after it happened,” Yawson says. “The grief was too much for me. My steps became heavier as I struggled to personally process the senseless and racially motivated killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Floyd in such a short period of time. Moreover, the horrendous Central Park incident in which a white woman falsely told police that a black male bird watcher named Christian Cooper was threatening her also left me sickened. I could not stop thinking about the degree to which I and my husband’s lives are shaped by racism and stereotyping and the extent to which our precious children’s lives will be shaped by those same negative forces. The only way that I felt that I could be empowered was to sit down quietly and write a story which could serve as a resource for black, and non-black, families to explain police brutality to their kids while offering potentially life-saving advice about what to do in an encounter with the police. I knew that the book had to also affirm African-American identity and achievement while exploring what we can do now to eliminate this societal problem. My prayer is that all families will read it and feel both informed and empowered.”

The book uses poetry to portray a fictional African-American couple’s “talk” with their two children about racism and police brutality after the children stumble upon their parents crying in the living room while watching news coverage of Floyd’s killing at the hands of police officers. The parents then take the opportunity to explain the issues of racism, stereotyping, police brutality and how to interact with the police, while affirming the children’s heritage and assuring them that they will achieve greatness despite the obstacles that they may face. The book also includes a curriculum with activities.

Although there is no “talk” that can completely prevent incidents of racism and prejudice for children, African-American parents and parents of all races still need to have these conversations with their children so that their children are aware of these challenges and are better prepared for these potential encounters. Now Yawson’s book is available in order to make that conversation easier and more empowering.

Reviewers may download a free copy of the e-book for a limited time here.

To purchase the paperback book, click here.

Other books by Milestales Publishing include:
* Earthe’s Gift: How Earthe Overcame Procrastination to Reclaim the Gift
* How to Deal with Kids: A Guide for Adults by a Kid
* Sunne’s Gift: How Sunne Overcame Bullying to Reclaim the Gift
* Sunne’s Gift Spanish and English Activity Book: Libro de Actividades El Don de Sunne

For more information about Milestales Publishing and Education Consulting, go to www.milestales.com

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EBONY Magazine Announces Leadership Transition; Willard Jackson To Step Down As CEO

Press Release — Sun, 05 Jul 2020 22:00:01 +0000

EBONY Magazine Announces Leadership Transition; Willard Jackson to Step Down as CEO

NEWARK – On July 2, 2020 the board of directors of EBONY Magazine agreed to a leadership change and the removal of Chief Executive Officer Willard Jackson, Jr. Several weeks ago, the board commissioned an independent inquiry into a number of transactions led by Mr. Jackson and the investigation is ongoing.

“The board of directors individually and collectively understands the legacy and value of EBONY to Black communities globally,” said Jacob Walthour Jr., newly-elected Chairman of Ebony’s Board of Directors and co-founder of Blueprint Capital Advisors, a black-owned asset manager. “Founder John H. Johnson conducted himself and EBONY business with a level of class, integrity and honor that has come to define Black professionalism in America. While the Board expects that EBONY will always need to adapt its business model to stay relevant, it must never compromise the core values of Mr. Johnson.”

“As we approach EBONY’s 75^th anniversary, now more than any other time since the Civil Rights movement, Black people need a medium to express ‘their’ voice and record this historical moment,” said John C. Robinson, an EBONY Director. We are committed to the preservation of this valuable asset to the Black community and being a part of the next 75 years.

The board of directors will appoint an interim CEO and operating committee. It will continue to assess all structural, managerial, and financial facets of the organization with an eye toward amplifying the current calls for economic and racial justice and equality. As part of the board’s engagement, they are prioritizing the payment of delinquent compensation to EBONY employees and expect to make announcement soon.

Mr. Jackson is a partner in CVG Group which purchased EBONY in 2016. The acquisition was financed by Parkview Capital Credit Inc. (“PCC”) through a series of loans. The management of PCC was recently taken over by Blueprint Capital Advisors in April 2019.

Since 1945, EBONY Magazine has chronicled the remarkable achievements of Black people while providing a narrative of the historical greatness of Black culture. EBONY will be 75 years old on Nov. 22, 2020.

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Youth Poetry Competition: I Matter! Reflection on the Racial Injustices

BlackNews.Com — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 17:12:40 +0000

By Blacknews.com

Nonprofit organization National Youth Foundation (NYF) announced an “I Matter” national poetry competition for students K-12. “The death of George Floyd and the deluge of stories and videos which illustrate the deep roots of racism in our country has inspired us to launch a creative writing program to allow students an opportunity for self-expression,” said Sophia Hanson, co-founder of the NYF.

NYF is inviting original submissions from students nationwide on the subject of why Black Lives Matter. “The contest has been designed to provide the youth of the country with an outlet to process and express their thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes.”

NYF is inviting students from grades K-12 to submit one original poem by the deadline of July 23. The contest is open to residents of the United States and must be on the topic of Black Lives Matter. The winning writer will receive $500, and the poem will be published in an NYF compilation book.

The National Youth Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of children through creative educational programming. Their mission is to promote inclusion and gender and racial equality while helping young students develop their literary skills through academic and team-building projects. NYF was founded by three women of color who are passionate about our youth. Given the landscape of the philanthropic world and the lack of diverse representation in leadership in this sector, Sophia Hanson and her co-founders are looking to shift this paradigm.

Other programs include the Student Book Scholar Contest, which invites teams of students to collaborate to create books on the theme of anti-bullying; and the Amazing Woman Edition competition, which invites students (grades K-8) to create stories about local heroines.

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White Hands, Blue Uniforms, Black Death

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 19:37:27 +0000

By Reginald Williams

The death penalty, also known as capital punishment, is a state-sanctioned punishment imposed upon a person arrested, charged, tried and convicted of a crime deemed so serious that death is considered the appropriate sentence.

A death row inmate waits, on average, 15 years from the day they are sentenced till the day they are executed. But for Black men, non-threatening interactions with law enforcement could end in a death sentence in less than 15 minutes for a violation as minor as a busted taillight or the suspicion of selling single cigarettes.

Reginald Williams is the author of A Marginalized Voice: Devalued, Dismissed, Disenfranchised & Demonized, a seminal read that exposes the nuanced behaviors of young Black boys and the iatrogenic practices of alleged professionals. (Courtesy Photo)

On April 4, 2015, the death penalty was executed during a routine traffic stop when Walter Scott was fatally shot five times in his back by a North Charleston police officer. Scott’s offense was a non-functioning brake light. Three months later, the death penalty was accelerated against Samuel Debose, pulled over (off-campus) by a University of Cincinnati police officer. Debose was fatally shot once in the head. His offense, a missing front license plate. In contrast to jurisprudence, it took a Minneapolis police officer all of 13 seconds to “unanimously” decide that Philando Castile should be sentenced to death by gunfire. Castile’s crime, obeying the officer’s command to produce his license. Black men are subject to on the spot state-sanctioned sentences that result in modern-day lynching by the hands of white jurymen in blue uniforms, using black guns or a knee as their weapon.

The angst Black men feel when being confronted by police is warranted. No matter the reason for the encounter, internal psychological warfare takes place, trying to conceptualize and process the what, why, and the potential outcome for the encounter.

Recent footage recorded by a home security system of an African-American boy playing basketball alone in his driveway went viral. The video showed the boy dribbling a basketball in the driveway. When he spots a police cruiser driving down the street in his direction, he hides behind a parked jeep. When the car clears his line of sight, he re-emerges to shoot baskets. The boy’s reaction to police presence was a demonstration of the trauma incarcerating the spirit of people of color. If a boy, innocently playing in his yard, runs and hides at the sight of police, Black men also wish to conceal their presence when confronted.

Police encounters create instant anxiety for Black men. The fear or dread of a situation triggers an adrenaline rush. That causes the heart rate to gallop. Subsequently, an increased flow of blood enters the muscles and brain. Anger swells. It makes little difference if Black men respond to an officer in a cool, calm and collected fashion just trying to survive the encounter or if they vocally stand firm in their Constitutional Rights refusing to cower to servants whose salaries are paid with their tax dollars; in either situation, stress prevails.

Too many police officers armed with their “qualified immunity” are intoxicated with power, and police with a criminal immorality. In Houston, Texas, an African-American couple called the police to investigate a theft at their home. When the officers arrived, the husband was asked if he had any warrants. Far too many officers view Black men as suspects rather than citizens.

The exchange with police is a real struggle for Black men.

When pulled over by police, what is generally routine for white folks, is too often incompatible for Black men. Black men fear false narratives created by white officers that gives them the authority to go on fishing expeditions. It’s typical for brothers to be ordered out of their cars, leaned over the vehicle’s hood, and searched. And are asked: “Can I search your vehicle?” The probable cause – smelt weed. Even before a stop occurs, the sight of police in the vicinity of one’s car creates a level of anxiety, similar to what was felt by the boy playing basketball. Once pulled, if the truth be told, as Black men we instantly dial-up our implicit biases. It’s difficult not to believe the stop has some nefarious intentions. Our thoughts occupy a space wondering will dude demonstrate professionalism and respect or will he be drunk on his assumed power ready to major in some minor nonsense. No matter why we are stopped, on most occasions, the infraction is minor, but for police, it’s yet another opportunity to flex their muscles; one more opportunity to gain a “that-a-boy” badge from their crew.

What should be a small inconvenience, too often, is polluted by power. The power is a means of execution without being arrested, charged or tried. The hue of a Black man’s skin must stop being a crime where death is the punishment.

Reginald Williams is the author of A Marginalized Voice: Devalued, Dismissed, Disenfranchised & Demonized, a seminal read that exposes the nuanced behaviors of young Black boys and the iatrogenic practices of alleged professionals. It brings to the surface the duality in criminality that exists in a broader sense to include those emotional crimes committed against young Kings. He can be reached at bookreggie@reginaldwilliams.org

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9-Year Old Black Boy Launches Talk Show

BlackNews.Com — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 11:56:31 +0000

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) — Who says you can’t be a kid and have your own talk show? No one does! That is why Atlanta native, 9-year old bestselling author Nicholas Buamah, can now add talk show host to the list of things that he has accomplished at his young age.

Raising Greatness with Nicholas Buamah will premiere on YouTube, July 1, 2020, at 2pm EST. With almost 11K subscribers on his channel, Nicholas will interview a plethora of guests to find out what led them down their path to success. His guests will include some of the most amazing people from various walks of life – Celebrity Chefs, Journalist, Hollywood Actors, Comedians, Producers, Professional Athletes, Entrepreneurs, and more.

9-year old bestselling author Nicholas Buamah

At the age of seven, Nicholas wrote his first book, Kayla and Kyle: The Walking Dictionaries Election Day. Not only is it an Amazon bestseller, but it has also been cataloged in the Library of Congress. What is just as impressive is his mission: To help kids in underprivileged communities around the world have access to reading materials through his non-profit organization called, Books Without Borders, Inc.

Nicholas has been featured in several online news outlets. He has also appeared on major television networks. His most notable appearance was when he was a guest on the Steve Harvey Show and helped the host learn a few new words. Steve Harvey was so impressed with the young author that he donated 555 books to send to Ghana (West Africa) through Nicholas’ nonprofit organization. He was also honored by the great Whoopi Goldberg on her show, The View.

Make sure to subscribe and tune into Raising Greatness every week on YouTube. You don’t want to miss this exciting and inspiring new talk show!

“You’re never too young to dream big!” — Nicholas Buamah

For press inquiries, contact info@MotherHubbard.us or 404-740-7835

Also, follow Nicholas on Instagram @NicolasBuamah

https://youtu.be/_t6afI-s1zM – Link to Premiere July 1st @2pm EST

https://youtu.be/K2OdN7y3W2g – Promo Video

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Do The Right Thing NFL!

Press Release — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 21:28:22 +0000

By Dr. Herbert (H. J.) Harris

As we observe the recent apologies of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the NFL (National Football League), it is important to note that professional sports, including the NFL, has long been afflicted with the paradigm of racism.

Below is an excerpt from “Solving The Race Issue In America” by H. J. Harris:

Football

Very similar to baseball, the white Americans who control football spent years keeping black American athletes from playing. Even after football was finally integrated, for another 20 to 25 years black athletes were restricted to certain positions. The quarterback position, for example, was considered off-limits to black football players. Again the reason given by the white Americans who control football was that black players did not have the intellect to quarterback a football team.

Although black quarterbacks had been excelling with black college football teams, when these players came to the pros, they were encouraged to change their positions to anything but quarterback.

White Americans in power resist black Americans performing in any capacity where they are required to tell white people what to do. There is a core resistance in America to white Americans taking orders from black Americans. Having a black American quarterback tell white American players what to do contradicts the Paradigm of Slavery. (Excerpt from “Solving The Race Issue In America” (www.solvingtheraceissue.com)

“Solving The Race Issue In America” by H. J. Harris (Courtesy Photos)

It was inspiring to have the NFL admit that the league got it wrong with respect to black football players kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality.

It is very interesting to note that Commissioner Roger Goodell did not mention Colin Kaepernick’ s name in the league’s apology. Especially since Kaepernick was the target of the league’s “getting it wrong.”

What about the emotional pain, or the financial and professional loss suffered by Colin Kaepernick as a result of the NFL’s “getting it wrong”?

The true test of the NFL’s sincerity is how it handles the professional and financial damage Colin Kaepernick may have suffered as a result of being unsigned by any NFL team for over three years.

Kaepernick tried to get justice when he filed a grievance in 2017 against the NFL and its owners, accusing them of colluding to keep him out of the league. He withdrew the grievance in February 2019 after reaching a confidential settlement with the NFL.

Hopefully this confidential settlement is fair, just and acceptable to Kaepernick. If not, the NFL should make him whole. To offer Colin Kaepernick an opportunity to try out now for a quarterback position doesn’t really seem fair since the time off and his age may put him at a disadvantage.

What the NFL did to Kaepernick is another example of excessive, unjust punishments that professional sports organizations have inflicted upon black athletes. They take away the black athlete’s ability to play their sport and earn their income – usually at the prime of their careers.

Professional sports did it to Muhammad Ali in 1966 when he protested the Vietnam war. He was arrested, tried and unjustly convicted. Ali was stripped of his boxing titles and his boxing license was taken away. Ali couldn’t fight for nearly four years until the Supreme Court overturned his conviction. He lost the peak years and potential earnings at the prime of his boxing career.

Jack Johnson, the first black heavy weight boxing champion, had over seven years stolen from him at the prime of his boxing career when he committed the “capital sin” – married a white woman in 1912. He had to leave the country to avoid jail. Johnson’s boxing career and earning potential was stolen at the peak of his career.

If the NFL is sincere about its apology – for getting it wrong – it should do more than offer Colin Kaepernick an opportunity to play quarterback again. He should be made whole and justly compensated for the NFL “getting it wrong.”

Let’s end this systemic racism. We can’t fix it for Muhammad Ali and Jack Johnson, but Kaepernick is still standing strong.

Do the right thing NFL.

(Based on “Solving the Race Issue in America”: www.solvingtheraceissue.com)

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Former Pro Athlete Trades NFL Games For Story Time

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 05:37:07 +0000

By Mark Gray
Zenger News

From the moment he stepped on the yard at Delaware State University, Darnerien McCants was a game-changer. He wanted to play basketball at the only historically black college and university in America’s first state, but it was football that came easily and gave him the platform to achieve in education.

“Playing in the NFL was never a dream of mine,” said McCants. “I don’t really watch sports that much on TV. I’ve met legends of the game and didn’t know who they were.”

Former NFL receiver Darnerien McCants takes what he learned as an HBCU athlete at Delaware State who played pro football and pushes his literacy program by reading online to elementary school children every Thursday through his Finding Me Foundation. (Courtesy of Darnerian McCants)

McCants, a fifth-round draft pick in 2001 by the National Football League’s Washington Redskins, has taken reading time into the world of distance learning to help young children develop a passion for the fundamental necessity that is a key to personal and social success during the pandemic. As he finally launched his nonprofit Finding Me Foundation, schools around the country were forced into distance learning and stay-at-home measures. Through mobile devices and video conferencing, he made the adjustment to the new normal of teaching for those who are used to working in a classroom while capitulating to social distancing policies.

“Every week has been a learning experience for me,” McCants said. “I’ve had to learn to teach a whole different way while getting better at using technology. This is the future of education we’re living now.”

The foundation’s mission is to combat juvenile delinquency by introducing kids to reading. Each Thursday, McCants keeps his date with elementary-aged students who join him through the organization’s website as he reads some of his favorite children’s books. Unlike most pro athletes, who saw heroes from the game as professional role models, McCants’ drive to stress the importance of reading began during his elementary years, when he was introduced to actor LeVar Burton’s “Reading Rainbow” series as a part of the curriculum.

“I wasn’t born when he acted in ‘Roots,’ but I do remember him a little bit from ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation,’” said McCants. who is an alternative education instructor in the Howard County, Maryland school system. “But when I saw him on ‘Reading Rainbow’ as a child, it really stressed just how important reading is and the message was coming from someone who looks like me.”

Former NFL athlete Darnerian McCants (Courtesy of Darnerian McCants)

“It was like my son living the first eight years of his life and seeing a Black president,” said McCants. “That lets him know he could aspire to hold that office one day. When I grew up, all I saw were pictures of presidents who were White men with wigs on and that was never going to be me.”

That McCants played pro football gives him credibility with his students. Most of the youngsters, primarily boys, he regularly teaches are consumed by media-hyped role models who create unrealistic expectations for professional success. As a teacher, it can be harder for him to stress reading as the most important life skill they will learn while the children are bombarded with images of athletes and rappers flashing jewelry and promoting lifestyles of the rich and gangster.

McCants finds his former career helps him guide students to create reasonable goals and aspirations while laying a solid foundation for achievable outcomes away from sports and entertainment livelihoods. Implementing his teaching strategy is easier, especially with minority kids, particularly boys.

“Boys are visual and kinetic learners and it has been statistically proven that if you engage them by 8 or 9 years old it will promote learning and cut down on delinquency,” said McCants.

McCants said generational factors dating to slavery have inhibited the passion for reading in low-income communities. He believes that it is critical for parents to help kids develop an appreciation for reading by spending 40 minutes per day sharing literature.

The theory is 20 minutes spent in the morning and evening reading gives them a head start on achieving in school and may also offset behavioral problems for children between three and eight years old. Moreover, it lays the foundation for success in business.

“We have to overcome the slave tradition of dumbing down our kids because if they were too smart, they would be taken away from us,” McCants said.

McCants’s raw athleticism remains legendary at Delaware State. He was a better basketball player than he was at football. But basketball coach Greg Jackson wouldn’t allow him to play for the Hornets, despite his routine domination of team members in offseason pickup games.

“It was like watching a man against boys playing those games,” said Omarr Bashir, president and CEO of Heritage Sports Radio Network and former assistant sports information director at the university. “The guys he was playing against were on scholarship and they couldn’t stop him.”

Football came so easily to him to play at the college level he was drafted despite not being invited to the NFL combine. During his senior year, McCants played tight end and led NCAA Division I-AA with 18 touchdowns, a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record.

He played 41 games in the NFL for Washington and Philadelphia during a career that lasted four seasons. McCants caught 58 passes while averaging 13.3 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He also played with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League before he was released by his hometown Baltimore Ravens.

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Kid’s Books Help Explain Ahmaud Arbery Case

BlackNews.Com — Mon, 25 May 2020 00:29:23 +0000

FATHERHOOD ADVOCATE PENS CHILDREN’S BOOKS THAT HELP PARENTS DISCUSS AHMAUD ARBERY CASE

Atlanta, GA (BlackNews.com) — Kenneth Braswell, Atlanta-based CEO of Fathers Incorporated, has authored two children’s books, Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside and Daddy Can I Cry? to specifically help parents talk with their children about sensitive issues such as losing friends to gun violence, police brutality and the resulting protests that are a natural occurrence to a majority of these issues.

Author & CEO Kenneth Braswell wrote these books understanding that cases like Ahmaud Arbery highlight racial trauma for Black parents and children.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and another reminder for African Americans, their mental health is in a constant state of threat. The horrific incident of Ahmaud Arbery and the trauma inflicted through the viral video on top of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn have negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness. In a recent KFF poll, nearly half (45%) of adults in the United States reported that their mental health has been negatively impacted due to worry and stress over the virus.

Following the Black Lives Matter movement in 2016, parents, educators and librarians around the world have been looking for ways to talk to children about race, justice, and privilege.

Braswell explains, “Over the past few years, it is sadly evident we still have a great deal of work to do to heal racial issues in our society. As a parent, I believe it is critical to be prepared to address any questions or concerns children may have about things they see in the media or their communities. This can be done by educating ourselves on the issues and ensuring we can use quality resources and books like Daddy, There’s a Noise Outside and Daddy Can I Cry? to teach and understand the current and historic justice debates and protests.”

Both books are available on Amazon or can be purchased directly from the website at FistoreOnline.com

Kenneth Braswell is available for interviews discussing this subject matter and recently release a COV19-19 coparenting resource guide offering tips and strategies to parent during a crisis.

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S.O. Headwrap Diaries

Ariel Chrysann Special to AFRO — Fri, 22 May 2020 12:17:54 +0000

By Ariel Chrysann
Special to AFRO

We all come in different shades and tones, and we all go to bed the same way, with our hair wrapped up. Hip-Hop artist S.O. captures the simple everyday beauty of being a Black woman.

AFRO: What challenges do you face as a Christian Hip-Hop Artist?

S.O.: One of the main things is that people have assumptions about you. You’re making that assumption based on what? It is based on music that you haven’t even heard. You haven’t seen the visuals. You haven’t spoken to me as a person. I think that it’s now on me to kind of reach, recreate and reshape a narrative for those people who have that presumption.

Headwrap Diaries is an ethereal music video that celebrates Black women. (Courtesy photo)

I feel like music now in 2020 is kind of at a level playing field in the sense that if you saw “Headwrap Diaries” for example, you wouldn’t automatically say oh that’s a Christian music video. Your mind wouldn’t go to that, you would say that’s good art. Once you listen to the music and hear what I’m about you will automatically know that I’m a Christian. I love God, I love Jesus. But I don’t have to force their names into it. It comes out in the music. It’s not for me to shy away from my faith, it’s for me to put my faith on the forefront, and allow other people to hear it and discover for themselves. There’s a plethora of music out there. If you’re a Christian you should be able to create music you enjoy.

AFRO: What’s behind the name headwrap diaries?

S.O.: If people were exposed to true Christianity and read the Bible in its totality they would see that it’s filled with different stories of life. Books with a man praising and saying great things about his wife. Like the Song of Solomon, where he’s writing poetry to his wife. Songs like ‘Headwrap Diaries’ are an extension of that. It is hailing all women who love headwraps and want to wear it as a cultural norm and gentrification. Ultimately it is a love song from a man to a woman. That’s the initial context of it. I wrote Headwrap Diaries for my wife, but as an artist you can still throw the blanket and make it general to all women across the world.

Seeing my wife always wearing her head wraps, I’m always trying to find unique ways to write songs for her and about her that all women can relate to. So I was like ‘what is one of the Blackest things real women experience?’ Putting on headwraps. I’m Nigerian and she’s Ghanaian. In Nigerian culture other mothers, sisters and grandmothers would wear geles when they go to weddings or parties. You want to write about that and share that experience with beauty. It’s all wrapped in that, no pun intended.

AFRO: Why is celebrating Black women important to you?

S.O.: I ultimately want to put Black culture on the forefront and then at the same time celebrate Black women. As much as hip hop says they want to celebrate Black women they don’t do that.

Now I have a daughter, her name is Sade-Rose and she’s 18 months old. I want her to be able to see herself on screen. I want to be a part of that and create content that will empower her, make her feel like she can do whatever she puts her mind to. She matters, representation is just important. I think that now that I have a child, I’m making more of a conscious effort to create content that builds her up as a person. Some of the representations that we do see are not always positive. I was brought up by women, my sisters, my mom and my aunt; literally the village that raised me were predominantly women. I want to let them know “hey I see you, I love you, I care for you, you guys are queens.”

AFRO: How do headwraps fit into African culture, where do they originate?

S.O.: In Nigeria when the aunties, moms, sisters and grandmothers would go to big weddings, a traditional wedding they wear geles and traditional African garb. To me it’s like an adornment, it’s like a crown. It’s a part of what we do. I’m just trying to shed light

AFRO: Some people seem to think that wearing anything on your head is either “ghetto” or means your Muslim, how do you break that stereotype?

S.O.: I think the video does that. What you see in the video, all shades of Black, all generations young and old, they all wear headwraps on different occasions as well. You can wear a head wrap to a gala or when you’re waking up in the morning. Our headwraps can be elegant and worn in stylish ways. The more we try to affirm people who wear them, the more the culture will grow online with tutorials. Growing up in the U.K. and Nigeria it’s a cultural thing. I never once heard wearing a headwrap as a ghetto thing to do, never. I don’t have to be Muslim to wear one. Some women wear headwraps to protect their hair all the time, so that they don’t have to do their hair.

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Kids Write Series for Young Readers

BlackNews.Com — Fri, 22 May 2020 11:41:03 +0000

By BlackNews.com

Actor Dwayne Clark, his 8-year-old son, DJ, and his 11-year-old daughter, Jada, have launched a series of children’s books that portrays life lessons from their family experiences to motivate young readers. Written from a child’s point of view, the three books – One on One from Dad to Son: Lessons in Basketball and Discipline; Me, My Mom, and My First Violin; and Christmas, Family, and Basketball From the Garden State to the Great Lakes are available on Amazon.

“There is a need for more books that portray African-American families in a positive way. It is not only beneficial for children of color, but for all kids who read the books,” says Dwayne.

Janeece Freeman Clark, left, DJ Clark, Jada Clark, and Dwayne Clark. The Clark Family lives in South Orange, New Jersey. (Courtesy Photo)
lives in South Orange, New Jersey.

Dwayne’s love of performing and his role as a youth motivational speaker inspired the books. He realized that his children’s experiences supported messages he was using at schools and workshops. By telling stories from a child’s point of view, he hopes the books will educate children about the effort required to foster a unique talent. The books also reinforce the importance of parents sharing their own experiences with their children.

One on One is the story of a father sharing his love of basketball with his son, DJ. DJ learns about the history and fundamentals of basketball while gaining the self-discipline that can help him succeed in all areas of his life.

“As a kid I played basketball. I worked hard at it. With repetition and coaching you get better. When I became a Broadway actor, the discipline I learned from basketball helped me tackle eight shows a week,” says Dwayne.

Me, My Mom, and My First Violin tells the story of how Jada’s artistic family supported and influenced her musical career, and the dedication and commitment it takes to be successful. In the book, Jada’s violin teacher Amy Beshara teaches her to take chances and develop self-confidence.

“Jada’s story is about how developing her skills playing violin helped her believe in herself and led to her winning a competition. All of the books in the series encourage children to follow their dreams and apply what they learn to achieve success for the rest of their lives,” says Dwayne.

Christmas, Family, and Basketball From the Garden State to the Great Lakes describes a road trip to their grandparents and the lessons learned as the children learn about their family history.

Future books in the Clark Family series will include their aunt’s beauty shop and how it became a neighborhood gathering spot, the empowerment of theater, expressing yourself as a singer and more. The books are available on Amazon and ClarkFamilyBooks.com.

Dwayne’s performances on Broadway include The Color Purple, Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark, Rent and Tarzan the Musical. He appeared on Broadway and internationally in Smokey Joe’s Café. Dwayne performed with the New York City Opera and internationally as Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess. Dwayne and his wife, Janeece Freeman Clark, met during the Broadway production of Urinetown. Janeece leads the musical theatre department at New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She also co-founded the Vanguard Theater Company, where she serves as Artistic Director. The Clark family lives in South Orange, New Jersey.

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Book on Fashion of Miles Davis, Legendary Jazz Musician

BlackNews.Com — Tue, 12 May 2020 14:22:58 +0000

AUTHOR MICHAEL STRADFORD PENS FIRST BOOK TO EXAMINE THE PERSONAL STYLE OF LEGENDARY JAZZ MUSICIAN MILES DAVIS

Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com) — Author and entertainment executive Michael Stradford pens the first book on the style of legendary jazz musician, Miles Davis, often called ‘the Picasso of music’.

Noteworthy are exclusive observations from luminaries such as Quincy Jones, Lenny Kravitz, Issey Miyake, Bryan Ferry and former wife Frances Davis among others. Set to be released on May 12, 2020, this historic book examines Miles Davis’ fashion sensibility as yet another extension of his creative canvas.

“MilesStyle: The Fashion of Miles Davis” explores a different look at the iconic musician though exclusive observations from his friends, colleagues, admirers and family.

An eye-opening and often surprising journey through the fashion sensibilities of the musical genius, MilesStyle: The Fashion of Miles Davis explores the unique, trendsetting and bold influence Mr. Davis had on mainstream popular culture, both onstage and off. Once hailed as “one of the best dressed men of the twentieth century” by both GQ and Esquire magazines, Michael Stradford’s tome recounts the celebrated icon, Miles Davis, fashion journey with taste, beauty and class.

“Miles Davis is one of the most important cultural voices of the last hundred years. I’m excited to add a new chapter to an already incredible creative legacy,” remarked Michael Stradford.

Beautifully designed with a choice selection of classic photos included, easy to read narrative and enjoyable stories, Stradford’s book illuminates the fashion style of one of the most misunderstood musicians of the twentieth century. Those who really knew Miles Davis loved him. Those who were outside of the periphery of Miles Davis intimate association misunderstood him. Tracing Miles Davis’ life focusing on his creative style, Stradford captures the essence of jazz music most romanticized artist.

MilesStyle: The Fashion of Miles is elegant in tone and remarkably written. Stradford weaves stories, as told by the book’s contributors, of Miles Davis’ cool which are defined by his exquisite style and poignant music. The scintillating stories throughout the book are captivating, but yet tasteful. The book is a must have for Miles Davis’ fans, friends and admirers. And, for those who are not aware of this historic and artistic gentleman’s life, this book is unparallel in its viewpoint chronicling Miles Davis’ style.

The book is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About Michael Stradford
Michael Stradford is a multi-decade entertainment executive. Beginning his entertainment career as a radio announcer in the Midwest, he successfully programmed radio stations in several major markets, including KMJM, Majic 108 in St. Louis and KMJQ, Majic 102 in Houston. He capped a rewarding broadcasting career by launching KKBT, 92.3 The Beat in Los Angeles, taking the former classical music station from a ranking of 33 to number six in less than a year.

Unbeknownst to him during that time music legend Quincy Jones had been following his career and plucked him from radio to become VP of A&R for Jones’ Qwest Records, a joint venture with parent company Warner Bros. While at Qwest, Stradford steered the careers of Tevin Campbell, The Winans, Keith Washington, Ray Charles and more.

Stradford transitioned from the music industry to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, creating a department that produced supplemental DVD content (documentaries, commentaries, deleted scenes etc.) for Sony Pictures theatrically released films. He also did international movie acquisitions for the division and ultimately oversaw the creation of original content at Sony owned online outlet Crackle.com.

Upcoming books include Black to the Movies, a pseudo memoir disguised as a collection of movie reviews, and a coffee table book on Steve Holland, the world’s greatest illustration male model. He has written reviews, profiles and interviews for several magazines as well as running his own pop culture blog, LookingForTheCool.com, with a podcast of the same name currently in production. Stradford lives in wedded bliss with his tolerant wife Sybil and their two equally tolerant dogs, Raj and Teddy.

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Whitfield’s Male vs. Man

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 11 May 2020 19:03:38 +0000

By Ariel Chrysann
AFRO Intern

Of all the obstacles we face everyday, some are more challenging to overcome than others. Dondre Whitfield, a man with over three decades in the television and film industry, has also made a name for himself as a public speaker and an author. You might be familiar with his roles on the Cosby Show, the Real Husbands of Hollywood and Queen Sugar, but off camera, he has had to overcome many mental and physical hurdles. He shares his journey with you in his book, Male vs. Man: How to Honor Women, Teach Children, and Elevate Men to Change the World.

Through his life lessons, Whitfield aims to inspire, guide and transform males into men, while also helping women better select a companion. Whitfield said he wants to make their journey easier and says his job is to make the experience better for the “brother behind him” by leaving each place better than he found it; so the next brother behind him can prosper, not suffer.

Through his life lessons, Whitfield aims to inspire, guide and transform males into men, while also helping women better select a companion.(Courtesy Photo)

Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., Whitfield’s father was not active in his life, but his mother taught him how to be responsible and conscious. “Male vs Man” defines a vision of his that took quite some time to develop. He wanted to give people information that he didn’t have when he was growing up. He wanted to pass forward a pathway. “We were all built to be communal, to contribute to one another and build; to be each other’s help mates,” Whitfield explained.

Individuals with a Y chromosome identify themselves as men. Whitfield’s comprehensive message shows the distinction between the two: a male looks to be served, while a man looks to be of service. The awareness of truly knowing one’s role in life and the best setting to thrive in is the key to surviving the obstacles that come your way. In his book, he explains how the ideas about manhood are often changing with culture, which can be confusing for young males. “Being a male is my gender and being a man is my job,” said Whitfield

“In order to be a man you have to have purpose and precision. Every man’s purpose on the face of this Earth is to serve the women and children in his life and his precision is about how well he serves them,” he continued. “Hold yourself and others accountable, but avoid shaming and judging others.”

“It’s interesting,” Whitfield shared. “Three letters can build you or diminish you, could be G-O-D or E-G-O.” His ego interfered with his matriculation into manhood, but having a relationship with God helped to build him.

“You have to have a band of brothers that are going in the direction you want to go in. You have to surround yourself with people who are either already in the space that you are traveling to or are headed to a like minded space.” An example he shared was how all of his friends are either married or in committed relationships. Their values don’t conflict with his and the decisions they make doesn’t compromise his way of living. It’s by design not a coincidence because boundaries are important, they protect us.

Seek help, accept help and be of help is what Whitfield’s journey has taught me. He touches on the things he knows people will be able to benefit from immediately. “I want to increase them, and have them come to a space of mental, emotional and spiritual health and wholeness,” Whitfield said.

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Ida B. Wells Gets Pulitzer Prize

AFRO Staff — Sat, 09 May 2020 01:31:22 +0000

The iconic journalist, educator and pioneer, Ida B. Wells was awarded the 2020 Pulitzer Prize on May 4. During her lifetime, Wells was dedicated to reporting the violent and inhumane acts against Black people. This posthumous honor comes with a monetary award of up to $50,000 to continue Wells’ work and to support her mission.

The iconic journalist, educator and pioneer, Ida B. Wells received the much deserved award.

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Butler’s Prescient Sci-fi Resonates Years After her Death

Associated Press — Fri, 08 May 2020 23:18:39 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Novelist N.K. Jemisin was a teenager the first time she read Octavia Butler, and nothing had prepared her for it. It was the 1980s, and the book was called “Dawn,” the story of a Black woman who awakens 250 years after a nuclear holocaust.

“I remember just kind of being stunned that a Black woman existed in the future, because science fiction had not done that before,” says Jemisin, whose “The City We Became” is currently a bestseller. “There was just this conspicuous absence where it seemed we all just vanished after a while.”

In this Feb. 4, 2004 file photo, author Octavia Butler poses near some of her novels at University Book Store in Seattle, Wash. Butler, considered the first black woman to gain national prominence as a science fiction writer, died Feb. 24, 2006, at age 58. Fourteen years after her death, Butler has never seemed more relevant. The rare black science fiction writer in her lifetime, she is now praised for anticipating many of the major issues of the day, from pandemics to the election of Donald Trump. (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com via AP, File)

A revolutionary voice in her lifetime, Butler has only become more popular and influential since her death 14 years ago, at age 58. Her novels, including “Dawn,” “Kindred” and “Parable of the Sower,” sell more than 100,000 copies each year, according to her former literary agent and the manager of her estate, Merrilee Heifetz. Toshi Reagon has adapted “Parable of the Sower” into an opera, and Viola Davis and Ava DuVernay are among those working on streaming series based on her work. Grand Central Publishing is reissuing many of her novels this year and the Library of America welcomes her to the canon in 2021 with a volume of her fiction.

A generation of younger writers cite her as an influence, from Jemisin and Tochi Onyebuchi to Marlon James and Nnedi Okorafor, currently working on a screenplay for the Butler novel “Wild Seed” for the production company run by Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon. Davis, in a recent interview with The Associated Press, said she began reading Butler while attending the Juilliard school 30 years ago.

“I felt included in the narrative in a way I had never felt reading anything before,” said Davis, who has a deal with Amazon Studios. “There is something about seeing yourself in the imagination’s playground that opens up your world.”

Alys Eve Weinbaum, a professor of English at the University of Washington, says Butler broke open a genre “dominated by White men and White readers.” She is now praised as a visionary who anticipated many of the issues in the news today, from the coronavirus to climate change to the election of President Donald Trump. In her 1998 novel “Parable of the Talents,” the right-wing Andrew Steele Jarret runs for president in 2032 with a message familiar to current readers.

“Jarret insists on being a throwback to some earlier, ‘simpler’ time. Now does not suit him. Religious tolerance does not suit him,” Butler wrote. “There was never such a time in this country. But these days when more than half the people in the country can’t read at all, history is just one more vast unknown to them.”

Jarret’s campaign theme: “Help us to make America great again.”

“She (Butler) seems to have seen the real future coming in a way few other writers did,” says Gerry Caravan, an associate professor at Marquette University who is co-editing Butler’s work for the Library of America. “It’s hard not to read the books and think ‘How did she know?’”

Butler’s own life trained her to think in new ways. Born and raised in Pasadena, California, she was Black, poor and stood 6-feet-tall. “I believed I was ugly and stupid, clumsy, and socially hopeless,” she once explained. Her feelings of isolation led her to the reading, and writing, of science fiction and fantasy stories even as an aunt told her, “Honey … Negroes can’t be writers.”

At a writers workshop in the 1970s, Harlan Ellison read her work and became an early supporter, publishing one of her stories in a science fiction anthology. Her first novel, “Patternmaster,” came out in 1976, although it took her years to be able to support herself and for the industry to catch up to her. Jemisin and others remember that the original cover for “Dawn” featured a White woman, making Jemisin all the more surprised when she read the book and realized the protagonist was Black.

Through the 1980s and ’90s, her readership and reputation grew. She became the first science fiction author to receive a MacArthur “genius grant” and her literary honors included Nebula Awards for “Bloodchild” and “Parable of the Talents.” She was shy and often reclusive and would describe herself as “A pessimist if I’m not careful, a feminist, a Black, a former Baptist, an oil-and-water combination of ambition, laziness, insecurity, certainty, and drive.”

Some admirers have personal memories of Butler. Not longer before she died, in 2006, she was the keynote speaker at the Gwendolyn Brooks Conference on Black Literature and Creative Writing at Chicago State University. Okorafor was among hundreds in the audience. She had known Butler for years, dating back to a writers workshop where she first read Butler and sought her advice, beginning with a phone conversation.

“She was really kind and she was funny, and I just remember the conversation being really nurturing. She was very down to earth, but it was also like talking to someone who was way up there,” Okorafor says. “At the Gwendolyn Brooks conference, I remember how surprised she was at the turnout. The room is packed, this big room with so much love. I just wish she were here now to see how much more she is being honored.”

___

This story has been correct to show that the title of Butler’s first book was “The Patternmaster,” not “The Patternist,” and corrects the spelling of author’s last name to Okorafor, not Okarafor.

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AFRO FACTS – GWENDOLYN BROOKS

Special Report — Sat, 02 May 2020 12:38:35 +0000

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Teen Speaker Inspires Generations

Micha Green — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 19:17:16 +0000

By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. Editor
mgreen@afro.com

COVID-19 has changed the world as many know it, with schools going virtual, proms and graduations canceled and the inability to hang with friends. Young people are feeling the sting of the pandemic and its influence on their personal and academic lives.

“The change has been drastic because we went from one day, being able to go outside and play with our friends, go to the playground or spend time at the mall and things like that to having to self-quarantine ourselves-to basically just putting ourselves at risk by going to the mailbox to get your own mail,” 14-year-old Reagan Nevels told the AFRO in an exclusive Facebook Live interview.

While the COVID-19 pandemic continues, 14-year-old author and motivational speaker Reagan Nevels, is offering hope and inspiration. (Courtesy Photo)

Nevels, a motivational speaker and author, has been using the time in quarantine to continue inspiring others. On Easter Sunday she held an Instagram Live at 7 p.m. to address her fanbase and those interested, on how to remain hopeful, optimistic and productive while quarantined.

“It’s about encouraging people to have hope and not to be fearful under the circumstances that we’re in,” she said during her press tour marketing for Sunday’s Easter address.

The teen, who has authored two books, ‘Vision Collision’ and ‘Why Wait? Your Time is Now!’ said she hopes to use her platform to motivate her peers.

“I want to be that positivity, I want to be that hope for my generation… because I don’t really see anybody else out there that’s inspiring people and giving them hope to continue to move forward with this,” she said.

“One thing the importance of not wasting time, because time is the one thing that we’ll never get back… And I think it’s extremely important to spend this time wisely and to use it with your family.”

The 14-year-old emphasized that children should be most mindful of time, as their current status offers opportunities that won’t be around in adulthood.

“I got into this for my generation, because I feel like our generation has been skipped, because we’re out here wasting our time as children,” Nevels said. “We spend 17 years as children, and I always say there’s no problem with hanging out with your friends, there’s no problem with having fun, but we have 17 years that we don’t have to pay bills, we don’t have to have responsibilities, so we can use this time towards accomplishing our dreams and goals.”

As someone who has accomplished her dreams, publishing her first book ‘Vision Collision’ at 12 years old, Nevels offers major advice on achieving goals through her literary works. Her soon to be released book published by Premier Publishing, ‘Why Wait? Your Time is Now!’ is in the process of completion.

“What I love about both of these books is that they go hand in hand. And I started something with Vision Collision that is picked up in Why Wait? Your Time is Now!. Vision Collision is based on my four-step formula, which is: Think, Write, Believe and Achieve. And my message is to use my four-step process to help you accomplish your dreams and goals right now, because you do not have to wait to accomplish your dreams and goals, you can accomplish them right now while you’re still a child,” the teen said. “And even if you’re 90 to 100 years old, you are still living and breathing on this earth, so you still have the opportunity to accomplish your dreams and goals, by using my four-step process. And I continued that with my new book, Why Wait? Your Time is Now! because I talk about the importance of not waiting. You can’t just try to accomplish your dreams and goals and say you’re going to do it later, or procrastinate, but you have to know the importance of not waiting, because the next moment is not promised to you.”

A champion for optimism, Nevels said she recognizes the immense challenges and concerns that COVID-19 present, however, the 14-year-old offers an antidote- hope.

“It’s perfectly understandable why people would be scared and fearful at this time, because people are passing away… and there’s no way you can really control it. But, if you think about it, those people are going to pass away whether you are fearful, or whether you’re hopeful. And the only way to properly get through this situation is by being hopeful, because if we get through this situation with hope, we can come out prosperous and we can come out stronger as a family and as a community,” Nevels said.

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Winfrey Chooses “Hidden Valley Road” for Book Club

Associated Press — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 13:54:37 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey’s new book club pick is Robert Kolker’s “Hidden Valley Road,” an in-depth account of a 1950s family in which six of 12 children were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Winfrey says she will continue picking books during the coronavirus outbreak, and will seek new ways to engage readers.

In announcing her choice Tuesday, Winfrey called “Hidden Valley Road” a “a riveting true story of an American family that reads like a medical detective journey. It reveals the shame, denial, shock, confusion and misunderstanding of mental illness at a time when no one was really sure what schizophrenia was or how to treat it.”

This cover image released by Doubeday shows Robert Kolker’s “Hidden Valley Road.” The book, an in-depth and highly praised account of a 1950s family in which six children were diagnosed with schizophrenia, was selected by Oprah Winfrey for her book club. Winfrey says that she will continue picking books during the coronavirus outbreak, and will seek new ways to engage readers. (Doubleday via AP)

“Hidden Valley Road,” tells the story of the Galvins, an attractive, high-achieving Colorado family that was devastated by the illness. Kolker learned about them four years ago through a mutual friend and received extensive cooperation, speaking with nine of the siblings and their mother, and also drawing upon family letters, diaries and medical records.

In a review that ran last weekend in The New York Times, Sam Dolnick praised Kolker as a gifted storyteller and “a restrained and unshowy writer who is able to effectively set a mood.” Kolker has written for New York magazine and Bloomberg and is the author of “Lost Girls,” which has been adapted into a Netflix film starring Amy Ryan.

Kolker’s new book, released this week, is Winfrey’s fourth selection since starting a partnership with Apple last fall. She usually tapes a live appearance with the author that runs on Apple TV Plus. Because of the coronavirus, she will interview Kolker and Galvin family members remotely for a program expected to air in May.

Winfrey spoke to The Associated Press recently from her home in Santa Barbara, California, where she has been sheltering in place since early March, She said she had chosen “Hidden Valley Road” before the virus became widespread, but says it’s even timelier now, because of its story of a baffling and horrifying illness. She was also personally drawn to the narrative, explaining that a young student from the school she runs in South Africa has three siblings diagnosed with schizophrenia.

“I’ve watched the ways that mental illness can rampage a family, and how they deal with the stigma of it and overcoming the shame of it,” Winfrey said.

Winfrey has helped generate millions of sales over the years, but her announcement comes at a time of deep declines in book sales and widespread industry layoffs, from bookstores to the publisher Macmillan, where Winfrey has an imprint. She began her club in 1996, and has never had a year of such unexpected and troubling challenges.

Her previous selection, Jeanine Cummins’ “American Dirt,” had received widespread early praise and seemed set to be a critical and commercial hit. But a month before its January release date, some Mexican-American writers faulted the novel about a Mexican mother and son fleeing north as uninformed and exploitative. What Winfrey had thought would be a show about immigration ended up being a forum about the lack of Latino representation in publishing, and in Winfrey’s club. (Winfrey reiterated that she plans to choose books by Latinos in coming months).

Not long after the Cummins show aired, in early March, the coronavirus spread around the country and Winfrey briefly wondered whether she should delay further choices. She decided instead that books, and conversations about books, were needed more than ever. In addition to her programs on Apple, Winfrey hopes to organize what she is calling literary pajama parties on Instagram.

“You have virtual dance parties,” says Winfrey, who took part in an all-star online gathering hosted by DJ D-Nice. “So I was thinking of doing the same thing for books, trying to see how many people you get for a pajama party where you talk about a book.”

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New Book About Black Masculinity

BlackNews.Com — Sat, 28 Mar 2020 20:04:14 +0000

BLACK MASCULINITY DEFINED BY A BLACK MAN IN NEW NON-FICTION BOOK
(Bookcover and author, Khefa Nosakhere)

Nationwide (BlackNews.com) — Khefa Nosakhere has released his first non-fiction work entitled Institutional Racism and the Search for African American Masculinity and Identity in Selected Works of Richard Wright.

The book addresses how institutional racism and white male supremacy have intimately shaped the lives of Bigger Thomas (Native Son), Richard Wright (Black Boy) and Fred Daniels (The Man Who Lived Underground). The book also answers how both social maladies maliciously target and impact Black men to this day.

Khefa analyzes the historical, economic and social aspects of white male supremacy and institutional racism. His book addresses the following topics:

* Gender-Identity Studies
* Race Relations
* Economics
* Sociology
* African American Literature – Black Studies
* Pipeline to Prison
* Industrial Prison Complex

Book Details:

Institutional Racism and the Search for African American Masculinity and Identity in Selected Works of Richard Wright
By Khefa Nosakhere
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020903442
ISBN: 9781521556849
Available on Amazon

About the Author
Professor Khefa Nosakhere is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He holds a BA in Literature and Language from the University of Southern California as well as a Masters degree in literature. His literary specialities are: 20th century literature, major authors, African American culture and Black Literary Criticism. He is a master of the Marvel Universe, and is hopelessly addicted to crab legs. He has successfully avoided several interventions.

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“I Am More Than My Hair” Wins “Best Documentary Short” At ‘Through Women’s Eyes’ International Film Festival 2020

Special Report — Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:26:58 +0000

Alyscia Cunningham’s powerful new film tells the inspirational stories of females who experienced hair loss due to a health-related condition.

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND—Filmmaker Alyscia Cunningham’s empowering documentary, I Am More Than My Hair won the “Best Documentary Short” award at the Through Women’s Eyes (TWE) International Film Festival 2020. The award-winning documentary features inspirational stories of females who have experienced hair loss and how it has affected their sense of self in a world where one’s hair is an integral part of traditional beauty standards.

“I am honored for my short film to be recognized by TWE,” said Cunningham. “I hope audiences nationwide view my film—from women personally affected by hair loss to those in the beauty industry who can work to change conservative standards of beauty.”

(Courtesy Photo)

The TWE International Film Festival took place March 6-8, 2020, in Sarasota, Florida. The festival presents the best in ground-breaking films by or about women from around the world. Proceeds from TWE benefit the UN Women USA Gulf Coast Chapter (GCC).
To learn more about the filmmaker and her latest project, visit: http://www.alyscia.com/.

ABOUT ALYSCIA CUNNINGHAM: Based in Silver Spring, Maryland, Alyscia Cunningham is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, filmmaker and photographer with contributions to National Geographic, Discovery Channel, America Online and the Smithsonian Institution. After the success of Cunningham’s first book, Feminine Transitions: A Photography Celebration of Natural Beauty, she continues her contribution to social change with her new book and documentary film, I Am More Than My Hair.

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Mom and Daughter Encourage Girls to See Beauty

BlackPressUSA/NNPA — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 12:47:06 +0000

By Ameera Steward

Dee Edwards remembers her daughter, Aubrey, coming home from school one day upset that she didn’t look like her friends. The girl questioned things like the color of her skin and her hair texture and expressed feelings of wanting to be like everyone else.

Dee wanted her child and other girls of color to know that they may be different, but they’re still beautiful. Because Aubrey was in a diverse environment, Dee felt it was important to write their book “We Are Different and We Are Beautiful,” which was released in May 2019, wtith a target audience of girls ages four to seven.

The book has two main characters, Aubrey, who is African American, and Hannah, who is White and one of Aubrey’s kindergarten friends.

Dee Edwards and her 7-year-old daughter Aubrey. (Courtesy of Black Press USA)

“It was important for Aubrey and me to look at her friends and they’re different—and perfect and beautiful just the way they are,” Dee said. The book went beyond Aubrey’s school.

“I started seeing different reality shows with little girls who looked like Aubrey, and … they were talking about the exact same thing I had to talk to Aubrey about,” said Dee. “I also saw a Facebook video in which the little girl was crying because she was different from her friend, and I just kept seeing it. Plus, suicide rates among some little girls or little kids are starting to rise, and it’s mostly because they don’t understand that they can be different and beautiful at the same time.”

Dee wanted to let other kids and parents know, “You’re not alone with having to address this subject.”

Dee said she first started talking about differences among people when her daughter was in kindergarten. Aubrey, who attends Paine Primary School in Trussville, said she feels better knowing she can be different and beautiful simultaneously.

Dee and Aubrey, the co-author, started the book with Dee asking Aubrey questions and recognizing what made Aubrey different from some of her friends.

“I realized that getting her opinion on certain things helped me pull out what she saw as different,” Dee said.

For instance, one section of the book reads “My hair is curly, and Hannah’s hair is straight. I am glad that we are friends and we are classmates. We are different and we are beautiful.”

The authors used several techniques to put an “educational twist” on “We Are Different and We Are Beautiful.”

The words rhyme, and there is a sight-word section that includes words children are encouraged to memorize by sight, so they can automatically recognize them. The back of the book also includes a confession, or affirmation, that parents can read with their children. In addition to the reading book, Dee and Aubrey also published an activity book, which includes coloring pages, word searches, and a section in which children can write their own confessions, as well as draw pictures of themselves and their best friends.

“I did some research and, according to stressfreekids.com, coloring can reduce anxiety and anger and have positive effects on the brains, moods and emotions of children and adults,” Dee said. “So, I wanted to just give kids an outlet for when … they feel overwhelmed. Parents really don’t realize that they can give activities to do to help reduce anxiety.”

Each activity leads back to building a child’s self-confidence. For example, the word search encourages children to find words that describe themselves—words like amazing, faithful, or blessed—and that parents can use to engage the children in conversation by asking questions like “Why do you feel amazing?” “What do you do to feel amazing?”

Dee said, “We found that little girls under the age of 10 tend to enjoy the most. We wanted to start at a young age because … getting them to start loving what is different about them at a young age is going to help them with accepting other kids who are different, help them accept themselves even if they are bullied or talked about.”

Aubrey spoke about what happened when she was bullied and how it made her feel. “ pretty sad … because every time I go to a new school, they always bully me. They bully me first, and then we start being friends. … I kept coming to my parents and … telling them people bully me badly. … People called me fat or stupid, and I didn’t like it.”

When Aubrey feels a certain way or is crying and upset about something someone has said, her mother always reminds her of the book and tells her “… we are different and we are beautiful.”

“I tell her to go read it to remind her of who she is and that being different is beautiful,” Dee added. “It makes me feel really good that we have a resource she can turn to. It makes me feel amazing, just being able to empower her and to show her that she can use what’s been against her to work in her favor.”

The Edwards family lives in Trussville. Aubrey has two brothers, and her mother Dee co-owns DeeEdwardsOnline.com with her husband, Michael Edwards. The couple works with startups to help them build profitable and sustainable businesses, especially in the tax industry. Dee also owns several tax firms, under the name Accurate Tax Services.

Dee started her business ventures a decade ago, after being laid off. She also has published five books about business, faith and she and her husband plan to publish more books to teach faith-based entrepreneurs how to build successful businesses God’s way. The couple runs a mentorship program called the Entrepreneur Circle. They also are in the process of building a small-business hub called The Connect, which will have rooms for conferences, trainings, co-working space, a meeting lounge, private office space rentals and audio recordings.

For now, the family is spending a lot of time getting the word out about “We Are Different and We Are Beautiful.”

“I think is relatable,” Dee said. “That’s the reason it was important for us to make it educational: … so teachers, principals or officials would be more accepting of adding this to schools. That’s our next goal.”

In the meantime, the authors are spreading the book’s message across Birmingham. On May 13, Dee and Aubrey had a book signing at Off the Wall in Crestwood and a book reading at the Trussville Library on July 18.

Aubrey is enjoying the process. Writing the book was a fun experience, she said, and it helped her not care about what people tell her. “I just walk away,” Aubrey said, adding that she handles bullying differently: “When they bully me, I just read the book and maybe do the activities.”

Aubrey also looks at herself differently now: “I’m beautiful. I’m pretty. I’m a good girl. I’m loved.”

“We Are Different and We Are Beautiful” is available via several online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books a Million (search for the book title). To learn more about Dee Edwards, visit DeeEdwardsOnline.com.

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Book Critics Give Fiction Prize to Edwidge Danticat

Associated Press — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 22:27:42 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Edwidge Danticat’s story collection “Everything Inside” has won the National Book Critics Circle award for fiction. Chanel Miller was awarded in autobiography for “Know My Name,” her book about being sexually assaulted by Stanford University student Brock Turner.

The critics circle usually announces its awards during a Manhattan ceremony, but called off the gathering over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak. This year’s honors were announced Thursday through a press release.

This combination of photos released by Knopf shows the cover of “Everything Inside,” by Edwidge Danticat, left, and a portrait of Danticat. Danticat’s story collection has won the National Book Critics Circle award for fiction. (Knopf/left, and Lynn Savarese via AP)

Danticat’s stories — tales of love, family and mortality set partly in her native Haiti — previously won the Story prize for best short fiction. The critics circle praised “Everything Inside” for narratives that have “no forced happy endings, no unearned deliverances.”

For biography, the critics chose Patrick Radden Keefe’s “Say Nothing: The True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. Josh Levin’s “The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth” won in biography and Morgan Parker’s “Magical Negro” received the poetry award. Saidiya Hartman “Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Stories of Social Upheaval” was the winner in the criticism category.

Among the finalists for autobiography was Ronan Farrow’s “Catch and Kill,” based on his Pulitzer Prize winning reporting about Harvey Weinstein. The Hollywood producer was sentenced this week to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault.

Sarah M. Broom’s memoir “The Yellow House” received the John Leonard Award for best first book. An honorary award for criticism was given to The New Yorker’s Katy Waldman and the poet and novelist Naomi Shihab Nye received a lifetime achievement prize.

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THE RUN DOWN – Comedian Tommy Davidson Releases New Book “Living in Color”

Special Report — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 10:41:50 +0000

By AFRO.COM / BE INSPIRED GLOBAL

Host Micha Green speaks on Tommy Davidson’s new book, and whats trending in the AFRO American Newspaper.

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AFRO Exclusive! Davidson Talks Memoir

Micha Green — Sat, 07 Mar 2020 00:35:58 +0000

By Micha Green
AFRO D.C. Editor
mgreen@afro.com

The comedy-sketch show “In Living Color” first aired April 1990, and 30 years later, one of the show’s stars, celebrated actor and comedian Tommy Davidson, has released a memoir that talks about his life in color- as a Black man in America.

Living in Color: What’s Funny About Me, Davidson’s new memoir, chronicles his life from realizing he was Black, and what that meant, to his family, fame and surviving in Hollywood.

Tommy Davidson will be on tour in D.C. March 11-13 after releasing his new book Living in Color: What’s Funny About Me. (Courtesy Photo)

In an exclusive interview with the AFRO, Davidson shared his trajectory, personal ponderings and research that has led to powerful ideas about race, division and love, and why he chose to write this book.

“My sister called me and she said, ‘Why don’t you ever talk about mom?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know.’ And she said, ‘You should talk about her in your interviews.’ And I had to think about why I didn’t want to do it. And it all of a sudden came over me… I was ashamed of her. And I didn’t really realize that carried over from my childhood,” Davidson explained.

The actor was adopted by his White mother at a young age and was literally saved from the trash, treated in the hospital and was cared for like her own. Growing up in the notoriously rough Trinidad neighborhood of D.C., and then moving to the 16th Street area, Davidson experienced a great deal of racism, however his mother and family always taught him love for mankind.

“ took this little Black boy out of the trash and she made me the man that I am. And it was a plan-I think she did it on a purpose. I think she wanted to plant somebody in the future, who wasn’t racist and who was a Black man who was balanced and could bring some love to the world. I really think those were conscious decisions. So I said, ‘this deserves more than me just doing an interview, maybe it’s time for me to do a book.’”

Davidson went into detail about the horrors he experienced as a Black kid in D.C. The young Davidson had no idea what race even was, prior to the merciless taunting and prejudice.

“The shame was left from me as a kid because I had to fight all the time,” he said. “People were calling them, ‘White cracker,’ and me ‘White cracker lover,’ and I was like five. I went to my mother and I was like, ‘Why do they keep calling me White cracker lover, because I love graham crackers?’ And that’s when she broke the news to me: ‘Well that’s what people your color call people my color when they don’t like them. And I said ‘So what color am I?’ And she said, ‘You’re Black,’” the actor explained.

It was from that lesson he decided to research why people had so much hate in their hearts and thought of division. He learned about ancient Africa’s educational and spiritual system of Kamet, he read books of all sorts of genres and he grasped how those of European descent in history had prioritized division and not put love and spirituality first.

The ideals that Davidson possesses regarding how racial hatred has come to be is truly worth hearing, as this reporter was invested for almost an hour. Local audiences will get the opportunity to hear Davidson and how he has come to “live in color,” March 11-13 in the Washington Metropolitan area.

While he has a major career and platform, such as touring and participating in the re-boot of the hit Disney Show The Proud Family, Davidson said this book gives him the ability to truly articulate his worldview.

“If given an opportunity to speak my experience then this is what it is,” he said.

“And this is for you, the coalminer in Matawan; this is for the poultry worker in South Carolina, this is for the bus driver in Alabama, this is for the painter in California, this is for the teacher in Massachusetts. This book is for everyone.”

On March 11, Davidson will be with Stedman Graham at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, in the Oprah Winfrey Theater from 7-9 p.m. The following day he’ll be at Howard University for a book signing at 5 p.m. On March 13 Davidson will be at the Capital Comedy Festival at DAR Constitution Hall, which also features Don DC Curry, Gary Owen, Sommore and Tony Rock.

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Nikki Giovanni’s Latest Poem: ‘Vote’

Urban News Service (A Division of Zenger News) — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:53:17 +0000

By Curtis Bunn
Urban News Service, A Division of Zenger

Nikki Giovanni is 74 years old now, a generation removed from the height of her poetic power. She remains fiery and talented and has a lot on her mind. The author of countless poems that center on love and civil rights, Giovanni wants a new president. Just as important to her, she said, is that the Black community exercises its right to vote. She spoke about a lot during an event honoring scholar and intellectual, W.E.B. DuBois, at Clark Atlanta University. However, it all came down to voting, which is not surprising considering her background.

Legendary poet, Nikki Govanni encourages the Black Vote In 2020 Election.

Giovanni is an icon because she penned powerful, self-affirming poems during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr., she is most famous for her first book, “Feeling Black, Black Talk” and most noted poem is “Nikki-Rosa,” which is a thoughtful remembrance of growing up in a loving African-American home near Cincinnati. She expanded her voice to speak out on injustices, earning the 2008 Black Enterprise Legacy Award, among countless other honors along the way. She calls herself “an old lady,” but her commitment to Black people and equal rights persists.

“I don’t care who you vote for,” said Giovanni.“Just vote because there’s not a person on that (debate) stage who hasn’t liked or done something. They all did something. . . against us but we must make sure they can’t silence us.

“We must not go (vote) because we don’t like someone. Fannie Lou Hamer. Fannie Lou organized the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.. . She knew she could be killed. But they didn’t’ murder her. But they did pull her off the bus and beat her. They tried to scare her. I made a promise to myself that if I am a survivor, I will vote. Fannie Lou Hamer took a hell of a beating so I could vote, and so I will. . . and everyone else should, too.”

She read from her just-written poem that she said she may call “2020” or “Vote.” It’s not a hug or a toy at Christmas.

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Winfrey Holds TV Discussion on ‘American Dirt’ in Arizona

Associated Press — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 16:23:25 +0000

By The Associated Press

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Oprah Winfrey’s soon-to-be televised discussion about the controversial novel “American Dirt” is drawing scrutiny for not inviting some of the book’s harshest Latino critics.

The talk show host organized her much-hyped conversation with author Jeanine Cummins on Thursday after inviting around 250 people to the Harkins Theatres Arizona Pavilions in southern Arizona, the Arizona Daily Star reports. The crowd was then directed to another Tucson, Arizona, location and asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

Oprah Winfrey participates in “Oprah’s 2020 Vision: Your Life in Focus” tour at the Barclays Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020, in New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Invision/AP)

The discussion will be the next episode in Winfrey’s new Apple TV+ series Oprah’s Book Club, which features personal conversations with authors in front of a live audience.

Details of the gathering were not known since the audience was banned from speaking about the event until after the show airs in March.

The novel about a Mexican mother and her young son fleeing to the U.S. border had been praised widely before its Jan. 21 release. But anger built over allegations the book relied on stereotypes, caricatures, and material similar to another Latino writer.

Latino critics also blasted promotions at book release parties that had floral art centerpieces with barbed wire mimicking the border wall.

Oprah chose the novel for her book club shortly after its release, drawing more anger from Latino critics.

In a video posted on Instagram following the criticism, Winfrey said she now realizes the book struck “an emotional chord” with Latinos and created a need for deeper conversation.

On Wednesday, the group #DignidadLiteraria posted an open letter to Winfrey on the site Literary Hub calling for deeper conversations about “the continued underrepresentation of (Latino) authors in publishing and in your highly influential book club.”

The letter mentioned the Tucson event and called for a private meeting with Winfrey and their movement.

“We urge you to open your mind and heart to actual Latinos the way you have publicly declared you did to Jeanine’s fictional characters,” the letter read.

Writer Roberto Lovato, one of the signers of the letter, wrote on Twitter about not receiving an invitation to Winfrey’s Tucson event.

“People are starting to enter @Oprah’s ‘all sides,’ completely staged #AmericanDirt spectacle for @AppleTV in Tucson. Though we were not invited & though we r interested in talking re industry, not spectacles, she will be hearing from #DignidadLiteraria,” he wrote.

The episode, which is set to debut in March, is the third installment of the series. The first two episodes were hour-long conversations with book club authors Ta-Nehisi Coates and Elizabeth Strout.

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Presence & Absence

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 26 Dec 2019 13:10:57 +0000

By Catrice Greer (Courtesy Photo)

By Catrice Greer
Special to the AFRO

In this space, your voice hangs on the dew
In this space, your voice paints the walls
And our home is new
Now that you’re gone

Ornaments and tinsel dangling on needles
Everything seems like it could fall
Any minute
A deal with gravity to hold us up
Keep us together
Whole
All of our pieces floating in a space
We can’t quite touch
Sobbing that never seems to get deep enough, to
Push out the grief that strikes

But there is the silence
And it comes
Step by step
Benumbed
Soft and muted
Wraps us in a cloak
And says
‘There, there
All is well’
And suddenly, I can stand one more day
In this space lighter by the memories
Heavy by your absence, trapping our brittle bones
Frozen in time and in place

I break down crying
Sighing knowing

And it comes, again
Step by step
Cloaked and warm
Wrapped in love
And all of our pieces settle in place
Step by step
We go
Slow, robots
Walking backwards to go forwards
and one day it will all make sense

Ornaments and tinsel gleaming shining
In space
Holding it together
Making peace with each hook and clasp
Letting gravity decide
Gentle memory by memory
I let go

And your face shining in the reflection
Back at me
We reside there together
A knowing
A peace
And we rest
Here, there, nowhere.

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Attorney Ben Crump Talks New Book, ‘Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People’

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Sun, 22 Dec 2019 18:16:14 +0000

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “It’s so asinine that the actions of the killer of their teenage son will continue to devastate them over and over again. Every year he comes up with something like the selling of the gun. It’s just horrific what this individual does. We rather focus on something more important, like in Flint, and this guy is only a distraction,” Crump noted.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia

Famed Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump has written a new book that examines the troubling history of environmental racism in America.

“Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People,” the 272-page book that’s already the top seller on Amazon.com in the category of Civil Rights Law, tackles how environmental racism pertains to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey.

In the book, Crump explores how marginalized communities largely are overlooked by the institutions charged with protecting them.

Crump explores how marginalized communities largely are overlooked by the institutions charged with protecting them. (Image Courtesy NNPA)

Crump also summarizes the state of civil and environmental rights in the U.S.

As he prepared a return to Flint, Crump vowed to avoid distractions, including a recent $100 million lawsuit filed by George Zimmerman against the attorney and the parents of Trayvon Martin.

“The parents of Trayvon Martin and I don’t want to give any attention to this frivolous and unfounded lawsuit at all. We believe attention is what he’s seeking,” Crump stated.

“It’s so asinine that the actions of the killer of their teenage son will continue to devastate them over and over again. Every year he comes up with something like the selling of the gun. It’s just horrific what this individual does. We rather focus on something more important, like in Flint, and this guy is only a distraction,” Crump noted.

Crump’s return to Flint, where he planned to hold rallies over two days to keep attention on the continued water crisis, comes nearly four years after he and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons went house-to-house delivering water to families throughout the city.

“We found out that not only was there a water crisis, but Flint was a food desert,” Crump stated. “So, we have to focus on this because it’s important. We have children who have problems with brain development because they were poisoned by the government wantonly.”

While Crump’s new book digs deeper into the Flint crisis, it also explores racism across the country.

In one section of “Open Season,” Crump talks about one of the incidents that inspired him to continue his work as a civil rights attorney.

“When we were in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown, who was shot and killed in broad daylight, there were these young Black Lives Matter activists who refused to let them sweep Michael Brown’s life under the rug,” Crump stated.

“The government called in the National Guard. And I remember being there with the media and the crowds of people and the National Guard with militarized and an assault rifles,” he stated.

Crump continued:

And you have these young people without fear. And this one brother specifically walked right up to the National Guard, who has their rifle trained on him. The man’s face was practically touching the tip of the rifle, but he just had enough at that moment.

“He said, with the rifle in his face, ‘go ahead and shoot me with all these cameras here, because you’re going to shoot us anyway when they go away, so shoot and kill me now so the people can see how you kill us.’

“I thought that was riveting because I said he’s right. It is important that people see how they’re killing us. But not just with bullets in the police shooting cases, but more poignant, how they kill us every day in every city, in every state, in every courtroom in America legally with these trumped-up felony convictions.”

With the book, Crump stated that he seeks to hold a mirror to the face of all Americans and force them to acknowledge the hypocrisy.

“You have to at least acknowledge the racism and discrimination in the institutions of governance. If you don’t ever admit it, we can never solve the problem,” he stated.

It took about three years for Crump to write “Open Season,” and he called it one of the most challenging tasks he’s undertaken.

“You sit there and remember all those things that have happened to Black and brown people in this country, and it just breaks your heart,” Crump stated.

“Over and over again, no matter what the situation is, for people of color, we get the most injustice,” Crump stated.

“You can give me any situation, and they will find a way to make sure that marginalized people of color don’t get equal justice. “That’s what we have to fight against. That’s what we’re fighting against in Flint, Newark, Baltimore, Washington, and other communities,” he said.

Crump continued:

“If this water crisis in Flint would have happened in a White community, it would be a national catastrophe. Lightning would strike and thunder would boom. I mean people would go to jail.

“But, because it’s a majority-minority community, it’s almost as if Americans don’t know it happened. They say, ‘it doesn’t affect me, just those Black and brown people, so it doesn’t matter.’”

“Open Season: Legalized Genocide of Colored People” is available at Amazon.com and other outlets.

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The Heights

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 08:10:52 +0000

By Catrice Greer

By Catrice Greer (Courtesy Photo)I think of you often

It’s been years
I think of you often
And I remember
You sitting on the stoop
With your boys,
your cousins
Doing what you knew
But wanting more

One day
After arrests, adventures, girlfriends
Missteps and babies
You turned 21

The sun was shining
It was your summer
And your joy drove circles
around Wilton Heights in your car
your favorite music blasting
lyrics reverberating
from every corner, fence post, doorknob,
and amplified in the hollow
of the only quiet nook in the horseshoe turn

Your girlfriend and babies
Just dropped off at your mom’s
Everyone waiting for you
To come inside
To celebrate you

A flurry of rattled off shots
19
From a fast swerving car
Spilling the life out of your sunshine
Cutting-off your sunbeams
slumped over a car steering wheel
All the hope seeping in puddles

I think of you often
choking back tears, holding my breath
So I don’t scream out— why?????
I miss
Your smile, young bravado, intelligence, questions
What ifs, and how comes?
Your joy
You
Wanting more out of your life
Making plans to be your best
And we’d talk
Second chances, new plans
Brother to sister, friends
You’d ask me how come I am so different
And I couldn’t understand how come you couldn’t see
We were the same
Just people living

I saw your heart
Beautiful gem
Gleaming
Miles away from weathered boards on windows,
Misperceptions, Spaulding, Palmer, Belvedere and
Street wars just to stay alive and feel alive in a world that didn’t
Understand your value
Stunted short
By gunshots, rivalry, and misdirected youth
3 strike rules, missed opportunities, and poverty that
Brutally entraps, forced by pressures unseen but well known,
Making decisions that bright little brown boys rarely grow up
with dreams of making
their lives less than the greatness they deserve

Wished you a happy birthday,
Seems like
I had just seen you yesterday, Gone, gone
And we miss you
everyday
Every minute of every hour of every day
It’s been years…

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Powerful Book For Young Black Boys Celebrates 25 Years With a Pledge to Get 1 Million New Readers

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 03:41:24 +0000

By NNPA

Jerald LeVon Hoover became the published author of a Young Adult (YA) title, one of a few books targeted toward young Black and Brown boys ages 12 and up, “My Friend, My Hero.” This novella has become a staple as recommended reading in elementary through high schools across the country and around the world. That is a distinct honor Hoover shares with a short list of African-American male YA authors including: Walter Dean Myers, Kevin Powell, Kwame Alexander, and Ralph Burgess.

“My Friend, My Hero,” is celebrating its 25th Anniversary with a commemorative edition that includes an addendum of book discussion questions and now available; a full curriculum with a companion Student Success Guidebook, Teacher’s Guide, and Unit Assessments containing lesson plans. The goal is to promote Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in the classroom by providing strategies for students to make better choices and gain much needed confidence to support unleashing their inner greatness.

Jerald LeVon Hoover released his debut YA title My Friend, My Hero in 1992. A year later, he was awarded Best New Male Writer of the Year by the Literary Society in Virginia for this novella.

Hoover states, “Exposing Black and Brown children to a barrage of negative imagery and expecting their positive self-image to remain intact is ridiculous, insensitive, unjust, and unfair.”

Hoover then adds, “Young Black and Brown men are focused, gifted, driven, intelligent, and masterful at a host of other talents besides rap music and competitive sports; of which carries no shame, but we have other skill sets of significant influence. We are men of honor and integrity, regardless of whether we are born into poverty or wealth. But how can young Black and Brown men, or men of any race for that matter, define themselves and live up to their full potential if they only receive distorted representations?”

Hoover continues, “‘My Friend, My Hero’ is intended for all youth (races and genders), but I gave the spotlight to young, Black and Brown males because of the dire need for young Black and Brown men to have access to more positive representations of themselves to which they can relate.”

Celebrating 25 Years in Print, My Friend, My Hero, is the first in the acclaimed The Hero Book Series by Jerald LeVon Hoover. Other titles from The Hero Book Series are “He Was My Hero, Too,” “A Hopeful Hero,” and “Hoop Hero.” The novella took nine years to get published after 40 rejections and 60 drafts.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bennett Wilson has the world at his fingertips as one of the top basketball players in New York State who is destined to lead Mount Vernon High School to the state championship for the first time. Many of the nation’s top colleges are already reaching out, eager to sign him to their roster. Scholarships are guaranteed. Still young, Bennett is used to fanfare and eagerly anticipating his rise to fame and fortune. Yet, all is not as it appears.

Strife and difficulties plague Bennett’s personal life. Growing up in Mount Vernon, he is the son of a single mother and the oldest of three, sharing a tiny apartment in the tough inner-city projects. Life is a struggle. Bennett knows his ticket to freedom is through basketball and academic excellence. Thanks to the support of his loyal friend Kirby and a budding romance with Tara, he pursues his dreams and refuses to get caught up in the fast life of the streets.

Things change when Bennett learns his mother’s health is failing. She has fallen far behind on the rent, and they face eviction. The weight of responsibility falls on Bennett’s shoulders, just as trouble and the troublemakers appear. Fast money seems to be the only option. Will Bennett try to help his family and risk ruining his future? Will Bennett finally succumb to the dangers and temporary comfort of the street life he has fought so hard to avoid? And if he gives in, what will it cost him?

Purchase the book on Amazon or learn more at https://theherobookseries.com

Jerald LeVon Hoover released his debut YA title “My Friend, My Hero” in 1992. A year later, he was awarded Best New Male Writer of the Year by the Literary Society in Virginia for this novella. He was also listed among bestselling Black authors, from 1994 – 1996 in various African-American publications. In 1995, Hoover was awarded the WritersCorp Award by President Bill Clinton. In 1998, Jerald was inducted into the Mount Vernon Boy’s and Girl’s Club Hall of Fame.

This is the same Boy’s and Girl’s Club in which Denzel Washington grew up and to which Denzel regularly supports. Jerald went on to become a career sportswriter who has covered the New York Knicks and the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets for the Black Athlete Sports Network, The Network Journal, Sportstyle New York, Pure Sports New York, and BustaSports.com.

2007, Basketball Hall of Fame and New York Post writer Peter Vecsey featured Jerald Hoover in a Sunday spread, recognizing him for his first documentary, “Four Square Miles to Glory.”

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Grim on What can be Done When “We’ve Got People”

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 23 Nov 2019 00:50:38 +0000

By J. K. Schmid

A new narrative of two ostensibly failed Jesse Jackson campaigns came to Pier 5, Saturday.

Ryan Grim, author of “We’ve Got People: From Jesse Jackson to AOC, the End of Big Money and the Rise of a Movement,” gave an abbreviated history of Democratic electoral politics from Carter’s defeat in 1980 to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s victory in 2018.

Grim’s talk was held at Red Emma’s Radical Bookfair Pavilion, an event including thinkers and speakers like Lawrence Brown (Morgan State University) and Ibram X. Kendi (America University).

Ryan Grim’s book on display at Red Emma’s Radical Bookfair Pavilion/Author Ryan Grim speaking at Red Emma’s Radical Bookfair Pavilion

Approximately 30 guests attended the talk, Q&A and book signing.

Grim’s central thesis is that Jackson’s political coalition strategies remain vital and viable movements towards a politics that serves Black, poor and underserved communities.

Jackson’s campaign started late but finished strong, Grim said.

“By the time he gets in, it’s already January, they’re deep into the caucus and the primary process, and so, he’s only running, at this point, a symbolic campaign, but all of a sudden, it catches fire,” Grim said.

“The media doesn’t see it coming, the political establishment doesn’t see it coming. It can’t win because it starts too late, but it clearly taps into something.”

The man to defeat Jackson and all other Democrat comers, Walter Mondale, is handed a resounding defeat by Reagan in ‘84.

“After the ‘84 campaign wraps up, and Mondale gets wiped out by Reagan, the Jackson forces say, ‘let’s put this coalition back together in 1988 and let’s do it seriously,” Grim said.

The serious effort led to serious results: Accounts vary, but Jackson’s formidable showings in seven primaries and four caucuses left him the frontrunner before a hard defeat in Wisconsin gave the momentum, and ultimately the nomination, to Michael Dukakis. All told, Jackson doubled his performance.

Dukakis, like Carter and Mondale before him, would lead the Democrats to another decisive defeat. Dukakis apologized in 2008 for his failed campaign, theorizing that George W. Bush would never have become President if George H. W. Bush had not won in 1988.

Grim sees the 2018 Ocasio-Cortez and 2008-2016 Obama victories as emblematic of what multiracial, working-class coalition building can achieve. And attributes, at least in part, the deactivation of Obama’s coalition and network in 2008 to the defeat of Hillary Clinton in 2016.

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Novelist Ernest Gaines Passes at 86

Associated Press — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 22:42:59 +0000

By Chevel Johnson and Rebecca Santana
Associated Press

Novelist Ernest J. Gaines, whose poor childhood on a small Louisiana plantation germinated stories of Black struggles that grew into universal tales of grace and beauty, has died. He was 86.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation, which sponsors a literary award in Gaines’ honor, confirmed he died Nov. 5 in his sleep of cardiac arrest at his home in Oscar, Louisiana.

“Ernest Gaines was a Louisiana treasure,” foundation president and CEO John Davies said in a statement. “He will be remembered for his powerful prose that placed the reader directly into the story of the old South, as only he could describe it. We have lost a giant and a friend.”

Author Ernest Gaines who wrote “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,” and other stories of Black struggles that grew into universal stories of grace and beauty, has died. He was 86. The Louisiana governor’s office released word of his death on Nov. 5. (AP Photo, File)

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said in a statement that Gaines “used his immense vision and literary talents to tell the stories of African Americans in the South. We are all blessed that Ernest left words and stories that will continue to inspire many generations to come.”

“A Lesson Before Dying,” published in 1993, was an acclaimed classic. Gaines was awarded a “genius grant” that year by the MacArthur Foundation, receiving $335,000.

Both “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” (1971) and “A Gathering of Old Men” (1984) became honored television movies.

The author of eight books, Gaines was born on a plantation in Pointe Coupee Parish. His first writing experience was writing letters for illiterate workers who asked him to embellish their news to far-off relatives. Bayonne, the setting for Gaines’ fiction, was actually New Roads, Louisiana, which Gaines left for California when he was 15.

Although books were denied him throughout his childhood because of Louisiana’s strict segregation, which extended even to libraries, he found the life surrounding him rich enough to recollect in story after story through exact and vivid detail.

In “A Lesson Before Dying,” for example, the central figure is the teacher at the plantation school outside town. Through the teacher, whose profession Gaines elevates to a calling, the novelist explores the consistent themes of his work: sacrifice and duty, the obligation to others, the qualities of loving, the nature of courage.

Gaines found that using his storytelling gifts meant more than militant civil rights action. “When Bull Connor would sic the dogs, I thought, ‘Hell, write a better paragraph.’

“In 1968, when I was writing ‘The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,’ my friends said, ‘Why write about a 110-year-old lady when all of this is going on now?’ And I said, ‘I think she’s going to have something to say about it.’”

What Gaines’ characters said about it achieved a power and timelessness that made him a distinctive voice in American literature. Much of the appeal of his books is their seeming simplicity and straightforward story line. “I can never write big novels,” he always maintained. But the questions he explored were the eternal ones great writers confront: what it means to be human, what a human lives and dies for.

A large, gentlemanly man with a certain bohemian air — braces and berets were favorite attire — and a stately manner, Gaines was devoted to friends and family. When he married in 1993 at age 60, he celebrated in Lafayette, New Orleans, Miami, and San Francisco, so the gatherings could include his intimates. Dianne Saulney Gaines is an assistant district attorney for Dade County, Florida. The couple divided their time among various abodes but spent the MacArthur money on a year in France and other travels.

Gaines spent the fall teaching creative writing at the then-University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) since 1983. It’s only about an hour’s drive from his childhood home.

He could not write and teach at the same time. He needed five or six hours each day devoted to writing and “I can’t write a couple of days and skip two or three days.”

“A Lesson Before Dying” took seven years.

“I work five days a week, just like a regular job. I get up in the morning, do a little exercise, eat a little breakfast. I’m at my desk by nine in the morning, work until three with a little break for lunch,” he said.

His literary influences were eclectic. Since he got a late start as a reader, he read with a vengeance.

“I discovered John Steinbeck … then Willa Cather … then the great 19th Century Russian and French writers, writers like DeMaupassant and Flaubert. Then I discovered Ivan Turgenyev, the great Russian classicist. He wrote small novels where everyone wrote big novels. … (Turgenyev’s) ‘Fathers and Sons’ was one of my favorite books when I was a young man. It was my Bible when I was writing my first novel, ‘Catherine Carmier’ (1964),” he said.

Other books include “Of Love and Dust” (1967), “Bloodline” (1968), “A Long Day in November” (1971), and “In My Father’s House” (1978).

Among his numerous awards, Gaines received prestigious grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Rockefeller and Guggenheim Foundations. He held honorary doctorates from five colleges and universities.

The Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence will continue as his legacy. It will be presented Jan. 30 to a rising African American author.

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Michelle Obama signs ‘Becoming’ Copies on Book’s Anniversary

Associated Press — Tue, 19 Nov 2019 15:06:56 +0000

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama marked one year since publication of her best-selling memoir at a book signing in the nation’s capital Monday.

“It’s so good to meet you,” the former first lady told patrons as she signed copies of “Becoming” at a Washington, D.C., bookstore.

More than 11.5 million copies of the memoir have been sold worldwide since it was first published in November 2018.

Former first lady Michelle Obama greets people as they buy signed copies of her book, “Becoming,” Monday Nov. 18, 2019, at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Mrs. Obama then embarked on a rock-star-style tour of more than 30 cities in the U.S., Canada and Europe to promote the book.

Patrons did not seem to mind the hours-long wait outside in the November chill before they were ushered inside the bookstore.

Behind a black curtain, Mrs. Obama sat at a table. The shelves behind her were stacked with copies of “Becoming,” along with an accompanying journal being released Tuesday.

“She looks so much younger than I thought,” one man was overheard saying as he waited in line.

Former first lady Michelle Obama holds hands with Kaitlyn Saunders, 8, next to her mother Katrice Saunders, of Washington, after the 8-year-old told Obama how inspired she is by her and how she is a competitive figure skater, as they buy signed copies of Obama’s book, “Becoming,” Monday Nov. 18, 2019, at Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

“She looks beautiful,” exclaimed a woman. “Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh,” gushed another woman in line.

Rosalind Myers, an attorney from Rockville, Maryland, told those still waiting outside as she left the store that “it’s worth the wait.”

Myers said she had missed two previous opportunities to see Mrs. Obama at her book events. But on Monday, Myers was 26th in line.

“She took the time to look me in the eye, to shake my hand,” Myers said. “She’s a beautiful woman inside and out.”

In “Becoming,” Mrs. Obama tells the story of her upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, her academic and professional careers as an attorney and health care executive, her marriage to Barack Obama, their daughters Malia and Sasha, the 2008 presidential campaign and the election that made them the first black U.S. president and first lady.

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Yoes To Interview Bridgeford During Balt. Book Festival

Rev. Dorothy Boulware — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 11:53:47 +0000

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware
AFRO Managing Editor
dboulware@afro.com

Erricka Bridgeford, co-founder of the Baltimore Ceasefire Movement has emerged as a powerful advocate against violence and homicide in our city and beyond; Ceasefire weekends have been a welcome respite from murder and mayhem in Baltimore since August 2017.

Bridgeford will spend part of the November 2019 Ceasefire weekend with AFRO Baltimore Editor Sean Yoes at the Baltimore Book Festival on Nov. 3. Yoes, who also writes the “Race and Politics” column for the newspaper, is author of, Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities. He will interview Bridgeford in front of an audience at the book festival’s Inspire Stage at the World Trade Center’s Observation Level, 401 E. Pratt St., at 2 p.m., discussing the plight of the city as we approach the fifth anniversary of Freddie Gray’s death and subsequent Uprising.

During this Ceasefire Weekend Erricka Bridgeford, co-founder of the Baltimore Ceasefire Movement sits down for a conversation about the plight of our city, with AFRO Baltimore Editor Sean Yoes at the Baltimore Book Festival on Nov. 3. (Courtesy Photos)

“Nobody has done more in Baltimore in the last two years to quell the violence that has plagued us for so long,” Yoes said. “There is nobody I would rather talk to about this than Erricka.”

The Baltimore Ceasefire Movement officially began Aug. 2017 and each Ceasefire weekend– there are four each year: February, May, August and November– has registered a significant decrease in violence during the 72 hour period.

Yoes’ book written in 2018, chronicles the years since the death of Gray, who died while in police custody on April 19, 2015 and the subsequent Uprising, which was sparked the day of his funeral on April 27, 2015.

“…In real life I have survivor’s remorse. And every time somebody is like, `Oh, you’re so great, you’re so good’ I’m great on the backs of all the people that I buried,” Bridgeford told the AFRO two years ago in the midst of the first November 2017 Ceasefire weekend. “I get to be great because I’m burying people and I need to do something with that pain. And I need people to understand that I’m not nothing that you’re not, I’m Baltimore. Nothing is more Baltimore than me,” added Bridgeford, who was named “Marylander of the Year,” by the Baltimore Sun in 2017 for her work with Ceasefire.

“If you see greatness when you look at me, that’s because I’m just a mirror. So, I need you to understand what you are, you deserve life…you deserve your chance in the sun.”

The post Yoes To Interview Bridgeford During Balt. Book Festival appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Howard Law School Cites Book Censorship in U.S. Prisons

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 01:27:11 +0000

By Briana Thomas
Special to the AFRO

In recognition of Banned Books Week, a group of Howard University scholars pre-released a research report on Sep. 26 that exposes the nationwide policies of book censorship in American prisons.

The study was completed by a cohort of student researchers in the Human and Civil Rights Clinic (HCR) at the university’s Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center School of Law (TMCRC), led by Executive Director Justin Hansford.

Researchers in the Human and Civil Rights Clinic at the Howard University Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center School of Law (TMCRC) released a report that exposes the nationwide policies of book censorship in American prisons. (Courtesy Photo)

The TMCRC is Howard’s flagship institution for the study and practice of civil rights, human rights, racial justice law and advocacy. Hansford told the AFRO that the center’s commitment to scholarship and activism includes filing advocate briefs, taking on cases with the HCR, and community organizing with students.

“This is a project which was driven by the student, that’s one of the reasons we are so proud of the project,” Hansford explained. “For the last three semesters students at our human and civil rights law clinic contacted prisons and jails around the country so that we could come up with this report detailing the practices of all 50 states around banning of books in prisons and jails.”

The student report, “Banning the Caged Bird,” is named after Maya Angelou’s autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which has had a longtime history of being banned in various institutions such as schools and prisons.

Hansford said they were outraged that Angelou’s book was being banned.

“Like the title of her book many of these people themselves could fly, but they are in cages. This idea of the caged bird really speaks to that untapped potential that we see from many of these people who are incarcerated but still have the power of thought and still have the ability to learn and grow, and express themselves,” Hansford told the AFRO.

According to the report, it is common practice for prison systems to ban literature that references social justice, racial equality and Black history. For instance, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, Chokehold: Policing Black Men by Paul Butler, Police Brutality by Elijah Muhammad, Political Prisoners, Prison and Black Liberation by Angela Davis, and Prison Industrial Complex for Beginners by James Braxton Peterson have all been banned in a U.S. prison at some time or another.

Reading materials are regulated in prisons by overall bans on a particular book title or by restrictive vendor policies that exclude the book in question from the inmate catalog so the material can’t be purchased and therefore inaccessible, the report said.

Some of Hansford and his team’s recommendations to solve the book-banning problem are to reform vendor policies, create statewide censorship policies instead of facility-level regulations, offer First Amendment rights training for prison officials and mail monitors, and to organize a committee of experts in prison administration and reform to review book banning decisions.

The report was written in partnership with American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and will be released in its entirety this fall.

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AFRO to Publish Special Edition Commemorating the life of Rep. Elijah E. Cummings

AFRO Staff — Fri, 18 Oct 2019 07:03:34 +0000

By AFRO Staff

The AFRO is honored to have always been listed as the first job on Rep. Elijah E. Cumming’s curricula vita and is returning the honor with a commemorative publication, “From a Sharecropper’s Son…,” on Nov. 30.

Through the use of current and archival photography, it will chronicle his relationship with the AFRO from paper boy to columnist as this powerful man learned his real fight in the world was for other people. It will consider the rise of an inner city guy to the highest seat of power in the House of Representatives of this country.

It will sound the justice alarm he consistently set off with passion and power, continuing the fight on his behalf, with his words.

It will include remembrances from individuals, organizations and businesses who have been touched by the leadership of Rep. Cummings.

AFRO coverage began with immediate and hourly posts on social media the minute the sad news was received, continues with the collection of condolences from the community and proceeds with our Oct. 26 newspaper. We will continue to chronicle the journey throughout local and national memorial services and culminate with, “From a Sharecropper’s Son…,” the special commemorative edition that will encompass the entire Nov. 30 newspaper.

Baltimore has lost one of its best and most brilliant sons and the AFRO is marking the moment. If you’d like to add your personal or business voice to the community message, please contact Lenora Howze, AFRO executive director at lhowze@afro.com or 410-554-8271.

“From the paper’s writers, I learned how the AFRO and other Black newspapers chronicled our migration from the sharecropping fields of the South into the factories of the North, including those of Baltimore,” Rep. Elijah Cummings wrote in his foreword to the AFRO’s book, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore. “I came to understand how, during World War II, the Black press documented the heroism of our soldiers, sailors and airmen, and how, during the Red Scares of the 1950s, newspapers like the AFRO were forced to struggle against both financial pressure and attacks by the agents of the McCarthy era.”

The post AFRO to Publish Special Edition Commemorating the life of Rep. Elijah E. Cummings appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Rep. Cummings Wrote His Love for Baltimore

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 17 Oct 2019 13:07:17 +0000

When we approached Rep. Elijah Cummings to write the foreword of the AFRO’s book, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore,” there was no hesitation. In spite of his schedule and the many things he could have chosen to fill whatever spare moments he found, he wanted to sign onto a project to venerate the city he loved and for which he fought. We’re happy to share his words with you as we all tearfully rejoice in the life of OUR Congressman, who served us all so well.

The Thing I Love About Baltimore

Foreword

By Congressman Elijah Cummings

As you read and enjoy the personal reflections about our love for Baltimore that follow, you will appreciate, as do I, the AFRO American’s decision to celebrate the anniversary of its first 1892 publication in a way that is unusual for a news medium.

All too often, the press reports events and decisions in our lives that are difficult, dangerous and shocking. In contrast, the AFRO decided to reach out to the people of Baltimore and ask us to tell our neighbors and the world what we love most about our home town.

Congressman Elijah Cummings

As a result, The Thing I Love About Baltimore celebrates, not the paper itself, but the community that it has served so well for nearly 127 years.

In this foreword, before I am done, I will add some balance to that decision. I will do so because the AFRO American has been an important part of my life – and one of the things that I love most about our community.

Nevertheless, I applaud the AFRO’s decision to celebrate its own anniversary by encouraging the people of our City to express their pride of community.

True to its tradition of lifting up our people, the AFRO saw the importance of our sharing with each other – and the world – all that is noble and good about Baltimore: why we love our home town with such passion.

“The Thing I Love About Baltimore”

Here, for your consideration, is why I believe that this expression of love for our community by those of us who are proud to call Baltimore home is so important.

Baltimore is a complex city and community that exemplifies all that is both good and troubling about our country. As such, we are a living, breathing window into the heart and soul of America as we live through an historic time.

It is no accident, therefore, that Baltimore has always been, and remains, at the center of our nation’s continuing struggle for civil and human rights.

We are the place where our nation’s Star-Spangled Banner proclaimed our freedom – and also the place from which Frederick Douglass escaped his slavery.

We are the birthplace of Justice Thurgood Marshall & Clarence Mitchell, Jr. – and also the original expression of de jure residential segregation.

We are the home of some of the finest medical institutions in the world – and also the city in which the life expectancy in largely Black Sandtown-Winchester is 20 years less than in largely white Roland Park a short distance away.

We were the home of the 19th Century “No-Nothings” and the place where the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., took root in the minds of young Black children more than half-a-century ago.

In the midst of all this complexity, commentators and national leaders from elsewhere can find it all too easy to paint our community with a negative brush

Closer to home, we are a community that is almost compulsively honest and candid, a people who do not hesitate to critique and protest what we see as lacking and wrong in our City.

These criticisms are necessary for they are the birthing ground of constructive change. At the same time, however, unbalanced criticism can be self-reinforcing, causing us to doubt our ability to improve.

The Thing I Love About Baltimore is an antidote to this failing, reminding all of us that there is a bright, strong, creative and humane side to our City that offers almost unlimited potential for constructive change.

We have the capability to both challenge our limitations and realize that there is a true, insightful, and positive reality about Baltimore and the people who live here that is worthy of our admiration and even love..

It is this more inspiring human essence of our city that The Thing I Love About Baltimore reveals.

As one might expect, there are reflections about our close-knit neighborhoods and breathtaking parks, our great restaurants and centers of music and art, our world-class universities and engines of 21st Century technology, our community celebrations, ethnic festivals and wonderful Inner Harbor.

Most heartening to me, however, are the personal expressions of admiration for the people of our home town.

The Thing I Love About Baltimore shares the personal visions of all that is good about our city from (among others) a former Senator and the leader of our public schools, from a minister and an artist, from a national journalist, a comedienne and a social justice advocate, from the 2019 Baltimore Teacher of the Year and some promising third graders at Robert Coleman Elementary School.

So, when the Rev. Dorothy Boulware, the AFRO’s editor emerita, asked me to contribute a foreword to this celebration of our community, I had to agree.

I could not refuse because The Thing I Love About Baltimore reveals the courage, hopes, determination and compassion of a people who take the hard things in life in stride, who keep getting up when we get knocked down, and who, more often than not, lift up others as we climb.

Because of these positive expressions of character by everyday people like you and me, my own life and the lives of my family were transformed.

Only in a compassionate, dynamic place like Baltimore – a place filled with giving people like Ms. Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Mr. Walter Black, “Captain” Jim Smith, my best teacher, Mr. Hollis Posey, and all of the librarians at the South Baltimore Pratt Library – could a poor Black child who began in special education be transformed into a Member of the Congress of the United States.

Since you are reading this book, the chances are that you, too, share the vision and giving nature of those wonderful people who helped to lift me up in life – and that you truly understand why The Thing I Love About Baltimore is such an important and timely contribution to the ongoing renewal of our city

This is why, before I bring this foreword to a close, I will recall that this gift from the AFRO to the people and future of Baltimore is but the latest in a long series of contributions from the paper to our community.

Throughout my entire life, the AFRO American has exemplified all that is important and good in our community – as I learned personally at an early age.

It was the paper’s long-time editor, Mr. John Oliver Sr., who gave me my first job delivering the paper – and who encouraged me to attend college.

From the paper’s writers, I learned how the AFRO and other Black newspapers across the country chronicled our migration from the sharecropping fields of the South into the factories of the North, including those of Baltimore.

I came to understand how, during World War II, the Black press documented the heroism of our soldiers, sailors and airmen, and how, during the Red Scares of the 1950s, newspapers like the AFRO were forced to struggle against both financial pressure and attacks by the agents of the McCarthy era.

Under John Oliver Sr., the editor who lifted me up, the newspaper survived, exposing the brutal face of Jim Crow and the fundamental unfairness of segregation, thereby providing the social and intellectual foundations for the movement toward civil rights.

In the words of “Soldiers without Swords,” Stanley Nelson’s controversial 1998 documentary for PBS, the AFRO and the other institutions of the Black press “gave a voice to the voiceless.”

Today, in the complicated world of 2019, and thanks in no small part to the AFRO American, you, I and all of Baltimore are voiceless no more.

We can stand together in the face of hateful words and actions from anyone, however prominent our attackers may be.

In the words of the renowned poet, Langston Hughes, once a correspondent for the AFRO, an engaged and hopeful Baltimore can proudly declare: “I have known rivers: Ancient, dusky rivers. My soul has grown deep like the rivers.”

This is the hopeful, self-confident, and empowering message of The Thing I Love About Baltimore, a message that we can pass on to the children in our lives.

And this is the insight about our courage, strength, talent and humanity that will allow us to prevail, whatever challenges our future may bring.

Congressman Elijah Cummings represents Maryland’s 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives.

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ESSENCE Announces the Expansion of “Girls United by ESSENCE”

Special Report — Sat, 12 Oct 2019 21:40:56 +0000

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Oct 11, 2019–

ESSENCE, the leading media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women, celebrates the International Day of the Girl with the expansion of its empowering mentoring initiative, Girls United by ESSENCE. This exciting platform will represent the voice of the Gen Z population and inspire them to demolish glass ceilings through a new social first+digital campaign: “Black Girl Shaking Things Up.” Through community and mentorship, Girls United by ESSENCE will provide the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to help young women (ages 16-25) during transitional phases of their lives. Girls United by ESSENCE aims to help young women to find their path, as well as creating a safe space for them to come into their own.

Richelieu Dennis, owner of Essence Ventures and founder of Shea Moisture. (Courtesy Photo)

ESSENCE’s initiative kicked off last fall, and was originally designed to inspire young Black women through a year-long mentorship program, as well as an interactive digital/social content hub that would convey the core principles of leadership and self-love. Today, Girls United by ESSENCE will empower young women through six key pillars/channels across its platform:

Flawless (Beauty): Focused on inner/outer beauty, skincare, self-love, diversity and inclusivitySnatched (Wellness): Fitness, body confidence, mindfulness, self-care and travelGet Lit (Education): Promoting political/financial/medical literacyBo$$y (Work Channel): Leadership, career, entrepreneurship, Get Real (Sexuality & Relationships): Relationships, LGBTQ community and self-acceptance, Flossy (Creative Channel): Creative expression in fashion, design and art. In addition, Girls United by ESSENCE will feature additional robust multi-platform content including a Behind the Magic video series, Magic Unfiltered podcast focused on education and exploration, a Brand Ambassador Program, and a Girls United Summit aimed at increasing inter-generational conversation and the state of mentorship.

Leveraging the Girls United platform, ESSENCE and Ulta Beauty will partner once again for Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities, a mentoring initiative where six young women (ages 16-19) will embark on a journey of tapping into their entrepreneurial and creative spirit and discovering their personal potential. The women selected for this program will have the opportunity of a lifetime, including the chance to work on a special capsule collection for Ulta Beauty, being mentored by top beauty industry leaders and influencers, and receiving $10,000 that can be put towards college,. Applications are open now through November 30 th. For more details, visit www.essence.com/beautifulpossibilities.

“Girls United by ESSENCE is an incredible platform that will give Gen Z women the tools and resources they need to excel in every area of their lives,” said Michelle Ebanks, ESSENCE CEO. “For far too long, there have been barriers that have kept young women from advancing—from the classroom to the boardroom. As ESSENCE gears towards its 50th anniversary, we remain committed to groundbreaking campaigns such as this that will provide the strategies and tools that young women need to help their dreams become a reality.”

For more on Girls United by ESSENCE, visit www.essence.com.

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Entrepreneur Creates Flashcards That Teach Children About Black Millionaires And Billionaires

BlackPressUSA/NNPA — Sun, 29 Sep 2019 16:12:33 +0000

By The Chicago Defender

New Orleans, LA — New Orleans-based media company, Raising Black Millionaires, has just released the first volume in their series of Raising Black Millionaires Flashcards, to empower parents and educators of Black children with an effective and easy tool that builds self-confidence, high self-esteem, and limitless earning potential for all ages. The once blog turned media company produces infotainment products and resources to help raise Black children to be wealthy and maintain wealth, and they’re causing huge mental shifts for Black families and classrooms across the nation.

When asked what the motivation behind creating these cards was, Founder, Thiah Veona Muhammad said, “When Robert F. Smith announced that he was paying off the student loans for those graduates from Morehouse, everyone raced to google him and find out who this man was… this Black man, at that… who could even do something so big; and what in the world does he do to make all of that money? I think it’s imperative that we, as Black people, know who our millionaires and billionaires are, more specifically those who are in business and are non-entertainers/athletes. Showing them real examples of people who look like them, making millions in various industries will not only help them to identify themselves as people of greatness, but it will introduce them to industries that they likely have never been exposed to before, giving them more career choices.”

Thiah Veona (right) created the Raising Black Millionaires Flashcards after being inspired by Robert F. Smith’s generous donation to pay off Morehouse graduates’ student loan debt.

With a weekly podcast and upcoming television show that familiarizes the world with some of our community’s business giants, RBM foresaw that these flashcards could provide a roadmap for helping our youth discover their own greatness and build self-confidence through the discovery of that in others who are living in their greatness today. Each deck is composed of 52 cards that features today’s Black Millionaires and Billionaires who have made their millions in various industries, through business and enterprise. Designed to introduce children to a new millionaire each week, the cards’ front features the picture of a Black millionaire, along with their social media handles and website; and the back shares information about their background, education, honors, organizations/boards, and any books or products they’ve created from which children, parents and teachers may benefit.

Thiah continues, “We wanted to create a flashcard that sparks an exploration into our giants in business who are making some remarkable moves and accomplishments, most of which our community has no knowledge. We feel that this is essential to do, because our children need to see Black people who acquired wealth through means other than entertainment and sports; so that their worlds of opportunity could be broadened, and any existing self-limiting/self-defeating images could be combated by them seeing people who have wealth and look just like them. With that in mind, the cards were designed for them to learn about one new person each week, by starting with the card then looking the person up on Google, following them on social media, and viewing their speeches or interviews on YouTube or podcasts.”

“When Robert F. Smith announced that he was paying off the student loans for those graduates from Morehouse, my first thought was that this man is one of a handful of ‘our’ billionaires in this country. All Black people in America should know who he is, and we wanted to provide a resource that would make knowing easier. We’re certain that these cards will give parents and teachers tools that will help them to help our children to identify themselves as people of greatness and introduce them to industries that they likely have never been exposed to before, giving them more career choices.”

While the flashcards are a new release, Raising Black Millionaires has been creating fun educational content for several years. They have a blog that provides parents with easy-to-use tips on how to develop children’s financial literacy, business knowledge, wealth mindset, and much more. After the successful release of their first book How To Raise Your Black Child To Be A Millionaire: Child-rearing Secrets of the Black Elite in 2015, the company started the Raising Black Millionaires Podcast where Mrs. Muhammad interviews Black Millionaires to find out the childrearing techniques and strategies their parents used to get them to their various levels of success; and which of those same techniques they’ve used in rearing their children to continue their legacies. The company is on schedule to begin filming their television show this Fall.

For more information, visit RaisingBlackMillionaires.com.

This article originally appeared in the Chicago Defender.

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Black Press Exclusive: Dr. Lonnie Bunch’s African American Museum Dream Fulfilled

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Sat, 28 Sep 2019 12:09:36 +0000

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

The two discussed Bunch’s timely new book, “A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump.”

“I saw this journey to build a museum that could help bridge the chasms that divide us as a ‘fool’s’ errand,’” Dr. Bunch said.

Dr. Lonnie Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, sat down for an exclusive interview with National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. The two discussed Bunch’s timely new book released today, “A Fool’s Errand: Creating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the Age of Bush, Obama, and Trump.”

The book outlines the multitude of challenges Bunch faced when pursuing the construction of the historical museum.

Those challenges included choosing the location; architect; design team; and the collection of unique pieces of African American artifacts.

He added that the museum was “an errand worthy of the burdens.”

Available from Smithsonian Books on the organization’s website and at Amazon.com, “A Fool’s Errand” is a tour de force of Bunch’s personal and political accomplishments.

During the intimate video-taped interview inside the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the two visionaries also tackled topics that ranged from the Transatlantic Slave Trade, their shared North Carolina families’ histories, the writing legacy of author James Baldwin, and the contemporary vitality of the Black Press of America.

“The relevance and inclusion of the Black Press in events such as this one, show the continued significance of the Black Press,” NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards, said after the interview between Chavis and Bunch.

“The Black Press is alive and well, and we will continue to be the daily recorders of our history across the globe. Although we’ve seen many changes within our industry; these changes are bringing better opportunities for the Black Press,” Richards said.

“So, we are honored that Dr. Lonnie Bunch has chosen to include us as a part of this important national media event,” she said.

While in graduate school, Bunch desired to write a dissertation about the Black Press, he said.

However, naysayers told him the Black Press was unimportant.

He said that theory quickly was proven wrong.

“I knew it was,” Bunch said.

“I think the Black Press has always been the guardian of our community. It’s always been the place where facts are found that are not told in other places. It’s a place where you can understand the richness of the community.

“What I love about the Black Press today is that it’s a place that reminds people of the power of the African American community… the Black Press is critically important.

“What does is it reminds us that there are many different lenses to understand a story. If you don’t have the lens to the African American community, where are you going to find your story? For me, the Black Press is crucial not for the past, but for the future,” Bunch said.

The Smithsonian national leader also marveled over the enduring legacy of Baldwin, whose works explored racial, sexual, and class distinctions in North America.

“As a 17-year-old freshman at Howard, the first book I picked up was ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain,’” Bunch said.

“I was so moved by writings. I read everything that he wrote because, in some ways, what Baldwin did is that he captured the trueness of the community in an unvarnished way. He also inspired us to demand fairness,” he said.

Bunch said he sought out to obtain a building that would reference the spirituality, resilience, and hope that have been key elements within the African American community.

Elements he said that have shaped America’s identity in ways most Americans do not understand.

He said the revolution in South Africa reinforced his belief that history is an effective tool to change a country by embracing the truth of a painful past.

The museum opened three years ago to much fanfare, with former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, among others, in attendance.

“To some, visiting the museum allows them to find hope … that the current poisonous political partisanship and racial antipathy will one day be overcome,” Bunch said.

A historian, author, educator, and curator, Bunch has enjoyed a career of near unapparelled success.

Bunch has held numerous teaching positions, including American University in Washington, D.C. (Bunch’s Alma Mater); the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; and the George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Bunch was elected in 2017 to become a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He’s also the recipient of the President’s Award from the NAACP, and the Impact Leader Award from the Greater Washington Urban League.

Last year, the Phi Beta Kappa Society presented Bunch with the Phi Betta Kappa Award for Distinguished Service to the Humanities and the National Education Association honored him with the Award for Distinguished Service to Education.

Earlier this year, Bunch was appointed Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, the first African American to hold that position in the organization’s 173-year history.

He oversees 19 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers.

Now, with “A Fool’s Errand,” Bunch said he has a simple message to convey.

“History matters,” he told Chavis.

“You can’t understand yourself or the future without looking back. History is an amazing tool to live your life. More than anything else, it challenges you to be accurate,”

Watch the full interview between Dr. Chavis and Dr. Bunch here at BlackPressUSA.com.

To purchase Dr. Bunch’s “A Fool’s Errand,” click here, or visit Amazon.com.

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Rev. Dotson’s ‘Soul Reset’

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 12:37:25 +0000

By Jessica Dortch, AFRO Staff, jdortch@afro.com

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and the Rev. Junius B. Dotson tackles that topic, along with many others, in his latest book, Soul Reset. As the current CEO of Discipleship Ministries in Nashville, Tenn., Rev. Dotson has been in ministry for almost three decades, however, his journey to holistic spirituality started early in his priesthood.

Starting out as the pastor of a local church, Rev. Dotson beared all of the responsibility and pressure that comes with any startup business. In exclusive with the AFRO, Dotson revealed that about three or four years after the church opened, he experienced an emotional breakdown. This episode would later lead to a diagnosis of clinical depression and come as a complete shock to the pastor.

Rev. Junius B Dotson’s Soul Reset, boldly speaks about depression, suicide, and mental health. (Courtesy Photos)

“That’s really when my journey to wholeness began,” recalled Dotson.

The Soul Reset series was created to address the stigma of depression, suicide, burnout, and grief as it relates to personal and professional roles. Most of the time, people who are in leadership positions feel that vulnerability is a weakness, and that they have to “be strong for others,” when in actuality, there is power in testimony and transparency.

“Sometimes we super spiritualize everything, so if a person is in need of therapy or even medication, it is looked down upon as if Jesus can’t heal it all,” the author explains. As a disclaimer, the reverend is not saying that Jesus isn’t enough, but rather that the Lord works through people. “The source of healing is God, but God heals in various ways,” he clarified.

“Part of my rationale, impotence, and desire to write this book is to encourage our churches to be a safe place, and to be places that create authentic community where people can share honestly. Sometimes it’s okay not to be okay.”

In the book, Rev. Dotson shares several stories of his personal struggles with depression, suicide, and, specifically, grief. The author shared an anecdote with the AFRO about one of the lowest points in his life, the year 2012. Tragedy struck back to back in the passing of his grandmother, his mother, and his close friend in a short span of nine months. The pastor recalls having difficulty navigating through his grief, especially as the holiday season approached. Prayerfully, Rev. Dotson was able to overcome his debilitating grief through self love and self care. The book includes spiritual practices geared toward self care and spiritual discipline to let readers know that “there is hope beyond your grief, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Rev. Dotson also writes about having an activity that helps you to stay balanced. The Rev. was not a musician, but he admits that listening to music has always helped him stay calm and grounded, which is what inspired him to learn to play piano. As it turns out, this skill was a hidden talent for the Pastor. “When I’m stressed or in the midst of a long meeting, I’ll walk out and find a piano and that will calm me down,” he adds.

In addition to the Soul Reset series, Rev. Dotson expresses powerful and helpful spiritual nuggets in his 90-second daily radio series called “See All The People.” The show, which is featured on more than 40 radio stations across the country, answers the question, “What if we stopped trying to fix the church, and instead we started seeing all of the people who God has called us to reach?”

The act of seeing someone for who they are is a dialogue without words. Taking the time to get to know someone and being able to positively speak into their lives is a different level of relationship and intimacy. According to Rev. Dotson, “See All The People” is an invitation for the church to have a conversation with their neighbors of every race and creed. “It’s about building relationships that are authentic, organic, and consistent,” he stated.

The Soul Reset series is the ultimate tool for team meetings, small groups, book clubs, and other gatherings. Each chapter ends with an invitation to a spiritual practice that will act as a guide on your journey to wholeness. Rev. Dotson explains that “ book is dedicated to the people who did not or refused to give up on their dark days, and for the people in their lives who encouraged them.”

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Winfrey Picks Ta-Nehisi Coates Novel for her Book Club

Hillel Italie — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:12:31 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Ta-Nehisi Coates’ first novel, “The Water Dancer,” has been a long and eventful journey.

Begun a decade ago, his chronicle of a slave with an extraordinary memory who joins the Underground Railroad is the result of countless drafts, a shift from multiple narrators to a single voice, some needed advice from fellow writers and hundreds of thousands of words discarded. Coates’ research ranged from reading interviews with ex-slaves and consulting a 19th-century Farmer’s Almanac — books duly pictured on his Instagram account — to his numerous and revelatory visits to former plantations.

And then came that call from Oprah Winfrey.

This combination photo shows author Ta-Nehisi Coates at the The Gordon Parks Foundation Annual Awards Gala in New York on May 22, 2018, left, and Oprah Winfrey at an event to announce new Apple products in Cupertino, Calif. on March 25, 2019. Winfrey has selected Ta-Nehisi Coates’ novel “The Water Dancer” as her next book club pick. (AP Photo)

“I was just as surprised as anybody. I pretty much write for myself and the only people I think about are my wife and my editor,” says Coates, whose novel is her latest book club pick. “I was really happy (about the news from Winfrey). But I think the most encouraging part was that she’s a reader. It was clear from the conversation that she’s a reader. This is not a marketing ploy. There’s nothing to be cynical about.”

Winfrey announced Monday that she chose “The Water Dancer” to formally begin her new book club partnership with Apple, for which she plans a selection every other month. In October, she will interview Coates before a live audience at Apple Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C., a conversation that will air Nov. 1 on Apple TV Plus, the new streaming service. During a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press, Winfrey became tearful as she described the novel’s emotional impact, how it captured the devastation and resilience of those enslaved.

“I have not felt this way about a book since ‘Beloved,’” Winfrey said of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by her friend and literary idol Toni Morrison, who died in August.

The 43-year-old Coates spoke to The Associated Press during a recent afternoon at a SoHo cafe, where he drank strong iced coffee and received the occasional greeting from a friend or fellow customer. He said that he began the novel after completing his first book, the memoir “The Beautiful Struggle,” and acting on editor Chris Jackson’s suggestion that he try fiction. Jackson told the AP in a recent statement that “The Beautiful Struggle” demonstrated Coates’ “ability to dive so deeply and imaginatively into a character’s interior life and invent an idiom to tell the story that was more Joyce-ian than journalistic.” Coates, who had been reading extensively about the Civil War at the time, wanted to open readers to the “inner lives of enslaved black folks,” a “thriller” that would also dramatize the most profound questions of freedom and identity.

He worked off and on over the next few years on “The Water Dancer,” while honing a literary voice — of realism and poetry, outrage and exploration — that Morrison would liken to James Baldwin’s. As a national correspondent for The Atlantic, he wrote a highly influential and debated piece on reparations for blacks. He received a Hugo nomination for his contribution to the newly launched Black Panther comics series, “A Nation Under Our Feet.” In 2015, he published “Between the World and Me,” a letter to his son about being black in the United States that won the National Book Award, topped The New York Times best-seller list and helped confirm his status as one of the country’s leading social commentators.

“It wasn’t really that difficult,” he said of finding time for his novel. “I really liked writing ‘The Water Dancer.’ It was like I get to go play again.”

Winfrey’s original book club was started in 1996. She has since helped turn dozens of books into best-sellers, from novels by William Faulkner to a memoir by Sidney Poitier. For “The Water Dancer” and her upcoming choices, Apple has pledged that for each copy purchased through Apple Books, it will make a contribution to the American Library Association to support local libraries.

Over the past few years, Winfrey’s choices haven’t had the impact they did when she had her syndicated television program. But her announcement of “The Water Dancer” had some of the old magic: By Monday night, the novel was No. 1 on the Apple bookstore and Amazon.com best-seller lists.

Winfrey said she was wary at first of “The Water Dancer,” if only because she found Coates such a “beautiful essayist” and wondered if he could move beyond the factual world. Journalists from George Orwell to Tom Wolfe have found success as novelists, but the switch from nonfiction to fiction can frustrate the most gifted writer. Nonfiction doesn’t only require adherence to the truth, but a kind of control over the narrative that the fiction writer has to surrender, at least in part. Novelists often speak of their stories becoming so real to them that a given character might lead them in a direction they hadn’t otherwise intended. Coates felt that with the protagonist of “The Water Dancer,” Hiram Walker, who did not start out at the center of the story, or even with the name Hiram.

“I really liked his story, and I said, ‘This is it,’” Coates explained.

While working on the book, Coates showed early drafts to peers such as novelist Michael Chabon, who suggested he “paint the whole scene,” Coates recalls, tell everything from how the sunlight looks in the trees to the smell of the air. “The Water Dancer” combines the most everyday details and the freest stretches of imagination, from the supernatural quality of Hiram’s mind to his encounters with historical figures such as the abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Coates’ favorite authors include E.L. Doctorow, known for mixing real and fictional people in such historical novels as “Ragtime,” and Morrison.

“She just had this mastery of the sentence,” Coates said of the late Nobel laureate. “She had a beautiful economy of words. I don’t that mean that in the sense that she was a sparse writer; she filled every sentence with so much emotion and feeling and information — visceral information, literary information. She wrote the way poets write. I took that from her early on.”

Coates, who says he has many ideas for another novel, left The Atlantic in 2018 and has no plans to resume his journalistic career. But even while working on fiction, he was reminded of the importance of reporting and the difference between reading about a subject and absorbing it on sight, how “you have to be there in order to feel it, in a way you can’t through books.” Coates cited the importance of actually standing on plantations and Civil War battlefields, notably a trip last year to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home in Charlottesville, Virginia.

“The house is beautiful, stunning, gorgeous — and it was enslaved people who built it,” he says. “There’s a tunnel under Monticello that enslaved people walked through. When I walked through that tunnel, it was like, ‘Man, I get it now.’ I could see so much. I could feel my people talking to me at that point. I could feel it. But that was after 10 years of work. I don’t know how it happens without that.”

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Harvard Psychiatrists Author Mental Health Book

Special Report — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 02:08:29 +0000

Two Harvard trained psychiatrists have authored a practical guide to help people better understand how to deal with the growing crisis in America. More than 40 million people in the U.S. suffer from mental health problems, yet less than half receive adequate care and treatment.

In their new book to be released in September, “Understanding Mental Illness: A Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health Disorders for Family and Friends,” Dr. Carlin Barnes and Dr. Marketa Wills say that ignoring mental health illness can have devastating effects on our families and for society at large. The book is available for preorder on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

“Many people living with mental illness go untreated, and as a result, people with untreated mental illnesses make up one third of the nation’s homeless population and can be imprisoned,” said Dr. Wills. “Study after study has shown that the longer one waits to begin treatment, the greater the severity of the mental illness, and the more difficult it may be to effectively treat. Conversely, early treatment is very likely to lead to much more positive outcomes.”

Dr. Barnes adds, “Knowledge is power. Being aware and informed is the first step in helping a loved one or family member get the proper treatment they need to begin the road to recovery and emotional wellness.”

Each chapter offers insights and wisdom concerning a variety of psychiatric conditions including: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, substance abuse issues, eating disorders, women’s mental health issues, geriatric mental health and professional athletes and mental health.

“Armed with this knowledge,” Dr. Barnes said, “you and your loved one can better appreciate the real struggles at hand, and as a result, seek the proper care needed.”

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Paule Marshall, Novelist of Diverse Influences, Dead at 90

Associated Press — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:56:07 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Paule Marshall, an exuberant and sharpened storyteller who in fiction such as “Daughters” and “Brown Girl, Brownstones” drew upon classic and vernacular literature and her mother’s kitchen conversations to narrate the divides between Blacks and Whites, men and women and modern and traditional cultures, has died at age 90.

Marshall’s son, Evan K. Marshall, told The Associated Press that she died Monday in Richmond, Virginia. She had been suffering from dementia in recent years.

In this Nov. 22, 1991 file photo, author Paule Marshall poses during an interview, in New York. The acclaimed fiction writer has died at 90. Marshall’s son, Evan K. Marshall, told The Associated Press that she died Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo, File)

First published in the 1950s, Marshall was for years virtually the only major Black woman fiction writer in the U.S., a bridge between Zora Neale Hurston and Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and others who emerged in the 1960s and ’70s. Calling herself “an unabashed ancestor worshipper,” Marshall was the Brooklyn-born daughter of Barbadian immigrants and wrote lovingly, but not uncritically of her family and other upholders of the ways of their country of origin.

From the start, she contrasted the values of Americans and other Westerners with those from the Caribbean and tallied the price of assimilation. In “Brown Girl, Brownstones,” her autobiographical debut, a young Brooklyn woman seeks her own identity amid the conflicting values of her Barbadian parents — her hardheaded mother and tragically hopeful father. In “The Chosen Place, the Timeless People,” idealistic American project workers in the Caribbean encounter the skepticism of the local community. “Praisesong for the Widow” tells of an upscale American Black woman’s awakening during a Caribbean vacation.

“I like to take people at a time of crisis and questioning in their lives and have them undertake a kind of spiritual and emotional journey and to then leave them once that journey has been completed and has helped them to understand something about themselves,” Marshall told The Associated Press in 1991.

Marshall’s admirers included Dorothy Parker, Edwidge Danticat and Langston Hughes, an early mentor who sent her encouraging postcards in green ink, brought her on a State Department tour of Europe and urged her to “get busy” when he thought the young writer was working too slowly. Marshall received several honors, among them MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships and, in 2009, won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for books “that have made important contributions to our understanding of racism and human diversity.” She taught at Virginia Commonwealth University and New York University.

Born Valenza Pauline Burke in Brooklyn, she was an immersive reader who loved old British novels, from “Tom Jones” to “Great Expectations.” But she longed for books that included people more like herself and so made an instant and deeper connection to the poetry in dialect of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and later to writings by Hurston and Hughes among others. All along, she had been listening to her mother and various neighborhood women gather in the kitchen and expound in “free-wheeling, wide-ranging” style, voices she fictionalized in “Brown Girl, Brownstones” and other works.

“They were women in whom the need for self-expression was strong, and since language was the only vehicle readily available to them they made of it an art form that — in keeping with the African tradition in which art and life are one — was an integral part of their lives,” she wrote in “The Poets of the Kitchen,” a 1983 essay.

Marshall graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brooklyn College and during much of the 1950s worked as a magazine researcher, traveling to Brazil and the West Indies among other places. Since childhood she had been “harboring the dangerous thought” of becoming a writer and in her spare time completed “Brown Girl, Brownstones,” published by Random House in 1959 after editor Hiram Haydn suggested she trim her 600-page “sumo-sized manuscript” to the “slender, impressive” novel buried within.

In her early 20s, she had married Kenneth Marshall, with whom she had Evan Marshall, but they divorced when their son was still little. (She later married Nourry Menard, a Haitian businessman.) Raising a child alone weighed down her already deliberate style and she published just five novels, a memoir and two books of short fiction. She disparaged the old expression “As for living, our servants will do that for us” by adding, “Well, I was the servant.”

Virtually all of her books not only featured women, but also women who had adventures and influence. One of her favorite characters was Merle Kinbona of “The Chosen Place, the Timeless People,” a brave and troubled and conflicted soul torn between the Caribbean, England and Africa, a sage and an eccentric who never stops talking, but somehow keeps those her around listening.

“Traditionally in most fiction men are the wheelers and dealers. They are the ones in whom power is invested,” Marshall wrote in Essence magazine in 1979. “I wanted to turn that around. I wanted women to be the centers of power. My feminism takes its expression through my work. Women are central for me. They can as easily embody the power principles as a man.”

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AFRO Exclusive: Bebe Winans Tells All in New Book

Micha Green — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 02:29:38 +0000

By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, mgreen@afro.com

At only 56 years of age, Gospel singer Bebe Winans has already achieved the title of “legendary”- partially because for most of his life he’s been performing- and his new book explains how he was “born for” entertaining audiences and spreading God’s word through music.

Winans’ new book Born for This: My Story in Music is set to officially release Oct. 15, and it gives readers a much more in depth grasp of the renowned singer’s life and career.

Bebe Winans’ new book “Born for This: My Story in Music”, releases October 15. (Courtesy Photo)

“The book is a more broader view and understanding of my childhood and also when Cece and I left Detroit and joined up with Jim and Tammy Baker,” Winans told the AFRO in an exclusive interview at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention in Miami last week.

“So in the book, and the musical, this is part of my story that a lot of people don’t know about; how we became a duet. If it wasn’t for Jim Baker, there wouldn’t be no Bebe and Cece, because we didn’t decide to be a duet.”

Coming from a family who’s pipes are celebrated in Gospel circles, Winans explained how difficult it was to tell his family that he and his sister were becoming a duet and leaving the family group.

“It was the hardest thing to go back home. Cece and I were a part of this group… so we had to go home and say, ‘Hey guys, remember when we were a group? Well, we’re we’re not anymore. You’ve got to go and get a job, because me and Cece are a duet,’” he said. “It was the hardest thing to do, but in the book you’ll learn about those things.”

In an exclusive interview with the AFRO, Gospel singer Bebe Winans explains how he tells unknown stories of his life and career in his new book “Born for This: My Story in Music”. (Photo by Micha Green)

Although now the Winans name immediately connotes Gospel greatness, Bebe told the AFRO that was not originally his last name.

“You’ll learn that my last name was not Winans. I was a Glenn… Winans was not our last name,” Winans told the AFRO. “My dad’s parents were not married. He was born out of wedlock and had a strained relationship with his father, so my last name and my six older brothers’ last name was Glenn. Bebe Glenn,” he said laughing after hearing the ring of the name said out loud.

“And Cece was the only one in my family born as a Winans, because my great-grandfather loved my father,” he said. “My father loved him even though he had a strained relationship with his father… He wanted Winans to exist, and be heard and be left. So my father walked us, and my mom, to the courthouse…and in 1963 we became Winans.”

The singer believes that even with family drama coming from the last name change, the name Winans was all part of a larger purpose.

“I really believe it was God’s purpose. I really do believe it was supposed to be, but in doing His purpose, there comes conflict. The Glenns- my grandmother- were offended that after all this time, because Glenns took care of my father,” he told the AFRO. “And all of a sudden now, they change their name to Winans? They did nothing for you? But He knew that that’s what it was supposed to be.”

In speaking of God’s larger purpose, Winans shared how he’s been able to keep such a long career in performing, even with all the temptations of the music industry.

“It’s not hard when your mind is made up. There is that struggle of: ‘Do I remain faithful to my faith, because fame is tugging at me to come this way?’ And there’s doors in which I could’ve went to become famous, and even more famous quicker, because there’s nothing wrong with being famous,” Winans told the AFRO.

“But are you going to compromise who you are? No thank you. That was what made up in my mind.”

Winans’ book, Born for This: My Story in Music is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

You can also see the full AFRO exclusive on the Afro-American Newspapers’ Facebook page.

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Black Fatherhood Shines in New Animated FIim

AFRO Staff — Thu, 08 Aug 2019 17:02:51 +0000

By AFRO Staff

For the most part, Historically, stories about Black fathers in mainstream media often carry a misleading, yet pervasive tones of absenteeism, hyper masculinity, insensitivity, and irresponsibility, monolithic. But this week, the beauty of Black Fatherhood debuts. But this is narrative does not fairly represent the role of the Black fatherhood.

Hair Love is a heartfelt animated short film that centers around the relationship between an African-American father, his daughter Zuri, and the most daunting task a father could ever come across – doing his daughter’s hair. The short, a passion project from Matthew A. Cherry, will be making its theatrical debut in North America on Aug. 14.

The picture book “Hair Love” was released by Kokila Books/Penguin Random House releasing on May 14, 2019, and became a New York Times Bestseller.
(Courtesy Photo)

Directed by Cherry (executive producer, “BlacKkKlansman”), Everett Downing Jr. (animator, “Up,” “WALL·E”), and Bruce W. Smith (creator, “The Proud Family,” animator, “The Princess and the Frog”), Hair Love is a collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation that was launched as a Kickstarter campaign in 2017 with a fundraising goal of $75,000. Strong support led to the campaign amassing nearly $300,000, making it the most highly-funded short film campaign in Kickstarter history.

“To see this project go from a Kickstarter campaign to the big screen is truly a dream come true,” said Cherry. “I couldn’t be more excited for ‘Hair Love’ to be playing with ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ in front of a wide audience and for the world to see our touching story about a Black father trying to figure out how to do his daughters hair for the very first time.”

“Hair Love” features the voice of Issa Rae (“Insecure”) as the young girl’s mother. The short is produced by Karen Rupert Toliver, Stacey Newton, Monica A. Young, Matthew A. Cherry, and Lion Forge Animation’s David Steward II and Carl Reed. Peter Ramsey (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”) and Frank Abney (animator, “Toy Story 4”) serve as executive producers.

“This is such a special story that means so much to us,” added Ramsey, “Matthew has rallied an insanely talented group of people to get this short made, and to be able to share it with the world is a gift. We hope that audiences can feel this team’s dedication up on the big screen, we are incredibly proud of it.”

The short’s co-executive producers include Jordan Peele, Andrew Hawkins, Harrison Barnes, Yara and Keri Shahidi. The short’s associate producers include N’Dambi Gillespie, Gabrielle Union-Wade & Dwayne Wade Jr., Gabourey Sidibe, Stephanie Fredric and Claude Kelly.

Physical production of “Hair Love” has taken place at the Los Angeles-based animation studio, Six Point Harness (“Guava Island”).

The picture book “Hair Love” was released by Kokila Books/Penguin Random House releasing on May 14, 2019, and became a New York Times Bestseller.

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Women of the AFRO Remember Morrison

AFRO Staff — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 23:00:02 +0000

In this Sept. 1987 file photo, author Toni Morrison poses with a copy of her book “Beloved” in New York. Morrison, a pioneer and reigning giant of modern literature whose imaginative power in “Beloved,””Song of Solomon” and other works transformed American letters by dramatizing the pursuit of freedom within the boundaries of race, has died at age 88. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced that Morrison died Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 at Montefiore Medical Center in New York.(AP Photo/David Bookstaver, File)

Sincere condolences to Toni Morrison’s family, friends and readers all over the world.” Journene Bass

Toni Morrison’s light, her fire, was all-consuming. Unapologetically Black, before there was a t-shirt. She is the blueprint, mapping the ways we might love and respect each other and ourselves. She left us at 88: a reminder that she is not gone, but doubly infinite. That her work will always guide us. Thank you, Ms. Morrison. — Savannah Wood

I’m a published author for the most part because of Toni Morrison’s encouragement. Her charge in a 1993 interview made a huge impact on my life , “If there is a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, you must be the one to write it.”– Dana M. Peck

Toni Morrison, an Oracle for the unspoken things— a force of lyrical nature! She used her writings like a super power, to affect change, provoke thought and to impress hope. Her legacy of truth lives on through every story she’s ever told and through every piece she’s ever pinned. We are forever grateful for the imprint she has left on this world. ~ Miss Be-Inspired

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AFRO Launches ‘Love’ Book at Clean Block Anniversary

DorothyBoulware — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 17:01:35 +0000

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware, Special to the AFRO

Former Clean Blockers and guests who gather, Aug. 13, at the Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore, Md., to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the country’s oldest environmental programs will also get the first peek at the long-awaited, much-teased, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore,” The writers, who were thrilled to donate their skills and ideas to AFRO Charities, couldn’t wait to tell the world about their love for Baltimore.

U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, who contributed the foreword and is also the speaker for the celebration, heartily endorses the work and the idea of focusing on the positives of our city, while working just as hard to meet the challenges it faces to make it the city we all want it to be.

“I applaud the AFRO’s decision to celebrate its own anniversary by encouraging the people of our city to express their pride of community,” Cummings said in the book’s foreword. “True to its tradition of lifting up our people, the AFRO saw the importance of our sharing with each other – and the world – all that is noble and good about Baltimore: why we love our hometown with such passion.”

This archive photo of an AFRO Clean Block Campaign illustrates the pride and dignity of Baltimore. Congressman Elijah Cummings has been a champion for the city and her people his entire career in public service. Amid recent racist attacks by the 45th president of the United States, Cummings continues to lead and serve with integrity. He is the keynote speaker for the 85th anniversary of AFRO Clean Block, the nation’s oldest environmental program. Visit www. afroevents.net/tickets for more information about how to be a part of this momentous celebration.

For the AFRO, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore” project is a first of its kind, but not really new. Since its founding over 127 years ago, the AFRO has told its neighbors’ stories, detailed economic and political struggles, and proclaimed the milestones accomplishments of its readers. It has always positioned itself as a friend, an advocate and a forthteller for Baltimore.

The authors collectively took on this mission and handled it with their own unique gifts and expertise.

The Winslow Dynasty, as Dontae and Mashica along with their two sons are known, examined the city through their artistic kaleidoscope.

“We love that Baltimore produced greatness that has influenced the world through the excellence of: Eubie Blake, Cal Ripkin, Billie Holiday, Edgar Allan Poe, Reginald F. Lewis, Thurgood Marshall, Billy Murphy, Gary Thomas and Dennis Chambers,” they wrote. “Although Cab Calloway was born in New York, he made his indelible impact on the world of culture and music growing up in Baltimore.”

Baltimore’s self-proclaimed “Indie Mom of Comedy” MESHELLE. (Courtesy Photo)

Baltimore’s self-proclaimed “Indie Mom of Comedy” MESHELLE continued the artistic expression on the funny side.

“As a kid in Park Heights, I knew the Preakness was something special, but I had no clue it was an international phenomenon, a jewel in the Triple Crown,” said MESHELLE. “All I knew was that a ton of fancy dressed “White folks” would pay top dollar to park in our back yard on Belvedere Avenue, directly across from Pimlico Race Track.”

And who doesn’t love and respect the power couple, Ralph and Dana Moore, who live in the “Painted Ladies” on Guilford Avenue. They wrote about a few of their favorite restaurants but focused on the universal love they experience along with the delicious food.

Larry Young, award-winning radio talk show host on WOLB at Urban One, wrote his chapter as a travel journal for a prospective visitor – projecting a whirlwind weekend trying to fit in everything that is wonderful about the city and its landmarks.

Jazz singer, teacher, philanthropist Brenda Alford said, “The soul of my beloved Baltimore thrives through joy and pain, through boom and bust, through riot, rage and renaissance. This is what I love about Baltimore.”

It’s what we all love about Baltimore

Contact Diane Hocker at 410-554-8243 to secure tickets (discounted for former Clean Blockers) for the 6 p.m., August 13 event, as long as they last. The $20 book, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore,” that can be purchased at the Clean Block event is currently available for purchase through CashApp at $DorothyBoulware. It is also available after August 13 at the front desk of the AFRO office. Call Wanda at 410-554-8200 for more information. Autographed copies will be sent as soon as possible.

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We Remember: Toni Morrison Dies at 88

Hillel Italie — Wed, 07 Aug 2019 16:49:52 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Nobel laureate Toni Morrison, a pioneer and reigning giant of modern literature whose imaginative power in “Beloved,” ”Sula” and other works transformed American letters by dramatizing the pursuit of freedom within the boundaries of race, has died at age 88.

Publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced that Morrison died Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York after a brief illness.

In this Nov. 25, 2005 file photo, author Toni Morrison listens to Mexicos Carlos Monsivais during the Julio Cortazar professorship conference at the Guadalajara’s University in Guadalajara City, Mexico. The Nobel Prize-winning author has died. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf says Morrison died Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. She was 88. (AP Photo/Guillermo Arias, File)

“Toni Morrison passed away peacefully last night surrounded by family and friends,” Morrison’s family said in a statement through the publisher. “She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother, and aunt who reveled in being with her family and friends. The consummate writer who treasured the written word, whether her own, her students or others, she read voraciously and was most at home when writing.”

Few authors rose in such rapid, spectacular style. She was nearly 40 when her first novel, “The Bluest Eye,” was published. By her early 60s, after just six novels, she had become the first black woman to receive the Nobel literature prize, praised in 1993 by the Swedish academy for her “visionary force” and for delving into “language itself, a language she wants to liberate” from categories of black and white.

Morrison helped educate her country and the world about the private lives of the unknown and unwanted. In her novels, history — black history — was a hidden trove of poetry, tragedy and good old gossip, whether in small-town Ohio in “Sula” or big-city Harlem in “Jazz.” She regarded race as a social construct, and through language founded the better world her characters suffered to attain, weaving in everything from African literature and slave folklore to the Bible and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

“Narrative has never been merely entertainment for me,” she said in her Nobel lecture. “It is, I believe, one of the principal ways in which we absorb knowledge.”

Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for “Beloved,” she was one of the book world’s most regal presences, with her expanse of graying braids; her dark, discerning eyes; and her warm, theatrical voice, which could lower to a mysterious growl or rise to a humorous falsetto. “That handsome and perceptive lady,” James Baldwin called her.

Her admirers ranged from college students and housewives to Barack Obama, who awarded her a Presidential Medal of Honor; Bill Clinton, whom the author called “our first black president”; and Oprah Winfrey, who helped expand Morrison’s readership. Morrison shared those high opinions, repeatedly labeling one of her novels, “Love,” as “perfect” and rejecting the idea that artistic achievement called for quiet modesty.

“Maya Angelou helped me without her knowing it,” Morrison told The Associated Press during a 1998 interview. “When she was writing her first book, ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,’ I was an editor at Random House. She was having such a good time, and she never said, ‘Who me? My little book?’

“I decided that … winning the (Nobel) prize was fabulous,” Morrison added. “Nobody was going to take that and make it into something else. I felt representational. I felt American. I felt Ohioan. I felt blacker than ever. I felt more woman than ever. I felt all of that, and put all of that together and went out and had a good time.”

Morrison was born Chloe Anthony Wofford in Lorain, Ohio, a steel town outside of Cleveland. She attended Howard University, where she spent much of her free time in the theater, and met and married a Jamaican architect, Harold Morrison, whom she divorced in 1964. They had two children, Harold and Slade.

Even when she was growing up, she believed she was smarter than the white kids and took it for granted she was wiser. She was an honors student and attended Howard because she dreamed of life spent among black intellectuals.

But although she went on to teach there, Howard disappointed her. Campus life seemed closer to a finishing school than to an institution of learning.

Protesters, among them her former student Stokely Carmichael, were demanding equality. Morrison wanted that, too, but wondered what kind.

“I thought they wanted to integrate for nefarious purposes,” she said. “I thought they should demand money in those black schools. That was the problem — the resources, the better equipment, the better teachers, the buildings that were falling apart — not being in some high school next to some white kids.”

In 1964, she became an editor at Random House and one of the few black women in publishing. Over the next 20 years, she would work with emerging fiction authors such as Gayl Jones and Toni Cade Bambara, on a memoir by Muhammad Ali and books by such activists as Angela Davis and Black Panther Huey Newton. A special project was editing “The Black Book,” a collection of everything from newspaper advertisements to song lyrics that anticipated her immersion in the everyday lives of the past.

By the late ’60s, she was a single mother and determined writer who had been pushed by her future editor, Robert Gottlieb, into deciding whether she’d write or edit. Seated at her kitchen table, she fleshed out a story based on a childhood memory of a black girl in Lorain who desired blue eyes. She called the novel “The Bluest Eye.” She had no agent and was rejected by several publishers before reaching a deal with Holt, which released the novel in 1969. Sales were modest, but critics liked it and Morrison soon signed up with Gottlieb and Knopf, which became her longtime publisher.

The post We Remember: Toni Morrison Dies at 88 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Crazy Like a Fox Tour Comes Home

Brittney Johnson, AFRO Intern — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 05:33:35 +0000

By Brittney Johnson, AFRO Intern

Baltimore native Melony Hill has created a safe and intimate space for Black women to learn, heal, and thrive. Her brainchild, Crazy Like A Fox, an empowerment tour has been widely received this summer in major cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and most recently Baltimore, Md. at the Impact Hub. Over brunch, panel discussions and healing activities, Hill uses her story to bring awareness and impact the lives of black women who suffer, treat, or care for someone with mental illness.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, many African Americans have trouble recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, yet adult African Americans are 20 percent more likely to report serious psychological distress than their white counterparts. African Americans living below poverty are three times more likely to report serious psychological distress than those living above poverty, according to MentalHealthAmerica.net.

Melony Hill, Founder of Stronger Than My Struggles (Courtesy Photo)

To say the least, Hill’s past experience with mental illness is contextualized in the statistics that disproportionately point to the historically unique and considerable challenges accessing mental health services. Once counted out by society due to emotional instabilities and a traumatic upbringing stemming from domestic violence, sexual assault and more, Hill is familiar with stigma, limited access to treatement, as well as the impact of being misinformed about mental health.

In 2010, Melony was diagnosed with a slew of emotional illnesses such as depression, anxiety disorder, PTSD, and dissociative identity disorder. To add to her daily struggles, Melony also was diagnosed with chronic pain from Fibromyalgia. Never one to let an obstacle deter her from her goals, over the last two years, Melony has self-published eight books, written for multiple publications — online and in print–and launched Stronger Than My Struggles, an organization that aims to connect other survivors like herself to transformational practices that support maintaining positive mental health, in addition to living a fulfilling life.

“In order for us as black women to take back our power, the first thing black women need to realize we have no control over other people’s perception of us,” Hill told the AFRO. “…Because we have been taught to be superwoman, we have to put our cape on every day and go and fight … and it is really hard when you’re taught that you cannot have chaos in the middle of that.”

Crazy Like A Fox tour aims to bring healing and understanding to attendees about issues often left unspoken and feared through the written and spoken word, links to resources and support services to survivors from all walks of life. The tour is co-hosted by Francheska “Fancy” Felder founder of SwagHer magazine, an empowerment and lifestyle publication aimed to uplift and educate the Black community. Rene Brooks, founder of Black Girls Lost Keys and blogger for Black women with ADHD is the tour’s featured speaker.

“This event exposed me to more of the issues that are going on within the African-American community and it has helped me to see that there needs to be much more education concerning issues,” said Baltimore native Kenya McCarter, 40.

“Based on what we’ve witnessed on this tour, a lot of the issues are deeply rooted within families from generations, and that not only should there be conversations among us culturally, but families must get together and start talking more.”

AFRO Managing Editor Tiffany Ginyard contributed to this story.

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Baltimore Educator Publishes Latest Children’s Book

Sean Yoes — Thu, 01 Aug 2019 02:06:23 +0000

By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com

Baltimore native David Miller has advocated specifically on behalf of Black boys for more than 30 years, as he has built an international reputation as an outstanding educator.

Gabe and His Green Thumb, is the latest children’s book published by David Miller. (Photo: Sean Yoes)

Recently, Miller, a proud alumnus of Walbrook High School in West Baltimore published his latest children’s book, Gabe and His Green Thumb. Gabe and His Green Thumb, focuses on the exploits of Gabe Gresham, a young gardener, his family and friends. The book, beautifully illustrated by C.J. Love, continues the recurring theme in Miller’s books of Black boys as heroic readers and burgeoning leaders of their communities.

You can find out more about Miller and his work by going to: www.daretobeking.net

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BOOK CORNER: Mother Writes Raw Memoir About Her Son’s Tragic Death

Special Report — Mon, 27 May 2019 08:58:20 +0000

By Marissa Wells, Contributing Writer, Wave Newspapers

Pati Poblete’s world was shattered when her son, Robby, was killed by gun violence.

In “A Better Place,” Poblete shares the captivating story of how Robby’s death changed her and how she has used the horrifying experience to continue her son’s legacy.

Pati Poblete

The memoir takes readers on Poblete’s raw, heart-breaking journey from the scene of the crime to a worldwide quest to understand Robby’s unfulfilled plans — all while trying to make sense of what happened.

“A week after he was killed, I started writing letters to him every day for about a year,” Poblete said.

Realizing that her letters would not yield responses, Poblete began searching for books that could help her navigate her grief and allow her to understand that she was not alone in her feelings. When she could not find that book, she decided to write her own.

“What I was really looking for was just a raw and very honest story about all of the different emotions that someone goes through and how someone dealt with them,” Poblete said.

Originally, Poblete’s intended audience was herself, but it grew to include others who have been impacted by gun violence.

“It’s so easy to see headlines about mass shootings and daily shootings and feel nothing because we’re so used to it,” she said. “But to be able to understand even just one story, the depths of that pain, and then multiply that by the number of gun violence victims every single day, then you start to kind of get a grasp of how horrible these impacts are in all of these communities.”

“A Better Place” addresses the vast emotions that families impacted by gun violence experience.

“After my son was killed, I found relief and healing by turning grief into action,” Poblete said. “I am on a mission to reduce gun violence and help people affected by gun violence — especially parents who have lost children — find life after loss.”

In addition to being an author, Poblete operates the Robby Poblete Foundation. To learn more about the author and the foundation, visit Robbypobletefoundation.org.

“A Better Place” is available online for $15.71 on Amazon.com and $15.95 on BarnesandNoble.com.

This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Wave.

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EXCHANGE: Professor Talks new Book on Abraham Lincoln

Special Report — Sun, 26 May 2019 22:28:12 +0000

By TOM LOEWY The (Galesburg) Register-Mail

GALESBURG, Ill. (AP) — Spend a few hours with Dr. Fred Hord and you’ll learn we are defined by many forces.

As the publication of “Knowing Him by Heart: African-American Makings of Abraham Lincoln” draws near, Hord took some time to talk about how he defines his own life.

“One of my first memories, really, is being poor. Dirt poor,” Hord said recently as he sat in a small library inside the office of the Association for Black Culture Centers on the campus of Knox College.

Dr. Fred Hord, a scholar, poet and organizer who teaches at Knox College poses for a photo in Galesburg, Ill., May 8, 2019. (Tom Loewy/The Register-Mail via AP)

“When I was a child, my job was to take the list of all the things we needed to Mr. Murtaugh. He owned the store,” said Hord, who was born in 1945 and spent part of his childhood in Terra Haute, Indiana. “I had to tell Mr. Murtaugh that we didn’t have enough money to pay him right away, but we would pay it all as soon as we had the money.”

Indiana was the epicenter of the modern-day rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan. The White supremacist organization held real political power — and a few of its members even taught the young Baptist minister’s son in public school.

Yet even Klan members don’t complain too much when a young man is a great athlete. Hord was a prep pitcher, and pitched on the same staff with the likes of Tommy John.

Hord can recall the days of segregation and the never-ending tension of integration, and he is a man who graduated from high school two years early. He married at 17 and graduated from Indiana State University in 1963 with bachelor’s degrees is speech and history.

He stayed on at Indiana State and by 1965 earned a master’s degree in speech and education.

“Then I went to work,” Hord said. “I had children to help raise.”

Student. Athlete. Scholar. Father.

Hord became an activist not long after finishing his master’s degree.

“By the time Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, I was angry. Very angry,” Hord said.

“People today would call me a radical. Radical. That’s a word.”

Hord offered an explanation.

“I grew up in a world where others could define your relationships and your life,” he said. “I remember, vividly, that after a classmate of mine, a Black classmate, was caught in a car with a White female student, a notice ran in the newspaper warning all young Black men not to be alone with White women.

“Told how to act. When I got older, I had mentors tell me, ‘Don’t be like Malcolm, be like Martin.’ People wanted to feel comfortable with Black activism. What I began to see was I couldn’t be a person just out for myself.”

Student. Athlete. Scholar. Father. Radical.

Now add poet after radical.

By the 1970s, Hord found himself sharing his words and thoughts with others. His first book of poems, “After H(ours),” was part of Third World Press’ prestigious First Poets series.

Throughout the 1980s, Hord continued to work and write. He went back to the world of academia and in 1987 was awarded a Ph.D. in black studies: literature and history from Union Graduate School at the University of Cincinnati.

Then the roles of scholar and radical converged. Hord found himself at the University of West Virginia, isolated and feeling “mounting frustration” as he served as the director of a Black culture center.

Black cultural centers began after student protests in the late 1960s — first at Rutgers University in 1967, followed by others at Knox College and the University of Iowa in 1968.

“But there was no link. No network,” Hord explained. “We had these culture centers and they were just out there on their own.”

At a 1987 meeting of the American Council on Education, Hord proposed creating a national network of Black culture centers. It was an idea that resonated, and from that gathering the Association for Black Culture Centers was formed.

Hord relocated to Knox College, got the ABCC network started and designed a fledgling Africana studies program for the liberal arts college.

About 50 people from roughly two dozen schools attended the first ABCC conference at Knox College, and the annual event has grown to between 200 and 550 attendees at its annual gatherings.

Student. Athlete. Scholar. Father. Radical. Poet. Organizer. Educator.

As the timeline wound down to the present, Hord talked about other book projects — and the editing efforts he shared with Matt Norman to bring “Knowing Him By Heart” to life.

“It’s a challenging book — not everyone has the same opinion of Abraham Lincoln,” Hord explained. “And the people speaking about him in the book range from the time frame of 1858 to 2009.

“What made the project so unique, I think, was that Matt and I wrote introductions for all the individuals who speak in the book.”

The man who is many things then settled on his own story.

“I pitched in a big game, a playoff game, when I was in high school,” Hord said. “And my dad drove a long way to come and see me play.

“I got down, I think it was 1-0 or 2-0 right away, in the first inning. But I shut it down, and I had my team behind me. And I came up late in the game and drove in the runs we needed and we closed it out and won.”

Hord almost allowed himself to smile at the memory.

“My dad meant a lot to me. Maybe I didn’t even realize how much at the time,” he continued.

“And he never said much. But after the game he came up to me and he asked if it would be OK if he drove me back home from the game. It was, and we got in that car.”

The student who was an athlete and would become a scholar and father and radical and poet and organizer and educator remembered being a son.

“We got into that car, and before my father started it he looked at me and he said, ‘You can get up. Know that about yourself. You can do it.’

“His entire life he showed me how to take responsibility. How to not talk about things and just do them. You always get up. That’s how I always wanted to be defined.”

___

Source: The (Galesburg) Register-Mail, https://bit.ly/2Hh56Uc

___

Information from: The Register-Mail, http://www.register-mail.com

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ShopTalk: Art & Sociodrama

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 23 May 2019 05:07:47 +0000

By Joshua S. Lee, Special to the AFRO

After the death of Freddie Gray and the subsequent civil unrest in Baltimore, resulting in rioting, arsons and vandalism in many parts of the city in the Spring of 2015, ShopTalk: Share. Heal. Grow., a community-based project was ushered into service. It’s mission, led by African-American practitioners (including substance abuse professionals, clergy, community empowerment persons, etc.), is to engage the African-American community in discussions that uplift, heal and inspire the community to provide support for each other and begin to solve its own problems and challenges. Practitioners share their own wisdom and knowledge in a safe, supportive environment of barbershops owned by African-Americans, because they believe the African-American barbershop is a community institution, where people gather to have all types of conversations.

ShopTalk: Share. Heal. Grow. uses sociodrama and other action-based techniques to engage members of the community. In their book, Sociodrama: Who’s In Your Shoes?, Sternberg and Garcia state that “Sociodrama is a group action method in which participants act out agreed-upon social situations spontaneously. Sociodrama helps people to express their thoughts and feelings, solve problems, and clarify their values. Rather than simply discussing social issues, sociodrama gets people out of their chairs and exploring in action topics of interest to them.”

These facilitated conversations and exercises aim to interact with participants inside of barbershops in order to discuss a number of topics that impact the African-American community, including violence, politics, forgiveness, and drug and alcohol abuse. This format allows the community to experience each other differently and offers solutions to these issues. It’s important to use an action method such as sociodrama in barbershops because of its open environment and no agreement to confidentiality. Sociodrama forms a collective story on a topic that is relevant to the participants. This action structure opens creative outlets for full involvement and self-expression because it is not a one-person story.

So, how does ShopTalk: Share. Heal. Grow. relate to the Barbershop Art Series by Schroeder Cherry being held at the Function Coworking Community on June 9, 2019? It’s an excellent chance to engage the wider community of people who would appreciate scenes from the barbershop, while at the same time, establish deep connections and have authentic conversations to talk about current events. Additionally, Schroeder Cherry is one of seven finalists for the 2019 Sondheim Artscape Prize. Shroeder is Baltimore-based artist, master puppeteer and museum educator. He primarily uses mixed media on wood to create magnificent artwork.

The intention is behind ShopTalk is to have interactive, highly engaging, conversations with the community inspired by the artwork no matter what one’s background is. Further, states Garcia and Sternberg, “as they explore various issues, they put themselves in other people’s shoes in order to understand themselves and others better. One of the reasons sociodrama works so well is that it taps into the truth about humanity that we are each more alike than we are different. Sociodrama speaks to both sides of the brain, with its action/reflection components. It is a kinesthetic, intuitive, affective and cognitive educational technique. Sociodrama has as its goals: catharsis (expression of feelings), insight (new perception) and role training (behavioral practice).”

Within Schroeder Cherry’s brilliant artwork, there are so many story lines to build upon and play with. For example, when one sees a real combination lock or a set of keys included as part of the artwork, what comes to mind? Who knows? That is the point. We will explore, give voice to and share meaning about the many elements embedded in the artwork together as a community to find out. Please join us.

Joshua S. Lee, native of Baltimore, is a mental health therapist, facilitator and performance life coach. He is the owner of UMOJA Integrative Behavioral Health Systems, a behavioral health training organization and the home of The Game Plan for Better Living.

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Chicago Author Celebrates Jamaican Culture in New Children’s Book

AFRO Staff — Thu, 23 May 2019 02:39:56 +0000

By AFRO Staff

– As a passionate storyteller, Ayesha V. Dwyer takes readers on a delightful journey of a little girl who shares her Jamaican descent through fun and adventure in her new children’s book, “Sista Me & Friends” that makes a great addition to your summer reading list.

Dwyer, a wife and mom of two who lives in the Chicago suburb of Wadsworth, releases her beautifully illustrated hardcover book to show her love for the island of Jamaica, the people, the language and the culture.

“Sista Me & Friends”

“My inspiration for this book was the relationship I had with my grandfather,” Dwyer says. “His wisdom and tutelage are what primarily has guided me throughout my life. This book, in part, reflects the endearing love between a grandparent and child.”

Readers are taken on a delightful journey with Keturah, whose nickname is “Sista Me,” in this new release, featuring a delightful story,“Sista Me and Friends – A Rock and a Hard Place.” You meet Jaggy, her grandfather; Auntie Merty, her mother; Kingston, her brother; Noelle, her best friend and a host of other family members and friends. The book weaves in cultural references, some Jamaican patois and a glossary to help you find the definitions of the words.

“Over the years, I’ve learned so much about my husband’s culture and how we as a family have embraced it,” says Dwyer who grew up in Waukegan and whose husband is Jamaican. “Sista Me is a way for me to capture the lovely innocence of a child through stories other kids can relate to – while also opening children’s eyes to the beauty of another culture.”

One of the central characters of the book is Jaggy, the grandfather, who is always there to support Sista Me as she navigates her way through childhood. “You know young kids are full of adventure,” Dwyer says. “Sista Me is just one of those kids who will bring a smile to your face no matter what they do.”

The book is available at SistaMe.com, on Amazon.com and iTunes.

Ayesha V. Dwyer shares an adventurous tale of a young girl who lives life grounded in her Jamaican roots that makes great summer reading.

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First Black Teen Author Ever to Write 3 Books Being Used By School Districts Across the Country as Part of Their Teaching Curriculum

BlackNews.Com — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 02:03:25 +0000

By BlackNews.com

Hillside, NJ — 15-year old Essynce Moore is the only African American teen author that has written three books that are mandatory readings for several school district curriculums including Hillside, NJ School District; Brooklyn, NY Charter School(s); and Orange, NJ School District. Her books are a part of a series that she created called The Middle School Chronicles.

When Essynce’s first book (6th Grade Middle School Chronicles) was released in 2015, it went on to become an Amazon Top International seller. Her second book (7th Grade Middle School Chronicles) was released in 2016, and her third book (8th Grade Middle School Chronicles) was released back in April 2017. The third book completes the series, and each of the books are available for purchase on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/1U1bkJY.

15-year old author & entrepreneur, Essynce Moore

Her ultimate goal

Although they are already being used by several school districts, Essynce wants to have her Middle School Chronicles book series in more schools all around the world as mandatory reading and a part of their curriculum.

The books can be used to prepare students for middle school, assist with self-esteem, bullying, how to handle certain situations with teachers/friends, encourage youth to live their dreams now, and so much more.

Parents can learn a lot as well from Essynce’s books. She comments, “They think they know the truth about what happens in middle school, but they have no idea!”

More than just an author

In addition to writing books, This young protégé and trendsetter is a phenomenal speaker that loves to empower and inspire people at schools, conferences, workshops, and more.

She has traveled across the country to inspire and empower children, tweens, teens, college students, and adults. Being labeled a “role model” is an understatement!

Her wish list

Essynce says she would love to meet Oprah, Tyler Perry, Ellen DeGeneres, Harry, Steve Harvey, Zendaya, Rihanna, Ian Somerhalder, Michelle Obama, and so many more.

She also desires to visit schools nationwide to discuss entrepreneurial education initiatives and other opportunities that are centered around children, tweens, and teens.

Follow her on social media

Twitter: www.twitter.com/EssynceCouture

Facebook: www.facebook.com/essyncecouture

Instagram: www.instagram.com/essyncecouturellc

About Essynce Moore:

From Hillside, New Jersey, Essynce is a 15 year-old teenpreneur, children, tweens and teens stylist/fashion designer, actress, motivational speaker, spa and boutique owner, and author. She has received Proclamations from the state of New Jersey, the city of Passaic, and the city of Hillside.

She has also participated in various fashion shows, pageants, and karate tournaments. She was showcased in NY Fashion Week, and Atlanta Kids Fashion Week, featured in several interviews in magazines, TV, news, print, conferences, and is a member of the New York Youth Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about this phenomenal young woman at www.essyncecouture.com

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The Thing I Love About Baltimore’

DorothyBoulware — Sun, 28 Apr 2019 02:38:12 +0000

By Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware, Special to the AFRO

I love the landmarks. I love the white marble steps, although I didn’t always. I love the chicken boxes. I pass on the half and half but I love the concept. I love the people and especially the people who do their best every day to make Baltimore a pretty special city.

That’s why, to mark its 127th anniversary, the AFRO is publishing a book entitled, “The Thing I Love About Baltimore,” a compilation of chapters by Baltimoreans you may know. Activists. Community leaders. Faith leaders. Singles. Couples. Students. Maybe even yourself.

The book can be pre-ordered now on PayPal, webmistress@afro.com, or by inquiring at AFROloveBaltimore@gmail.com, and will be available August 1.

Tell a friend. Tell everybody. Baltimore is our city and we love it. Negativity might surface to the top of media coverage, but we know there’s more to Baltimore than what reaches daily news reports. We love Baltimore and there’s no better time than the present to let the whole world know.

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‘Stories for Styles’ Inspires Community

Micha Green — Fri, 26 Apr 2019 19:53:02 +0000

By Micha Green, AFRO Washington, D.C. Editor, mgreen@afro.com

While spring break is normally the time kids are running far away from books, Operation Pathways brought programming to children that offered an opportunity to make reading just as fun as looking stylish.

Organized under Resident Services Coordinator for Operation Pathways, Adeela Abbasi, “Stories for Styles” took place at Benning Heights Community Room on April 18, and allowed for students to read books in exchange for a free haircut or hairstyle.

“Stories for Styles,” was an “Academic Achievement,” programming effort hosted by Operation Pathways, where kids read books in exchange for free hairstyles. This is barber Akil Wilson who volunteered to cut hair for the event. (Photo by Micha Green)

“I had heard of a barber doing something similar to ‘Stories for Styles’ in another state and I think he called it ‘Trims and Tales’ or something. Anyway, I loved the idea and I immediately jumped on the chance to encourage literacy for the young people in the community,” Abbasi told the AFRO. “I knew the kids would be on spring break and Easter was that same weekend. It seemed to all come together so the kids could have some fun while they were off and get fresh for the holiday too.”

While literacy and free hairstyling sounds appealing for many people, the fact that Operation Pathways held “Stories for Styles” at the Benning Heights community was no coincidence. As Resident Services Coordinator, Abbasi said she is, “ tasked with building programs and offering services which will ultimately improve quality of life for families within affordable/ subsidized housing.”

“I specifically work in three core areas Health & Wellness, Academic Achievement and Financial Literacy,” Abbasi explained.

“Stories for Styles,” fell directly under the core of “Academic Achievement,” and Abbasi felt it important that she met the kids where they were- by targeting their needs, offering enrichment, bringing food and fun and building more opportunities for connection and growth.

“Just asking the kids to join me in the community room to read books would never work. However, mixing it in with a fresh haircut, food, music, other educational activities such as ‘Create Your Own Story’ and an opportunity to run around and enjoy themselves is the perfect way to get them engaged,” she told the AFRO.

Further, adding the element of looking fresh for their “Easter Sunday’s Best,” was a bonus.

Children in Benning Heights in Southeast, D.C. pose doing the “Black Panther” Wakanda pose at the “Stories for Styles” event held by Operation Pathways on April 18.

“The communities I work in are comprised of families on fixed incomes. So an opportunity to get a free haircut was surely a financial relief.”

While children waited to get their hair done, they read books, played outside, ate hamburgers and hotdogs, danced, colored, wrote stories and participated in an Easter egg hunt.

“The day was really about the kids. I wanted them to have a good time and know that educational activities can be fun. And spring break doesn’t mean turn your brain off,” Abbasi said. “We had a ‘Create Your Own Story’ activity where the kids were given paper to draw a picture and write a story.”

And some of these children have heavy stories. One girl shared with the AFRO that her father killed her sister and that she was hoping to simply have happier times. A day of fun and enrichment was just what they needed.

“I wanted to come to the party,” 9-year-old Aiden told the AFRO. “I like that you can come and play games and do an Easter egg hunt.”

While Aiden’s hair was already Easter Sunday ready, she said she loved the concept of “Stories for Styles.” “It’s great because they get to learn to read and look better with their new hair,” Aiden said.

Sixth grader, Laila Crawford, served as a volunteer for the event. “I think it’s good. It encourages kids to read and get a nice haircut,” she told the AFRO.

With one volunteer barber, another volunteer hairdresser and good samaritans, about 30 children enjoyed “Stories for Styles,” and 17 kids walked away with fresh new styles.

Inspired by “Stories for Styles,” Abbasi hopes to continue similar efforts in addition to the work that is already taking place with Operation Pathways.

“We would love to have another event like this. Every year we participate in National Night Out which is an evening to encourage the community to come together with law enforcement. Last year I combined the event with a back to school backpack give away. I am always looking for donations of school supplies and backpacks to put them in. This year I want to step it up and include the ‘Stories for Styles’ so kids can go back to school looking fresh,” she told the AFRO.

Abbasi also wants to recruit more volunteers.

“I learned from this event that the more barbers we have, the better, so if anyone is interested in offering their services that would be great. I would also love to find a shoe sponsor that will allow me to put new shoes on all the elementary age kids on the property,” she said.

In addition to the summer plans, Abbasi told the AFRO that she will be conducting financial literacy seminars in May that are free and open to the public.

Abbasi encourages all those interested in volunteering or learning more about Operation Pathways to contact her directly. “Anyone who wants to give their time or treasure can reach me at 301-370-9097 or aabbasi@operationpathways.org. To learn more about the organization visit www.operationpathways.org.”

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‘Don’t Be Late for Poetry’: Black Chakra

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 20:43:22 +0000

Interview by Betty Harvin, Special to the AFRO

Jacob Mayberry, a Baltimore spoken word artist, emcee, National Poetry Slam champion, Texas Grand Slam champion and teaching artist, Black Chakra, sat with the AFRO to celebrate poetry with us a bit after “Don’t Be Late for Poetry” to give us some insight into his poetic journey. Named Black Chakra from a former lover, who considered his energy a combination of the auras of the seven chakras (crown, third- eye, throat, heart, solar plexus, sacral, root). He is an artist who truly lives up to his name.

Black Chakra (Courtesy Photo)

Afro: How did you get your name?

Black Chakra: Me and a poet were dating and we found out about an African culture whose tradition was naming people, which is extremely important because what you are named is what you’re adorned as. So we thought it’d be special if we gave each other poetry names. The name I gave her was Fire Angelou, and Black Chakra was the name she gave me. It perfectly describes what I do because the chakras are different colors and different spiritual measurements of energy and I represent all the energies in one because black is the combination of all colors. I thought that was a beautiful name and I kept it ever since.

Afro: What inspired you to be a poet and when did you start doing poetry?

BLACK CHAKRA: Since 11 my father told me, ‘If you’re going to do something you have to be the best.’ I asked him, ‘How to be the best?’ He said you have to study, practice, and know it better than anyone else. So I did those things. I read multiple poetry books. So, since 11 I started writing and started studying and by 13, I was rapping, nonstop. Then by 15-16, I wanted to understand poetry on a deeper level, so I got into spoken word and I just stayed in it. I’ve always been invested in writing, I’m always writing; it is one of the most healthy things you can do. Also, it grows your skill level because you learn different things about yourself. I can literally write a poem in seven minutes because I don’t second guess what I have to say. I just know what I want to talk about and it feels very comfortable. So, now that I’m 30, I’d say I’ve been doing poetry for pretty much all my life.

Afro: This month, as you know, is National Poetry Month, and at the AFRO we are featuring poets from the past, present, and future. Of course you represent one of the bomb poets from our present, but are there any poets from the past that have inspired you?

BLACK CHAKRA: How long you got?….Gil Scott Heron, ase. Amiri Baraka, ase. Maya Angelou, ase. The Last Poets, ase. Sonya Sanchez, ase. Nikki Giovanni, ase. Biggie Smalls, ase. Tupac, ase. I can do this all day there are so many black poets I’ve read; Saul Williams, ase. Talam Acey, ase. Lamar Hill, ase. These people, their poetry has changed my life. The first time I heard Slangston Hughes, ase, I was in high school and I didn’t even know poetry could sound like that and I was like, ‘I can fit here’. He let me know, you have space here, you can fit here and he is so powerful. He is my favorite poet. He gave me permission to be a dope Hip- Hop lyricist within a spoken word format. There are so many great poets from the past, James Baldwin, ase. Nas, ase. Big Daddy Kane, ase. Rakim, ase. Tragedy Khadafi, ase. We can do hip-hop alone and go for the next two days. Malcolm X because I sincerely consider him a poet, ase.

Afro: Just by your answers, I’m receiving that poetry is a state of being.

BLACK CHAKRA: Poetry is breath, poetry is breathing. Poetry is the reason you get up in the morning. Everything is poetry, there is nothing that isn’t poetry. The person that put this wall together is a poet because he understood shapes on a level that he had to be passionate about. The person who shaped this table is a poet because they had to understand math on a spiritual level. The person who made this carpet is a poet because they had to understand stitching on a different level. The understanding of life on a different level is poetry. That’s why a poet will look at a can and create a whole poem around it because of how you break down the world and discuss it into multiple terms. I am just a sad offspring of the everything, that is poetry.

Afro: Poets as prophets….what’s your take on that?

Black Chakra: My personal belief is that we are puppets, there is a voice that is speaking through poets. In certain chapters of the Quran, in Islamic belief, they believe that the poet has a direct line to God and you can summon the words of God through you, and I believe that. Statistically, more people suffer from stage fright than they do fear of death. Which means more people would rather be in the coffin than giving the eulogy. So why is it that there are these people, these light bearers, who can get on stage and do this and channel words? I consider it a blessing, poetry is my proof that God exists.

Afro: The poets from the past didn’t have such an opportunity, like the poets of our present, to directly pour into the poets of our future. How has teaching the poets of the future been for you?

(Black Chakra calls over one of his students and now fellow poets, 20 y/o, Summer Knights to join the conversation)

BLACK CHAKRA: I remember I gave a speech to the kids (in the poetry club), saying ‘Hey look, we won last year, if we don’t win this year, it’s not that important.’ She looked at me and said, ‘F- that’, none of us here play sports, none of us here do anything else, poetry is all we got. If we can’t be the best at this, than what’s it worth?’ It changed my life. She taught me that. Pouring into the kids has actually been them pouring into me because you’re not a teacher until one of your students teaches you something. Now she is killing the stage, on the same stages as me, she is a two- time world poetry champion, I coached a championship kid yesterday and so did she. I literally went up to her and said, ‘I think it’s time for me to retire.’ This is all I’ve ever wanted in life, to inspire someone to inspire someone else. Each one, teach one. I called her over here because she is the living proof to your question. This is what happens when you pour into black children. She loves so fiercely, she’s a good sister, human being, a good coach, and teacher. I can die tomorrow and smile because I had a part in that, so I’m just very thankful to pour into youth and for them to be this.

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‘Don’t Be Late for Poetry’: Grim Jackson

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 19:40:23 +0000

Interview by Betty Harvin, Special to the AFRO

As young Grim Jackson took to the stage for “Don’t Be Late For Poetry” earlier this month at the Arena Players, no one knew what to expect as he began with a welcoming smile, winning the crowd over with what seemed to be a witty, boy-next-door innocence. The tone of Grim’s poems were that of platinum selling artist J.Cole and Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar filter through the lense of growing up in Baltimore. His content captured the essence of self awareness and the art of believing in thy self. The young poet is indeed a melting pot of spirituality, art, theatre, and love.

Grim Jackson was once told by a teacher that his voice was a problem. Today he uses it as an instrument for solutions. (Photo by Betty Harvin)

AFRO : How did you get your name? Why did you name yourself Grim Jackson?

GJ: So, GRIM actually means (God resides in Me ). So for me, everything is spirit, spirit is God and when you understand how the world really is, we’re not human beings having a spiritual experience, we’re spiritual beings having a human experience. God or creation or Everything that is, like, it resides in me. It is in all of us; it is in everything.

AFRO: Listening to your poem, one thing that really got my attention was the relationship with you and the teacher in the classroom and how you said that your voice went from being the “problem” to being the “solution.” How has that experience shaped your life?

GJ: So, I remember being in high school and getting horrible grades. I went to Poly, so it was supposed to be one of the most prestigious schools in the entire city. I was getting horrible grades and I was like, ‘Naw, I don’t want this anymore.’ So, I transferred over to Douglass. Douglass has something called RMP, which is Radio Media Production. It is actually one of the most advanced technology courses within the city, so I went over there into an easier school and just excelled. To be honest, I think I always kind of had my own path, how I feel about things, and maybe that’s just because I’m an Aries and I’m stubborn. But ultimately, it’s gone from being the kid that nobody wants to listen to legitimately being asked to speak at the National Education Association and open up their 155th anniversary two years ago.

The National Education Association is bigger than the Democratic and Republican party combined and they make all the different laws and everything else that are passed for the schools. Being able to speak at that, and not only speak, but to open up and have a workshop about how to teach our students.

AFRO: One thing that I did want to get into is what inspired you to be a poet and are there any poets of the past that you get your energy from?

GJ: Me personally, there’s always been poets that I’m like, ‘Yo, that’s super dope!’, and to be honest I think poets, they see something that’s super dope and they say, I want to do that or I want to be better than that. So the thing is, ultimately as far as getting into poetry, one day I came to a Floetic Lyricists club at my school and I just wrote a poem because I was just feeling some type of way and I was about to throw the rap away and my homeboy was like, ‘No, keep this, this is actually good.’ So I took it to Floetic Lyricists, I performed it and it just so happened, Slangston Hughes, my mentor over there and Kenneth were in the class and said, “We want him.” They took me to my first slam and I ended up getting second or third place. It was 2013, I don’t remember but I did really well on my first slam and from there they just kinda’ took me under. And so I will always say that being a poet was never something that was like, “Oh, I want to do that,” it was legitimately something I fell into and realized I had a talent for.

AFRO: You are a true artist and true artists don’t have a limit or cap on where they stop and where they go. Are there any ancestors, any poets, any African American poets that you’ve read about or anyone who’s inspired you?

GJ: As far as poets and poetry that have inspired me, um, naw, it’s just the story- telling. Nobody really inspires me, its’ more so, I see something that I don’t have myself or I see something that I desire and it’s either I’m going to go full force for that or I’m going to break that boundary. The thing is, I’m not going to stop until I break that boundary so to be honest, what inspires me is people doing better than me, people putting me on my ass and me being put into these situations that I have to necessarily fight my way out of and to be honest, through me fighting my way out of so many situations, that’s what’s made me into the person that I am.

AFRO: Hmm, Natural born artist, natural born innovative, it’s just so powerful, and at such a young age too. You just don’t see people from your generation flourishing and whose minds are elevated and just like you said opening up with this interview, Spirit is everything. I feel like the highest level of creativity follows when you are already in tune with your own spirit. So, to see you, Grim, so in tune with just being you and knowing that you only want to listen to your own voice and really trusting your own voice is amazing.

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Poem by Claire Dorsey

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 25 Apr 2019 18:00:14 +0000

Claire Dorsey, a Baltimore native, studied acting at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She worked as an actress for almost 20 years Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, originating roles in Pearl Cleage’s Late Bus to Mecca at the Judith Anderson Theater and Diana Son’s Stealing Fire at SoHo Rep. She has worked as an artist-in-residence in NYC public schools. She has performed her poetry in New York City and Baltimore. She collaborated with NYC photographer Kwasi Noire to self-publish a volume of poetry entitled Rhythms of a Life. (Courtesy Photo)

Awakening
My soul unfolds
Its journey to transformation
Remembering my physical vehicle
Is the holder for something greater
I burn in the fire
And raise the phoenix in me
The I AM present in humanity
My emotions no longer choke me
My voice fills the space around me
Cracks the sound barrier
And scatters light in its wake
I Am here

Claire Dorsey Copyright December 2015

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Rebecca Dupas: ‘Not Without Black Women’

Sean Yoes — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 23:22:09 +0000

By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com

Award-winning poet Rebecca Dupas’ latest literary offering, Not Without Black Women, should perhaps be the mantra of the Democratic Party, reflecting its most loyal voting bloc. But, her compilation of poetry published earlier this year transcends the seeming ubiquity of American politics.

“This year I published…Not Without Black Women in response to what is an ever-growing toxic mix of sexism and racism,” said Dupas, a native of Mansura, La., of her third book.

Rebecca Dupas is the author of Not Without Black Women. (‘Don’t Be Late for Poetry’)

“I feel like it’s important for me to use my platform as a poet to address the position of the Black woman not only in her role as mother, lover and supporter of Black men,” added Dupas, who has also published four CD’s of original works. “But, also as she navigates a corporate world that doesn’t yield to her as much as it does to men in general and certainly not as much as it does to White women.”

A photographer, educator and doctorate student, Dupas is also founder and creative director of “A Dose of Dupas,” an event-based poetry company that houses several live art events.

“There are too many negative narratives about Black women and I feel that it is my job to speak truth to power, to identify and respond to areas of offense, and to reclaim the stories told about me and women who look like me,” said Dupas.

“It is also my duty to affirm myself as I am constantly seeing and hearing ideas that contradict my grace and beauty as a Black woman.”

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Civil Rights Legend Gloria Richardson’s ‘Eternal’ Struggle

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 20:25:03 +0000

By J. K. Schmid, Special to the AFRO

Gloria Richardson might be better known by her photograph than by her name.

A sequence of photographs captured her in Cambridge, 1963, forcing a bayonet out of her face while giving a White National Guardsman the most contemptuous of looks.

Cambridge was under martial law at the time, and tensions were at their peak. Jim Crow was strong in Cambridge. Schools, hospitals and churches were segregated and Black unemployment was quadruple White unemployment.

Joseph Fitzgerald and Dion Banks discuss the history and life of Gloria Fitzgerald and at Red Emma’s Feb. 28.

Richardson nee St. Clair, an heiress of the Baltimore Black elite, was born and raised on Stricker Street until moving to Cambridge at six years old. She attended St. James Episcopal Church and Public School No. 119. She played in Lafayette Park.

“Her family was not middle class, they were actually above middle class,” said Joseph R. Fitzgerald, assistant professor at Cabrini University. “Her family was so wealthy that when Ms. Richardson’s maternal grandfather died, he was a city councilman in Cambridge, Ms. Richardson’s family, they found IOUs where he was lending White politicians money.”

Fitzgerald’s latest work of scholarship is “The Struggle is Eternal: Gloria Richardson and Black Liberation,” what Black Panther Kathleen Cleaver called “the first book to fully examine the Cambridge movement and its leader.”

Cleaver goes on in her critique to describe the now 96-year-old Richardson as a leader “whom the authorities considered almost as dangerous as Martin Luther King Jr.”

And there was real danger. While spokesperson of the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee, Richardson nevertheless found herself at the fore of an armed uprising of disenfranchised Blacks, facing off against police, soldiers and White rioters.

The danger was so acute, that Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy was forced to intervene lest neighboring violence spread to the nation’s capital.

Kennedy, representatives of the Department of Justice, the State of Maryland, and local leadership all signed “The Treaty of Cambridge,” a guarantee of civil, economic and human rights for the people of Cambridge. The Civil Rights Act would not be signed into law until the next year.

Businesses, schools and hospitals desegregated over the summer of 1963.

Richardson has told a story of how her uncle died from a White hospital’s neglect when they refused to admit him and save his life.

Cambridge finally elected its first Black and first woman mayor, Victoria Jackson-Stanley, in 2008.

Dion Banks worked on Jackson-Stanley’s 2012 reelection campaign.

“When I talk about reclaiming our narrative, telling our story, one of the things I wanted to do was to make sure that Gloria Richardson was honored,” Banks said at a Red Emma’s book forum and signing with Fitzgerald. “In the state of Maryland you have to be dead in order to get a day declared for you.” Banks and other activists persuaded the Governor’s office to change the rule, but didn’t stop there. “February 11 in the state of Maryland is Gloria Richardson Day, which was the platform that we used to launch what we call Reflections on Pine to tell our story all across the world about Gloria and the Civil Rights Movement in Cambridge.”

Reflections on Pine is a walking tour of Cambridge, a city that historians have described as another-if not the second-Black Wall Street.

“She’s one of the icons who’s not recognized in my opinion, just like Robert Williams, another overlooked figure in the Black liberation movement,” Dr. Ken Morgan, assistant professor Interdisciplinary and Urban Studies at Coppin State University, offered during the forum’s question and answer period. “I just wanted to say that hopefully that, in Maryland at least she should be able to be recognized in the Hall of Fame as a great person who led a great struggle in Maryland.”

“Cambridge, we look at it as a second Black Wall Street, but Cambridge has problems, just like Baltimore City,” Morgan continued, recalling her example and conversations between her and his students. “As well as Salisbury, as well as Prince George’s County, as well as Montgomery County, as well as Frederick County, Hagerstown, other places. It’s going to be really significantly important for Black folks to get together in Maryland to make things happen.

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Baltimore Mayor Says her $500K Book Deal was a ‘Mistake’

Associated Press — Sat, 30 Mar 2019 01:07:17 +0000

By DAVID McFADDEN, Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore’s mayor on Thursday described a lucrative arrangement to sell her self-published children’s books to a university-based health care system as a “regrettable mistake” and offered apologies for “any lack of confidence or disappointment” citizens and colleagues may be feeling.

At a City Hall news conference, Mayor Catherine Pugh provided five pages of paperwork, asserting they detail production and various deliveries of her “Healthy Holly” books to Baltimore’s school system. She also provided a copy of a January 2011 letter to the district’s chief academic officer describing a donation of 20,000 copies of “Health Holly: Exercising is Fun!”

In this June 8, 2018 file photo, Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh addresses a gathering during the annual meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Since 2011, Pugh received $500,000 selling her illustrated paperback series to the University of Maryland Medical System, a $4 billion hospital network. Pugh sat on the medical system’s board of directors for about 18 years.

“I am deeply sorry for any lack of confidence or disappointment which this initiative may have caused any Baltimore City residents and colleagues. In hindsight, this arrangement with the University of Maryland Medical System was a regrettable mistake,” she said, speaking in a weakened voice as she recovers from what spokespeople called a bout of pneumonia.

One of Maryland’s largest private employers, the UMMS paid Pugh half-a-million dollars for 100,000 copies of her roughly 20-page books, arguably making her among the world’s most successful self-published authors. There was no contract behind the deal and the hospital network described some of the purchases as “grants” in federal filings. Pugh — who once sat on a state Senate committee that funded the major health network before becoming mayor in 2016 — served on the system’s board since 2001.

Pugh’s slim “Healthy Holly” books, sharing tips on nutrition and exercise, were meant to be distributed to schools and daycares. But the school district has described her hard-to-find books as “unsolicited” donations after The Baltimore Sun recently exposed Pugh’s arrangements with UMMS. Fewer than 9,000 copies were found collecting dust in a district warehouse. It’s unclear where tens of thousands of other copies are.

Pugh suggested Thursday that it was up to the city’s school district to clear up the confusion.

“I do hope that we find out from the school system where the rest of those books are,” she said.

During the evening press conference, Pugh also held up cloth bibs, onesies and other baby items with words like “jump” and “play” emblazoned on them that she says were intended to be part of her campaign to teach youngsters and families about health. She said her “Healthy Holly” initiative was “never about books” but was “about a lifestyle.”

She said her lawyer advised her not to take any questions since the arrangement with UMMS is now being investigated. A retired state corruption investigator has filed a complaint against Pugh with the state prosecutor’s office.

Pugh choked up at the end of her presentation and departed the conference room, appearing drained as reporters yelled out questions.

A Democrat, Pugh faces a 2020 Democratic primary for re-election in a city dominated by her party’s political machine.

Criticism of UMMS and of Pugh has lately been intense. The Washington Post’s editorial board recently asserted the UMMS had a “get-rich-quick program” for many of its board members, with Pugh’s involvement painted as an egregious case of “political sleaze.”

In recent days, Pugh resigned from the volunteer UMMS board and returned her most recent payment of $100,000. She also amended years of financial disclosure forms from her state Senate days.

Pugh is not the only board member who received significant financial compensation from UMMS. About one-third of the UMMS board members received compensation through the medical system’s arrangements with their businesses, a revelation that Gov. Larry Hogan has called “appalling.”

Two other members of the board have also resigned, and four others went on voluntary leave while the system reviews governance practices. The president and CEO of the University of Maryland Medical System has recently been sent on a temporary leave of absence.

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot says an independent audit is urgent to understand how many “self-dealing” arrangements there have been over the years.

___

Follow McFadden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmcfadd

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Trailblazing Author Talks Race, Politics and Getting the Story Right

AFRO Staff — Fri, 29 Mar 2019 15:48:05 +0000

By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer

After 60 years of asking the tough questions, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, the first Black woman reporter at The Washington Post, sat down at the Barnes & Noble on Howard University’s campus to answer questions about her memoir “Trailblazer: A Pioneering Journalist’s Fight to Make the Media Look More Like America.”

“Trailblazer” was published by Center Street, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc., (January 2019). The Q&A and book signing was presented by HU Media, Journalism & Film Department and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications. Shirley Carswell, a lecturer at the University, and a former editor and newsroom executive at The Washington Post, moderated the discussion.

Legendary journalist, Dorothy Butler Gilliam, the first Black woman reporter at {The Washington Post} sat down at Barnes & Noble on Howard University’s campus to talk about her new memoir, “Trailblazer: A Pioneering Journalist’s Fight to Make the Media Look More Like America.” (Photo by George Kevin Jordan)

Growing up in the segregated South, Gilliam spoke of the powerful message of love, inspiration and validation she received from the Black community.

“You are more than what the larger society says you are,” Gilliam said, “and that I should not yield to the negativity.” These messages were pivotal in the racially charged South, and later highly segregated and polarized D.C.

Gilliam gave her thoughts on the tricky subject of objectivity and how Black reporter’s ability to be objective when covering events that impact their community, were sometimes called into question.

“First of all there was not a level playing field because White reporters covered White events all the time with “objectivity,” Gilliam said. “I don’t like that word anymore. I think more about being accurate and being fair.”

Gilliam was very candid about the differences between reporting a story and writing memoirs.

“One of the main things was hearing the editor, who didn’t come on until much later, say ‘how did you feel about this? How did you feel about that?’ That was so hard.”

But the book is not all just feelings, Gilliam said adding, “There book has a lot of reporting in it because I wanted to include so much.” She said many people worked very hard to help her complete the book.

Gilliam’s work spans multiple decades and platforms. Yes, she made history in 1961 as the first Black woman reporter for the Post, and later served as columnist and editor before retiring in 2003, but she didn’t just make enrodes in the mainstream press. She began her career writing for the Black press in Louisville, Memphis and Chicago, covering the Civil Rights Movement.

She was also pivotal in guiding young journalists. She is the co-founder, former chair and a board member of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education (MIJE). She was a former president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). While at the Post, she founded the Young Journalists Development Program. The mother of three children and three grandchildren also eked out time to write “Paul Robeson: All American” (1976) as well as remain active in her church.

She spoke of the importance of a diverse newsroom. “One of the reasons diversity in the media is so important is that you need editors with diverse ideas to really understand and hear what your saying about a story,” she said.

“So often many African American journalists in mainstream media feel very frustrated because they pitch a story idea and they’re told ‘oh that’s not important’ or ‘nobody cares about that.’”

However, the author was adamant that journalists need to fight for their ideas.

“One of the things I always advocate to young journalists is if you pitch a story idea and the editor says ‘I don’t think this is a good story.’ Do it anyway. Do it on your own time. Then you bring it back. You push it. And sometimes once it’s seen, that opens the door for the story to be covered.”

For more information about Gilliam or her book, visit https://www.centerstreet.com/titles/dorothy-butler-gilliam/trailblazer/9781546083443/

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Entrepreneur Designs Multilingual Program, Creates 6 Books to Help Black Children Learn Different Languages

BlackNews.Com — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 06:50:30 +0000

By BlackNews.com

Charlotte, NC — Shylene Santiago, a self-published author and homeschool mother of eight, has created six multilingual books that bring excitement, song, and dance to many different languages. “The mission of these multilingual books not only help children gain the confidence of speaking in new languages, it also helps parents strengthen their language skills as well,” Santiago said in an interview with Black Connections. In six short months after the launch of Learn A Language 4 Fun, LLC, her business has gained a tremendous amount of exposure and support from educators and parents all around the world.

Shylene Santiago, founder of Learn a Language 4 Fun LLC, with her students. (Courtesy Photo)

Santiago’s youngest was born with a heart defect that required her to step away from her teaching position with Bright Horizons. This sacrifice was necessary to give young Emilio the attention and care he needed. While staying home and focusing on his health she started to homeschool her other children and designed a Spanish lesson plan. The wealth of diversity in their own neighborhood inspired her nine-year-old to request that multiple languages be added to their daily lesson plans. “I want to say ‘Hello’ and ‘How are you?’ in their native language to make them feel comfortable living around us,” urged Anita.

While adjusting to homeschool life and caring for her son, Santiago dedicated 6 hours a day to self-education. She learned the basics of over 25 different languages to create the best foreign language program for children.

What began as a simple task quickly grew into a family business. Santiago asserts that learning different languages has amazing life altering benefits. By introducing your child to different languages, you will increase your child’s confidence and communication skills. “A service like this is a remarkable addition to our community!” states Jazzma Diaz, a local supporter and fan.

Santiago and her children visit nursing homes and daycare centers, vibrantly dressed in fun, colorful clothes, to sing original songs, present historical facts, and even demonstrate how simple learning multiple languages are with her books. “Our children are brilliant and should have full access to multilingual programs that can enhance their minds and help them gain the marketable skills that is needed for black children to excel in the business world,” proclaims Santiago.

For more details about Learn A Language 4 Fun, LLC, visit https://www.learnalanguage4fun.org.

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Books on Slavery, Prison System Win Literary Prizes

Associated Press — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 13:15:52 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Books on slavery, the prison system and the Harlem Renaissance are among this year’s winners of J. Anthony Lukas prizes, named for the late author and journalist.

Shane Bauer’s “American Prison: Reporter’s Undercover Journey into the Business of Punishment” won the $10,000 Lukas Book Prize for writing that combines “literary grace,” deep research and social impact. Two books won the $25,000 Lukas Work-In-Progress Awards: Maurice Chammah’s “Let the Lord Sort Them” and Steven Dudley’s “Mara: The Making of the MS-13.”

(Courtesy Photos)

Andrew Delbanco’s “The War Before the War,” a history of fugitive slaves; and Jeffrey C. Stewart’s biography of Harlem Renaissance leader Alain Locke, “The New Negro,” each won $10,000 Mark Lynton History prizes.

The Columbia Journalism School and the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard announced the awards Wednesday.

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Power of the Pen Panel Becomes Master Class for Writers and Seekers

AFRO Staff — Thu, 07 Mar 2019 23:29:09 +0000

By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer

Three of arguably the most important and prolific writers of our time sat down on March 5 at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium for the “Power of the Pen” panel discussion to chat about writing, research, work and loving our Blackness. But the evening quickly morphed into a master class on pushing yourself towards excellence no matter what your field.

SPOILER ALERT – The answer to most every question in life is read more.

Ta-Nehisi Coates, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Dr. Jelani Cobb, and Anthony Brown during “Power of the Pen” panel discussion at Howard University’s Camton Auditorium on March 5. (Photo by George Kevin Jordan)

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Jelani Cobb took the stage at Howard Cramton Auditorium in front of an intimate but enthusiastic crowd. The event was hosted by Anthony Brown, a Howard alum and communications specialist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of the Inspector General.

The trio, who are friends in real life, have a list of credits and honors most people never achieve. Hannah-Jones is an investigative journalist covering Civil Rights and Racial injustice for the New York Times. She is the recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, The National Magazine Award and the National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Award.

Coates is a writer of residence at NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. He wrote the bestselling books, “The Beautiful Struggle,” “We Were Eight Years in Power” and “Between the World and Me,” which won the National Book Award. Coates is also the author of Marvel comics such as “The Black Panther” and “Captain America,” and a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.

Dr. Cobb is an Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism at Columbia University. Cobb has been staff writer for The New Yorker since 2015. He is a recipient of fellowships from the Fulbright and Ford Foundations. He is also the author of “The Substance of Hope: Barack Obama and the Paradox of Progress” as well as “To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic.” He is also a Howard alum.

Brown asked Coates why it was important for him to be on at the panel discussion and the author was quick to point out the school’s contribution to his life.

“It’s quite impossible for me to imagine any success or my life at all personal or professional without Howard,” Coates, who attended the university, said. “I met my wife here. I met Jelani here. My first articles were published in the Community News and Hilltop.”

He went on to say, “I will owe Howard until the day I die.”

Brown asked Cobb to unpack what he does as a writer.

“I think I am a Black man trying to be responsible to his community and times,” Cobb said.

“I’m a historian and a journalist. But my mission has always been to use the tools that I gained at this institution in a way that was befitting the people who invested in me.”

Hannah-Jones was able to unpack her process and debunk the myth of objectivity in journalism, all in one answer.

“I don’t believe in objectivity. I’ve made that very clear,” Hannah-Jones said.

She went on to say: “I don’t pretend to be objective and I think objectivity has been the shield that mainstream White media and journalists hide behind when they make decisions that clearly many of us think are biased, when they decide who they’re going to cover, what goes on the front page. These are all subjective decisions on what they think are important.”

“I don’t choose to hide behind that at all. But for me what is important is to be accurate and fair. Can you dispute the reporting? Is there anything in the reporting that is not true and was I fair to the parties involved?”

Hannah-Jones said her journalism is more aligned with the tradition of Black journalists and Black media.

“How did someone like Ida B. Wells be objective when reporting in a country where Black people didn’t have citizenship rights?” she asked. “In a country that is in opposition to their existence. In a country that is in opposition to their humanity. You can’t pretend you have no stakes in the game.”

But developing good work is the most important part of the job. “You have to be excellent, you can’t just be good,” Hannah-Jones said.

Dr. Cobbs echoed the sentiment that the next generation of writers have to focus on the output not the outlet.

“People come to me and say, ‘I want you to get me into The New Yorker.’ as opposed to saying, ‘I want you to help me to get my work to be good enough that it belongs in The New Yorker,” Cobbs said. “It’s the aspiration and the ambition without the idea of the caliber of the work going first.”

Coates broke down the essential responsibility of being a Black journalist.

“It’s really not enough for you to just go out and be a relatively successful journalist,” Coates said. “It’s not enough for you to go get a job at the New York Times, or get a job at The New Yorker or The Atlantic, where I was. You have to use the work that you create once you get there as a sword. You’re at war.”

“You’re not just a journalist. You are a journalist in cause of something.”

Coates continued saying: “Your job is to be excellent but excellent in the course of something. When you think about what this long struggle is about, it’s actually about the future of humanity. Your job is to use your power you have as a journalist, as a writer to not be amongst that group of people who are trying to push the world over the cliff.”

But Coates said understanding your responsibility does not have to be burden on you. It can empower you.

“If you do it right, once you leave and become a journalist it can be an accelerant,” Coates said to the crowd. “If you’re writing like, ‘no I’m trying to change the world,’ it’s a different type of fire.”

The crowd cheered and encouraged the panel throughout the night. Many people who attended the event were there for different reasons.

Mikala Williams, 28, who lives in D.C., said she follows Hannah-Jones and Cobb online.

“I just admire their work,” Williams said. “I’m a freelance writer and I wanted to hear what they have to say about being a new writer and always having the audacity to really employ an authentic voice as a Black writer in predominantly White publications and how we can connect that bridge.”

When asked about the importance seeing Black representation in the field of journalism, especially at the caliber of the panelists, Williams said, “It’s huge. It’s almost imperative for young writers or just aspiring writers, especially Black young women and men who are trying to find their footing, where they are in a world where they are reminded that their voice doesn’t matter, to continue to fight that, to fight against that. It’s just encouraging.”

Nichelle Hernandez, 19, a sophomore studying journalism at Howard said, “I want to further the conversation and see what else they have to say about current issues in journalism and issues across the board.”

As for pursuing journalism in this climate of layoffs and uncertainty, Hernandez said, “even though journalism may not be the direct avenue I might take, I feel it’s still something I should study, and at least as a foundation. Even if I go into production, TV, i feel knowing news, current event writing, that’s a good background.”

To learn more about the event go to #powerofthepen.

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‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Compromise Offered to Small Theaters

Associated Press — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 01:22:50 +0000

By LYNN ELBER, AP Television Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The dozens of community and nonprofit theaters across the U.S. forced to abandon productions of “To Kill a Mockingbird” under legal threat were offered an olive branch in the form of Aaron Sorkin’s script for the Broadway version.

Scott Rudin, producer of the New York adaptation of Harper Lee’s novel, had cited an agreement with Lee’s estate in demanding that what he called improperly licensed productions be shut down. Following a backlash in recent days, Rudin said the theater companies could perform the Sorkin play as long as they use his adaptation.

This combination photo shows Hollywood and Broadway producer Scott Rudin at The National Board of Review Motion Pictures awards gala in New York on Jan. 11, 2011, left, and the cover of Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.” (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)

The offer is intended to “ameliorate the hurt caused here,” Rudin said in a statement provided Saturday to The Associated Press. “For these theaters, this is the version that can be offered to them, in concert with our agreement with Harper Lee. We hope they will choose to avail themselves of the opportunity.”

Maybe, maybe not, said the artistic executive director of one of the affected theaters.

“We are interested in the offer and intrigued,” said Seth Miller of the Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City. But Rudin has yet to respond to questions that would need to be answered first, including how long the offer is good for, Miller said Saturday.

At this point, he said, it’s too late to stage it during the play’s allotted three-week run, which was to begin March 26. Miller said he has yet to see the Sorkin version and would have to evaluate the script before making a decision.

“I’ve heard good things about the show, I’ve heard people that weren’t thrilled with some of the changes,” Miller said. “I’m not going to commit to doing something I haven’t read.”

Rudin, an Oscar-winning film producer (“No Country for Old Men”), had argued that Lee signed over to him exclusive worldwide rights to the title of the novel and that Rudin’s current adaptation is the only version allowed to be performed. Lee died in 2016 at age 89.

Rudin’s demand forced the scuttling of adaptations in small venues such as the Mugford Street Players in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and the Kavinoky Theatre in Buffalo, New York, as well as in Salt Lake City and a planned United Kingdom and Ireland tour. They had licensed the rights for a different version, written by Christopher Sergel and licensed by the Dramatic Publishing Company, or DPC.

The all-volunteer Curtain Call Theatre in Braintree, Massachusetts, said it received a letter threatening damages of up to $150,000, a burdensome amount for a venue where tickets for plays are $20 and $25 for musicals.

The Grand Theatre’s estimated loss is $20,000, “a considerable sum for a community theater,” Miller said. Options are being weighed to fill the “Mockingbird” run.

Rudin had defended his original position in a recent statement: “We hate to ask anybody to cancel any production of a play anywhere, but the productions in question as licensed by DPC infringe on rights licensed to us by Harper Lee directly,” he said. “The Sergel play can contractually continue to be performed under set guidelines as described in detail in its own agreement with Harper Lee — and as long as those guidelines are adhered to, we have no issue with the play having a long life.”

That sparked an online revolt with the rallying cry of #BoycottRudinplays. Chris Peterson, founder of the OnStage Blog, asked ticket buyers to avoid all current and coming Rudin productions on Broadway, including “Hillary and Clinton,” ”Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus,” ”King Lear,” ”The Ferryman” and “The Book of Mormon.”

“If a theatre was consciously stealing creative license, that would be one thing,” Peterson wrote online. “This is something else entirely. This is wrong.” He added: “Prohibiting others to perform this piece goes against everything the novel is about in the first place.”

The Broadway adaptation by Sorkin, creator of TV’s “The West Wing” and the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “The Social Network,” stars Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch, the Alabama lawyer who defends a Black man from a false charge of raping a White woman.

A spokesman for the American Association of Community Theatre said last week the organization would not weigh in on the dispute.

___

AP Entertainment Writer Mark Kennedy in New York contributed to this report.

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Dr. Sheila Brooks, Author and Emmy Award Winner, Nominated for NAACP Image Award

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 13:11:27 +0000

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

It isn’t an ordinary day when someone gets nominated for an NAACP Image Award.

And, it certainly isn’t an ordinary day when renowned journalist Roland Martin is the one texting the nominee and alerting them of the honor.

That’s why Tuesday, Feb. 19, wasn’t an ordinary day – at least not for Dr. Sheila Brooks, the Emmy Award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who has dedicated a large part of her professional life to advocating for minorities, women, diversity issues and small businesses.

Dr. Brooks will walk the Red Carpet on Saturday, March 30, in Los Angeles where she’ll find out if her nomination turns into a win at the 50th NAACP Image Awards.

Dr. Brooks, the founder, president and CEO of SRB Communications, a full service Washington, D.C.-based advertising and marketing agency, has earned an Image Award nomination in Outstanding Literary Work as one of the authors (along with Clint C. Wilson) of the new book, “Lucile H. Bluford and the Kansas City Call: Activist Voice for Social Justice.”

Dr. Brooks will walk the Red Carpet on Saturday, March 30, in Los Angeles where she’ll find out if her nomination turns into a win at the 50th NAACP Image Awards.

“I’ve known since he was 19 and he texted me and said, ‘Congratulations on your NAACP Image Award nomination,’ and I just screamed,” Dr. Brooks recalled.

Still stunned, she texted Martin back and he replied by sending her “the whole nomination and the book cover that’s been announced.”

“I said, ‘I guess I’m going to Los Angeles and walk the red carpet,” Dr. Brooks said.

Her new book discusses the life and pioneering work of Lucile H. Bluford, an activist, editor and publisher of the Kansas City Call during the civil rights and women’s rights movements.

“It traces the beginnings of her activism as a young reporter seeking admission to the graduate program in journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, and it details how that battle became the catalyst for her seven-decade career as a champion of racial and gender equality,” Dr. Brooks said.

Buford had already enjoyed a successful career at The Call and historians said she didn’t need further training. However, she saw an opportunity to challenge segregation in public universities.

Though the University of Missouri’s journalism program accepted Miss Bluford based on mailed transcripts, when she showed up to enroll officials saw she was black and denied her entrance.

“She fought the case and it went to the state Supreme Court 11 times and she finally won, but she never did attend the school because it closed, and 50 years later she received an honorary degree,” Dr. Brooks said.

The story has added significance for Dr. Brooks because she grew up in Kansas City.

“The Kansas City Call is the weekly black newspaper in my hometown and I used to play in front of the building,” Dr. Brooks said. “I was very familiar with but not as familiar until I took a deep dive into research,” she said.

The makings of the book began as Dr. Brooks took night courses at Howard University.

She said her plans were to write about a modern day media company owner and decided that most of those stories were already being told. So, she began looking at historical figures where she focused on three individuals in particular:

Mildred Brown of the Omaha Star, Charlotta Bass of the California Eagle and Bluford.

“I decided it was important to talk about Bluford,” Dr. Bass said. “I took a selection of her writings that appeared in the Kansas City Call over a 15-year period and I examined those articles so I could analyze how she articulated a Black feminist viewpoint in her commentary, looking at it from the perspective of women’s rights and civil rights.”

Dr. Brooks ultimately discovered that Bluford used her social authority in the formidable power base of the media she owned to shape and mobilize a broader movement in the struggle for women’s and civil rights.

“She masked her black feminism with a unique angle of vision as it relates to oppression, race, gender and class,” Dr. Brooks said. “Bluford used her voice to break down the barriers of inequity and injustice against both women and Blacks, especially in news coverage that the mainstream news ignored.”

For more information about Bluford or to purchase the book, visit www.lucileblufordbook.com.

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Lisa Borders Steps Down as Head of Time’s Up Organization

Associated Press — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 14:59:13 +0000

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lisa Borders says she has resigned as president and CEO of Time’s Up, the gender equality initiative formed last year in response to sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood.

Borders says in statement Monday that she is stepping aside “with deep regret” due to family issues. She didn’t elaborate.

In this Sept. 7, 2018, file photo, then WNBA president Lisa Borders addresses media members before Game 1 of the WNBA basketball finals between the Seattle Storm and the Washington Mystics in Seattle. Borders, former president of the WNBA, who was named the head of Time’s Up last year, says she has resigned as president and CEO of Time’s Up, the gender equality initiative formed in 2018 in response to sexual misconduct allegations in Hollywood. Borders says in statement Monday, Feb. 18, 2019, that she is stepping aside “with deep regret” due to family issues. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

Chief Operating Officer Rebecca Goldman will serve as interim CEO while the organization conducts an executive search.

Borders, former president of the WNBA, was named head of Time’s Up last year.

The organization was formed in January 2018 in response to sexual misconduct allegations leveled against powerful men in the entertainment industry including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.

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Four Black Political Pioneers Pen Book of Their Lives

AFRO Staff — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 19:30:46 +0000

By George Kevin Jordan, AFRO Staff Writer

History has many sides. But some angles are rarely covered. This Friday, Jan. 25, Washingtonians get a rare glimpse into the interior and exterior lives of four of the most powerful African American women in politics.

“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics” (St. Martin’s Press) tracks the stories of Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore, (With Veronica Chambers) in a book that is part memoir, an ode to friendship and an insider’s tome to the political landscape over the last few decades.

Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore, authors of “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics,” will be holding a book signing at Politcs and Prose in Northwest, D.C. on Friday, Jan. 25. (Twitter Photo)

The authors will sign copies of their book from 7 – 8 p.m. at Politics & Prose Bookstore, 5015 Connecticut Avenue NW.

According to book’s website: “The lives of Black women in American politics are remarkably absent from the shelves of bookstores and libraries. “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics” is a sweeping view of American history from the vantage points of four women who have lived and worked behind the scenes in politics for over thirty years—Donna Brazile, Yolanda Caraway, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore—a group of women who call themselves the “Colored Girls.” Like many people who have spent their careers in public service, they view their lives in four-year waves where presidential campaigns and elections have been common threads. For most of the Colored Girls, their story starts with Jesse Jackson’s first campaign for president. From there, they went on to work on the presidential campaigns of Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

Each woman helped shaped the political system we participate in today. Brazile, was a renowned political strategist and former Interim Chair of the Democratic Party. Currently an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, she is the author of the {New York Times} bestseller “Hacks.” Yolanda Caraway heads the Caraway Group, Inc., which is instrumental in shaping the Democratic party. Leah Daughtry served as CEO of the Democratic National Convention Committee in both 2008 and 2016. She is also a preacher, organizer and public speaker. Minyon Moore also served as CEO of the Democratic National Committee. Also under President Clinton she held several positions from assistant to the President, to director of the White House Office of Public Liaison and director of White House political affairs.

Veronica Chambers, who also contributed to the book, is the editor of The New York Times archival storytelling team. She penned the memoir “Mama’s Girl” and co-wrote “Yes Chef” with Marcus Samuelsson.

The book’s title was a poignant take on the theatrical piece “for colored girls who have considered suicide / when the rainbow is enuf” by writer Ntozake Shange, one of the most celebrated pieces of work about Black women that went on to Broadway and was also turned into a motion picture.

Even though the book was published in October, the journey of these four women can not be understated now when 39 of the 110 women serving in Congress are women of color. In fact, according to the database BlackWomenInPolitics .com, 468 black women ran for public office in 2018. Just this week Kamala Harris announced she was running for President.

This event is free and open to the public.

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Former Wizard Star Promotes New Book at Frederick Douglass High School

AFRO Staff — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 01:38:18 +0000

By J. K. Schmid, AFRO Baltimore Staff

“When the police stop you, there are different rules that you have,” Etan Thomas told the AFRO. “That’s just the way that it is.”

Thomas, a retired 9-year Washington Wizard turned author and activist, visited Frederick Douglass High School during a Fatherhood Summit. Part of the visit was the promotion and handout of copies of Thomas’s 2018 book “We Matter: Athletes and Activism.”

Former Washington Wizards star Etan Thomas promoted his new book, We Matter recently at Douglass High School in West Baltimore. (Courtesy Photo/Keith Allison/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

A collection of interviews with athletes such as Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony and Dwayne Wade and journalists including Soledad O’Brien, Chris Hayes and Jemele Hill, “We Matter” discusses the intersection of sports and politics and the continuing dynamic between athletes and activists.

“One of things that resonated the most in mainstream America-White America, was that hearing people like Dwayne Wade talk about how he thought about his sons after Trayvon Martin was killed,” Thomas said of his book.

“I remember seeing you talk about your sons and how much they loved hoodies, because at the same time I was talking about my son Malcolm about how much he loved hoodies,” Thomas wrote.

“… I remember having the conversation with my boys, and they didn’t really understand everything exactly, but it was important to let them know and answer all of their questions and talk with them about everything that was going on,” Wade said in the “We Matter” interview.

Central to the contemporary conversation is the increasing prominence of police brutality against Black people and the urgency of just as prominent media figures in sports and journalism voicing their and the Black community’s demand for justice.

With that, and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement comes an increasingly sophisticated “Talk” about how to resist police violence en masses, but still get home safely.

“The battle, when you’re in confrontation with the policeman right there, it’s winning this battle,” Thomas said. “You have to know about how to conspicuously use your cell phone. The main point is to get home safely, then you can fight to win the bigger war, later. But the main thing right there is to get home safely and those are the kind of discussions that we’ve having as we’ve been doing workshops with young Black men across the country.”

Thomas cited Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp as another part of the new dynamic of knowing and asserting rights while still getting home safely.

“A lot of the reaction from Black America is that they are thankful that people are standing up for our children, but they have to navigate through this,” Thomas said. “Because you can’t dictate somebody’s heart, you still have to navigate through it.”

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Ernest Withers: Undercover Agent for FBI or Forced to Be a Spy?

NNPA Newswire Correspondent — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 14:39:44 +0000

By Sybil C. Mitchell, The New Tri-State Defender

On the eve of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s actual birthday (Jan. 15), allegations of counterintelligence versus arguments of unwilling victim of the FBI were passionately voiced during a discussion of Preston Lauterbach’s new book, “Bluff City: The Secret Life of Ernest Withers.”

A capacity crowd filled the book-signing space at Novel Memphis for the event that yielded riveting exchanges regarding the life and actions of Withers. The late and renowned civil rights-era photographer had pretty much unfettered access to Dr. King and movement figures national and local.

Preston Lauterbach’s new book, “Bluff City: The Secret Life of Ernest Withers”

Lauterbach’s book attempts a balanced and unbiased perspective on what Withers’ legacy will be: a traitorous informant who spied for the FBI or a blackmail victim forced to do as he was told.

There is no doubt whether Withers funneled information to the FBI and was paid. But, says Lauterbach, the reasons why evolved just as the man did. It was a combination of several factors, he contends.

“Ernest Withers was a man with an extreme hustle bone,” said the author. “You have to remember that he had a wife and eight children to feed. He was paid, but Mr. Withers was doing what he needed to do to feed his family.”

Documents released after his death chronicled his secret relationship with the FBI. Those documents formed the basis for “A Spy in Canaan: How the FBI Used a Famous Photographer to Infiltrate the Civil Rights Movement,” a book by ex-newspaper investigative reporter Marc Perrusquia.

On Monday night, Lauterbach talked at length about the now iconic “I Am A Man” sign and slogan that came to embody the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis and a struggle for racial equality. The famous photo that galvanized the striking workers and turned myriad eyes on Memphis showed Withers’ gift for not only framing the moment, but staging a scene.

Preston Lauterbach

“His motto was, ‘Pictures tell the story.’ The sticks that held the signs were used as weapons of violence in that first march. When the rioting broke out, it served the FBI’s purpose of discrediting Dr. King as a nonviolent leader and to embarrass him,” said Lauterbach.

“The Black Invaders took the blame for the violence, but they were actually there to protect Dr. King. J. Edgar Hoover needed that violence to be pinned on the Invaders. He wanted to create as much conflict between the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference]) and the black power group.

“Withers admitted buying the lumber for the sticks and the saw for the lumber,” said Lauterbach. “As the rioting began, the police swooped down on marchers with excessive force.”

A spirited exchange began between those who saw Withers’ actions as betrayal and others who leaned more sympathetically to characterize his actions.

“We marched with Dr. King. We were there,” said the Rev. Dr. L. LaSimba M. Gray Jr., pastor emeritus of New Sardis Baptist Church. “That is, perhaps, the most damnable revelation – that those sticks were made as weapons of violence.

“He could have gotten us killed. The rioting started, and the police came down in force. I’m wondering now if I might have been a target of the FBI. My family might have been put in danger.”

The Rev. Bill Adkins, pastor of Greater Imani Cathedral of Faith, recalled the day of the march.

“We were lining up for the march,” said Adkins. “And just before the march started, a pickup truck pulled up, loaded with signs. Anyone who wanted a sign could get one. After the march got started, the next thing we knew, windows were being broken, and the police moved in.

“I agree that we could have all been killed or seriously hurt. It never occurred to anyone, I’m sure, that the sticks attached to the signs were weapons of violence. These revelations are very disturbing.”

While some believe that Withers was guilty of counter-spying and working against leaders of the civil rights movement, others felt the term “informant” simply did not apply.

While the photojournalist was providing Hoover and the FBI information on everything he could, there is no proof that anyone was actually hurt by his reports, one member of the audience suggested.

“It could very well be that Withers didn’t tell the FBI anything they didn’t already know,” said Lauterbach.

“But however one sees him – as either a good man or a shadowy figure – Mr. Withers endured many trials and hardships as he recorded the movement with images that really did tell the story,” Lauterbach said.

“He was down there in Little Rock (Arkansas) when his mentor, former Tri-State Defender editor Alex Wilson, was beaten so badly that he sustained neurological damage to the head. This was a man he was very close to. Informant or not, the FBI was 100 percent the real power structure. It was Hoover who manipulated the civil rights movement. Let’s not forget, Hoover tried to make Dr. King commit suicide.

“Withers was a victim of ‘economic segregation.’ With a wife and eight children, he must have felt the pressure of financial hardship.”

Lauterbach explained that Withers “might not have seen himself as an informant.”

Adkins wasn’t buying that.

“Mr. Withers took photos of everything, including strategy meetings and closed sessions where we planned every move,” said Adkins. “Nobody put Mr. Withers out of those meetings. He was constantly moving around taking photos of everyone.

“We had no idea he was cooperating with the FBI. There is no way he didn’t know that he was acting as an informant and betraying the movement.”

Lauterbach countered with the argument that Withers was a conservative and concerned about the communist leanings and anti-war sentiment that was ever-growing.

“He may not have felt he could do anything other than what he was doing – reporting the actions of civil rights leaders to the FBI,” said Lauterbach.

“There are facts to support both sides – that Mr. Withers became an FBI informant for money, or he felt it was something he had to do to care for his family,” said Lauterbach. “Readers are left to make their own conclusions.”

Asked whether Withers had any regrets in his latter years, Lauterbach said he believes so, pointing to this reflection attributed to Withers:

“I was the cause of those signs being used as clubs. I bought the lumber and the saw to cut that lumber. I started the violence. People were hurt by the police and attacked with tear gas and billy clubs.”

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`Sweetheart Gang’ Honors the Essential Black Mother

Sean Yoes — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:28:43 +0000

By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com

“Black Girl Magic” is a phrase that captures the undeniable power of Black women. But, there would be no Black Girl Magic without the Black Mommas who birthed them.

Tales from the Sweetheart Gang is a lovely series of love letters celebrating miraculous Black motherhood, from the hearts of daughters to their mothers.

“The book is simply a collection of chapters where each writer writes a story about her own mother; who she is, the kind of woman she was, how she helped them become the woman she is,” said the Rev. Dorothy Scott Boulware, the book’s author/editor and the managing editor of the AFRO.

“Tales from the Sweetheart Gang” (Courtesy Photo)

“Some of it is funny stories, some of it makes you want to cry, some of it feels real familiar. They embrace the fact that often they find themselves saying some of the same stuff they use to hate to hear their mothers say,” added Boulware, who is the mother of four, grandmother of five and great-grandmother of two. The authors of the individual chapters are all personal friends of Boulware and three of them have also been AFRO editors.

“Talibah Chikwendu hired me at the AFRO as a novice general assignment editor,” Boulware stated. “Dorothy Rowley became the Washington, D.C. editor in 2007 and Tiffany Ginyard came as an intern around 2005 and also worked her way up to managing editor before she left to teach English.”

According to Boulware, each author was given only 30 days notice before they had to present the chapter with photos of their mothers and themselves.

“One of the writers and I have been friends for…55 years. So, these are friends I’ve gathered along the way, from school, from the neighborhood,” said Boulware who penned the ninth chapter about her mother Magruder Dorothy Scott.

Boulware said the name “Sweetheart Gang” is the manifestation of an enduring memory from her own childhood.

“This is real unique,” said Boulware with a laugh. “I was a foster child…when I was six my grandmother died and I was then raised by her best friend. The house that I went to was very different from the original house; there wasn’t a lot of touching and hugging and that kind of stuff there. (But), I was in a community with a lot of older people and the older ladies called me sweetheart and that always made me feel so much love,” Boulware added. “My thought as a child was that at some point when you got to a certain age you got so full of love…that you could spill it out on other people by calling them sweetheart…the older ladies at my church, in my neighborhood, they called me and all the other children sweetheart.”

Boulware is also the author of four other books: Keep Walking in Prayer…Until You Can’t Come Back; Mustard Seed Mondayz: Weekly Faithbytes For a Year; Have You Heard of the Holy Ghost and Mustard Seed Mondayz Too.

“This (Sweetheart Gang) is a total departure from everything else I’ve written,” Boulware admitted.

“I’m not even sure how I got the idea to do it. But, as it has evolved I began to understand how important it is, because people who always wanted to be published authors are now published authors.”

You can meet the Sweetheart Gang at a book signing event, 2-4 p.m., Feb. 13 at Nancy by SNAC, 131 W. North Ave. Tales From the Sweetheart Gang, can be purchased on Amazon, or on walkingworthynow.com

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Eyeing 2020, Harris Addresses Prosecutorial Past in Memoir

Associated Press — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:52:12 +0000

By JUANA SUMMERS , Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — As she nears a decision on whether to seek the presidency, Sen. Kamala Harris is taking on what could be a hurdle in a Democratic primary: her past as a prosecutor.

In her memoir published Tuesday, the California Democrat describes herself as a “progressive prosecutor” and says it’s a “false choice” to decide between supporting the police and advocating for greater scrutiny of law enforcement. The argument is aimed at liberal critics of her record who argue she was sometimes too quick to side with the police and too slow to adopt sentencing reforms.

In this Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, photo, U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Ca., leaves a campaign event at Miami Dade College in Miami. As she nears a decision on whether to seek the presidency, California Sen. Kamala Harris is striking a delicate balance on what could be a hurdle in a Democratic primary: her past as a prosecutor. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

“I know that most police officers deserve to be proud of their public service and commended for the way they do their jobs,” Harris writes in “The Truths We Hold.” ”I know how difficult and dangerous the job is, day in and day out, and I know how hard it is for the officers’ families, who have to wonder if the person they love will be coming home at the end of each shift.”

But, she continues, “I also know this: it is a false choice to suggest you must either be for the police or for police accountability. I am for both. Most people I know are for both. Let’s speak some truth about that, too.”

After high-profile fatal shootings involving police officers and unarmed people of color, the criminal justice system’s treatment of minorities is a top issue among Democratic voters. The passage suggests Harris is aware that her seven years as the district attorney in San Francisco, followed by six years as California’s attorney general, is something she will have to explain and signals how she may frame her law enforcement career if she decides to run for the White House.

“It’s a presidential campaign, and every aspect of a candidate’s record is going to be scrutinized and they’re going to have to answer for it,” said Mo Elleithee, a longtime Democratic operative who leads Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. “She knows that this is something that’s heading her way and a good candidate is one who doesn’t wait for it to hit them. A good candidate is someone who addresses it proactively, and she appears to be doing that.”

Beyond the book, Harris supported legislation that passed the Senate late last year and overhauls the criminal justice system, especially when it comes to sentencing rules.

In the book, Harris recounts an instance when she was an intern at the Alameda County district attorney’s office and an innocent bystander was one of many people arrested during a drug raid. Harris said she “begged” and “pleaded” on a late Friday afternoon for a judge to hear the case so the woman could avoid spending the weekend in jail.

Kate Chatfield, the policy director of the California-based criminal justice reform group Re:store Justice, said Harris did do “some good” when she was in law enforcement, but that it was “incumbent on the public to hold her accountable for the ways in which she either didn’t do enough or actually did some harm.”

“When the conversation shifts, one should be expected to be questioned about those choices,” Chatfield said, noting among other issues Harris’s advocacy for tougher truancy laws.

By addressing policing in the book, Harris is taking on an issue that confronted Democrats and some Republicans in 2016. Democrat Hillary Clinton was criticized for her husband’s role in passing the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which created stricter penalties for drug offenders and funneled billions of dollars toward more police and new prisons.

The issue is likely to be the subject of fierce debate in 2020 as well and could expose divisions among the wide field of candidates — presenting hurdles for some and opportunity for others.

Former Vice President Joe Biden was the head of the Senate’s Judiciary Committee when the 1994 crime bill — which is now criticized as having helped create an era of mass incarceration — was passed and signed into law, which could be an obstacle for him. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker was central to the passage of the Senate’s criminal justice overhaul package and is certain to tout it if he decides to launch a presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who is also considering a 2020 bid, often refers to her own prosecutorial past.

The memoir — and the publicity surrounding it — will shift the 2020 campaign spotlight to Harris this week after much of the focus has been on her Senate colleague Elizabeth Warren. Last week, the Massachusetts Democrat became the most prominent person yet to take steps toward a presidential run by forming an exploratory committee. Her weekend trip to the leadoff caucus state of Iowa also generated largely flattering headlines.

Some criminal justice advocates said they were happy the issue would get more attention in 2020.

“When we had the 2016 elections, it was at the height of Ferguson and Baltimore, and we still didn’t have serious engagement with criminal justice reform,” said Phillip Atiba Goff, the president of the Center for Policing Equity, referring to the protests that followed the deaths of black men at the hands of police officers in Missouri and Maryland. “My hope is that we require candidates to demonstrate that they know more than the catchphrases of the activists in their bases.”

Surveys underscore the potency of criminal justice issues among Democrats. A February 2018 poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that majorities of Democrats — but far fewer Republicans — think there’s been little progress for African-Americans on criminal justice or policing issues over the past 50 years. The poll showed that 45 percent of Americans, including 62 percent of Democrats and 19 percent of Republicans, thought there had been little to no progress on fair treatment for black Americans by the criminal justice system. Similarly, 46 percent of Americans, including 63 percent of Democrats and 23 percent of Republicans, said there’s been little to no progress for African-Americans on fair treatment by police.

While it’s not yet clear how Harris’ prosecutorial background could affect her primary bid, it could help her if she faces President Donald Trump in the 2020 general election.

“He ran as the law-and-order president,” Elleithee said of Trump. “Being able to go toe-to-toe with him on law and order in a smarter way, I think, is going to be important. Should she win the nomination and does it by navigating this topic well, then I think she would be a strong voice and a force to be reckoned with when it comes to issues of law and order, criminal justice and civil rights as they collide in a general election.”

___

Associated Press writers Hillel Italie in New York and Emily Swanson in Washington contributed to this report.

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`Keep Your Hustle, But Change Your Product’

Sean Yoes — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 22:50:51 +0000

By Sean Yoes, AFRO Baltimore Editor, syoes@afro.com

Author Lamont Carey’s latest book, The Transition: From One Hellhole to Another, continues his searing narrative about the perils of mass incarceration, which impacts millions of Americans on both sides of the wall.

Although Carey, a native of Washington, D.C. crafts fictionalized stories about life in prison, they are born of his very real experience as a young Black man who was once caught up in perhaps the most vicious system of incarceration on the planet.

Lamont Carey, an author, motivational speaker and filmmaker has published his seventh book, The Transition. (Courtesy Photo)

“I was in prison, to keep…from being bored, I use to jump in rap battles and one of the guys challenged me to write a book, because he said I couldn’t battle,” said Carey during a phone interview. “And I wrote the book and I started being the institution favorite, everybody wanted to read the book. So, I kept writing books.”

All of Carey’s books (The Transition is his seventh), give readers an intimate and ultimately authentic immersion into life in prison. “So, the books that I released are a guy’s journey through one of the worst prisons in the world. So, you get to see how prison works, how relationships work, how individuals chose to navigate based off of their experiences,” Carey said. But, the author, motivational speaker and filmmaker revealed what he experienced inside the system when he first entered it was nothing like he expected.

“Prison was nothing like I thought it would be. I thought prison would be this constant battle of having to prove myself to protect me from being raped and all of that,” he said.
“But, what prison actually was, well, you had two roads you could take; you could take that road where you live a life of violence and aggression, or you could take the road of programming. And initially, I took the road of violence, but then it was working against me,” Carey added. “I was losing good days and going to the hole. And so, I chose the other path so I could get home. So, people go to prison and sometimes lose sight of freedom and when you lose sight of freedom that’s when you become institutionalized.”

Carey first hit the national stage as a spoken word artist in 2005 on HBO’s “Def Poetry Jam.” But, he said he had no expectation of where poetry would take him. “I wasn’t focused on being a change agent, I just was trying to infuse truth into the art, because a lot of people hadn’t come from that background and they were doing poems in the third person, so it wasn’t truth,” he said. “So, I just added, hard…straight from the streets kind of material and that material ended up having an impact because it gave other people, it made them see that their voice was being heard, and that somebody else shared their ideas,” Carey added.

“And so from there I started getting invited to speak in jails and prisons and their communities and so I just latched onto that. Because it gave me the opportunity, all those bad experiences I had this was an opportunity to use them for good. So, I turned my mistakes and roadblocks to success.”

Carey’s journey has taken him from seemingly divergent locations like Ames, Iowa to Africa. But, ultimately his message is universal, especially for people of color.

“There is poverty everywhere, there are Black people everywhere trying to figure out how to come up,” he said.

“There are Black people everywhere that succumb to the barriers. And then when I enter the room and talk about my challenges and how I overcame them, it gives hope.”

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Author Alice Walker Criticized For Support of Writer’s Book

Associated Press — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 20:57:29 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Alice Walker and The New York Times are drawing fire after she praised an author who critics say expresses anti-Semitism and is a conspiracy theorist.

In this April 23, 2009 file photo, Alice Walker stands in front of a picture of herself from 1974 as she tours her archives at Emory University, in Atlanta. Walker and The New York Times are drawing fire after she praised an author who critics say is a conspiracy theorist who expresses anti-Semitism. In an interview in Sunday’s “By The Book” column, the author of “The Color Purple” said David Icke’s 1995 book, “And The Truth Shall Set You Free,” is on her nightstand. A New York Times spokesperson says the column is not a list of recommendations from its editors. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

In an interview in Sunday’s “By The Book” column, the 74-year-old author of “The Color Purple” said David Icke’s 1995 book, “And The Truth Shall Set You Free,” is on her nightstand. She said “in Icke’s books there is the whole of existence, on this planet and several others, to think about.”

New York Times spokesperson Danielle Rhoades says the column is not a list of recommendations from its editors, and “the subject’s answers are a reflection on that person’s personal tastes, opinions and judgments.”

Icke is a British author.

Walker declined comment through her publicist.

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Top Of Mind: ‘Justice’ Is Merriam-Webster’s Word Of The Year

Associated Press — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:07:37 +0000

By LEANNE ITALIE, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Racial justice. Obstruction of justice. Social justice. The Justice Department. Merriam-Webster has chosen “justice” as its 2018 word of the year, driven by the churning news cycle over months and months.

The word follows “toxic,” picked by Oxford Dictionaries, and “misinformation,” plucked by Dictonary.com.

In this Dec. 12, 2018, photo, “justice” is displayed in a Merriam-Webster dictionary in New York. Merriam-Webster has chosen “justice” as its 2018 word of the year, driven by the churning news cycle and President Trump’s Twitter feed. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Webster’s editor at large, told The Associated Press ahead of Monday’s announcement that “justice” consistently bubbled into the top 20 or 30 lookups on the company’s website, spiking at times due to specific events but also skating close to the surface for much of the year.

While it’s one of those common words people likely know how to spell and use correctly in a sentence, Sokolowski pointed to other reasons that drive search traffic. Among them is an attempt to focus a train of thought around a philosophical problem, or to seek aspirational motivation. Such well-known words are often among the most looked up every year, including those that are slightly abstract, including “love,” he said.

The designation for “justice” came soon after President Trump’s one-time fixer, Michael Cohen, was sentenced to three years in prison for crimes that included arranging the payment of hush money to conceal his boss’ alleged sexual affairs. He told a judge he agreed time and again to cover up Trump’s “dirty deeds” out of “blind loyalty.”

It also came ahead of a Senate vote on the “First Step Act,” a criminal justice reform bill with broad bipartisan support. Earlier in the year, Kim Kardashian West not once but twice paid a White House visit on Trump to discuss prison and sentencing reform. Sentencing for drug crimes, treatment for opioid addiction, a loosening of cannabis laws, a Tesla probe, the Mueller investigation into the Trump campaign: Justice will remain top of mind into the new year.

“These are stories that connect to the culture and to society across races, across classes,” Sokolowski said. “We get this word that filters in.”

That includes Twitter in a big way.

Often, when Trump tweets about the Department of Justice, he uses simply “Justice.” On Aug. 1, when he tweeted his wish for then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions to stop the Mueller investigation, searches spiked significantly. Trump referred to “obstruction of justice,” a separate entry on the Merriam-Webster site, prompting a lookup increase of 900 percent over the same date the year before.

Searches for “justice” throughout the year, when compared to 2017, were up 74 percent on the site that has more than 100 million page views a month and nearly half a million entries, Sokolowski said. To be word of the year worthy, an entry has to show both a high volume of traffic and a significant year-over-year increase in lookups — as opposed to, say, a word that merely buzzed or felt lofty, he said.

“We are not editorializing. We looked at our data and we were ourselves surprised by this word,” Sokolowski said. “This is a word that people have been thinking about for this entire year.”

The word “justice” comes from Latin, unlike a lot of the more emotional words that rose in Old English. Old English did have “law,” ”fair” and “right,” but never “justice,” in reference to a system of laws.

“It’s not a coincidence that it comes from the 12th century, which immediately follows the Norman conquest. When the Normans invaded England they brought their language, Old French, which was basically the then-modern version of Latin. They brought their system of government and laws and imposed them on the people they conquered, and that’s why all of the legal language in English today is Latin, just like the word justice,” Sokolowski explained. “It took the imposition of a system of laws to bring us the word justice.”

One rule breaker: “witness,” a word with a purely Old English start.

Other words that experienced lookup spikes this year: “maverick” (Sen. John McCain died); “respect” (Aretha Franklin died); “excelsior” (Stan Lee’s signature battle cry. He died); “pissant” (A radio host described Tom Brady’s daughter that way); “pansexual” (Janelle Monae described herself that way); “laurel” (Remember laurel vs. yanny?); “feckless” (What Samantha Bee called Ivanka Trump, combined with a pejorative that begins with “c”); “epiphany” (The title of a BTS K-pop song that dropped this year); “lodestar” (used in reference to McCain in the anonymous New York Times op-ed identified as coming from inside the Trump administration); and “nationalism” (At an Oct. 22 rally in Texas, Trump declared himself a nationalist).

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Civil-Rights Lawyer’s Memoir To Be Reissued, Made Into Film

Associated Press — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 21:36:07 +0000

By the Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A memoir by the late civil-rights activist Dovey Johnson Roundtree is being reissued, and a film version is in the works.

In this April 20, 2000, file photo, Dovey Roundtree sits for a portrait in Spotsylvania Va. A memoir by the late civil-rights activist is being reissued, and a film version is in the works. Algonquin Books announced Monday, Dec. 3, 2018, that a 10th anniversary edition of Roundtree’s “Mighty Justice” is coming out next November. (Suzanne Carr/The Free Lance-Star via AP, File)

Algonquin Books announced Monday that a 10th-anniversary edition of Roundtree’s “Mighty Justice” is coming out next November. Co-written by Katie McCabe, the book was originally called “Justice Older Than the Law” and was praised by Michelle Obama, among others. Meanwhile, Roaring Brook Press plans middle grade and picture book versions and film rights were acquired by Red Crown Productions, with Octavia Spencer as executive producer.

Roundtree, who died in May at age 104, was a groundbreaking attorney and minister and the inspiration for Cicely Tyson’s idealistic Southern lawyer in the 1990s TV series “Sweet Justice.”

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Sen. Kamala Harris Plans Picture Book Edition of Memoir

Associated Press — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:58:46 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Sen. Kamala Harris, whose memoir comes out Jan. 8, isn’t only writing for those of voting age.

This combination photo of books shows memoir “The Truths we Hold: An American Journey,” left, and children’s book “Superheroes Are Everywhere,” both by Sen. Kamala Harris, D- Calif., which will be released together on January 8. (Penguin Press/Philomel Books via AP)

The picture book memoir “Superheroes Are Everywhere” will be released around the same time, Penguin Young Readers announced Monday. Penguin Press is publishing the adult edition, “The Truths We Hold: An American Journey.”

Harris, a California Democrat, has been widely discussed as a possible 2020 presidential contender and memoirs have become a standard part of a White House campaign. She said in a statement that she hoped her story would “empower young people” and make them “caring, thoughtful, passionate citizens.”

A middle grade edition of “The Truths We Hold” is scheduled for later in 2019.

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Michelle Obama’s Memoir Sells More Than 725,000 Copies

Hillel Italie — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 01:59:44 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — First day sales for Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” topped 725,000 copies, making it one of the year’s biggest debuts.

Crown Publishing told The Associated Press on Friday that the figures include sales and pre-orders for the former first lady’s memoir include hardcover, audio and e-books editions for the United States and Canada. “Becoming” was released on Tuesday, the same day Mrs. Obama launched a national book tour . Crown also announced that it had raised the book’s print run from 1.8 million copies to 2.6 million. Reviews of the book, which traces Obama’s journey from Chicago’s South Side to the White House, have been positive, with The Washington Post praising its “impressive balance in telling the truth of her challenges while repeatedly acknowledging her lucky life.”

This cover image released by Crown shows “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama. Crown Publishing told The Associated Press on Friday that the former first lady’s memoir had sold more than 725,000 copies after its first day of publication. “Becoming” came out Tuesday, the same day Obama launched a national book tour. (Crown via AP)

“Becoming” had the biggest opening of any books in 2018 by Crown’s parent company, Penguin Random House. But at least one other book this year, from Simon & Schuster, did start higher: Bob Woodward’s “Fear: Trump in the White House” sold around 900,000 copies after one day.

“Becoming” is well exceeding the pace of previous memoirs by first ladies. In 2003, Hillary Clinton’s “Living History” had first week sales of around 600,000 copies, at a time when audio sales were tiny and e-book sales nonexistent.

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DC Celebrates Nikki Giovanni as She Celebrates the Greatness of Black People

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 16:00:58 +0000

By Brianna McAdoo, Staff Writer, bmcadoo@afro.com

Dubbed “The Poet of the Black Revolution”, the legendary activist, poet and educator Nikki Giovanni received a warm welcome from the D.C. community as she shared excerpts from her new book, A Good Cry on October 26 at Busboys and Poets located on 450 K St N.W.

“A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter”, is Giovanni’s newest book- which is an introspective exploration of her life and the people who have had significant impact and influence along her journey.

Celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni spoke at Busboys and Poet 450 K St N.W. about her new book “A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter.”

Giovanni is a proud native of Knoxville, Tennessee and is an alumna of Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. where she received her B.A. in History. As both a revolutionary and literate, she initially gained notoriety in the 1960s during the Black Arts Movement where she began establishing herself as a premiere poet and author. Giovanni’s expansive body of work ranges from poetry to children’s books. In 1967, she established the first Black Arts Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio. Giovanni is the recipient of 7 NAACP Image Awards, has authored 3 New York and Los Angeles Times Best Sellers and is one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “Living Legends.” She currently serves as a “distinguished professor” at Virginia Tech University.

The wise yet fiery spirit of Giovanni kept the audience captivated for the evening as she shared excerpts from her new book, social commentary on the current state of affairs in the world as well as invaluable, yet funny, takeaways from her own life experiences. In the not so typical style of a bookstore event, Giovanni started off the evening with the hymn, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” using the opportunity not only as a teaching moment, but to build the feeling of community in the space. “So many of our young Black people…and maybe other people you know too…they don’t know the spirituals, they don’t know the hymns,” Giovanni said.

The celebrated poet shared her critiques on Donald Trump and when speaking on the racialized hate Black people have experienced in America, she talked about the beauty of Black people finding love and happiness in the midst of adversity. The audience laughed and cheered as she said, “I think they’re jealous because all that we went through somehow we found a way to laugh, somehow we found a way to dance, somehow we found a way to sing.” She took the time to positively affirm all the Black people in the room, reminding them that “We are a great people from a great people.”

Throughout the night she shared intimate moments about her life, family and the backstory behind her new book and its title. She revealed that she has had a hard time with processing emotions through moments of hardship and trauma. “I never learned how to cry,”Giovanni shared. “The problem is I have held in things and I need to learn to cry.”

During the Question and Answer portion of the night, Giovanni shared what distinguishes her as a poet.“What makes me a really good poet is that I have written some excellent poems, I have written some good poems, I have written some bad poems, what makes me truly almost brilliant is I know the difference.”

She continued to share advice for young writers,“Somebody’s gonna ask you, ‘What’s your favorite poem?’ You must never answer that because what you are doing is fighting against yourself.”

At the end of the evening, founder of Busboys and Poets Andy Shallal came to the stage to thank Giovanni and shared that Busboy’s would be celebrating the poet by officially naming their reading room the Nikki Giovanni Reading Room at their 450 K st NW location.

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Campbell Pens Book Giving Hope To Family Caregivers

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:59:47 +0000

By MARK F. GRAY, Staff Writer, mgray@afro.com

Challenges in caring for loved ones with special needs can cause pressure on those who must make their lives comfortable in later years. The needs to be met are both practical and emotional and often put strains on family relationships.

Author Teraleen Campbell understands the pressure that goes with caring for an indigent family member in their final years. As an only child she faced the task of caring for her mother as an only child for the last six years of her mother’s life.

As her mother’s caregiver, author Teraleen Campbell used her own experiences as inspiration for the book “Carefree to Caregiver,” which has been published for National Caregivers Month. (Courtesy Photo)

In her book from “Carefree to Caregiver,” Campbell discusses what caregivers face when trying to comfort loved ones who need full time attention and the affect it can have on their lives. She uses her experiences from the time caring for her mother as a way to tell help shed light on facing the challenges of her responsibility and to provide counseling to those who may be approaching this critical juncture in their lives.

“It can be a difficult road when you’re trying to take care of a parent or a spouse when they can no longer do for themselves,” Campbell told the AFRO. “When the normal routine of life is lost, and you have to assume that responsibility it can be overwhelming”.

Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of this generation. With baby boomers living longer – even with health challenges – their support has become vital in handling the personal matters that accompany those twilight years.

Instead of framing the narrative in a desperate light, she puts her challenges in an inspirational form that paints a picture of optimism and gives the reader hope. The book is formatted as 31-day devotional book. Each daily passage provides an inspirational reading in addition to a prayer and space for journaling.

Being a caregiver is not limited to providing medical care. It also includes working with medical staff to ensure that quality care is provided. Additionally, there are often legal and financial considerations.

In most cases, caregivers feel unprepared for the level of responsibilities that they must assume. Long term caregiving can lead to burn out, especially if the caregiver has not adjusted their life to successfully balance their new role.

“I realized the importance of taking some time to focus on me and what I was dealing with, in addition to processing what was happening in my life. I became mindful that if I wasn’t healthy, I couldn’t adequately care for my mother. “

According to data from AARP, 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child for at least 12 months. Nearly one in six working adults have responsibilities of providing care for a family member. Additionally, 69% of working caregivers caring for a family member or friend report having to rearrange their work schedule, decrease their hours, or take an unpaid leave in order to meet their caregiving responsibilities. These situations can adversely affect the mental and physical health of the very caregivers who are providing support for others.

Campbell, who is also a minister at Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C., noticed as she was putting her stories to paper that there were not many books that addressed the African American community’s perils when facing becoming caregivers. She hopes that this book will help to make it easier for those families to address the issues to prepare them for the hard decisions they will face, should they become caregivers.

“In our community people don’t want to discuss transitional lifestyle decisions,” Campbell adds. “Its tough handling things by yourself and hopefully this book will be of comfort and support”.

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Mrs. Obama says ‘Access Hollywood’ Tape Led Her to Speak Out

Associated Press — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 15:41:27 +0000

By JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr., AP Entertainment Writer

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Michelle Obama said she felt anxious before giving her emotional New Hampshire speech in 2016 condemning Donald Trump for bragging about sexually assaulting women in a recording more than a decade ago.

The former first lady recalled that she wrote the outline of her speech addressing Trump’s comments on the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape while sitting in a waiting room as her mother was having back surgery. She gave the speech at an event in support of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the “Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama” event at the Forum on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

“When I’m telling the truth, I’m not afraid,” Mrs. Obama said. “I was anxious about giving it. I know how I feel, and what I wanted to do at that time was take women to that place where we know how we feel when we are demeaned. We have all experienced that at some point in time. Women don’t have the platform to say it out loud.”

But Mrs. Obama also said that she had gotten to the point where she was less concerned about what people thought about her words. “It was also (Barack Obama’s) second term. I was like ‘I’m done with caring what people think.’ It’s time to put some truth out there.”

Mrs. Obama spoke Thursday at an event with “black-ish” actor Tracee Ellis Ross at The Forum near Los Angeles. She’s promoting her best-selling book “Becoming,” which was released this week.

Former first lady Michelle Obama, left, and Tracee Ellis Ross speak at the “Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama” event at the Forum on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

She never mentioned Trump’s name, but said she “hated bullies.”

“I don’t know if men really understand what we bare as women,” she said. “The sad thing is that women aren’t safe in this world. We are at risk to be cut all the time. I wanted to bring voice to women who know what that feels like. You’re just putting up with some man’s voice saying some stuff that is inappropriate and out of line, and they think it’s a joke. It has a lasting impact. … You have the power to vote against it.”

She entered the stage to Alicia Key’s “Girl on Fire” in her second stop of her 12-stop arena book tour. She kicked her tour off in a talk with Oprah Winfrey in Chicago.

Ten percent of ticket costs are being donated to local charities, schools and community groups.

Much of the 90-minute conversation between Mrs. Obama and Ross was filled with laughter. They talked about Mrs. Obama having a panic attack, getting marriage counseling and joked about her husband’s walk being “sexy” but annoyingly slow sometimes.

In the book, Mrs. Obama mentions a time when she had a fist fight with a girl while growing up on Chicago’s South Side.

“You did? A physical fight?” Ross asked.

“Yeah, I talk about it in the book. What other kind of fight — you see, this is Tracee. ‘A physical fight. With your hands,” Mrs. Obama replied.

She added: “Those are the only fights you had on the South Side. What? You thought people were debating? No, girl. We were throwing down — like, kickin’.”

The former first lady’s husband, daughters, mother and brother gave their impressions of her maturation in a video montage. Her mom talked about how her daughter initially disliked politics and Barack Obama said he showed up to their first date late.

Earlier Thursday, Mrs. Obama made a surprise visit to an early education center located in Skid Row in the downtown Los Angeles. She spent time reading with a group of 4-year-old children from an underserved area of the city.

___

This story has been corrected to show the name of the show is “Access Hollywood,” not “Hollywood Access.”

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Michelle Obama Memoir is Next Pick for Winfrey Book Club

Hillel Italie — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:02:51 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” already expected to sell millions of copies, now has the official backing of Oprah Winfrey.

“This book is everything you wanted to know and so much you didn’t even know you wanted to know. I believe it’s going to spark within you the desire to think about your own becoming,” Winfrey, who on Monday told The Associated Press in a statement that she had selected “Becoming” for her book club. “It’s so well-written I can hear her voice; I can hear her expressions; I can feel her emotion. What she allows us to see is how she was able to discover, define and then refine her voice.”

Oprah Winfrey has chosen Michelle Obama’s “Becoming” as her next book club pick, The Associated Press has learned. In a statement Monday, Nov. 12, Winfrey said the memoir was “well-written” and inspirational. (Photo by Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP, File)

In “Becoming,” Obama shares such deeply personal revelations as suffering a miscarriage and sharply criticizes President Donald Trump for promoting the false “birther” rumor that Barack Obama was not a U.S. citizen. The former first lady’s book comes out Tuesday and is among the most anticipated political memoirs in years, topping Amazon.com’s best-seller list throughout the weekend. On Monday, Barnes & Noble announced that pre-orders for “Becoming” were the highest for any adult book since Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman,” which came out in 2015.

Winfrey, publishing’s most established hit maker, knows the Obamas well, to the point where Michelle Obama and Ellen DeGeneres once teased each other over who was closer to her. Winfrey was a prominent backer of Barack Obama’s candidacy in 2008 and has interviewed both Obamas over the years. She is scheduled to be onstage Tuesday night with Michelle Obama at Chicago’s United Center, the first stop on Obama’s promotional tour.

“Thank you, Oprah!” Obama tweeted Monday. “I’ve been so grateful for your friendship and advice for so long. And now I’m honored to join your amazing book club!”

Winfrey already has taped an interview with Obama, which airs Thursday on the OWN network, and excerpts of the book will appear in O, the Oprah Magazine and in Elle. A two-part podcast will run Thursday and the following Monday, Nov. 19.

“Becoming” is Winfrey’s first pick by an author from the political world since she started her club in 1996, although Obama has said repeatedly she has no interest in running for office. Winfrey’s previous picks have ranged from novels such as Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” and Tayari Jones’ “An American Marriage” to Anthony Ray Hinton’s memoir “The Sun Does Shine.”

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Michelle Obama had Miscarriage, Used IVF to Conceive Girls

Associated Press — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 20:31:47 +0000

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Michelle Obama says she felt “lost and alone” after suffering a miscarriage 20 years ago and she and Barack Obama underwent in vitro fertilization to conceive their two daughters.

“We were trying to get pregnant and it wasn’t going well,” Mrs. Obama, 54, writes in her upcoming memoir. “We had one pregnancy test come back positive, which caused us both to forget every worry and swoon with joy, but a couple of weeks later I had a miscarriage, which left me physically uncomfortable and cratered any optimism we felt.”

In this Oct. 11, 2018, file photo, Michelle Obama participates in the International Day of the Girl on NBC’s “Today” show in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

The Associated Press purchased an early copy of “Becoming,” Mrs. Obama’s memoir and one of the most avidly anticipated political books in recent memory. In it, she writes of being alone to administer herself shots to help hasten the process. Her “sweet, attentive husband” was at the state legislature, “leaving me largely on my own to manipulate my reproductive system into peak efficiency.”

Obama’s family revelations are some of many included in the book from a former first lady who has offered few extensive comments on her White House years. And memoirs by former first ladies, including Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush, are usually best-sellers. “Becoming” is set to be released Tuesday.

IVF is one form of assisted reproduction and typically involves removing eggs from a woman, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab, and implanting a resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus. It costs thousands of dollars for every “cycle,” and many couples require more than one attempt.

“I felt like I failed because I didn’t know how common miscarriages were because we don’t talk about them,” the former first lady said in an interview broadcast Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” ”We sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we’re broken.”

Mrs. Obama, said she and Barack Obama underwent fertilization treatments to conceive daughters Sasha and Malia, now 17 and 20.

In the memoir, Mrs. Obama also writes openly about everything from growing up in Chicago to confronting racism in public life and becoming the country’s first Black first lady.

She also lets loose a blast of anger at President Donald Trump.

She writes in the memoir that Trump’s questioning of whether her husband was an American citizen was “crazy and mean-spirited … its underlying bigotry and xenophobia hardly concealed.

But it was also dangerous, deliberately meant to stir up the wingnuts and kooks.”

“What if someone with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to Washington? What if that person went looking for our girls?” she writes in the memoir. “Donald Trump, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting my family’s safety at risk. And for this, I’d never forgive him.”

Trump suggested Obama was not born in the U.S. but on foreign soil — his father was Kenyan. The former president was born in Hawaii.

As he left for Paris Friday, Trump chose not to respond to the former first lady, telling reporters, “Oh, I guess she wrote a book. She got paid a lot of money to write a book and they always insisted you come up with controversial.” Trump instead changed the subject to his predecessor,

Barack Obama, saying, “I’ll never forgive him” for making the country “very unsafe.”

Mrs. Obama also expresses disbelief over how so many women would choose a “misogynist” over Clinton in 2016. She remembers how her body “buzzed with fury” after seeing the infamous

“Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump brags about sexually assaulting women.

She also accuses Trump of using body language to “stalk” Clinton during an election debate.

She writes of Trump following Clinton around the stage, standing nearby and “trying to diminish her presence.”

Mrs. Obama launches her promotional tour Tuesday not at a bookstore, but at Chicago’s United Center, where tens of thousands of people have purchased tickets — from just under $30 to thousands of dollars — to attend the event moderated by Oprah Winfrey.

___

Follow Kellman on Twitter at: http://www.twitter.com/APLaurieKellman

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A New Book About Realizing One’s Dreams and Potential By Africa Miranda

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 04:58:24 +0000

By Nyame-Kye Kondo, Special to the AFRO

After more than a decade of being in the entertainment industry, renaissance woman, Africa Miranda has displayed her talents on television, as a model and most recently as an author.

Charismatic, elegant, and witty in demeanor, Africa Miranda’s personality has enabled her to be relatable and impactful when speaking to people through her art. With her most recent work, a book titled “Step up, Step out, And shine” the multi talented business woman is taking things up a notch, and not only by compiling her knowledge into a book, but by also contributing her wisdom and insights as a Black woman to the American literary canon.

The AFRO got the chance to catch up with Miranda at her book signing in Southeast, D.C.’s Mahogany Bookstore.

“Many things that have happened in my life, I believe they happened as a result of divine intervention,” she told the AFRO. Divine intervention as her guiding force indeed- the theme of aligning with the universe or a higher being to manifest the life that you want, is an important theme in Miranda’s book.

Sitting elegantly in an off shoulder blue dress and nude pumps, Miranda’s signing was moderated by the vivacious Baltimore based influencer, Ty Alexander, and provided the audience with a chance to get up close and personal with Miranda. Reading a few excerpts from her book, and handing out bags of appreciation filled with hair and skin care goodies, Miranda was able to relate to her audience through the exchange of good energy, and the relatable content of her book.

Self described as a “culmination of a life long dream” Miranda’s book is a refreshing read that lends voice to finding one’s purpose and the honesty that it takes to do so.

A well traveled entrepreneur with a long list of accomplishments, Miranda is no stranger to finding one’s purpose. Pursuing her artistic talents with tenacity and an open mind, Miranda has not left many stones unturned, and as a result has a lot of insight on the subject of self exploration, but more importantly on what it takes to transform your life through manifestation and internal work. The twenty or so chapters of Miranda’s book are an easy read for those who are ready to “harness their light, recognize their power, and transform their life,” she said.

“The universe whispered a sweet message of conviction, telling me that all that I had learned was no longer mine, it was ours,” she said about writing the book. “I was now held accountable for sharing this message of freedom with any heart and set of ears willing.”

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Author Barry Fletcher Releases Second Printing of Book on President Barack Obama’s Two Presidential Terms

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 19:41:45 +0000

By Brianna Rhodes, Special to the AFRO

Author, CEO and entrepreneur, Barry Fletcher released the second printing of his latest book “President Barack Obama’s Two Tremendous Terms: Monthly Political Chronicle 2008-2016” in January of this year. The book takes readers on an unique, poetic journey of President Barack Obama’s presidency.

The book, whose original version was released around the time Obama left office, provides readers of all ages, a detailed, historical monthly recap of Obama’s presidential experiences from 2008 to 2016.

Author Barry Fletcher, left, releases the second printing of his latest book “President Barack Obama’s Two Tremendous Terms: Monthly Political Chronicle 2008-2016.”

The second printing is updated and includes a compelling foreword from Fletcher along with more news-based, politically savvy, information. It includes contextual preludes to each poetic entry as well.

With each month, Fletcher uses his rhymes influenced from old school R&B and hip hop to describe Obama’s presidency – both ups and down where he provides a summary, a poem and picture that goes along with each entry.

“I wrote it in a poetic cadence because I wanted the amateurs – the layman’s or the young to be able to understand what Obama did,” Fletcher said. “So, I thought my plain words were better than just me using a whole lot of sophisticated writing and big words. Just break it down and then maybe compare it to some stuff that happened in history.”

Fletcher describes the book as an easy and fun read for his audience. He described the book as a coffee table book that sits there, where you can choose what chapter you want to read based on your curiosity about what Obama was doing at a certain time in a year.

The copy gives a sense of nostalgia, but it will also help the reader connect to historical events in the African-American community and information from U.S. History that relates to President Obama’s term, ranging from the beginning of the country’s history to Jim Crow and current issues.

“What African-Americans accomplished a lot of times, is not brought out . . .,” Fletcher said.

“You’ve got to look at the past you know. How did we get to this point? And tie it into where we are now and how that might affect our future.”

Fletcher recounts other major events such as Obama’s first inauguration, the passing of the Affordable Care Act and more in the book. He acquired most of his information from newspapers, news channels and political figures. Although it took Fletcher eight years to write the book, he said it was worth it.

“The message was merely to follow him, but Obama is such a scholar,” Fletcher said. “He takes you back in history. He pulled me back to my roots. He lets you know what’s going on.”

“So, it made me research and get more into the whole political discourse,” Fletcher added.

“Then after I learned, I was so anxious about telling other people . . . share with other folks you know. Let them see the light.”

Through the 96 poems, Fletcher attempts to reignite the love they had and continue to have for the 44th president of the United States and the first African-American president, despite the current president’s effort to diminish Obama’s legacy. He wants readers to understand the journey Obama took and the trials, tribulations and accomplishments he experienced – and maybe it could inspire the Black family, especially the young audience, to become politically involved.

“If the millennials don’t get in line, we’re doomed to repeat ourselves,” Fletcher said. “We’re going to go backwards. I started thinking, “What can you say to a senior to ring a note for them to say, maybe I should talk to my nephew, should be running for counsel?’”

Fletcher also spoke on how hard it is to find people who can even hold conversations about politics. He said people just don’t know and are not aware. “That’s the weakest part of the Black community if you ask me,” Fletcher said. “Obama was a shining, beacon of light to make us more aware. I could tell President Obama to his face, that, ‘You woke me up brother’ and so I tried to do all that I could to try to spread the word.”

For those interested in purchasing Fletcher’s book, please visit https://www.barackobamabook.net

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Guillory Delivers Another Fun Romance in ‘The Proposal’

Associated Press — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:49:40 +0000

By LINCEE RAY, Associated Press

“The Proposal” (Berkley), by Jasmine Guillory

There are some women who dream of extravagant proposals full of heartfelt romance. Nikole Paterson isn’t one of them. In her sophomore novel, Jasmine Guillory uses a botched grand gesture to pair a Los Angeles doctor and a freelance writer in the most random of circumstances in “The Proposal.”

“The Proposal” by Jasmine Guillory (l). (Berkley via AP)

Nikole wasn’t ready to be engaged to her actor-boyfriend. She and Fisher had only been dating for six months when he dropped down on one knee at a baseball game in front of thousands and thousands of people to pop the question. She wasn’t surprised when he pitched a fit as she declined the ring. What she didn’t expect was backlash from countless Dodger fans on publicly breaking Fisher’s heart.

Another surprise? Carlos and his sister Angela who rescued her by pretending to be long-lost friends as her face covered the entire width of the jumbotron. Having been abandoned by Fisher and his friends at the game, Carlos and Angela both feel sorry for Nik and whisk her away to drown her sorrows at the local bar.

When the disastrous proposal goes viral, Carlos is once again drawn to the girl who is being bashed on the internet for no good reason. Being an extremely independent woman, Nik tenses at his protective vibe, but soon learns to relax in his presence. It doesn’t hurt that she has incredible chemistry with him. Who wouldn’t? He’s a nice, great-looking doctor who cooks in his spare time.

After a night of great food and wonderful conversation, their friendship transforms into more. Both agree that there are no strings attached, yet each secretly wants to see where things might take them.

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Winfrey, Witherspoon Among Guests on Michelle Obama Tour

Associated Press — Tue, 30 Oct 2018 23:08:16 +0000

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon will be among the special guests when Michelle Obama goes on tour for her memoir “Becoming.”Others appearing with the former first lady will include Sarah Jessica Parker, Michele Norris and former White House aide Valerie Jarrett. The announcement was made by Live Nation and Crown Publishing on Tuesday.

In this Oct. 11, 2018 file photo, Michelle Obama participates in the International Day of the Girl on NBC’s “Today” show in New York. Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon will be among the special guests when Michelle Obama goes on tour for her memoir “Becoming.” (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Obama’s book comes out Nov. 13 and her tour begins that night at Chicago’s United Center, with Winfrey serving as moderator. Witherspoon will join Obama in Denver and Jarrett in Washington, D.C. Obama will make 12 stops in all, ending in New York City’s Barclay Center on Dec. 19, with Parker as moderator.

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Baltimore Poet Explores Faith, Fatherhood and Family

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 04:54:41 +0000

By Lisa Snowden-McCray, Special to the AFRO

Baltimore native Tariq’s Touré’s new book of poetry, Two Parts Oxygen, begins with a poem titled “118.” It is about his mother.

“She reminds us, with perfect diction/that we are strangers in this land,” he writes.

“It’s sort of a tribute to my mother and how I believe she sowed the seeds of…I won’t say goodness and kindness. I would say she sowed the seeds of working on that because we fail at it. We fail at being good to people. We fail at being kind to people and being strong for people and being strong for ourselves but she sowed the seeds of being conscious of that,” he tells the AFRO.

Tariq’s Touré’s new book of poetry deals with his Muslim faith, family and being a father. (Courtesy photo)

The book, which will be released October 6, is Touré’s second self-published collection. He released “Black Seeds: The Poetry and Reflections of Tariq Touré,” in 2016.

Touré earned national attention about a year ago when he performed his poem about football and protest, “For the Love of the Game,” on AJ+, an online news site run by Al Jazeera Media. The video, which went viral on social media, has been watched over one million times.

“They took me to a studio, it was a black room, they had some lights on. I tried to say the poem as best as possible,” he says about the experience. “Then a couple days later my phone was going crazy. I already knew, once it started to get that kind of traction, I had to start forcing my mind to kind of suppress whatever was happening with my ego.”

Touré says that he wanted this book to be a tribute to the women in his life – his mother, his sisters, his aunts, his wife, his daughters. But it wanted to do it in a way that was genuine.

“One thing I don’t want to do unconsciously or consciously is…describe women as some sort of toolbox. That you go to or as a man and go ‘oh I need a wrench,’ or ‘oh, I need some pliers to fix this thing,’ or anything like that,” he says.

“What I will say is that I have had the privilege of being in the company of and being raised by, and mentored by, and nurtured by, some phenomenal women. From my mother, to sisters, to teachers, to my wife — just the broad spectrum of family and friends.”

“My cousin Angie/is a full woman/who has never walked into a room/without a cathartic grace/pouring from her jawline,” he writes in the poem “Jazz in November.”

The book is divided into four parts:: Fajr, The Holy Quran 20:26; Thuhr, The Holy Quran 20:27; Asr, Holy Quran 20:28; Maghrib, The Holy Quran 20:29. Touré, who is Muslim, says the verses describe Prophet Moses’ appeals to God for the type of aid he needed to speak out against Pharaoh: for his trial to be lessened, to remove the things stopping him from speaking the truth, to be understood, and to have support.

His faith is a central part of many of the works in this collection. “We forego water/embargo bread/until the sky closes its eyelids/until the hummingbird slows its flight,” he writes in his poem, “Ramadan.” He also writes about fatherhood, racism, Baltimore, and more.

When he published “Black Seeds,” he was living here in the city. Now, having relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, he says he is quite literally in a different space, and wanted to use his poetry to create a record of that.

“As somebody who was able to say ‘hey, I really need some time away from the city,’ I think that would be disrespectful . Like, ‘oh, you don’t got no poems now that you are out of this?’”

He says it’s also important that his daughters, who are two and four, have a record of who their father was and what he thought about the world.

“Tomorrow I might pass away, so they need to have that tangible thing that they could put in their hands and know what was on my mind. So in that way, it was a historical document as well,” he says.

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Michelle Obama Book Tour is Reaching High

Hillel Italie — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 13:23:32 +0000

By Hillel Italie, AP National Writer

Check out the upcoming events at Chicago’s United Center and you’ll see Bulls games, Blackhawks games and concerts by Fleetwood Mac, Nicki Minaj and Cher, among others.

And former first lady Michelle Obama, to launch her book tour in November.

This cover image released by Crown shows “Becoming,” by Michelle Obama, available on Nov. 13. Obama is launching a book tour to promote her memoir “Becoming,” a tour featuring arenas and other performing centers to accommodate crowds likely far too big for any bookstore. (Crown via AP)

Just for the scale of its venues, there has never been a rollout quite like the one for Obama’s memoir “Becoming,” with stops including the Pepsi Center in Denver and American Airlines Center in Dallas. While popular authors have been likened to rock stars for years, Obama is the first to promote her book on a scale common for top musical performers, even using the entertainment company Live Nation.

“Mrs. Obama wanted to make her tour as accessible as possible,” Tara Traub, senior vice president of Live Nation Touring, said in a statement Friday. “The Live Nation team also knew the demand for her tour would be extraordinary. For these reasons, we knew an arena tour would maximize the number of people who will be able to join this unforgettable conversation with Mrs. Obama.”

While the traditional bookstore reading is usually free and might be called a success if a few dozen show up, Obama’s appearances will be at venues of 15,000 and higher in capacity, with tickets that range from just under $30 to $3,000. (VIP tickets include the chance to meet Obama.)

Despite some complaints on social media about prices, tickets have been selling so quickly that this week Live Nation added two additional events, at Barclays Center in New York City and Capitol One Arena in Washington.

“Truly humbled by the response to my upcoming book tour,” Obama tweeted Sept. 20.

Some fans will attend for free. According to Traub, 10 percent of tickets at each event will be donated to “local charities, schools and community groups in each city the tour visits.”

“This was a priority for Mrs. Obama and we are proud to collaborate on this effort,” she said.

In the top 10 on Amazon.com weeks before its Nov. 13 release date, Obama’s book seems a guaranteed million-seller — a memoir by a popular first lady with an international following and a relatively limited history of discussing her private life, especially her eight years in the White House. Books by former first ladies have often sold well, with previous releases including Hillary Clinton’s “Living History” and Laura Bush’s “Spoken from the Heart.”

Obama’s tour begins the week after the midterm elections. While former President Barack Obama has endorsed dozens of Democrats and increased his criticisms of President Donald Trump, Michelle Obama’s involvement has focused on the nonpartisan When We All Vote, an initiative encouraging people to register.

Advance promotions for her book have emphasized that she will chronicle “the experiences that have shaped her — from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address.”

Neither Live Nation nor Obama’s publisher, Crown, would give specific details on what the tour will be like and what special guests might turn up, beyond confirming that the former first lady will be interviewed on stage.

Crown spokesman David Drake also did not have specific details on the involvement of local booksellers, though he said they will have the “opportunity to participate in and benefit from Mrs. Obama’s publication.”

Drake declined comment on whether a similar tour is planned for Barack Obama, whose memoir is expected next year. The Obamas agreed in 2017 to a multimillion-dollar deal with Crown for the two books and have projects for other media in the works, including a multiyear production deal with Netflix.

Publicity directors for other publishing houses could not think of another time when venues the size of Barclays Center were used for an author. Clinton’s book tour last year for “What Happened” included stops at the Boston Opera House and Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, both with capacities of 2,500 to 3000. According to J.K. Rowling’s U.S. publisher, Scholastic, the largest event for the “Harry Potter” author has been at New York’s Radio City Music Hall, which seats around 6,000.

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From Sitcom Star to Cookbook Author

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 13:10:25 +0000

By Jannah G. Johnson, Special to the AFRO

Sitcom star, photographer and former model Daphne Maxwell Reid is adding a new title
to her long list of professions: author. Reid recently released a cookbook for beginners
called Grace + Soul & Motherwit, which chronicles both delicious recipes and Reid’s
memories.

Although the 70-year-old Reid is perhaps best known for her acting and on-screen
personas, during an interview with the AFRO she made sure to point out that there was no
harsh jump to be made from skill to skill. She is perhaps most famous for portraying Aunt Viv on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and continues to act today.

Daphne Maxwell Reid moves from the world of television to the world of cookbooks with her latest publication, Grace + Soul & Motherwit. (Courtesy Photo)

“There was no real transition from actor to writer. My life is full of expressing the gifts
that I was given by God and I express them whenever the time is appropriate and whenever the opportunity arises, and I have so many gifts that expressing them is how I honor these gifts, being able to share what my gifts are with the world.”

Although Reid has many gifts and has made many forays into the creative world,
motherhood was always the space she felt she could express herself most.

“I have a fabulous son and he is a wonderful person and I’d say that’s my greatest
achievement. I have recipes in the book that I shared as meals that he grew up with and there are recipes in the book with stories about the kids.”

Much of Reid’s childhood was centered around food and many of her memories
concerning her ancestral home in New York are told in the context of food and sharing a meal. “Eating is what initially got me into cooking, Reid said laughingly. “I’ve always
cooked, my mother cooked. This book is a compilation of recipes from my parents, people
that I’ve worked with. It’s taken me over 40 years to collect all these recipes and I have
a story about where each came from, this cookbook is a mini memoir.

“It has a little bit about the me of me, growing up in New York and how I related to my family and what family means to me. This book is also a primmer for people who have
never cooked before and are just going out on their own. It features how to set a table, how to set up a kitchen, how to stock a pantry. Each recipe comes with the utensils you’ll need to serve make each dish. It’s a memoir dressed up as a cookbook.”

As for Reid, she understands the significance of the dinner table and finds it to be the best place to share with those she loves and connect emotionally to them.

“The dinner table is where I grew up knowing that I was loved, having parents who
loved me. We sat and talked at the dinner table. My mother prepared food with a joy and a love that was evident.

“I grew up knowing around a table and around a meal you can exchange all sorts of
feelings as well as comradery. It’s a central hub to me. Sitting down and eating with someone is a way to share whatever is going on in your life and show them you care.

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Tayari Jones and Tommy Orange Among Book Award Finalists

Hillel Italie — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 21:46:00 +0000

By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Tayari Jones’ “An American Marriage” and Tommy Orange’s “There, There,” two of the year’s most talked-about novels, are on the fiction longlist for the National Book Awards.

Other books announced Friday by the National Book Foundation include Lauren Groff’s “Florida,” Brandon Hobson’s “Where the Dead Sit Talking” and Jennifer Clement’s “Gun Love.”

Tayari Jones interviewed by Seth Meyers (Late Night with Seth Meyers YouTube Account/Courtesy Screenshot)

The list features four debut works, including Orange’s book, and three short story collections, Groff’s among them.

Earlier this week, the book foundation released longlists of 10 in the categories of translation, poetry, young people’s literature and non-fiction. Shortlists of five will come out Oct. 10. Winners will be announced Nov. 14.

The awards are chosen by five-member judging panels that include writers, critics and others in the literary community.

Jones’ book, a story told mostly in letters about a Black man’s wrongful imprisonment, already was widely known thanks to Oprah Winfrey’s selecting it for her book club. Orange’s novel about an American Indian community in Oakland, California, has received near-universal praise,

with The New York Times calling it a “revelation” that marks “the passing of a generational baton.”

Besides “Florida,” judges chose a pair of debut story collections: “A Lucky Man,” by Jamel Brinkley and Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ “Heads of the Colored People: Stories.”

Also on Friday’s longlist were Daniel Gumbiner’s “The Boatbuilder,” Rebecca Makkai’s “The Great Believers” and Sigrid Nunez’s “The Friend.”

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Ward 7 Resident Writes Inspiring Children’s Book

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 14 Sep 2018 00:07:06 +0000

By James Wright, Special to the AFRO, jwright@afro.com

Dr. Kelsi Bracmort was bothered that many of the children’s books that she read to her young mentees were so divorced from real life that she decided to do something about it.

Bracmort, a native of the District of Columbia who resides in Ward 7, made a decision to become an author. Her first book, Simone Visits the Museum, is a story about a young girl living in Southeast.

“Simone Visits the Museum” is a book about a young girl who lives in Southeast D.C. having an exciting day of adventures with her parents. (Courtesy Photo)

“Too many times the people who know very little about Southeast have the loudest microphone,” Bracmort said. “Uninformed rhetoric hurts people. This book shows a side of D.C. that few people outside of Southeast are aware of such that Black family life in this city is real and it is beautiful.

“The book goes beyond the news headlines, and digs deeper into everyday happenings of family life.”

Bracmort holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and bio-systems engineering from North Carolina A&T University and a master’s of science and doctorate in agriculture and biological engineering from Purdue University. She is a reading mentor for Everybody Wins! a District program that promotes literacy.

Simone Visits the Museum is the first in a series about Simone, an inquisitive and vibrant fourth grader who lives with her parents, her older brother, Scott, and their dog, Sophie. The book follows Simone through an exciting day with her mother with the highlight being visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, where she misplaces an item of value.

Bracmort said Simone Visits the Museum is about responsibility, paying attention to her surroundings and the importance of family, the type of children’s book that she rarely came across.

“I wanted to do a book on an angle that is fresh and a story not told before,” she said.

Bracmort said it took two years to complete the book and worked closely with the illustrator, Takeia Marie. She named the main character “Simone” after famed entertainer and activist Nina Simone.

Bracmort said she wanted to show the bonds and interactions that African American children often have with their families and present a Black child that was well-behaved.

“I wanted to reflect the conversations that curious young girls in D.C. have,” she said. “I want girls to take advantage of all that D.C. has to offer.”

Bracmort will have readings and book signings on “Ward 7 Day” on Sept 8, Sept. 22 at the East City Book Shop near Capitol Hill and Sept. 23 at Mahogany Books in Anacostia. Her book already has generated positive reviews.

“Simone Visits the Museum is an awesome book,” Melissa Bradley, managing director at Project 500, a business development group in the District, said. “As a parent, I am thrilled to find a book whose character resonates with my children. As someone who has been in D.C. for over 30 years it is refreshing to see a story that reflects a positive experience of a young brown girl.

“The book depicts the city and all it has to offer in a realistic and engaging way. As an entrepreneur, I am so proud of Kelsi for her persistence, commitment and integrity throughout the process.”

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Kwame Alexander Credits Baltimore with Launching Writing Career

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 04:56:13 +0000

By Tilesha Brown, Special to the AFRO

22 years ago, New York Times Bestselling author, Kwame Alexander, started a publishing company in the basement of his mother’s home on St. Paul Street in North Central Baltimore. It was the early 90s, he was fresh out of college, and he was already cracking the code for how to get children to read more and to change the world with their words.

Of course, this was before the world became transfixed by 60-second Instagram posts and 280-character Twitter rants, so perhaps the real feat is that over two decades later… he’s still doing it. That’s why on September 13 Baltimore’s CityLit Project is honoring Alexander with the Chic Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts.

Baltimore’s Kwame Alexander will receive the CityLit Project’s Chic Dambach Award for Service to the Literary Arts. (Courtesy photo)

When asked how it felt to get the call, he starts at the beginning, describing it as an extraordinary full-circle moment. It was a moment in the beginning of his career, after graduating from Virginia Tech, when Kwame moved to Washington, D.C., but quickly relocated to Baltimore after his mother suggested a job that might be a great fit for him. It was a job that would eventually lead to him being nicknamed the “Willy Wonka of children’s publishing.”

“My mom was a literary specialist, so she got me a job going into Head Start centers around Baltimore modeling read-alouds and instructing teachers on how to teach reading to their kids,” he tells the AFRO. “Seeing the response from them and getting that feedback from students and teachers… that was my foray into working with students directly- interacting and trying to change their world through the power of words.”

He would go in reciting poetry to the kids and reading stories with animated voices— making the characters jump off the page. After hours, though, he was free to dive head-first into a burgeoning Baltimore arts scene. According to Alexander, the town was full of starving artists with big dreams and the energy was ripe for them to create their own outlets. While living in the city, he wrote his own book of poems, put on poetry open mics and hosted literary events.

“We really thought our artwork and our poetry could change the world,” he said, “We loved our art, we practiced it, and we wanted to be really good at what we did.”

Over the next two decades, he continued to write, authoring 28 books, including children’s novels Booked, Solo and Rebound. And this year, the New York Times dubbed him the “Willy Wonka of children’s publishing.” His books, writing workshops and international charitable efforts give him the opportunity to travel around the world year-round enticing children, not with golden tickets or candy-coated dreams, but with hard-hitting, purpose-driven poetry and prose.

Alexander admits that, while when he first heard the nickname he was worried that it meant people weren’t taking him seriously, he now gets that this whimsical approach to getting children involved in storytelling is part of his appeal.

“Part of my life’s work is to be creative, to be fun, and to be functional all at the same time,” he says passionately, “And so I think maybe that does describe me. I’ve got this mixture of fun and functionality… of cool and culture… of whimsy and hopefully genius.”

And it’s true. At his “literary pep rallies” and his workshops, aptly called “The Write Thing,” Alexander connects with kids in a way that is both inspiring and other-worldly. He says that it’s something he learned from his work inside the Head Starts in Baltimore and also from Nikki Giovanni while attending Virginia Tech.

“It’s this idea that I’m going to do whatever’s necessary,” he says, “Ultimately, I want kids to imagine a better world. I think I’ve figured out a way to do it and that starts with me being willing to take that leap, take that risk, put myself out there… and hopefully, in that process, the kids will pick up on that and begin to take those leaps, take those risks, and feel in a similar way.”

All of his books, including the Newbery Award-winning novel, Crossover, tackle real life through the lens of teenagers. He captures the rough emotions of those highly developmental years through sports, music and culture. And if the first chapters of his next book, Swing, are any indication, it is no exception, though he admits that it was his most challenging book to write thus far.

“I wanted to write about the lives of Black boys and how they’re being removed from the Earth like sand in a windstorm,” he says. “I wanted to write about that and I wanted to do it in a way that was transformative and not cliché. I wanted to write about love. I wanted to write about social justice. I wanted to write about jazz. I wanted to write about baseball. And I wanted to write about all of these things in one book.”

It is for bold literary choices like this one that CityLit has decided that Alexander exemplifies the traits deserving of this award for “significantly elevating the profile of literary arts and nourishing the culture of literature…”

Alexander has come a long way since his humble beginnings in Baltimore. He has received The Coretta Scott King Author Honor, The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Prize, three NAACP Image Awards, and the 2017 Inaugural Pat Conroy Legacy Award. He is the founder of VERSIFY, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and the co-founder of an international literacy program, “LEAP for Ghana.” He is an international literary activist and he has fought against rejection for the opportunities to do it his way. To young creatives who feel like they are not being allowed the space to make their unique mark on the world, he tells them to become their own green light.

“We can’t let other people’s ‘no’ define who we are. Even when we’re feeling rejected— when we’re feeling less than and we’re doubtful, I think we have to say ‘yes’ to ourselves,” he says. “Claim it, say it, surround yourself with people who believe you are worthy— who are going to encourage you and help lift you up so you can soar.”

Alexander says that receiving this award feels like a special homecoming.

“It’s special, I’m honored. And to have started in a basement on St. Paul Street in Charles Village with little or no money… but a vision to write, to publish, to really write books to bring people closer together,” he says, “To have a vision and then 22 years later be living in the middle of it, it speaks to this notion that if you do something, if you claim something, perhaps you can actually have it.”

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Book Explores How to be Emotionally Free

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 30 Aug 2018 23:14:57 +0000

By Ariel Medley, Special to the AFRO

When we think of emancipation, we think of freedom. But what about the emancipation of our emotional barriers? When faced with life’s difficulties, how do we summon the courage and strength to move on? These questions, and others, are the focus in Dr. Dee Carroll’s first book, Emotional Emancipation: Step Into Your Freedom, Reinvent Your Challenges, and Move Beyond.

At the Country Club at Woodmore in Bowie, Maryland on August 23, Dee Carroll Ph.D, introduced her book. The book takes readers on an emotional journey through the personal trials and tribulations of Dr. Dee and countless others and looks at how each faced and overcame obstacles. The book includes a forward by Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

The three-hour book signing event included live music, raffles, and speeches by supporters, sponsors, and associates. Among the key speakers was Prince George’s county State Attorney Aisha N. Braveboy. “Tell your story, you can help someone else. Dr. Dee told her story to let us all know who she is,” said Braveboy during her heartfelt account of Dr. Dee’s spirit.

Life coach, motivational speaker, consultant, and now author, Dee has dedicated her life to helping others overcome their personal obstacles and emotional hardships. She is a survivor of hardship. She was the owner of a multi-million-dollar business, a dream home she cherished for decades, commercial property, a blossoming career– and then she lost it all. “My legs were cut out from under me” Dr. Dee told the AFRO. Many nights she sat, staring at the ceiling, crying, and praying. She even contemplated taking her own life. However, through determination and prayer, she found the strength to pull herself up.

She began wondering about people who faced similar situations. “What about others who are not as strong and who would give up easily? People who think they can’t deal with the problem? People who will walk away first?” The book was conceived to help them.

Today, Dee offers counseling to individuals, families and small businesses. She gives talks to women’s groups and recovery programs. She is an advocate for minority business and has appeared on CNN to discuss the successes of minority businesses. She has also spoken before the U.S. Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs on lending disparities found in minority and inner-city communities.

The closing speeche was given by author Dr. Clarence ‘Dr. Dave’ Davis, a longtime associate and friend of Dee. Each has dedicated their lives to helping people who are falling down or feeling lost. “It’s always inspiring when you have walked the walk” said Davis.

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Baltimore After Freddie Gray, Official Book Signing

AFRO Staff — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 03:54:12 +0000

By AFRO Staff

The official book signing for Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities, a compilation of 50 commentaries from the AFRO’s “Race and Politics” column from 2015 to 2018, written by Baltimore AFRO Editor Sean Yoes, will take place Aug. 16 at historic Union Baptist Church on Druid Hill Ave., in West Baltimore. The book signing and discussion will be hosted by Union’s Pastor Dr. Alvin Hathaway and will begin at 6 p.m. This is the first time the physical book (the e-book is currently available on Amazon), will be available for purchase.

Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities, written by Baltimore AFRO Editor Sean Yoes. (Courtesy Photos/Sean Yoes)

Baltimore After Freddie Gray, chronicles the tumultuous three years since Gray’s death and the subsequent uprising. The book features forewords by Frances Murphy Draper, the AFRO’s publisher and CEO, as well as University of Maryland Law Professor, Larry S. Gibson.

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Books Lays Out History of Police Violence in Black and Blue

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 14:25:34 +0000

By J. K. Schmid, Special to the AFRO

“Everybody knows how hard policing is, they just don’t understand why the police are never wrong,” Matthew Horace told the AFRO.

Horace, a veteran police officer and federal agent, and now security and policing expert contributor to news organizations such as CNN and MSNBC has co-authored a book with Howard University journalism professor and former AFRO Editor Ron Harris.

Matthew Horace’s is the co-author of a book which explores police problems in Baltimore and the country at large. (Courtesy Photo)

“I was always being called on air, almost every week for another shooting of a Black man in the United States, and I started looking for a co-writer and Ron and I were brought together through our publisher and some like agents,” Horace said in phone interview on the eve of the book’s publication. “And I knew after the first time we talked, having spoken to three or four people before him, he was the one for this job.”

“The Black and the Blue: A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement,” was initially proposed as a deep dive into Horace’s conceptualization of ‘coptics,’ the perception, or optics, of police in the digital and social media age where police misconduct can come under almost instant national scrutiny.

“We couldn’t ignore the things that were happening when we were writing, and there were a lot of these incidents while we were doing the book,” Horace said.

The book attempts to bring the reader to the current moment through Horace’s own and a selection of other officers’ narratives. Officers start their careers amidst an apocalyptic crack epidemic, and resort to mass arrest and incarceration against a backdrop of continuing struggles to integrate Blacks into police forces and their communities across the country.

It’s a narrow, or at least focused, view that accounts for a current generation of police perspective and goes as far back as perspective of the officers who trained them.

It’s a breezy, easy read starting with how Black men are seen by cops and their community-in and out of uniform, and moving on to how the shooting death of Michael Brown came at the conclusion of a long litany of injuries orchestrated allegedly through Ferguson, Missouri’s executive branch colluding with its judiciary to loot the poorest and Blackest parts of town through excessive and sometimes fabricated ticketing of residents.

Taking a brief turn to New Orleans, “The Black and the Blue” describe the start and end of the career of a police officer that was caught robbing a restaurant and murdering as many employees as she could find and the later massacre at Danziger bridge, to show U.S. policing at its worst.

The book interviews former Baltimore City Police Commissioner and current Coppin State University Chief of Campus Police Leonard Hamm for insights into the police problems of Baltimore and the country at large. The interview comes prior to trial and conviction of Baltimore’s Gun Trace Task Force.

The book also concludes prior to the very public arrest of two Black men at a Philadelphia Starbucks in April, but Harris maintains that his and Horace’s book predicts how and why this happened.

“They may not have even wanted to do this, so what happened: the policy, the practices, the way we do business said ‘You’ve gotta go follow this order and arrest these guys.’” Harris said. “And even if those officers see this and realize ‘You know, this is not a good look.’ That’s what they had to do.”

The book finds itself somewhere between local Baltimore narratives such as police misconduct is attributable to “a few bad apples” and the opposite narrative that these abuses are an entirely structural problem.

The authors place much of the burden on the communities being policed to begin repairing the rift, suggesting, for example, the nomination of a liaison between local leaders and the police in their neighborhood. Part of this is inspired by the realization that police cannot adequately manage problems like homelessness and mental illness.

While “The Black and the Blue” is a timely account of the current moment, there’s a sense that the word may come too late.

“The Black and the Blue: A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement” is available now.

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Young Woman Shares Personal Anecdotes in a Coming of Age Audiobook

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 03 Aug 2018 23:17:34 +0000

By Brigette White, Special to the AFRO, bwhite@afro.com

“Zewidituisms X,” is a coming of age audiobook about a young African American girl growing up in Washington, D.C. and learning to navigate the world.

The audiobook, geared towards millennials, is written and published by Zewiditu Zewiditu Jewel, 30, wrote a coming of age audibook about her journey with mental health and how she continue to learn how to cope. (Photo by Brigette White)[/caption]

Zewiditu Jewel, who is currently in her sixth month of sobriety, tells her story of becoming a champion over her lowest moments in 2017. She uses her confessions to inspire a community that battles mental illnesses mostly in silence.

Zewiditu, her birth name, which means “crown” in Amharic, went into adulthood not knowing that she had a mood disorder. Like many people with addiction issues, she suffered panic attacks and life trials that ultimately resulted in alcohol abuse. She worked through a variety of alcoholic spirits that comforted her temporarily but it wasn’t until she sought out therapy that her mental health became more manageable.

“Thirty-one percent of American alcoholics are young people, and over half of young alcoholics have been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder (ASPD),” according to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

The majority of millennials are actually using alcohol to cope with the disorder symptoms, some of which are depression, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, mood swings and shakiness. Young adult alcoholics include individuals between the age of 18 and 35.

According to statistics, millennial women battle with alcoholism more than men.

“My message is not that everyone needs therapy because we all process differently so listen to your conscious,” said Zewiditu Jewel. “The ego is the voice that tells you that you are ok when you know that you are not. I have thoughts of depression and anxiety on a daily basis. Telling my story helps me get through those tough times.”

In fact, it was her therapist who suggested her to start journaling. When journaling became boring, Zewiditu Jewel decided to begin chronicling her thoughts into what became the audiobook.

Zewiditu Jewel uses her sobriety success to encourage others to help them start sharing issues they might have.

The title “Zewidituisms is a play on Baduizm . It is the concept that we all have our own issues and “isms” with us,” said Zewditiu. “I am a story teller. I’m telling my story. If you feel inspired to look into your own and think about that, then you are telling your story.”
A second audiobook is already in the works and Zewiditu Jewel plans to do a tour soon to organizations and schools teaching the lost art of storytelling.

“As Brown people our history was passed down orally. We need to get back to that,” she said. “Writing about our histories is just as effective as reading about someone else’s.”

For centuries, the history, beliefs and folklore of African communities have been kept alive through the tradition of music and oral storytelling.

Michael Anthony, an artist, collaborated with Zewiditu Jewel on this new audiobook. She also plans to have a live band perform when she goes on tour. The relationship with music and storytelling are synonymous.

“He put together some wild arrangements,” she said. “If someone likes poetry but they want to up the ante then is perfect,” Zewiditu Jewel told the AFRO.

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‘Chocolate City’ Is Older than You Think

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:51:09 +0000

By James Wright, Special to the AFRO, jwright@afro.com

George Derek Musgrove, an associate professor of history at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, was the guest speaker at the Ward 8 Democrats meeting on July 22 at the R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center in Southeast. Musgrove, one of the Washington area’s leading historians, is the co-author of the book, “Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation’s Capital.” He told the 50 attendees of the meeting that the District’s history is deeply steeped in race.

“D.C. has been a Chocolate City since its inception,” he said. “Blacks, free and enslaved, worked on the building of the U.S. Capitol and other buildings and that was designed to keep White laborers in check. In the 1830s, D.C. became the only slave jurisdiction where there were more free Blacks than enslaved.”

George Derek Musgrove, a history scholar at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, new books explores the history of ‘Chocolate City.’ (Courtesy Photo)

“Chocolate City” chronicles the Black presence in the District before the country’s founding. Musgrove and his co-author, Chris Myers Asch, noted the nation’s capital is located where it is to appease the slave states of the new United States. The book talks about the struggles of free and enslaved Blacks in the antebellum District and during the Civil War.

It also talks about the progress and digression Blacks had during Reconstruction and the period after. In its final chapters, the book talks about the city becoming the first major urban center to have a Black majority in 1957, White flight in the 1960s, Home Rule in the 1970s and the rise, fall and rise of Marion Barry. The book ends with the defeat of Mayor Adrian Fenty by then D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray in 2010.

Musgrove said the selection of “Chocolate City” in the title was deliberate. “We chose ‘Chocolate City’ for a title because Washington has always been a chocolate city, with a substantial number of Blacks living here,” he said.

Musgrove said another reason for the title is the strong African-American culture that has existed in the District since its founding, mentioning night clubs, Black musicians, and entertainers that had substantial influence in the city and throughout the nation.

“Culturally, Black folks were doing something special here,” he said.

The third reason for the moniker has to do with the politics surrounding the heavy Black presence. “Washingtonians of all colors want self-determination,” Musgrove said. “Advancements took place during and after the civil rights movement with the 1969 election of a school board and a non-voting congressional delegate in 1971 and culminating in Home Rule in 1973. All of these things took place even in the face of a growing Black population in the city.”

Musgrove told the AFRO that Barry, who was born in Mississippi and came to the District in 1966 as the chairman of SNCC, rose to power by paying attention to the needs of working class and low-income Blacks in the city.

“Barry knew how to count,” Musgrove said plainly. “While many Black politicians walked away from the Black empowerment message in the 1980s and 1990s, he never did and that is why he was so successful.”

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Bookstore Solid State Books Opens in Historic H Street

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:35:54 +0000

By Hamzat Sani, Special to the AFRO

When Jake Cumsky-Whitlock decided to open Solid State Books he knew he wanted a store that could serve as a third space that would intellectually feed the District’s book ravenous crowd but he also knew that he wanted it to be in a community that was diverse enough to encompass the changing face of the city and it’s longtime residents. Along with business partner Scott Abel, Jake set out to find the perfect home for their bookstore and quickly found that the historically Black H Street NE was the place to be.

By the looks of it their decision to open Solid State Books last year has not been a disappointing one.

Solid State Books, Historic H Street, Washington DC (Photo by Hamzat Sani)

“We’re thrilled to be in our new space and to realize the vision we had for a large, full-service

bookstore and cafe that serves as a neighborhood gathering place,” said Jake, a Boston native with a lifelong love affair with books. “We’re grateful for the warm welcome we received when we opened our pop-up shop, and are excited to expand what we started there into a cultural and intellectual hub that serves our community.”

Solid State Books celebrated their grand opening this past weekend with a slew of events; such as putting on display their community approach to their new neighborhood. In partnership with the Atlas Theatre, the bookstore hosted a book reading, discussion and signing with Actress/Writer Vivica A. Fox, promoting her new book “Everyday I’m Hustling.”

They followed the event with a storytime event for kids, which the bookstore makes great pains to cater to. “We knew we wanted a big kids section because children’s books are huge and it was important for us to get the earliest readers,” said Whitlock.

Between Whitlock and Abel. lies a combined 30 years of bookselling at the D.C. bookstore and institution Kramerbooks and Afterwords. Whitlock spent 15 years at Kramerbooks and ended his time there as the head buyer, while Abel served as the old bookstore’s general manager. After realizing that their time with Kramer’s was coming to an end, the two set out to bring books to a new community with a distinct need for it.

“We knew there was a need for this here… a place for the open exchange of ideas, a place where people could go and touch books and think about things,” Jake Cumsky-Whitlock told The AFRO “Restaurants and bars are great. Coffee shops are great. But a bookstore in this day and age is such a vital third place for people. A place where they can really go that’s not there home, that’s not their work, that’s not just a place to refuel. Where they can just sort of spend some time and just let their mind wander and maybe come across things that they hadn’t thought about.”

The bookstore features a few elements that make it easy to lose a day or two in. In addition to being the largest bookstore in D.C. in 20 years, with an extensive collection of both fiction and nonfiction, the space also houses a bar for coffee, tea, alcohol and wine. Pair this with their extensive events calendar, which includes a “Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt” on the 28th, and it’s easy to see oneself picking up the latest Ta-Nehisi Coates offering, grabbing a coffee, taking in a poetry reading and discussing the merits of Drake vs Pusha-T over rosé and never leaving the store.

The bookstore also plans to engage the community it resides in by partnering with local schools on youth focused events and hosting book fairs for them as well. “We want to continue to put forth the idea that books are accessible and they shouldn’t be daunting or scary,” Whitlock told The AFRO. And I think that really needs to happen starting at a young age.”

If you are wondering what books to pick up at the newly opened Solid State Books, check out a few suggested pieces from their head buyer. Nonfiction folks will like “A Spy in Canaan” by Marc Perrusquia which covers the story of an FBI informant who served as one of the most important photographers of the Civil Rights movement. Fiction readers will dig “Welcome to Lagos” by Nigerian author Chibundu Onuza about Nigerian military officers who abandon their post when ordered to commit violence against civilians. Poetry buffs can also pick up the recent offering by the Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture Kevin Young, “Brown.”

Solid State Books is located at 600 H Street Northeast.

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‘Traveling While Black’ guidebooks May be Out of Print, But Still Resonate Today

Special Report — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:21:42 +0000

By Cotten Seiler, Dickinson College

(THE CONVERSATION) In the summer of 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for the state of Missouri.

Modeled after the international advisories issued by the U.S. State Department, the NAACP statement cautioned travelers of color about the “looming danger” of discrimination, harassment and violence at the hands of Missouri law enforcement, businesses and citizens.

The civil rights organization’s action had been partly prompted by the state legislature’s passage of what the NAACP called a “Jim Crow bill,” which increased the burden of proof on those bringing lawsuits alleging racial or other forms of discrimination.

The 1947 and 1956 editions of the ‘Green Book,’ which was published to advise black motorists where they should – and shouldn’t – frequent during their travels. Image on the left: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library. Image on right: Courtesy of the South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C. (Photos/TheConversation.com)

But they were also startled by a 2017 report from the Missouri attorney general’s office showing that Black drivers were stopped by police at a rate 85 percent higher than their White counterparts. The report also found that they were more likely to be searched and arrested.

When I first read about this news, I thought of the motoring guidebooks published for African-American travelers from the 1930s to the 1960s – a story I explore in my book “Republic of Drivers: A Cultural History of Automobility in America.”

Although they ceased publication some 50 years ago, the guidebooks are worth reflecting on in light of the fact that for drivers of color, the road remains anything but open.

The half-open road

In American popular culture, movies (1983’s “National Lampoon’s “Vacation”), literature (“On the Road”), music (the 1946 hit “Route 66”) and advertising have long celebrated the open road. It’s a symbol of freedom, a rite of passage, an economic conduit – all made possible by the car and the Interstate Highway System.

Yet this freedom – like other freedoms – has never been equally distributed.

While White drivers spoke, wrote and sang about the sense of excitement and escape they felt on automobile journeys through unfamiliar territories, African-Americans were far more likely to dread such a journey.

Especially in the South, Whites’ responses to Black drivers could range from contemptuous to deadly. For example, one African-American writer recalled in 1983 how, decades earlier, a South Carolina policemen had fined and threatened to jail her cousin for no reason other than the fact that she had been driving an expensive car. In 1948, a mob in Lyons, Georgia, attacked an African-American motorist named Robert Mallard and murdered him in front of his wife and child. That same year, a North Carolina gas station owner shot Otis Newsom after he had asked for service on his car.

Such incidents weren’t confined to the South. Most of the thousands of “sundown towns” – municipalities that barred people of color after dark – were north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Of course, not all White people, police and business owners behaved cruelly toward travelers of color. But a Black individual or family traveling the country by car would have had no way of knowing which towns and businesses were amenable to Black patrons and visitors, and which posed a grave threat. The only certainties for African-Americans on the road were anxiety and vulnerability.

‘A book badly needed’

“Would a Negro like to pursue a little happiness at a theatre, a beach, pool, hotel, restaurant, on a train, plane, or ship, a golf course, summer or winter resort?” the NAACP magazine The Crisis asked in 1947. “Would he like to stop overnight in a tourist camp while he motors about his native land ‘Seeing America First’? Well, just let him try!”

Despite the dangers, try they did. And they had help in the form of guidebooks that told them how to evade and thwart Jim Crow.

“The Negro Motorist’s Green Book,” first published in 1936 by a New York letter carrier and travel agent named Victor Green, and “Travelguide: Vacation and Recreation Without Humiliation,” first published in 1947 by jazz bandleader Billy Butler, advised Black travelers where they could eat, sleep, fill the gas tank, fix a flat tire and secure a myriad of other roadside services without fear of discrimination. The guidebooks, which covered every state in the union, drew upon knowledge hard-won by pioneering Black salesmen, athletes, clergy and entertainers, for whom long-distance travel by car was a professional necessity.

“It is,” a “Green Book” subscriber wrote to Victor Green in 1938, “a book badly needed among our Race since the advance of the motor age.”

Acknowledging the era’s racial tensions and dangers of travel, the 1956 edition reminded drivers to “behave in a way to show we’ve been nicely bred and taught good manners.”

It pointed to certain states that would be more amenable to Black travelers: “Visitors to New Mexico will find little if any racial friction there. The majority of the scores of motels across the State accepts guests on the basis of ‘cash rather than color.’”

Yet even as they sought to ease the Black traveler’s passage through an America in which racial discrimination was the norm, the guidebooks, whose covers often featured well-heeled travelers of color with upscale automobiles and accessories, also asserted African-Americans’ claims to full citizenship.

The guidebooks’ images and text conveyed an attitude of indignation and resistance to the racist conditions that made them necessary.

“Travel Is Fatal to Prejudice,” the cover of the 1949 edition of the “Green Book” announced, putting a spin on a famous Mark Twain quote.

In 1955, “Travelguide” declared, “The time is rapidly approaching when TRAVELGUIDE will cease to be a ‘specialized’ publication, but as long as racial prejudice exists, we will continue to cope with the news of a changing situation, working toward the day when all established directories will serve EVERYONE.”

Is racial terror really over?

Travelguide and the Green Book did indeed shut down in the 1960s, when the civil rights movement sparked a profound transformation in racial law and custom across the country.

Today, copies can be found in research archives at Howard University, the New York Public Library and the Library of Congress. The guidebooks have been the focus of a growing body of print and digital scholarship. The University of South Carolina, for example, has built an interactive map that allows visitors to search for all of the businesses listed in the 1956 edition of the “Green Book.”

In popular culture, a play, a children’s book and a forthcoming Hollywood film starring Mahershala Ali all center on these travel guides.

While the story of these books recall an era of prejudice many regard as bygone, there remains much work to be done.

The NAACP’s decision to issue a travel advisory calls attention to the dangers that continue to be associated with “driving while Black.” The highly publicized recent deaths of Sandra Bland, Philando Castile and Tory Sanford are the starkest examples of what can happen to Black drivers at the hands of police. Studies have shown that across the nation, police are still much more likely to stop and search drivers of color.

If guidebooks for drivers of color are unlikely to make a return, it is because the internet now fulfills their role, not because the “great day” of racial equality the “Green Book” heralded 70 years ago has arrived.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article here: http://theconversation.com/traveling-while-black-guidebooks-may-be-out-of-print-but-still-resonate-today-99126.

The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.

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AFRO’s Sean Yoes Pens New Book Chronicling Influential “Race and Politics” Column

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 07 Jul 2018 23:33:44 +0000

By Stephen Janis, Special to the AFRO

In his “Race and Politics” column, Sean Yoes, has chronicled many of the difficult challenges and tragedies over the last three years in Baltimore since the death of Freddie Gray and the subsequent uprising in April 2015. He has compiled more than 50 of those commentaries in his new book, Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities.

It is the first book for Yoes, an award winning journalist and the AFRO’s current Baltimore editor, whose reporting has helped define many of the conflicts that have engulfed Baltimore over the past three decades.

Baltimore After Freddie Gray: Real Stories From One of America’s Great Imperiled Cities,will be available on Amazon July 9. (Courtesy Photos/Sean Yoes)

“Baltimore After Freddie Gray” (BAFG), utilizes Yoes’ singular voice that has informed his writings on police corruption, government accountability, and the history of racism in the city and beyond.

“I wrote ‘Baltimore After Freddie Gray’ to provide an authentic chronicle of the last three years, which have been very difficult in our city since Gray’s murder while in police custody and the subsequent uprising,” Yoes told the AFRO.

The columns include timely reporting and analysis of the consequences of the death of Gray, who died April 19, 2015 and the historical roots of troubled policing that precipitated the subsequent uprising.

“I wanted to give voice to some of the victims of these last three years; people like Charmaine Wilson, the mother of eight murdered in front of her children; Korryn Gaines, killed by Baltimore County Police while she held her son in her arms; people like Ivan Potts, wrongly incarcerated by the Gun Trace Task Force,” Yoes said of the corrupt Baltimore Police Department specialized unit whose members have recently been convicted of robbing residents, dealing drugs, and stealing overtime pay

But it also depicts the rise of community lead solutions to violence like the grassroots movement Cease Fire and the emergence of activist organizations such as The Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle which has lead the ongoing fight for law enforcement reform.

“I also wanted to tell the stories of the heroic, brilliant people who work hard every day to keep this city from being torn asunder and make it a better place for everybody,“ Yoes said.

For nearly 30 years, Yoes has been covering Baltimore city for the AFRO newspaper in a variety of capacities. He launched his column, Race and Politics, in 2015. He also served three years as the host and executive producer of the weekday, drive time radio version of the AFRO “First Edition” (Sept. 2014 to Sept. 2017) on WEAA, 88.9.

For Yoes, the process of assembling the three years of commentaries provided new insights into the recent events which have transformed the city; a perspective he hopes will give readers a greater understanding of the debates over policing, public safety and politics which have roiled the community.

BAFG marks another venture for Yoes who has expanded his repertoire of pursuits to include a podcast for WYPR called “Truth and Reconciliation” (full disclosure the writer co-produces the show with Yoes). He also is in the planning stages of a documentary “A Baltimore Uproar! Romare Bearden and the Black Vanguard,” on legendary artist and AFRO cartoonist Romare Bearden.

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Michelle Obama’s Memoir Conveys Lessons of an Eventful Life

Associated Press — Sat, 23 Jun 2018 13:36:16 +0000

By CHEVEL JOHNSON, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Former first lady Michelle Obama said Friday that her upcoming memoir “Becoming” is a “re-humanization effort” that shares the “ordinariness of a very extraordinary story” that she hopes will give voice to people who feel voiceless.

Obama made the remarks as she helped kick off the American Library Association’s annual conference in New Orleans. Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden moderated the conversation before an estimated crowd of 8,000 inside the city’s convention center.

Former first lady Michelle Obama waves as she arrives to speak at the American Library Association annual conference in New Orleans, Friday, June 22, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Obama shared snippets from the book, including the experiences that have shaped her, from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive and her time at the White House.

She told the crowd that much of who she is today results from the influence of her parents, Fraser and Marian Robinson.

“My parents had a strong sense of how to parent and taught us at an early age to figure it out,” Obama said. “They let us know, that as children, our opinions mattered. But they encouraged us to contribute to the solution. You could air it out, but you had to be the one to solve whatever it was.”

She said her parents taught her and her brother about the work ethic and the value of doing what you say you’re going to do.

“When I go throughout my day, I often ask myself, ‘Am I doing what I think Marian and Fraser would expect me to do?’” she said.

Obama said her mother’s “no nonsense” energy has always been a part of her life and was welcome at the White House.

“We had butlers and housekeepers at the White House, but my mother would tell them, ‘Don’t touch my underwear. I got it,’” she said, drawing a round of laughter. “She’s the one who taught my girls how to do laundry. She keeps us humble and focused on what’s important. She’s also my sounding board. She’ll sit and just listen and then ask me, ‘What do you think you should do about that?’”

Obama said the book gave her a chance to reflect on the whirlwind of her life as a working executive and mother with a high-profile husband in a high-profile job.

“I didn’t come into (being first lady) with a blank slate,” she said. “I had big jobs. I went to Princeton. I went to Harvard. I am a lawyer. But as Barack’s ascent got faster and higher, I had to figure out and balance marriage and balance becoming a spouse. I’ve learned that you can have it all, but not all at the same time.”

Obama also talked about the value of strong friendships, noting she could not have gotten through her time in the White House without a “posse who kept me sane.” She told the young, single mothers in the audience, “you weren’t meant to parent in isolation.”

“It truly takes a village to raise children. Build your village wherever you are. It will be your salvation and keep you sane,” she said, drawing a roar of applause.

The book is being released in November in the U.S. through the Crown Publishing Group, a Penguin Random House division.

The conference, which ends Tuesday, is expected to draw more than 15,000 participants.

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Target, American Greetings Apologize for Racially Insensitive ‘Baby Daddy’ Card

Associated Press — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:47:38 +0000

The Associated Press

American Greetings has apologized for a Father’s Day card that drew criticism on social media for depicting a Black couple over the words “Baby Daddy.”

The inside of the card reads: “You’re a wonderful husband and father — and I’m so grateful to have you as my partner, my friend, and my baby daddy! Happy Father’s Day.”

(Screengrab)

American Greetings says the front page communicated “an unintentional meaning that is out-of-touch and offensive.” Communications director Patrice Molnar says the company is adding steps to its product review process “to ensure cards like this are not created.”

Retailer Target saw the discussion on social media and asked American Greetings to remove the card from 900 stores where it was available. Spokesman Joshua Thomas says it was never the company’s intent to offend.

Thank you for raising this concern and bringing it to our attention. This card was intended to be a playful husband card, but we have notified the product team that it missed the mark. Please accept our sincerest apologies and know we will do better in the future.
— American Greetings (@amgreetings) June 13, 2018

The phrase “Baby Daddy” is “not sweet or nice,” wrote Dallas-based Facebook user Takeisha Saunders, reported USA Today. “It’s a term used to describe a deadbeat or absent parent. Yeah it’s sweet on the inside, but whomever created this card doesn’t know what it means.”

Not everyone was as offended, however.

Facebook user Antwan Lester, responding to Saunders’ post, said the issue was “not that deep.”

“I’m a black man who finds NOTHING wrong with this card,” he wrote. “ But to sit here and compare this card with the real s**t we had to overcome though? If you’re not, I’m embarrassed for you and the woman who posted this.”

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New Book Explores Black Christian Experience in White Churches

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 18:37:17 +0000

By Nadine Matthews, Special to the AFRO

Being pregnant is hard enough for any woman. Trying to write a book while you’re pregnant can feel positively unbearable.

Austin Channing Brown tells the AFRO, “It was physically difficult. I was so tired. I just wanted to take a nap all the time. Trying to write when you’re nauseous, the baby’s little foot would be all up in my rib cage. You just can’t get comfortable. It was the biggest obstacle every time I had to sit down and write.”

Austin Channing Brown’s, ‘I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness,’ is a memoir of a Black woman who has navigated White spaces since childhood. (Courtesy photo)

Fortunately she feels incredibly passionate about the subject of her book, which helped her to push through and complete it. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity In The Face of Whiteness is a memoir of a Black woman who has navigated White spaces since childhood. The book is also an intriguing chronicle of the not often enough explored realm of the Black Christian experience in White Evangelical churches and associated organizations. “I wanted to write a book that said to other Black women in particular, you’re not alone. As you give of yourself to these ministries and institutions I just wanted to affirm the experience and our perception of reality.”

Activist writer and speaker Channing Brown became interested in making this her life’s work while in college. “In college I had a mentor who was doing this same exact work. She would travel, preach and speak and do consulting for organizations that really wanted to be diverse,” she says. The exposure made her realized that her challenges were in fact universal. There were many Black women facing the same issues as her.

She eventually moved on to working with Evangelical organizations. Presumably with Christianity as a unifier, those spaces would have been safer for her to occupy. However, that wasn’t the case. In the book she says, “Being a Black woman in the professional world of majority-White non-profit ministries was far more difficult than my younger self could imagine.” She writes of her first-hand experiences with church organizations who couldn’t see past race.

Some of her recollections makes the reader flinch. In one instance, after completing a training class and closing with a prayer, a White male participant raged at her for no less than twenty minutes repeatedly charging, “Trayvon Martin was no victim.” When Channing Brown could not be persuaded to his way of thinking, he demanded to speak to whoever was “really in charge.”

Unlike many around her, Channing Brown expected Trump’s rise to political power. “I was not even a little bit surprised,” she says. Her experiences in a diverse church, were like the canary in the coal mine. She recalls “I encountered racism on a regular basis because of this work. Racism didn’t rear its ugly head during the Trump campaign. It started as soon as Obama took office.”

Coinciding with Obama’s victory, she observed a rise in evangelical circles of doomsday scenarios. “I heard conversations where Obama was referred to as the anti-Christ,” she recalls. “I remember going to a new church right before the election when it was looking like Obama was going to win, and a woman stood up and said God told her that there were going to be earthquakes, basically the world was about to explode. There was almost a decade of anger .”

She is still optimistic about the church. “I am still proud that there is a segment of the church that is still focused on justice. And yes, a majority of evangelicals support Trump, but there are lots of organizations that do read the Bible differently. There are churches at the borders trying to keep families together, folks who are raising money to pay attorneys to help people. There are still a lot of churches fighting to be on the right side of history,” she says.

She is the first to admit that her work is psychically exhausting, as it is for many Black women in similar situations. For survival she laughingly suggests, “If you find that you’re really the only one, get out. Everybody needs a friend.”

On a more serious note she offers, “Find other like minded folks. I don’t think I would have made it through my college experience if it wasn’t for Black women; as professors, as teachers but also my peers.” She also encourages women to “Remember you’re a whole person. So fight, but also dance, twerk in the mirror, eat good food, fall in love. Be a person, don’t give your whole self to the fight.”

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Making DC a Better City for Whom?

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 10 May 2018 10:11:33 +0000

By Hamzat Sani, Special to the AFRO

In order to address the fears of underserved D.C. communities facing gentrification and displacement the government must embrace a new “operating system” emphasizing openness, collaboration and coordination across its agencies and external institutions.

This was the premise put forward by the panelists at the “A Better City for Who?: How Open, Collaborative and Distributed Governance Can Benefit All D.C. Residents” a discussion put together by the Center for Urban Innovation at the Aspen Institute May 7. Panelists centered their discussion around the recently published, A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative and Distributed Governance, by New York University professor Neil Kleiman and Harvard professor and former mayor of Indianapolis Stephen Goldsmith.

The cover to A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative and Distributed Governance, by New York University professor Neil Kleiman and Harvard professor and former mayor of Indianapolis Stephen Goldsmith. Goldsmith was on the panel to speak about the book and the topic of distributed governance at the Aspen Institute May 7. (Courtesy Photo)

Goldsmith was on hand for the panel joined by D.C. Deputy Mayor for planning and Economic Development, Brian T. Kenner; 11th Street Bridge Park Director, Scott Kratz and Founding Director of the Aspen institute Center for Urban Innovation, Jennifer Bradley serving as moderator for the panel.

While Goldsmith’s book served as primary discussion material, Snowden provided context for the core of the discussion outlining the various programs in the D.C. government focused on underserved and low-income communities. In remarks made prior to the panel, she noted the struggle of keeping vulnerable communities from being alienated or displaced out of the enhanced vibrancy of the changing city. Touting projects like Aspire, the Uber Hub on Minnesota Avenue and decreased unemployment rates in wards 7 and 8.

“All of this only happened because there a was senior level person figuring out how we grow and build overlooked and underserved communities or do what I call, ‘help people gentrify in place.’ And ensure economic development happens with us and not to us.”

Goldsmith laid out the current hindrances to cultivating efficiency. “We’ve set up this system of government where in order to protect us against corruption we’ve limited the discretion of public employees. The way we’ve made it so they can’t abuse their discretion is that we’ve eliminated their discretion,” she said.

Noting that there now exists better tools to communicate, solve problems and collaborate with the public from the perspective of a government official, Goldsmith went on to explain, “Instead of acting in a routine fashion, government can identify outliers, it can predict gentrification, it can predict abandoned homes.” This data can then inform the decision making process for communities looking to ensure that generational residents have the resources they need to age in place.

In his remarks Deputy Kenner highlighted the incremental changes in several D.C. neighborhoods since his arrival in the city in 1996 relaying the story of his car being broken to in Penn Quarter. Many of the traditional issues facing residents like public safety and education are getting better, however livability and affordable housing challenges remain resilient.

“The rent is too damn high no matter how much money you make in the District of Columbia. If you make six figures…you may not be able to live in the neighborhood you want to live in.”

The deputy mayor highlighted some of what D.C. has done so far to counter the affordability issue citing a rigorous set of restrictions on developers that forces them to build out almost 30% of every residential development as affordable housing units. He also countered the notion that residents in neighborhoods like Historic Anacostia or Congress Heights are requesting more affordable housing units arguing instead for market rate housing so that property values can increase and help anchor a strapped neighborhood economy.

Kratz discussed his work with the Bridge Park project to promote transparency and community buy-in towards creating an impact that is inclusive with viable equitable outcomes. A tangible outcome of the collaborative process with long-time residents is an Equitable Development Plan that builds in anti-displacement features so that all can partake in the build out and eventual prosperity of the state of the art park.

While a good number of weighty questions were tossed around by the panel, panelists made it clear that no one had an oracular look into what the future of cities would like or could make any guarantees that displacement would not continue as urban center become increasingly desirable. What did prevail however was the need for government to become smarter, more open and collaborative in the way they do business and engage with residents.

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Cancer Survivor and Amputee Details How She Overcame Adversity

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:26:51 +0000

It is often hard to maintain an optimistic attitude after being faced with adversity but new coming author, Donna Hopkins, seems to have mastered the practice of positivity despite some extremely difficult circumstances. Hopkins’ book, “Getting to the Other Side of Victory”, will be released March 15 and details her two-time struggle with cancer and lower leg amputation and how she managed to take her life back and rise above her pain.

Hopkins was born and raised in West Virginia and attended what is now known as Fairmont State University and currently lives in Silver Spring.

“I wrote the book because I went through cancer twice. In 1997 discovered a lump in my breast that turned out to be cancer and then 2 years later in 1999 I had a reoccurrence. I thought that would be the most that I had to go through, being hit with cancer twice but in 2010, I always say I went through an unforeseen medical disaster.”

“I went to the hospital to have uterine fibroids removed, and it’s funny, I walked to the hospital that day and actually sent out an email to my friends joking that this would be my last walk for a minute thinking that I’d be in the hospital for 5 days and then out, but that 5 day hospital trip ended up being a 2 month hospital stay that ended with the amputation of my lower left leg.”

Losing her leg was an extremely traumatic event for Hopkins. Many people find writing to be cathartic following a great tragedy or trauma, Hopkins is no exception.

“I ended up writing the book in the hospital because when we go through unforeseeable circumstances and things in our lives and we’re getting hit with things from every direction whether it’s medical or financial, whatever the situation may be, sometimes you end up getting stuck in what you’ve gone through and unable to move forward. I started jotting down notes in the hospital just for healing purposes, after going through everything I went through I realized that I’m still a blessed individual and that the fact that I’m still alive is key. Sometimes we get so stuck in the past that we can’t move forwards and then we cheat ourselves out of the present and out of living life to the fullest. That was the inspiration for the book, first for myself but also to help other people win in life and get past what they’ve gone through and then move forward with life.”

While Hopkins’ medical mishaps have physically changed her life, they have also had a huge impact on her overall outlook.

“You have no time to waste with crying about your situation and what has happened because you can never go back and do anything about what you’ve come through, but you can do something about how you move forward. My attitude has changed a lot, I don’t waste time, I don’t surround myself with negativity or people who can’t enjoy life, I’ve already survived tough times and it would be devastating to stay in it. I just don’t waste time anymore I do everything that I want to do, I make a point to be more involved and present in my relationships with those around me. Material things will fade away over time, but relationships are the things that last and help you to push forward through life. I enjoy living life. I’m a competitive person and my focus is winning in life despite the odds.”

‘That’s what I’ve learned through this, many people haven’t gone through any of what I’ve gone through and they are cheating themselves out of life and I live it. If I were to leave this world today people would say “Man, Donna lived!” This book is going to be a book that, I believe, regardless of age, race and what you’re going through, that they can grab onto and push forward in getting past whatever they’re going through.”

Getting to The Other Side of Victory will be released March 15^th. To learn more about Donna and her story visit her website, www.DonnaJHopkins.com.

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Authors Discuss New Book, Policing Black Bodies

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 18:46:10 +0000

Surrounded by fully-stacked book shelves and coffee aroma at The Potter’s House in Northwest D.C., an engaged audience tuned in on Tuesday, March 13, to listen and discuss a difficult topic: the policing of African Americans.

Authors Angela J. Hattery and Earl Smith’s presented their book, The Policing of Black Bodies: How Black Lives Are Surveilled and How to Work for Change, which was first released December of last year.

Angela J. Hattery (left) and Earl Smith (right) present their book Policing Black Bodies at the Potter’s House Tuesday evening. (Courtesy Photo)

“Policing Black Bodies goes beyond chronicling isolated incidents of injustice to look at the broader systems of inequality in our society—” the front cover of the book reads, “how they’re structured, how they harm Black people, and how we can work for positive change.”

“It’s the summer of 2016, and we’re literally writing about the shooting of unarmed Black men,” Hattery told the AFRO. “And in that one week in July… Alton Sterling was murdered, and Philando Castile was murdered. It was all inside of a week.”

That was among one of the challenges of writing Policing Black Bodies, according to Hattery. “It’s a lot to hold. It was a very difficult book to write emotionally because it’s hard stuff.”

Hattery is a sociologist and serves as the Director of the Women & Gender Studies Program at George Mason University in Virginia. Smith is a Professor of Sociology and Director of the American Ethnic Studies Program at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. They have been colleagues for about 20 years and collaborated on multiple writing projects, including other books.

Declaring they wrote the book to “make people uncomfortable to disrupt stereotypes about Black bodies,” Hattery and Smith credit the Black Lives Matter movement for bringing national attention to tensions between Black people and the police.

Policing Black Bodies then presents urban riots and protests as a “logical response” to police’s treatment of Black communities.

The book then moves on to highlight mass incarceration, school-to-prison pipeline, the policing of trans and Black women’s bodies and the killing of unarmed Black men.

Smith and Hattery conclude Policing Black Bodies with a discussion of intersectionality, color-blind racism and a strong call to action.

Hattery, who is White, said that she has some concerns about resistance to her writing or talking about Black policing issues.

“It hasn’t happened yet, but I fully expect push back from White people,” Hattery added. “The push back I expect from Black people is … ‘how could you write about something you haven’t lived?’”

Smith, who is African American, told the AFRO that supporting Hattery from a racial standpoint “isn’t an issue.”

“It’s the social support system to say, ‘You can write this,’” Smith said.

Smith said in addition to being confident, having a co-author who is honest about feedback is critical to ensuring the collaboration works.

“When we speak in different places, somebody will say, ‘Well, as a White person, how can you be writing about this?” Smith asked from Hattery’s point of view. “And the answer is because I can. I know this subject. I know this territory, and if they can’t handle that, that’s their problem,” Smith answered.

At the same time, Hattery said, “White people aren’t picking up a book called Policing Black Bodies.” In turn, some concern lies in how African Americans will receive the book.

“I’m always concerned that as a White person I’m not taking the microphone, that I am an ally—not the center of attention, that I am doing justice to the issue when it isn’t my lived experience,” Hattery said. “And I think that’s part of why the collaboration is critical.”

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Michelle Obama Announces New Book

Special to the AFRO — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 20:41:01 +0000

Former first lady Michelle Obama has decided it’s time to tell her story.

On Feb. 25, Obama took to Twitter to announce her new book, Becoming, and the launch of her website, becomingmichelleobama.com.

Former first lady, Michelle Obama’s new book, ‘Becoming,’ will hit bookstores Nov. 13. (Courtesy Photo

“Writing BECOMING has been a deeply personal experience,” Obama wrote in a Twitter post.

The former first lady said the book will explain her trajectory from growing up in Chicago to the woman she is today.

“I talk about my roots and how a girl from the South Side found her voice,” Obama wrote.

Through her story, Obama said she wants to encourage others to dare to dream.

“I hope my journey inspires readers to finds the courage to become whoever they aspire to be. I can’t wait to share my story,” the former first lady wrote.

Obama’s book announcement immediately went viral on Twitter, with over 130 thousand likes, about 24 thousand retweets, and 2,400 comments as of Monday afternoon.

Many of the comments expressed immense support for Obama and her new book. Journalist and author, Simon Hedlin , in response to Obama’s book announcement wrote, “Dear Michelle, Please run for office. Sincerely, The American people.”

According to a New York Times article, Becoming} will be published by Crown, a Penguin Random House imprint.

In February, Crown acquired world publishing rights to Mrs. Obama’s story as well as her husband’s, former president, Barack Obama, new book. The joint deal with Penguin Random House was reportedly worth $65 million and has caused major speculation in the publishing industry. Publisher’s Weekly reported that many were shocked by the deal and said, “The advance is, if not the largest on record for two standalone works, certainly the largest in recent memory.”

Becoming will officially hit bookstores on Nov. 13, and will be published simultaneously in 24 languages. An audio version read by the former first lady herself will also be released at the same time.

Penguin Random House will donate a million copies in the Obama family’s name to First Book, a nonprofit organization that offers books and educational materials to children.

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Mildred Muhammad: ‘I’m Still Standing’

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:35:20 +0000

John, Salena and Taalibah Muhammad saw their father, John Allen Muhammad, arrested on Oct. 24, 2002, for a string of sniper shootings that killed 17 people in Washington, D.C., Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas.

In her latest book, I’m Still Standing, released in March, Mildred Muhammad writes about the deep pain and confusion the children suffered when their father refused to see them. Muhammad told the AFRO that on Nov. 10, 2009, the scheduled day of the execution, she tried desperately to get John Allen to at least call his children. “If he loves us,” Taalibah asked, “why won’t he talk to us? Why mom?”

The seconds ticked away, almost audibly, as the children sat anxiously by the phone waiting for their dad to call. But at 9:11 that Tuesday night, John Allen, her ex-husband who she says emotionally and mentally abused her, was declared dead. The phone call to his children never happened.

I’m Still Standing is a moment by moment narrative that begins with the emotionally crushing events that led up to the execution of the man known as the D.C. Sniper, the person, Mildred Muhammad said, she once loved.

The author says her book is for the victims and survivors of domestic violence, as well as those who are in a position to help, but may not know how. Muhammad reaches out through the personal stories of how her family wrestled with life, death and everything else in between.

Over the course of three weeks, beginning on Oct. 2, 2001, the D.C. Sniper and then 17 year old Lee Boyd Malvo terrorized the Washington area; gunning down ten people and injuring three others. In May Malovo’s life sentence was overturned because he was a juvenile at the time of conviction. The Virginia Attorney General’s Office, which prosecuted Malvo, said in a statement it was considering whether to appeal the decision.

Muhammad’s book tells a clear recollection of those shadowy days. Notwithstanding the depravity of his crimes, to his children, John Allen was not the monster portrayed on TV. He was their dad and they loved him.

Muhammad writes about what followed in the wake of the execution. There were months of isolation and a lengthy road to normalcy, Muhammad said. It meant more than just putting pen to paper. It required her to go public with her story, which could expose her and the kids to criticism. Her first book, released in 2009, is called Scared Silent.

Muhammad said she and her children are like the overwhelming majority of domestic violence survivors. “80 percent,” she said “do not have physical scars to prove that they are victims.”

Her advice to anyone who may be in an abusive situation is to “tell someone…not just anyone, one trusted friend,” she wrote. If you are planning to leave an abusive relationship, “be very strategic.” I’m Still Standing includes a safety plan on how to do that.

There are others, Muhammad writes, who may not know they are in an abusive situation. If you are unsure, she advises: get a sheet of paper, “… draw a line down the middle, mark one column pros and other cons. If the cons outweigh the pros, you may have a decision to make.”

The author follows through with sound step-by-step advice on what survivor’s options are and what they can do. Prodded by dreams in which she heard the cries of abused women, Muhammad began speaking publicly about their ordeal.

She said she is also working on a degree in psychology and hopes to earn her degree in 2018.

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Books, Events Mark Late Poet Gwendolyn Brooks 100th Birthday

Associated Press — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 00:12:11 +0000

CHICAGO (AP) — Poet Gwendolyn Brooks would have turned 100 this week, and that birthday is being commemorated with new books, poetry readings, writing contests and even a bus tour through her hometown of Chicago, all inspired by her.

FILE – In this June 1989 file photo, Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks holds a portrait of herself painted by Anne-Cressey McGraw-Beuchamp at a ceremony in Chicago. Brooks would have turned 100 on June 7, 2017, something places around the country are commemorating all year with new books, poetry readings, writing contests and even a bus tour through her hometown of Chicago, all inspired by her. Brooks, who died in 2000, became the first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize. (AP Photo/Ralf-Finn Hestoft, File)

Brooks, who died in 2000, became the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize, earning the honor in 1950 for her coming-of-age poetry book “Annie Allen.” Her writing drew from vibrant Chicago neighborhoods, capturing everyday Black life and examining critical issues like civil rights. She was also instrumental in promoting Black publishing, bypassing big houses for smaller presses later in her career.

“She was at the apex of understanding who she was culturally and who she was as a woman. She was on top of a significant mountain representing us without doubt or hesitation,” said poet Haki Madhubuti, who Brooks mentored.

Madhubuti founded Third World Press, which also published Brooks. “(Brooks) was not only revolutionary, but evolutionary,” he said.

Wednesday marks the official birthday with planned celebrations at the University of Chicago and other places around Illinois, where she was poet laureate for more than three decades. Organizers are encouraging a social media “International Birthday Party” in remembrance. Some locales have already hosted centennial events, including Medgar Evers College in New York.

FILE – In this March 16, 1999, file photo, First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton presents the outstanding “First Women” award to poet Gwendolyn Brooks, right, during the National First Ladies Library award ceremony in Washington. Brooks would have turned 100 on June 7, 2017, something places around the country are commemorating all year with new books, poetry readings, writing contests and even a bus tour through her hometown of Chicago, all inspired by her. Brooks, the first female African-American Pultizer Prize winner for poetry, died in 2000. At left is Mary Regula, founder and president of the National First Ladies Library. (AP Photo/Linda Spillers, File)

At least three new books about Brooks have recently been released: Angela Jackson’s biographical “A Surprised Queenhood in The New Black Sun,” the anthology “Revise the Psalm: Work Celebrating the Writing of Gwendolyn Brooks,” and “Seasons: A Gwendolyn Brooks Experience,” which is partly edited by her daughter, Nora Brooks Blakely.

“We’re hoping that as the centennial continues, that more and more people will be excited about learning more about her,” Blakely said.

Chicago’s Literary Hall of Fame has mapped out a June 16 bus tour of important Brooks sites, including the South Side home where she lived for decades and the Chicago Defender, the iconic Black newspaper which published her first poems written as a teenager.

Organizers say the commemorations, including a teen writing contest, are emblematic of Brooks.

She believed in mentorship, promoting young writers and hosting workshops. She visited schools, prisons, hospitals and drug rehabilitation centers to read her work and instill appreciation of the written word.

“Gwendolyn Brooks was a truth teller. That is the most significant thing about her. The other thing is her accurate and honest depiction of Black people and Black lives. So much in America is marshaled against the realization that Black people are human being and Gwendolyn Brooks captured our humanity and lifted it up,” said Jackson, who wrote the new biography. “When you portray Black people in our full humanity, then that’s a gift to all of humanity.”

There’s a Chicago State University center, park and a school bearing her name in Chicago, with plans for a sculpture. She’s buried in a suburban cemetery, her gravestone in the shape of a book.

Fellow poet Nikki Giovanni, who shares a birthday with the late poet, said Brooks paved the way.

“What she did was she led us. We could follow Gwen Brooks and we were going to go some place. We were going to learn something,” she said. “What made her outstandingly brilliant was that she was current.”

Educators and poets say she continues to inspire the next generation.

Patricia Frazier, a senior at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, said Brooks’ writing struck her immediately, especially since they had lived in some of the same Chicago neighborhoods, including historically black Bronzeville. The work inspired the 18-year-old’s own poetry.

“She really doesn’t really go to great lengths to cloak anything in some covered metaphor… She talks about real people, going through real life things,” Frazier said, adding that she’s honored to attend the namesake school. “There is a certain responsibility that I owe to her lineage to tell the story right. We kind of carry her name everywhere we go.”

Errin Haines Whack reported from Philadelphia. Follow her work on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/emarvelous . Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sophiatareen .

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‘Dear Ijeawele’ Offers Feminist Advice for Black Women

Special to the AFRO — Fri, 12 May 2017 06:05:29 +0000

After reading {Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions} by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche, I believe that this is a mandatory read for women young and old. I gained a sense of freedom, a freedom from societal boundaries and the iron grip that it had on my thoughts.

Note: I am a 23-year-old Black single man without children. Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche wrote this book as a letter to her friend Ijeawele about her thoughts on feminism and suggestions that will assist her in raising her daughter “differently, trying to create a fair world for men and women.”

A fairer world Adiche has made it. As an artist, many of us have the same idea that “If my art work helps out one person, than my mission is complete.” This book gave me the tools to not only envision a fairer world for everyone, but it also helped me erase the everyday misogynistic language that we use but don’t realize the hurtful implications of. I can use these tools to teach others how to help and advance the world, through my art. Adiche broke her suggestions into fifteen parts. Below is what I believe are the most powerful pieces of advice from the book.

“Never apologize for working. You love what you do, and loving what you do is great gift to give your child.”

“ should do everything that biology allows—which is everything but breastfeeding. Sometimes mothers, so conditioned to be all and do all, are complicit in diminishing the role of the father.”

“I wonder now, wistfully, if the little girl would have turned out to be a revolutionary engineer, had she been given a chance to explore that helicopter…Gender roles are so deeply conditioned in us that we will often follow them even when they chafe against our true desires, our needs, our happiness.”

“You either believe in the fully equality of men and women or you do not.

“Teach her to love books…If all else fails, pay her to read. Reward her.”

“Women actually don’t need to be championed and revered; they just need to be treated as equal human beings.”

“Never speak of marriage as an achievement.”

“Her job is not to make herself likable, her job is to be her full self, a self that is honest and aware of the equal humanity of other people.”

“Teach her about privilege and inequality and the importance of giving dignity to everyone who does not mean her harm.”

“Let her know that slim white women are beautiful, and that non-slim, non-white women are beautiful.”

“Teach her to question our culture’s selective use of biology as ‘reasons’ for social norms.”

“Talk to her about sex, and start early.”

“Teach her that to love is not only to give but also to take.”

“She must know and understand that people walk different paths in the world, and that as long as those paths do not harm others, they are valid paths that she must respect.”

My advice would be to go read the rest of the book.

Kondwani Fidel is a writer, speaker, and spoken word poet. Fidel is the author of Raw Wounds and is a member of Ivy Bookshop. He is from, and currently lives in Baltimore, Md. All book reviewed in this column can be purchased at The Ivy Bookshop, located at 6080 Falls Rd, near Lake Ave in Mt Washington. For more information about book club discounts or upcoming author events please go to theivybookshop.com or call us at 410-377-2966.

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April Ryan’s Memoir Relays Wisdom on Race

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:09:36 +0000

People say that we live in a divided country, and they are absolutely right. There are two kinds of people in this world: the ones who haven’t read At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White, by April Ryan, and the ones who have. In this book, Ryan perfectly pens the challenges that Black women face in America. Ryan is also the Washington Bureau Chief for American Urban Radio Networks and is often in involved in heated exchanges with White House spokesman Sean Spicer that have racial overtones.

In her memoir, she discusses how at a young age her mother taught her about “the contributions that so many Black people have given to the world.” This lesson, and other similar ones, put Ryan ahead of the game in being knowledgeable about Blackness in America.

What good is a book about race, if it doesn’t mention “the talk.” “The talk” is racist myth that entails: Black parents talking to their children about how they should walk, dress, talk, breathe, eat, smile, blink, cough, laugh, or perform any other gesture, in a specific kind of way, which is supposed to strip racists of their racism. This “talk” is supposed to help Black youth avoid altercations with police and everyday regular racist people. Being Black can rob you of your life, because we’ve been stamped from the beginning as inferior. You should never put this responsibility on the oppressed, but rather on the oppressor. Ryan does well by addressing this talk, and hopefully putting an end to this myth.

For those who assume Black people make up stories to make their lives seem harder than they are, Ryan includes a bevy of statistics. She notes that “for every 100 Black women not in jail, there are only 83 Black men. The remaining men—1.5 million of them—are, in a sense, missing. They are missing largely because of early death or because they are behind bars.” These figures indicate the racial disparities in this country. It is undeniable that Black communities are policed more which equals more arrest. When there are more arrests, people then perceive that there is more crime.

In another excerpt Ryan’s details more consciousness that she attained, from being At Mamma’s Knee. “I learned early on, especially as I watched those old black-and-white movies, falling in love with the hero, who was usually White… My mother was quick to point out that everyone was not as embracing of our community as I imagined it was in the movies.”

April Ryan depicts a conversation that she had with Barack Obama about Blacks living in a post-racial America. She asks him, “Is this post-racial, or would you say post Obama?” She stumped the former president on the question, but you will have to read the book to see how the rest of the conversation plays out. But one thing I will say, is that I strongly agree with Ryan’s belief that “racism persists at its worst level, even today,” no matter who says otherwise.

The most intriguing segment of At Mama’s Knee is when Ryan, who is a graduate of Morgan State University and worked for years in the Baltimore market, discusses the power of invisibleness that comes with Black skin, while using Michelle Obama as a tour guide. She describes how “ would walk the streets of Washington, D.C., around the White House, unannounced and in most cases unnoticed.” She explains that Michelle had several such walks and was rarely recognized by tourists, workers, and residents, and it’s because she is invisible, I mean Black. We live in a country that nourishes us to see color, so race is the first thing that many of us notice.

Despite Michelle’s face gracing many magazine covers, television screens, as well as her many accomplishments, Ivy League schools she attended, and her being the First Lady of The United States, she was still invisible. This should be living proof to every Black person in America: accomplishments can not erode racism. Therefore, your work should never be done with hopes to seek validation from the people who oppress you.

At Mama’s Knee by April Ryan is a must read for everyone, most importantly those parents who seek guidance in how to transfer wisdom about race to their children, how Ryan’s mother did for her, and how she currently does for her daughters.

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Coretta Scott King’s ‘My Life, My Love, My Legacy’

Special to the AFRO — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 02:49:10 +0000

The spouses of revolutionary leaders, celebrities, and famous athletes, tend to get overlooked. It’s rare that we get a vivid description of what life was like for the spouse. It’s even rarer that we get notable memoirs.

My Life, My Love, My Legacy, by the late Coretta Scott King, wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and co-writer the Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, gives readers a vivid description of Coretta, not so much of Mrs. King, who the majority of the world knew her as. Coretta was at the forefront of a movement during one of the most pivotal eras in American history.

Marrying King and becoming part of a movement were never part of her plans as child. The bombings, death threats, murders, and her husband’s assassination, are what made Coretta “identify with all suffering people around the world, no matter what color they were.”

Coretta explains that her first love was singing. She takes us back to her debut in church, (the center of her social life) which was covered by several local papers. Becoming a pastor’s wife was the last thing she expected.

Coretta was scholar, becoming the first Black person to major in education and minor in voice at Antioch College, as well as an activist before becoming acquainted with King. She was part of the Antioch NAACP as well the peace movement of the time.

Coretta finds ways to reveal the racial language that usually gets overlooked, then, and now. Having White classmates accept her, but not the rest of her race. “Well, you’re so different from the rest of them,” classmates would say. Not having any other Black friends, never getting to know “the rest of them.”

Coretta and King both believed in many of the same things and the book makes clear Coretta was the female version of King. She details the night of January 30, 1956 in Alabama, when their house was bombed. “We must love our white brothers, no matter what the do to us,” King said.

Long after Kings’s death in 1968, Coretta believed that non-violent warfare, was the quintessential tactic to fight for justice. “Surrendering your body to be put in chains while allowing your spirit, your soul, and your sense of right to reign free. Gandhi, Kwame Nkrumah Nelson Mandela, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Apostle Paul, and Jesus Christ Himself all surrendered their bodies to their jailers and, in many ways, large and small, forever changed the face of history through their suffering and sacrifices.”

The book makes clear Coretta’s life as a mother, wife, and activist. She writes how she continued to lead the movement after King’s death. Towards the end of her memoir, Coretta writes, “Once I found my purpose, I was ready to die to hold on to it.” And that’s exactly what she did. There is truth in finding a passion and pursing it until your casket closes. Coretta shows us how to do exactly that.

Kondwani Fidel is a writer, speaker, and spoken word poet. Fidel is the author of Raw Wounds and is a member of Ivy Bookshop. He is from, and currently lives in Baltimore, Maryland. All book reviewed in this column can be purchased at The Ivy Bookshop, located at 6080 Falls Rd, near Lake Ave in Mt Washington. For more information about book club discounts or upcoming author events please go to www.theivybookshop.com or call us at 410-377-2966.

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Bobby Brown Tells His Side of the Story in ‘Every Little Step’

Special to the AFRO — Sat, 18 Jun 2016 18:53:08 +0000

In “Every Little Step” Bobby Brown says that Whitney Houston had affairs with both men and women. (Courtesy photo)

There was once a time when Bobby Brown was the biggest name in R&B, an icon headed towards a path of greatness in the late 1980s. But, over the last 25 years, Brown has been in a public downward spiral fueled by a long-standing bout with drug abuse and his turbulent relationship with legendary crooner Whitney Houston.

The ups and downs of Bobby Brown have been chronicled since his adolescent days belting out squeaky high notes with Boston group New Edition. After heavy losses, including his fortunes and the lives of Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina, Brown is ready to tell his side. Brown’s autobiography “Every Little Step” is an inside look at the life of Bobby Brown as he tells all, from confirming rumors to secrets never before revealed.

“Every Little Step” begins as an ordinary autobiography, traveling down memory lane to Brown’s humble beginnings in the Boston ghetto of Orchard Park. The story quickly takes a turn as he details his chaotic adolescent years, being molested and watching a childhood friend die before his eyes. Brown also realizes his mother is a drug dealer when he attempts to fry chicken with cocaine. The story soon drifts to the early days of New Edition, as Brown reveals his account of what ultimately led him to pursuing a solo career.

Bobby Brown was the king of R&B on the radio after his 1988 debut “Don’t Be Cruel” sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. Brown takes you behind the scenes of the peak of his career. He revels in relaying his sexual escapades as a teen, including affairs with both Madonna and Janet Jackson.

Brown does not stint on the juicy gossip, even in the case of the deceased Houston. According to Brown, Houston had affairs with the late rapper 2Pac, and her best friend Robyn Crawford.

While many perceive Brown as the man responsible for Houston’s demise as well as sinking his own career, he goes above and beyond to put things in perspective. The underlying tone of the book is accountability, and Brown’s growth as a person shows through his owning up to his actions.

Because he has made so many mistakes in the public eye, much of the book is looking back on these moments, and acknowledging what he could have changed and how he has worked to fix the issue. For example, he writes at length about his relationships with his children from previous relationships. While Brown allowed drugs to consume his life, he neglected his responsibilities as a parent. The evolution of Brown the person through the chapters is what makes “Every Little Step” a true page-turner.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book are the excerpts from Brown’s friends, colleagues and even mothers of his children. From friend and New Edition member Ralph Tresvant’s explanation of Brown’s departure from the group, to Melika Payne’s detailing Brown’s cheating ways. The fact that not all of the excerpts reflect positively on Brown is an interesting twist, and shows that Brown isn’t solely looking for pity.

“Every Little Step” also gives Brown the opportunity to reflect on the changes in his life after the losses of his former wife and daughter. All in all, Brown maintains his integrity, despite being one of the most criticized celebrities of the last three decades.

Brown has something for both the fans and the haters. Brown’s personality and willingness to expose his faults and shortcomings for the sake of understanding are commendable.

For the last 30 years we have heard and seen Brown at his best and worst. “Every Little Step” gives you an inside look at how Bobby Brown the person came to be.

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Rating the First Black President

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 03:00:18 +0000

In “The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America”, Michael Eric Dyson discusses, analyzes and evaluates Barack Obama’s performance as President of the United States. Dr. Dyson sets the tone for his analysis by stating that Obama has the “burden of representation” as the first and only Black president of the United States. Dyson wants to know “… how much closer the election of a single Black man may bring us to a more just and inclusive society…..”

Is this a realistic question given the circumstances under which Barak Obama became president? President Obama inherited the worst economic recession since the depression as well as trillion dollar budget deficits, two wars and, with the exception of the first two years, one or both houses of Congress dead set on opposing everything he wanted to do. Geoffrey Stone, a University of Chicago Law professor, wrote in {The Huffington Post} that “no president in our nation’s history has ever been castigated, condemned, mocked, insulted, derided or degraded on a scale even close to the constantly ugly attacks on Obama.”

I credit Dyson for including this quote in his book however, I fault him for not following through to discuss its implications relative to how much more difficult an already hard job became for Mr. Obama. Dyson spends very little time discussing these very real challenges even though he admitted that every compromise President Obama made would, “shake the faith Black people had in him and/or further threaten Whites’ perceived position in American Society.” This is a short coming of this book and, I believe it reveals the author’s bias.

When he had the opportunity to interview President Obama, Dyson mentioned his dissatisfaction with Obama’s approach to helping Blacks and other minorities. He failed to mention that programs, including the Affordable Health Care Act and pumping billions of additional dollars into the Pell Grant program had specifically benefitted that very same population even though Obama didn’t specifically say that was the purpose of the programs. Obama, in his interview, made it clear to Dyson that as a pundit he doesn’t have to deal with the reality of being president—having to work with congress to get bills written and passed that he can sign into law—something that was never adequately discussed in the book.

When Dyson asked former Attorney General Eric Holder if President Obama should speak out on racial issues as he did, Holder told him Obama “ …. has a responsibility beyond upholding the law – he has to draw a difficult balance between competing needs for resources, competing policies, ideas, groups, etc.” Dyson states that his conversation with Holder clearly showed him to be a thoughtful person who understands, perhaps better than Dyson, the responsibility of the President.

After two thirds of the book, Dyson seems to better understand the challenges President Obama has faced since taking office. Dyson stated that a year after Michael Brown was shot, Obama “found a way to be the president of all America while also speaking with special urgency for Black Americans.”

The primary appeal of this book is Dyson’s sometimes wordy commentary on the Black condition in America and less for his critique of the Obama presidency. This book will appeal to readers who appreciate Dyson’s view point, opinions, and analysis and how he states them.

Dr. Granville M. Sawyer Jr., is the former president of the South Orange – Maplewood, New Jersey School District, author of “College in Four Years: Making Every Semester Count.” and a professor of finance and director of the MBA program at Bowie State University. An authority on helping minority students achieve success in higher education, he writes about education and life at GranvilleSawyer.com and tweets @ProfGMS.

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Edward Lewis and the Creation of ‘Essence’

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 03:00:34 +0000

“I was the quiet one,” is repeated like a mantra throughout “The Man from Essence.” This is how Edward Lewis describes himself in a quartet of Black men who founded Essence magazine in the early 1970s.

But the quiet one, a man imbued with shyness, is the one to write the book on the history of a breakthrough magazine whose troubled birth pains are part of the public record.

If the financial and personnel turmoil at Essence was often grist for the news cycle, only the insiders knew the actual details of the disputes and differences. Lewis illuminates these hiccups and perturbations as well as providing readers with his own biography, much of which is inseparable from the magazine’s rise and ultimate sale to Time in 2005.

In his acknowledgments, Lewis warns of the book’s subjectivity, writing, “None of the three men I went into business with consented to contribute to this book by agreeing to be interviewed.” Thus, he is the last man standing and left to impart his own version of how the magazine managed to overcome bickering, competition and internal contradictions.

One of the problems from the very outset of the publication was something Lewis relates again and again in the book: There were no Black women involved in the creation of a magazine designed for them. Nonetheless, Lewis, Clarence Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Jonathan Blount forged ahead with no collective awareness of what their dream entailed.

“We were popular with the ladies,” Lewis wrote of the four, “envied by working-class brothers and sometimes a little full or ourselves, fueled by a powerful sense of our new possibilities.” In the beginning there were five of them, but Anthony Janniere departed even before the magazine was fully conceived, leaving the Hollingsworth Group—a name of the one partner with business experience—to fend for itself. Lewis was the executive vice president in charge of finance; Smith was the vice president in charge of advertising; Hollingsworth was vice president in charge of circulation; and Blount became president after Janniere left.

It is amazing the magazine ever gained any traction given the succession of mistakes and missteps. With no Black woman to advise them, they settled on Sapphire for the magazine’s title. Not until they hired their second editor-in-chief, Ruth Ross, did they change the name to Essence at Ross’ suggestion. But Ross’ tenure, like several that succeeded her, was brief, and she was barely around long enough to witness the struggle the four men had in raising funds for the venture.

The men of Essence had a number of angels in the early stages, including Shearson, Hammill & Company, Freedom National Bank and several major banks on Wall Street, none more significant than First National City Bank and Chase Manhattan. Later, to keep them afloat in waters far short of the $1.5 million needed to be fully capitalized, would be a $250,000 loan from Playboy Enterprises, which would be among the magazine’s future headaches.

Interwoven through his telling of the magazine’s story, Lewis has alternate chapters on his life that in many ways mirror the fits and starts Essence experienced. Born in 1940 and raised in the Bronx by his mother, Lewis earned a football scholarship to the University of New Mexico after graduation from the DeWitt Clinton High School. He never got a chance to show his brilliance on the gridiron for the Lobos and was confused over why he was dropped from the squad. Many years went by before he learned why he was cut from the team. No spoilers here.

No longer in football gear, he became active in campus politics and student activism, so much so that he traveled representing the student’s chapter of the National Student Association. Soon, he had his undergraduate degree and a masters in political science when he was given an opportunity to study law at Georgetown University.

Being cut from the varsity football team was one unpleasant setback, flunking out of law school was even more traumatic, so much so that it took him a long time to tell his mother. But these were just momentary bumps in the road for a determined Lewis, and it wasn’t long before he found another chance to shine—this time on Wall Street in a job at First National City Bank.

Other than an occasional discussion about his personal difficulties, the failed first marriage and a series of angioplasty surgeries, the rest of the book is devoted to the good and bad deals of the company, to say nothing of the fast-changing personnel at the top of the magazine’s masthead. Editors and writers associated with the magazine over the years will certainly discover their names dropped here and there, though with only Marcia Gillespie and Susan Taylor given more than a line or two.

More than a line or two is expended on Ebony’s John Johnson’s attempt to take over the magazine, the interminable litigation by Blount and the magazine’s later successes, particularly with the Essence Musical Festival in New Orleans.

In 2008, Lewis ended his relationship with the magazine, and in 2014, among his many awards, he was inducted into Advertising Hall of Fame. Content in the warmth of his marriage to Carolyn Wright, the quiet man has spoken.

Edward Lewis will speak at the Booklover’s Breakfast on Feb. 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Baltimore Marriot Waterfront Hotel.

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When the White House was also the Big House

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 04:30:23 +0000

Jesse Holland explores the lives of slaves in the White House in ‘The Invisibles. (Image Courtesy of Jesse J. Holland)

“Who would want to read about slaves in the White House?” a classmate asked Jesse J. Holland. The crushing feedback stifled the published author for weeks. Thankfully, Lyons Press thought otherwise and “The Invisibles: The Untold Story of African American Slaves in the White House” (Lyons Press, 2016) was born.

Holland, a native of Holly Springs, Mississippi, the home of legendary journalist and NAACP co-founder Ida B. Wells, writes about race, ethnicity and demographics for the Associated Press. Holland has also covered the White House, Congress, and Supreme Court. He resides in Bowie, Maryland with his wife and children.

Holland didn’t want the “great Black reporter” label, preferring “great reporter” instead. Yet he found himself drawn to Black anecdotes, they were “the stories that interested me the most,” the ones he had the most fun writing, he said during a Jan. 13 panel on Race and Writing at Goucher College in Baltimore, MD adding, “You do your best writing when you care about your subject.”

Clearly, Holland is passionate about Black history, writing the books he wants to read. After moving to the District in 2000, he searched for a narrative about the history of Blacks in the area that matched the oral snippets he had heard. Finding none, Holland wrote the book himself. He took two years off from the AP to complete “Black Men Built the Capitol: Discovering African-American History In and Around Washington, D.C.” (Globe Pequot, 2007).

While President Obama set his sights on the Oval Office, Holland conceived what later became “The Invisibles.” He aimed to explore three different eras of Black history in the White House.

The Invisibles “is only a first look,” Holland writes in the Foreword, “at the slaves who worked to build the White House, the slaves who lived inside the presidential mansions in New York City and Philadelphia at the dawn of the United States, and the first slaves to live inside the White House.”

The decor and tenor of the executive mansion, whatever its locale through history, was fashioned by the chief executive; Holland delves into the mindset and preferences of each president to frame the presidential slave narratives. An entire chapter devoted to the laws surrounding slavery and indentured servitude provides the context, along with the forced immigration history and examples of Native American assistance to slaves, which transports the reader back a century or more.

Oney Judge’s story illustrates Holland’s skilled use of first person accounts to detail her quest for freedom, including the ad President Washington’s steward placed following Judge’s escape. After she was found, a reply sent to Washington read, “She should rather suffer death than return to slavery and (be) liable to be sold or given to any other persons.”

“And there was no more involved with his slaves than Thomas Jefferson,” Holland writes. But readers looking for details about Sally Hemings may be disappointed, as history does not place her in the White House; Holland’s reference is for her brother James.

Readers travel alongside James Hemings while Jefferson was Ambassador to France; relive Paul Jennings’ account of the White House evacuation before the British burned it in 1814; and view Simon’s jaw-dropping races as a jockey Andrew Jackson simultaneously reviled and coveted.

“The Invisibles” is rich with vibrant, suspense-filled anecdotes which document the presidential slaves’ roles in American history and, as Holland hoped, honor their sufferings and sacrifices. The book also highlights the importance of recording and preserving Black life stories before they are permanently lost to history.

See Jesse J. Holland at Bus Boys & Poets (14th & V)-Jan 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Barnes & Noble (Bowie Town Center)-Feb 13, 1-4 p.m. FMI, visit jessejholland.com

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‘Alex Haley: And the Books that Changed a Nation’ Fleshes Out the Man Behind ‘Roots’

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 04:03:22 +0000

In downtown Annapolis, near the Annapolis Harbor, sits a statue of author Alex Haley. He is depicted as a kindly grandfather, telling children of various racial backgrounds an amusing story. Leading up the statue are a series of metal plaques with quotes from the book that links Haley to Annapolis – ‘Roots.’

In his book, “Alex Haley: And the Books that Changed a Nation,” writer Robert J. Norrell fleshes out the man behind both “Roots” and “The Autobiography of Malcom X,” – Haley’s most well-known works.

Norrell relies on detailed research to paint the picture of a man who grew from a somewhat ambivalent teenager to a dedicated journalist and writer. He presents Haley as a real person – a writer plagued by money problems. One who struggled to meet his deadlines. He presents Haley as a man so singular in his quest to become a better writer that two of his marriages suffered.

He also presents a man who developed tight bonds with men and women who are still revered today – like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King and Muhammad Ali. What readers who only know Haley for “Roots” or “Autobiography” might not know is that Haley was also responsible for a great number of hard-hitting magazine interviews with some of the greatest movers and thinkers of his time.

“He shaped the racial sensibilities of more Americans than any other writer, black or white,” Norrell writes in the book’s prologue. “Although he was not himself a black nationalist, his works, more than any other writing, gave texture and substance to black nationalism. Haley and his work deserve to be recognized as seminal influences on black identity and American thought about race.”

Norrell spends a good deal of time on how Haley was able to get better and better at his craft, putting himself in the position to meet and interview the charismatic and controversial Malcolm X. He details how the two men crafted X’s story together and became close friends through the writing of the book. But, perhaps most importantly, Norrell shines new light on accusations that parts of “Roots” were untrue that cast a shadow over the book to this day.

Norrell writes that Haley first heard of his ancestors from his Aunt Liz, who would tell tales of “The African” who came to the United States via “’Napolis.”

The stories never left Haley and later, after the success of “Malcolm X,” Norrell writes that he was anxious to start a project about his own family. But it wouldn’t be easy. When he began working on “Roots,” Norrell writes, Haley was charting unknown territory. There was very little available in the way of African history and so Haley was forced into deep research and the use of oral history to trace his family’s tale.

That research took years – Norrell writes that Haley’s publishers were beyond frustrated by how late the book actually was – and carried him all the way to Gambia to meet the people Haley hoped were part of the earliest part of his family tree.

Norrell is exhaustive in his retelling of how the book came to be. He gives a few reasons why critics may think “Roots” was more fiction than fact. Those reasons include Haley’s self-described flare for dramatic storytelling over straight journalistic reporting, the many revisions the book went through and the way that Haley took notes while researching.

“Haley used the neologism “faction,” a blend of historical information and imagined thoughts and conversations,” Norrell writes.

Norrell, a White professor based in North Carolina, has written several books about the Black experience. He has also written about Booker T. Washington and the Civil Rights movement in Tuskegee.

If there is anything off-putting in the book, it is that Norrell is perhaps too exhaustive in his detailing of Haley’s life. His passages about Haley’s time with Malcolm X can sometimes make the reader feel like they have left a biography about Haley and wandered into one about Malcolm X. And there is so much information about “Roots” that it’s possible for the reader to feel as overwhelmed by its sheer volume as Haley might have felt sifting through his own research when he was writing his book.

Overall, however, Norrell has crafted a fascinating story about a flawed but talented writer who captured an important part of Black American history.

The post ‘Alex Haley: And the Books that Changed a Nation’ Fleshes Out the Man Behind ‘Roots’ appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

‘Where Everybody Looks Like Me’ and the Challenges Facing HBCUs

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 06 Jan 2016 20:37:39 +0000

In “Where Everybody Looks Like Me,” author Ron Stodghill writes about the status of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in America focusing on the challenges leaders of these institutions face. Stodghill contends that HBCU presidents aren’t effectively addressing challenges threatening the very existence of their institutions including; a waning black middle class, conservative state legislators who want to shut down or merge HBCU’s with other schools and steep federal funding cuts that reduce operating funds and financial aid for students.

Stodghill writes extensively about leadership and administrative crises at several HBCUs including Howard University in Washington, D.C. and Morris Brown University in Atlanta. Stodghill also writes about the challenges HBCUs face recruiting and retaining the most talented students and administrators—key assets who are lured away by mainstream universities with more money and resources.

Throughout the book the author described the deficits at HBCUs including dysfunctional boards, mismanagement of funds and an inability to generate alumni support. He also cites President Obama’s speech at Morehouse College in Atlanta where he said HBCU’s and students attending them must take more responsibility for their educational experiences and professional success after graduation.

At various points in this discussion, Stodgill shifts his focus from what HBCUs need to do better to what they are uniquely qualified to do well—for example, the unique nurturing environment, especially for first in family college students, HBCUs provide. He quotes Dr. Beverly Tatum, former president of Atlanta’s Spelman College who said “The fact is that many HBCUs offer an environment where people are rooting for you and saying, ‘You are going to graduate,’ because they know who these kids are and where they are coming from.” He goes on to describe several black students’ feelings of isolation and their inability to fit in at mainstream universities that lack this nurturing environment.

These shifts in focus occur several times throughout the book—switching from a litany of crises at HBCUs to students’ personal experiences and back again. This detracts from continuity and a consistent theme for the book. However, the book’s most glaring shortfall is the lack of solutions for the problems the author so thoroughly researched and reported.

He offers few ideas of his own or recommendations from other educators on how to deal with the important issues facing HBCUs or how to make a stronger case for HBCUs based on an educational environment unmatched at mainstream universities. Not enough is written about the important contribution to higher education HBCUs make by providing talented capable students with educational opportunities they can find nowhere else. Opportunities that may elude them because majority institutions only seem to believe the “talented tenth,” as W.E.B. Dubois described them, have the best chance to obtain a college education.

Stodghill does a very good job of describing and discussing two important aspects of HBCUs in America – the need for strong, visionary innovative leadership and the nurturing environment they provide that many minority students need to do well in college. However, better integration of these themes coupled with suggested targeted solutions would have made for a more successful exploration of these important subjects.

Dr. Granville M. Sawyer Jr., the, author of “College in Four Years: Making Every Semester Count” is a professor of finance and director of the MBA program at Bowie State University in Baltimore, Maryland. An authority on helping minority students achieve success in higher education, Dr. Sawyer writes about education and life at GranvilleSawyer.com.

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Activist-Writer Sister Souljah Pens New Book, Talks Love

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 00:09:25 +0000

Sista Souljah talks about love at a D.C. book signing of her recently released memoir “No Disrespect”.

It’s been nearly 25 years since rapper Sister Souljah gained national attention by publicly challenging then-Presidential hopeful Bill Clinton’s racially marginalizing campaign rhetoric. The Rutgers-educated activist, recently released her memoir “No Disrespect” – a graphic autobiography that attempts to shift the discourse on Black feminism to acknowledge its existence in hostile, violent, and misogynistic spaces.

Souljah’s stardom though, came most abruptly with the release of her 1999 urban family novel, “The Coldest Winter Ever.”

“’The Coldest Winter Ever,’ and more specifically, the character Winter Santiaga resonated with women and young girls all around the country – not just because she was coming of age while living in an urban space and surrounded by staples of that environment, but also because Black and Latina women recognized Winter,” said B. Lovely Branch, a D.C. culture critic at a recent Souljah book signing, hosted by the National Press Club and Politics and Prose on Nov. 17.

It was at this book event, where she signed copies of the fifth installment in the Winter series – “A Moment of Silence (Midnight III),” that Sister Souljah’s true reach became evident. In a line snaking from her table to the foyer and composed of as many older White men, as young Black girls, most asked about the possibility of her writing a new memoir to update “No Respect.”

“I’ve been married now for 23 years and that could probably make up at least one book – with several volumes,” Souljah told the {AFRO}. “I think I have a lot more to say, especially about love and marriage – keeping a marriage together, not honey-coating it, but offering some things that I think would be helpful in looking at the whole concept of love, of marriage, of family. I think of writing “No Disrespect II” a lot of times.”

Souljah’s insights on love, marriage, and men are often found in her work, whether fiction or non-fiction. According to Souljah, it is that genuine respect that offers a counterweight to negative depictions of young Black men in her work. It is a template many urban girls wholeheartedly seek and embrace.

“I love and listen to the sound of a man’s voice, the intent of his words, the feelings from his heart. At the same time I love the stance of a man, the posture, the demeanor, the way he walks and definitely the way he thinks and works,” said Souljah. “I love men who are capable of love, who help instead of hurt, who heal instead of destroying. I have known many great men in my lifetime. I tend to see the goodness more than the flaws, as long as the flaws are not toxic or abusive.”

As for her thoughts on the new presidential hopefuls, Souljah remains silent. Her commitment, now, as in the 1990s, is set on a love for Black people and their ability to maneuver an often uneven playing field. Noting a return to some of the same conflicts between community and law enforcement, Souljah said a new digital society has made it impossible to choose the police over the citizen when the evidence is being recorded on cellphones.

“Our lives certainly matter. At the same time, in order for us to win in any real way, we will have to straighten ourselves. I believe we are not receiving spiritual protection because we are not straight. We have not humbled ourselves before our maker,” Souljah said. “Our people today want to win without God, without aim, precision, study, unity and Lord have mercy without love or truth. That’s not going to happen.”

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Ray Lewis’ Book Takes An In-Depth Look at the Troubled Man Beneath the Helmet

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 02:23:29 +0000

In ‘I Feel Like Going On: Life, Game, and Glory’ Ray Lewis tells the story of his 17 year NFL career.

Let me preface this review by saying that I am born and raised in Baltimore City. Growing up with no football team sucked and the only thing worse were the old stories of how great the Colts were before they moved to Indianapolis in the middle of the night.

To me, the greatest day in Baltimore City’s football history is April 20, 1996. That was the first draft for the new Baltimore Ravens and in that first round General Manager Ozzie Newsome selected Hall of Famer Jonathan Ogden from UCLA with the 4th overall pick, and future Hall of Fame inductee Ray Lewis from Miami, with the 26th pick. Ogden and Lewis would lead the team to win Superbowl XXXV in 2001 and Lewis would again win in 2013. That win, at Super Bowl XLVII, would be Lewis’ final game.

That game and detailed memories of many others, make up a good portion of this book. In addition, Lewis discusses his early childhood, growing up without a father and even the origin of his name–he was named after a military man who paid his mother’s maternity ward bills. He remembers growing up in a house with his single mother, Sunseria Smith, and his four siblings. He also remembers the abuse he and his mother suffered at the hands of men in her life.

Lewis talks about his introduction to football, his evolution to a blue chip recruit in high school and his ascension to wrestling state champion in his senior year. The part of the book many non-Ravens fans will be interested in is Lewis’ detailed retelling of what happened on Jan. 31, 2000 in Atlanta.

On that night Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar were stabbed to death following the Super Bowl. Lewis and his group had been involved in a fight with another group of which Baker and Lollar were a part of. Lewis and two companions were charged with murder and Lewis ultimately took a plea and testified against his two companions. Lewis never directly linked his two friends to the killings, and they were acquitted.

Lewis goes through the different outfits he wore, his trip to Atlanta and expresses multiple times that he has moved past the events, how people treated him and how he felt. It seems that Lewis is still hurt by those accusations and how he was treated, in custody and in public, as a result of them.

Lewis does touch on the Baltimore unrest and seeing “his city” burn. He talks about his hurt as he watched the city explode in riots and violence and how he showed up to help in any way he could.

Faith is the common thread that ties this book and Lewis’s life together. The book is a mixture of Lewis’s spiritual talk, motivational speeches and his football history. For this football fan, that’s more than enough.

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Former Raven Details Recovery from Addiction and Bankruptcy

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 04:38:54 +0000

Marques Ogden’s transition from the NFL to the business world was difficult. (Courtesy photo)

Former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Marques Ogden made a living coming from the blind side to blitz quarterbacks. However, after a five year NFL career and successful transition into business, Ogden ultimately took a life changing business hit that cost him everything he worked for.

“It wasn’t about a lavish lifestyle. I lived in a townhouse and bought pre-owned vehicles,” said Ogden. “It’s important for people to understand that bad things happen in life.”

Ogden, whose brother Johnathan was part of the 2001 Ravens Super Bowl championship, chronicles his recovery from addiction and bankruptcy in his new book “Sleepless Nights: The NFL A Business and Family.”

This best selling story has been critically acclaimed from the gridiron to Wall Street and is a blueprint for avoiding financial catastrophe through failed business ventures.

Marques was not the typical pro athlete who lived in the moment. With his B.S. degree in business from Howard University he founded Kayden Premiere Enterprises before retiring. The construction company specialized in all aspects of site management from demolition to utilities. It was recognized as one of Baltimore’s Shining Star minority businesses.

Things changed dramatically, however, when the company embarked on a $4 million project for Johns Hopkins Hospital’s DHNH health laboratory. The project was disrupted because the company was unable to adequately dry the soil around the construction site. The cruel business reality that was magnified when Johns Hopkins denied a change order request meaning it was an expense that Kayden Enterprises would have to absorb.

The book recalls how the absence of diligent research when heading into that expanding business opportunity left him bankrupt. Ogden takes full responsibility for his lapse of attention to detail which became a life changing multimillion dollar nightmare and also put “an unreal” stress level on his family. Marques says his wife Bonnie, who he met on a dating website, “weathered the storm”.

His spiral downward intensified when his father Shirrell passed away at 57 following complications from heart surgery in 2006. Shirrell provided primary custody for his two sons after divorcing their mother. After his father’s death and filing bankruptcy he found refuge in alcohol.

“I lost $2 million in 90 days,” said Ogden. “Everything caught up with me at one time. I cashed in stocks, took out a first and second mortgage on my home and even used my father’s inheritance to try and stay afloat.”

“It was a difficult time in the Ogden household when this transpired”.

He admits that some of the attributes that push athletes to an elite level can be their demise in business. Quitting is a violation of the unwritten code of honor players live by on the field which is a driving force in their success. Ogden also believes that pride convinces some players to remain in bad deals too long figuring they can weather the storm.

“Pride is the absolute enemy of most athletes,” said Ogden. “If you continue to throw money at a bad situation it won’t end up well. Revenue means nothing. It’s black versus red ”.

Ogden credits his family and the National Football League Players Association for helping to rebound. He received a $14,000 NFLPA Gene Upshaw Trust Fund Assistance Grant which covered his expenses for four months in 2013 and allowed him to begin rebuilding his life.

Marques established Ogden Elite Sports, which focuses on health, wellness, and public speaking. He is now sharing his message with Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities, the NFLPA, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. The unprecedented success of his book has given him a platform to empower those facing challenges from life’s critical setbacks.

“Anyone can make a bad business decision,” said Ogden. “It’s my responsibility to educate people on what to do and not to do.”

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The Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 04:10:16 +0000

Title: Yesterday Is Today * Author: N.O.

Release Date: July 2015

Bio: Eleanor M. Richardson, who writes under the pseudonym N.O. (None Other), is a native Baltimorean. N.O., at the sweet age of 72, considers herself a late bloomer as an author. Spending time with her two daughters, Linda Walker, Tasha Richardson, soul-mate Thomas Boyd, other family members, and close friends is highly cherished.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

It’s somewhat exciting to discover that I have talents, and capabilities that were not visible to me until now. After the release of my first book, I wanted to outdo the novel by writing another.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

It flowed much smoother that the first novel. I found myself not wanting to end the story. So, the saying practice makes perfect is certainly true. In other words, the more I write, the better I should become at doing it well. And with each new book, my goal is to be better.

For what audience is your book written?

For those individuals eighteen and older, and without nationality limits.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

That although there are times of gloom and darkness around us, there’s also sunshine after the rain. Life is great. Love, caring, faith, and understanding will carry one over the hurdles that time may present.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Don’t be discouraged. There may be many who will not lend a helping hand, and others who have made it in this competitive industry who have forgotten that someone helped them to get a foot in the door. Also, there have been numerous individuals who shared with me their urge to write a book, but never followed through. Procrastination will hinder you from accomplishing your goals and dreams. Never let others deter you from your focus. If you are willing to invest the time and energy, it can and will happen. Remember that you are never too old—or that it is too late—to record your thoughts and feelings; that may potentially develop into a manuscript.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I plan to record my books on CD. Also, I would like my novels turned into stage plays, and even big screen movies. That would surely be another blessing.

List other books you’ve written.

Currently, I only have two books to my credit, “Silent Cry” (2014) and my new book, “Yesterday Is Today” (2015).

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Leonard Pitts Jr. Tackles Race and Publishing in ‘Grant Park’

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 01:48:21 +0000

Leonard Pitts Jr. new book is called “Grant Park.” (Courtesy Photo)

Leonard Pitts Jr is a columnist at the Miami Herald who is not afraid to mix it up when it comes to race and politics. The South Carolina native’s fourth book, “Grant Park,” deals with the fallout of what happens when a Black newspaper columnist writes an incendiary column about race that his White editor refuses to run.

The novel wrestles with the question of ‘Is America still racist?’

With “Grant Park,” Pitts was interested in exploring in the issue of resentment over race in the workplace. “I just wanted to play with the idea of what if a columnist responded to this in a visceral outburst of anger,” he said, in an interview with the AFRO. “You know, what drives a man to do that.”

“There’s elements of my experience as a columnist, and a lot of black columnists, that inform the world Malcolm lives in,” he said. “You reach a point where the truth is as strange as or stranger than fiction.”

The 2008 Presidential Election between John McCain and Barack Obama is a major plot point in the book that charts Malcolm and his editor Bob’s alternating views on the country’s stability and racism.

Pitts is no stranger to outlandish comments in his column.

“I was trying to get this idea of how crazy and incoherent the country has become,” he said. Pitts jokes that “ Trump as one the leading candidates ” is one of “greatest illustrations of this.”

The historic presidential race serves not just as a backdrop to the racism in the fictional world of Grant Park but also in present day America. Barack Obama winning the election lead people to think “…We have come a lot further than we have.”

Blacks have been dealing with “these issues since the 1960s” said Pitts. The election of a Black president “doesn’t mean are not still abiding.”

Pitts hopes that his novel “ people that #blacklivesmatter didn’t just start with Freddie Gray or Trayvon Martin.”

“It is really shameful that it takes to taking to the streets before some of us in this country wake up,” he said in regards to the riots earlier this year in Baltimore.

“I’m glad to see the community finally.” he said “I’ve been wondering for the past 10 or 15 years where they’ve been.”

“Grant Park” will be published on Oct. 13 by Agate Bolden. For more information go to leonardpittsjr.com.

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White Privilege in the School House

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:37:07 +0000

While White Americans awaken to the realization that Black Americans are hunted, harassed, and killed on a regular basis by U.S. law enforcement, a quieter racial discrimination, and the White privilege to inflict it, goes largely unnoticed. These perpetrators neither make the evening news nor get put on trial. Protesters don’t march the streets demanding justice on this front. In fact, in liberal White communities, the perpetrators of this particular White privilege are hailed as heroes, noble professionals making a difference in the world.

Consider me, a White former public school educator, Exhibit A. Increasingly I understand how my White privilege set me up as a classroom teacher to participate in obstructing educational access for students of color. Worse, that same privilege allowed me to not even know that obstruction was in play. It’s impossible to solve problems we don’t know exist, and core to the White privilege problem is that not seeing it is effortless – at least for White people.

I brought to teaching the colorblind idea that all students had an equal shot at educational opportunity. After all, America’s level playing field extended to the classroom, right? Yet along with these ideas, I brought a host of unexamined behaviors and attitudes that tilted the classroom playing field in favor of my White students.

For starters, White students could see themselves and their trusted adults in me. My patterns of speech and movement were familiar to them. No matter how nice I may have been to all of my students, White children enjoyed a lack of racial tension. The same goes for White parents. Whether it was back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences, or a simple phone call home, White-to-White interactions rested on in-group ease that felt natural, not divisive, to me.

And while I was quite sure I didn’t have a racist bone in my body, I can now see how I differentially interpreted behaviors along racial lines. A White boy jumping onto a chair in excitement made me smile, remembering my own spunky childhood self and friends. A Black boy doing the exact same thing, in contrast, triggered a spark of anxiety, a sense of losing control, and a lightening quick urge to assert my dominance with a firm, “Down, now.”

In addition to these proactive manifestations of White bias and privilege, I brought a host of reactive attitudes and behaviors. When White parents showed up more often for back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences, I attributed the pattern to superior parenting. It never occurred to me that the school environment, parents’ history with schools, or even I might be oppressive to parents of color. When students of color appeared disengaged or restless, I ascribed it to engrained stereotypes: less intelligent, less ambitious. Never did I think to ask myself, “What is causing this student to disengage?” The privilege of thinking I already knew that answer created one lost opportunity after another.

White privilege also manifested in my parent role. Each year I contacted my kids’ teachers to volunteer as room parent, never once seeing that as an act of entitlement or displacement. When I strolled into the principal’s office each spring to ask that my children be assigned to this not that teacher, and put with Johnny but not Susie, it didn’t occur to me that most parents of color neither do that, nor even know it’s a common White practice that results in a kind of informal tracking.

All of this, and I’ve not even mentioned devastating institutional policies and practices like zero tolerance, standardized testing, White-created curricula, emphasis on individual achievement, or on ‘academics’ at the expense of languages, arts, and sciences where many students of color engage more naturally. Nor have I touched upon bias in hiring practices. White privilege saturates American education.

Growing up in a culture that conditioned me to think of racism as a problem belonging to everyone but White people, I both created and observed racial differences with a kind of silent judgment that spared my complicity in every case.

Sadly, my story is ubiquitous. In “The Culturally Inclusive Educator,” Dr. Dena Samuels explore the impacts of white privilege amidst shifting demographics. With educators 85% White, and a student population that’s decreasingly White, not understanding dominant White cultural norms and impacts threatens not only to obstruct education for students of color, but to pathologize the resulting natural, human behaviors. It’s a reckless White privilege, this ability to inaccurately imagine oneself prepared to educate in a multicultural world.

Most White educators truly want to see all students thrive; most can be trained to increase those odds. And, most are willing to make the painful paradigm shift to see that they, not the disengaged, are the elephant in the room. It starts will understanding the power of racial and cultural identity, most importantly, one’s own.

Debby Irving is the author of “Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race.” She will be speaking at The Friends School of Baltimore at 7:30-9:00 p.m. on Sept. 25. It will be a candid conversation about race, culture, identity and privilege.

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Hip Hop Comes to the Comic Book Format

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 17:20:24 +0000

Hip Hop has long been an important part of Black culture and recently it has been the subject of countless movies, plays and very recently, graphic novels.

Ed Piskor is a Pennsylvania born comic strip creator who has written and illustrated one of the most talked about Hip Hop novels of this year, “Hip Hop Family Tree Volume 3.” This cool,urban novel chronicles major events and people in the hip hop era from 1983-1984 such as LL Cool J, the debut of the Beastie Boys and the rise of success of the Fat Boys.

Utilizing colorful illustrations and vintage graphics Piskor relays stories of a bygone musical era with unexpected familiarity, and as a white comic strip creator does a very good job of retelling and explaining important moments in hip hop like the rise of MC’s like Doug E. Fresh and Ricky D and the entrance of Houdini onto the rap scene.

Some may wonder how a white comic strip artist first became acquainted with Hip Hop and immersed in the culture enough to write 3 volumes on its history. In a statement to the weeklings.com Piskor spoke on his history with the illustrious subculture. “I was born in ’82 so hip hop was a fad all around the country at that stage. I grew up in a predominately black neighborhood and rap music was just all around me. My folks didn’t like rap, so that made me way more attracted to it than I probably would have been otherwise.So basically I was born into hip hop.”

All of the Hip Hop Family Tree comics showcase Piskor’s attention to detail. He takes care to capture the essence of the time period, while presenting the information in an interesting but accurate manner.

“The first volume is entirely from resource material – every book on the subject I could get my hands on, every interview from magazines or websites, You Tube interviews. Anything. And I try to present it in a very honest and journalistic way,” Piskor told reporters.

The comic strip has received many favorable reviews but to Piskor the subjects of the novels are the ones who’s feedback is most important. In a statement to Vice Piskor was quoted as saying “De La . Biz Markie. DMC is down. Chuck D will retweet my stuff. Grandmaster Flash will retweet my stuff. There’s a bunch, man…It’s almost like the book is officially a piece of hip-hop culture at this point, because different rappers will get in touch, and they want to make sure they’re a part of the story when it comes to their time.”

Hip Hop Family Tree Volume 3 is a great read and Piskor shows no signs of slowing down. He has already confirmed volumes 4-6 and hopefully continues chronicling these great eras of hip hop history.

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Opportunity Lost: A Chronicle of Failed Reforms in the Newark Public School System

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 15:48:56 +0000

Two hundred million dollars just wasn’t enough. Even with $100 million dollars from Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook, and another $100 million in private funds raised by Corey Booker, then mayor of Newark, and New Jersey governor Chris Christie—$200 million just was not enough to fix the Newark public school system. In “The Prize: Who’s in Charge of America’s Schools?”, author Dale Russakoff examines what happens when hubris and hidden agendas collide and the intended recipients become the victims instead of the victors.

There was never any doubt that Newark Public School System (NPSS) needed help. The state seized control of NPSS schools in 1995 stating that pervasive corruption and patronage at the top meant that instead of helping students, the system damaged them; the longer students remained in the system, the less likely they were to succeed academically. Even after fifteen years of state control, fewer than forty percent of students in grades 3 through 8 were reading or doing math at grade level. High school graduation rate was a dismal 54%.

Without any understanding of what was happening in the district, Zuckerberg, Booker and Christie concluded that radical changes had to be made quickly. Their ignorance of NPSS was only exceeded by their arrogance in the way they developed a plan to ‘fix’ the schools. They spent over $20 million hiring mostly white consultants, who had no experience with NPSS. They also excluded the primary stakeholders—parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders— making little effort to inform them of two key provisions of the consultant’s plan: that they planned to replace the poorest performing schools with charter schools and, that they would relying on standardized test scores to evaluate students’ learning and teacher performance. Even though decades of research has shown that students’ experiences at home and in the neighborhoods have far more influence on academic achievement than classroom instruction, when stakeholders raised concerns, Christi repeatedly responded to criticism with the patriarchal, “We know what works.”.

The disastrous results could have been predicted by any objective observer. The three men leading this effort, however, weren’t objective. This was Zuckerberg’s first major philanthropic initiative and he wanted a “proof point” to validate his efforts. Booker wanted the Newark intervention to support his, ultimately successful, plans to run for a U.S. Senate seat and Christie was considering a 2012 run for president. This situation was made worse by interference from state political kingpins and the New Jersey Teachers Union which demanded over $30 million for teacher salaries to support the new contract Zuckerberg wanted in order to make performance the basis for teacher promotions. He didn’t know that the current seniority system was New Jersey state law and could only be eliminated by the legislature. Because of this and other similar debacles, Zuckerberg’s money never made it to the kids in the classroom where it was needed most.

By Spring 2014, Christie was forced to admit that they didn’t know what worked. They had spent $200 million dollars and had failed spectacularly. Tragically, the students, teachers, administrators and community who had these “transformative changes” forced upon them with no input, suffered the most.

As opportunists do, Booker, Zuckerberg and Christie just moved on. Booker ran successfully for the senate, Zuckerberg pivoted to other philanthropic initiatives, and Christie is still in hot pursuit of the presidency. “The Prize” is a cautionary tale of a remarkable opportunity lost to greed, hubris and mismanagement and now allegory for everyone committed to improving public schools in America.

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Local Artist Holds Book Signing

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 07:28:47 +0000

Northern Virginia based author, activist, and scholar Eric Lotke will host a book talk about his newest release, “Making Manna,” with a signing and question and answer session. “Making Manna” is an uplifting tale of triumph over economic and criminal injustice. It explores the depths of betrayal, and the human capacity to love, forgive, and flourish in the face of heartbreaking odds. The event will take place at Upshur Street Books, 827 Upshur St NW, on Sept. 15 from 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The event is free of charge and copies of Lotke’s novel will be available for purchase. Lotke’s books include “Making Manna,” “The Real War on Crime,” and “2044: The Problem isn’t Big Brother, it’s Big Brother, Inc.”

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Biography of Iceberg Slim Paints Portrait of a Complicated Pop Hero

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 12:44:39 +0000

In 1967, when Robert Beck published his memoir, Pimp: The Story of My Life, it was a game changer. The book was the graphic, lurid tale of Beck’s life as a pimp and a con artist. But more than that, it was a way of writing about black life that had never been seen before. Even though it was ignored by mainstream media – The New York Times wouldn’t even allow ads for it in the paper- Black America ate it up. The book helped make Beck one of the most successful black writers of his time. And its influence continues today.

In Street Poison: The Biography of Iceberg Slim, writer and professor Justin Gifford has written a book that is can be seen as a companion piece to Beck’s works. Gifford is both highly detailed and reverent in his study into Beck’s life and his writing. In {Biography}, he fleshes out the life of a man who went from pimp, to family man, to scholar to one of the early architects of modern-day hip-hop.

“For nearly fifty years, Robert Beck’s works have quietly, from the underground, transformed African American literature and culture. There would have been no street literature, no Blaxploitation, no hip hop the way we know them today without Pimp: The Story of My Life,” Gifford writes.

According to Gifford, comedians Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, rapper Jay-Z and boxer Mike Tyson are all fans of Beck’s work. He says Ice-T and Ice Cube both chose their names because of the pseudonym Beck used in his works.

“Both named themselves after Iceberg Slim,” Gifford writes about the rappers. “And they styled their antiestablishment messages and hardcore confessionals of violent street life after Beck’s street fiction.”

Beck’s writing grew out of pimp tradition of “toasts.” Toasts were spoken-word poems or raps where pimps could brag about how cool they were, how much money they had or their sexual conquests. The toasts were meant to impress other pimps and charm a woman into becoming part of his “stable.”

It’s easy to see how these toasts evolved into modern day rap. It’s also easy to see that while Beck’s writing was gritty, graphic and chock full of slick talk – it might not have necessarily have all been true. That’s where Gifford’s over 10-years’ worth of research comes in. Gifford takes painstaking effort to verify or prove false the claims that Beck makes in his books. He provides detailed interviews with Beck’s wives and children and even fact-checks the details of a daring prison escape Beck says he made.

In Biography, Beck’s story is a microcosm of what is going on in Black America as a whole. Beck moves as Black America moves. His business as a pimp flourishes in cities like Chicago and Detroit, where blacks are redlined into slums and police turn a blind eye on crimes like prostitution and gambling. In this way, Gifford explains how institutional racism and poverty created the perfect climate for a Black underworld dominated by pimping and illegal gambling. It’s easy to see how so many Black women were forced into the world of prostitution, easy to see how Black men looking for a sense of power and prestige would be eager to take on the role of pimp.

“I have tried to tell this tale the way he might have wanted: clearly, honestly, and without moralizing,” Gifford writes in the book’s preface. And indeed, he’s done just that.

The post Biography of Iceberg Slim Paints Portrait of a Complicated Pop Hero appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Author’s Corner: Kimberly K. Parker

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:01:49 +0000

What was the impetus for writing this book?

Kimberly Parker’s book “I Dream of China: A Glimpse at My Year in Asia” is available now. (Courtesy Photo)

One morning in January 2013, I woke up and simply said, “I want to move to China to teach English.” When I uttered those words, I knew the inspiration was directly from God because I held no affinity to China. Besides, I was married 19 years at the time, taking care of four children and my 81 year old father, and running a book publishing company at the time. Clearly, the thought of moving to China came through me and not from me. I took appropriate steps to make it my reality. I moved there in January 2014 for one year and decided to share my life-altering experiences by writing this book.

What’s the overall theme?

The overall theme of my book is you’re neither too old nor too established to fulfill your heart’s desire. Live your dream. With great faith, unwavering vision and a strong will to persevere, you can do and be whatever you desire.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

I had no intentions on writing a book. I had already written four books and simply resigned myself to revising my fourth book to make it more marketable. One morning in November 2014, just two months before I was scheduled to return to the States, I began my normal routine of journaling, but what I wrote was the entire Table of Contents for the book. I completed the book round about the beginning of February 2015, but it did not resonate deeply enough with me. So, I discarded about half of the book, took a different approach, and completed it in less than two weeks. I experienced a similar situation with my third book. When that occurs, I know there’s a need for me to be more transparent and bolder in my writing.

Who is the audience for this book?

My book is written for anyone who enjoys a little adventure in their life but may not know how to start an adventure. My book is for those who think it’s too late and too costly to live their dreams.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

I want the reader to know it’s never too late.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

I want the reader to forever remember the people of China are everyday people who have hopes, dreams, and aspirations like every other group of people in the world. I experienced such great love and respect there and was highly regarded because I was investing in the lives of future generations who would have a better life than many of their parents and grandparents. That was so HUGE to them!

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned that writing is my charge and I want to teach others how to do it as well.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

To aspiring writers, my advice is to stop waiting for the perfect time to write for there’s no such thing. Stop waiting until you’ve “got it all together” because that day may never come. And, for love’s sake, stop believing the negative chatter inside your head. Write. Get it out your head and into the hands of readers.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

During my 370 plus days in China, many followed my journey. People told me, “I wish I could be there with you.” So, when I came back home, I established educational tours abroad and a group of us will return to China in April 2016 for a nine day tour. This trip is open to the public. They just need to contact me.

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Engaging Coming of Age Story ‘The Star Side of Bird Hill’ Dwells on the Power of Women

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 22:50:17 +0000

Naomi Jackson deals with women and their power. (Courtesy Image/Book Cover)

The Star Side of Bird Hill, Naomi Jackson’s debut novel, is a beautifully written story that concerns itself primarily with women and their power. It is the story of two sisters, Dionne, 16 and Phaedra, 10, who are sent from New York City to Barbados, to live with their grandmother Hyacinth.

The reason for the girl’s trip is that their mother, Avril, has become too mentally ill to care for them. Under Hyacinth’s roof, the girls must cope with their mother’s absence, the mess their old life in New York City has become and their separate journeys toward womanhood. The girls must also learn the ways of the Hill women – the close-knit community to which they now belong.

Jackson weaves touches of magic throughout the story, especially when she writes about the all-knowing, all-seeing Hyacinth.

“I wanted to know if it’s true what people say about your family. If it’s true that you can’t die,” an island boy who has befriended Phaedra tells her.

Hyacinth is the community’s midwife and medicine woman – it’s a job the women in her family have done for generations. Because of this, she has an otherworldly knowledge about the ways of both people and nature. It is Hyacinth who senses when her older granddaughter has lost her virginity and concocts a tea to make sure the girl is not burdened with an unwanted pregnancy. And when an uninvited guest appears outside Hyacinth’s door, Phaedra wonders if Hyacinth is the one responsible for the woman’s high heels being sucked into the mud or for the gust of wind that blows the woman’s dress up.

There are men in the tale, but they are at the sidelines. There is the girls’ grandfather, who created a lifelong rift between himself and his only daughter by throwing out a special treasure of hers. There are two Bird Hill boys who make fast connections with the Phaedra and Dionne, while the girls of the community are still figuring them out. And there is the girls’ handsome, dashing and absentee father – who the girls must figure out for themselves.

The story is at its best, though, when it’s concerned with the women. Via Hyacinth and the lessons she teaches her granddaughters, Jackson hits at the reality of life in the world as a black women.

“For Hyacinth the surprise was…that she and Zelma had thrived for so long in a world that was a best indifferent to their survival,” Jackson writes.

In the end, however, Jackson leaves readers with a message of hope and self-reliance.

“The same way that your father’s people’s blood run through your veins, you have a strong line of women behind you,” Hyacinth tells Dionne. “If they could still stand up after what they did and what had been done to them, you have more than enough legs to stand up on now.”

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Harper Lee, Southern Heritage and The GOP

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 04:09:41 +0000

Published in 1960 but based in the 1930s, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird provided America with a liberal southern perspective on race as told through the eyes of a 6 year old white girl in fictional Maycomb, Alabama. The novel and the 1962 Oscar winning film starring Gregory Peck, made a hero out of Atticus Finch, the Lawyer-Protagonist, who placed his life and career on the line to defend a Black man, falsely accused of raping a white woman. Now comes, Go Set A Watchmen, written in 1957 but publish in 2015, showing a disturbing and much older Atticus, a segregationist and enemy of the NAACP.

Since the novel’s July release, literary critics and some of Lee’s most devoted fans have criticized the text as being a fraud, a scam, and the product of greedy publishers. Lee, who is in her late 80’s, once promised that she would never publish another book. Critics have asked whether Lee had been taken advantage of now that she was in her later years of life.

Harper Lee’s second southern gothic has rattled the consciousness of America, offering a multilayered representation of southern identity. Getting off to a slow start, the book begins with Jean Louis returning to her Southern home of Maycomb, Alabama. Things have changed since the 1930s. Atticus has aged; he is in his seventies and Jean Louise spends the first couple of chapters wrestling with coming to terms with the true Maycomb, which she soon realizes is much different from what she remembered.

The racial dynamic fully enters the novel when Jean Louise discovers a copy of a pamphlet titled, The Black Plague, a white supremacist based text full of racist propaganda that she finds in her father’s possession. From this point forward, Lee’s audience gains a view of Atticus Finch which is the polar opposite of the Atticus portrayed in To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch has evolved.

He is now the leader of Maycomb’s Citizens Council, a white supremacist group, whose rhetoric continues to inspire acts of racial violence today.

At one point Finch says, “What’s to prevent any Negro from going where he pleases in the country and finding what he wants?,” before adding “…Do you want Negroes by the carload in our schools and churches and theaters? Do you want them in our world?”

Jean Louise spends the remainder of the book attempting to make sense of how racism and inferiority consumed her southern Christian family and community she had grown to love.

Here, Lee taps into what Maryland’s own Frederick Douglass names as “the climax of all misnomers,” the contradictions of professing Christianity with one hand and dehumanizing their fellow man or women with the other. The overlap between race and class is clearly evident within To Kill a Mockingbird, and indeed is a consistent theme within Go Set A Watchmen.

Unlike To Kill a Mockingbird, Watchmen provides convincing commentary surrounding the dueling historical perspectives often championed as the cause of the Civil War, the two being states rights and slavery, both of which are represented within the current debate surrounding the Confederate flag.

The debate surrounding the nature of the publication has overshadowed the benefit that Go Set A Watchmen brings to the dialogue-surrounding race in this country. One only needs to look to at the recent Republican debates to witness politicians negating the suffering and oppression of others for their own agendas. On a stage where nine white male republicans (and Dr. Ben Carson, who is Black) were asked about the social concerns of race based police brutality and the #blacklivesmatter campaign, the one candidate who did respond failed to mention the scores of black bodies gunned down at the hands of law enforcement. Instead, they spoke about getting law enforcement officers more training. The dialogue lasted less than a minute.

Charles L. Chavis, Jr., has written for Religious Education, Blackpast.org, and the International Bulletin of Missionary Research. He is a Doctoral Student in History at Morgan State University. He can be reached at charleschavis.com.

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Letter To A Generation: Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Realistic Definition of Freedom in America

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 03:05:53 +0000

To know the truth about the incredible battle black people in America fight to survive and thrive, you must read Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. In a graphic, eloquent and passionate missive to his teenage son, Coates writes about white America, he calls them The Dreamers, and their attitude toward black people today.

Coates begins the book with his experience growing up in West Baltimore. He reflects on the violence and fear that were always present in his neighborhood— but not outside of it.
“This country was really built on – the destruction of black bodies and families rather than the romanticized vision people who call themselves white have today,” Coates writes. And whether you agree with him or not, the fact that so many unarmed black men and women, including Coates best friend, have died at the hands of white male police officers is painful testimony to the truth of his words. This reality prompts Coates to ask the question blacks have been asking since we were brought to this country, “How do I live free in this black body?”

Coates does an excellent job of describing the complete isolation and entrapment he felt in West Baltimore, “…there could be no escape for me or, honestly, anyone else.” Despite his initial belief, Coates did get out, with the help of his parents. His mother taught him how to read at four, and his father, a research librarian, introduced him to the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University. They helped him develop the intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills he needed to be successful in the world beyond West Baltimore.

Coates acknowledges the vital role his family and friends played in his success,

“…I didn’t always have things, but I had people, I always had people. I had a mother and father who I would match against any other. I had a brother who looked out for me all through college.” Of his friends Coates says,

“…I had friends who would leap in front of a bus for me. You need to know that I was loved.” And, he ties that love to his son,

“…I have always loved my people and that broad love is directly related to the specific love I feel for you.”

That power to embrace and strengthen has been part of Black culture since time immemorial. I know this because I grew up in a family that loved and mentored me. From an early age, they taught me how to think critically and challenged me to pursue excellence in everything I did. As an educator at an HBCU I do the same thing for my students. This is the strength of black communities in America; it is how we will continue to survive and thrive in spite of gross injustices done to us — just as Mr. Coates did, I did and so many others but more are needed.

Dr. Granville M. Sawyer Jr.

Coates doesn’t tell his son how to deal with the conflicting worlds, ideas, desires, emotions, motivations and futures that a young black person faces today. He tells his son that culture, history, beliefs and values are more powerful definers of groups and how they relate to each other than any artificial declarations such as race. His message— knowledge is power; the power to choose your circumstances in life. Cotes gives his son, as well as those of us fortunate enough to read Between the World and Me, a powerful and provocative epistle that challenges us to see and understand the African American experience in America.

Dr. Granville M. Sawyer Jr., is the author of “College in Four Years: Making Every Semester Count.” An authority on helping minority students achieve success in higher education, he is a professor of finance and director of the MBA program at Bowie State University. He writes about education and life at GranvilleSawyer.com and tweets @ProfGMS.

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Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 22 May 2015 03:50:54 +0000

Title: Journey to the Other Side …“Overcoming Adversity”

Author: Shelley Spence

Release Date: May 30

Michele “Shelley” Spence is a business owner, an ordained elder and author. She is currently earning a psychology degree. She is feisty but transparent, with a down-to-earth approach in her mentoring. Her goal is to help hurting women who are seeking a way out of emotional and psychological issues. She is a survivor and understands the plight of one who is searching for inner peace and real joy. She plans to pass the baton on by teaching others the value of God’s love, true forgiveness and self-awareness. In addition, she wants to show people ways to inner peace by helping them to come to terms with what haunts and taunts their self-image daily. She is the wife of Chef Donald Spence, a mother and grandmother, who absolutely LOVES her family. Her favorite quote is “To thine own self be true.”

What was the impetus for writing this book?

The driving force of this book was having a mental and emotional breakdown and desperately needing to break through years of pain.

What’s the overall theme?

Facing your inner demons and finding ways to break free from the bondage that confines you to darkness; also to recognize your true self and find peace and fulfillment in every aspect of your life.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

The thing that surprised me the most was that the more I wrote about my life’s journey the more I encountered women who needed to hear my story of healing.

For what audience is your book written?

The audience for this book is not limited to gender, age, religion, marital status, or color; it is for those who need to find peace within and/or those who just need a reminder that they can make it through the storms of life.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

How to love themselves and how to find freedom through the love of God.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned that writing is not just healing for the reader but it is most of all healing for the writer.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice for aspiring writers is to write your truth that others may benefit from it.

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The Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 14 May 2015 03:32:32 +0000

Title: “Better Than Ever” How to Improve Your Results, Live a Happier Life, and Attract Everything You Deserve.

Author: Kenya Conway-Jones

Release Date: April 17, 2015.

Since reclaiming her first love of public speaking, coupled with her natural knack for teaching, Kenya has become a force to reckon with, as she inspires, motivates, and teaches audiences about the courage to live their dreams, how to overcome fear, and how to break the barriers that are keeping them from living their best life.

Kenya is a published author, motivational speaker, and empowerment coach. She is a member of the DC Chapter of the National Speakers Association, a Certified World Class Speaking Coach, and holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership.

Kenya’s latest book “Better Than Ever” just hit the stands and is getting rave reviews. She is on an all-out crusade to help people who want change in their lives but are just not quite sure how to make it happen.

What was the impetus for writing this book? Deciding to take my life back after years of depression, unhealthy relationships, financial struggle and fear.

What’s the overall theme? You don’t have to be a victim of your circumstances, that you can take back your life and by applying these principals you can, live happier, make more money, attract the relationship of your dreams, and create the life that you’ve always dreamed of.

For what audience is your book written? People who are seeking to improve their results, overcome fear, and pursue prosperity.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn? That the quality of your thinking truly determines the quality of your life, and that developing our mind for success is a real skill and must be learned, practiced, and applied on a consistent basis.

What did you learn during the writing process? You can never edit too much. I still see some small mistakes but it’s okay I’m not going to beat myself up over it.

Any advice for aspiring writers? Commit to write a little bit everyday because all of those small pieces will then come together to form your final product. It’s easier to chunk your writing and achieve small goals then to focus on the big picture and get overwhelmed.

What’s next on the horizon for you? Continuing my crusade to empower people by leading workshops on the success principals in the book, continuing with my book tour, and host speaking engagements that inspire and empower people to live their dreams and live a happier life.

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Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 13 May 2015 05:12:40 +0000

“They didn’t talk. Not for 10 years… Instead, a mother and daughter tiptoed with pain around the deepest gulf in their lives—the daughter’s choice to leave the church, convert to Islam, and become a practicing Muslim.

Undivided is a real-time story of healing and understanding… as they struggle to learn how to love each other in a whole new way… Undivided is also an up-close and personal look at the life of a Muslim convert—at a time when attitudes are mixed about Muslims.”

— Excerpted from the back cover

Alana Raybon was raised in a tight-knit, Colorado community where she and everybody she knew were Christians. And when she went off to college, her parents thought they had no reason to worry about their daughter’s faith, since she would be pursuing a joint degree in a program co-sponsored by Alvin Ailey at Fordham University, a Catholic school.

But it was in New York City as a freshman that Alana abandoned her lifelong love of dance in favor of surrendering to the tenets of Islam. As she explains it, “I felt empty inside.” And while you or I could probably satisfy that hunger with a burger and fries, hers was a soul thirst for the deeper meaning of life that would only be quenched by studying both the Bible and the Quran, reading the autobiographies of Gandhi and Malcolm X, and attending Sunday School as well as services at a storefront mosque in Manhattan.

Alana emerged from the information overload a Muslim, a development that didn’t sit well with her devout Christian mother, to say the least. Pained, Patricia initially blamed herself, wondering, “Maybe I didn’t pray enough. Or take Alana to church enough. Or care enough. Or love enough.”

The two had a falling out that would last a decade. Eventually, Patricia got over her anger and feelings of rejection when she finally woke up to the fact that God wouldn’t want her to remain estranged from her own flesh and blood.

The pair’s tempestuous path from alienation to reconciliation is the subject of Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace, a co-authored memoir offering hope that Christianity and Islam can peacefully coexist, a much-needed message in these very divided times.

After all, Mahatma Gandhi once said that “Peace between countries must rest on the solid foundation of love between individuals,” making an analogy perhaps more appropriately applied today to religions, given the borderless new world order which has folks more passionate about faith than citizenship. And, as Patricia concludes, “I knew that things must change. Mothers can’t be angry at daughters.”

An inspirational autobiography alluding to another sage, age-old maxim, namely, “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.”

To order a copy of Undivided, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0529113058/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 22:37:32 +0000

Author’s Corner

Rev. Louise A. Battle

Parenting by Faith

Release Date: March 2015

The Rev. Louise A. Battle was born and raised in Washington, D. C. more than half a century ago. She currently serves as an associate minister at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church in Washington, D.C. in the Ministerial Alliance where her covering are Shepherds ArchBishop Alfred A. Owens and Co-Pastor Susie Owens. She is the proud mother of April and Phillip and four grandchildren, Precious, Edward, Tatiyana and Azaria. Her books may be purchased at www.battlenolonger.org, e-books ordered through Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon.com Kindle and Apple iBooks or order paperback books through www.xulonpress.com or write her at P. O. Box 1243, Landover, Maryland 20785; E-mail us at Lbattlenolonger@hotmail.com.

What was the impetus for writing your book?

When I look around my world, families are being torn apart. I am happy to be a parent! Children are still a blessing and both of mine are such. Many parents say children don’t come with a manual…..well “Parenting By Faith” is that manual. I wanted to share with the world that in order to reap benefits and for your children to reap benefits, God must be a part of your parenting skills. in raising them.

What’s the overall theme?

Learn “how” to be a good parent and “Parenting By Faith” tells you how!

What surprised you about the development of the book?

How children have changed, but God’s word in raising them has not.

What do you want the reader to remember forever?

Proverbs 22:6King James Version (KJV)
^“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

What did you learn during the writing process?

I realized how blessed I am and I have been humbled by it! Writing this book brought back wonderful, precious moments and reminded me of all the hurdles and challenges I faced and how God after the passing of my husband and my children’s Dad……….God brought us through it all!

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Be yourself, find your own voice and write from the heart about things that interest you. Write on topics you know about and don’t be in such a hurry to publish your work, once it is finished. Sleep on it. Read, revise, read, revise and read and revise again!

What’s next on the horizon for you?

Write a volume of three childrens’ books that teach and give children a message, then a book on prayer and thirdly a powerful love story!

What other books have you written?

“No Longer Oppressed, Depressed and In A Mess, How to Hold On!” published by Xulon Press in 2002, “The Fight Is On” published by Xulon Press in 2010.

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Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:07:36 +0000

Ashly E. Smith

Title: Attributes of an Aquarius
Author: Ashly E. Smith
Release Date: Feb. 18

Ashly E. Smith, a writer and poet from Baltimore, graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland, and also attended Towson University. She belongs to the Academy of American Poets and The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). With her strong pop culture background, she is a regular contributor to various publications including the Examiner and Graffiti on the Wall magazine where she creates articles that inspire, as well as entertain.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

My goal is to be one who inspires and uplifts, through sharing numerous experiences that we all deal with from tests of faith, to personal sorrow and triumph. While serving as a guide for those who have lost the way, I also wanted to paint a lyrical picture of the cogent heart that it takes to attain the gold at rainbow’s end.

What’s the overall theme?

The theme of my book is poetry with elements of inspiration and self help.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

I was surprised at how much I have grown both mentally and spiritually. The experiences from which my words were created have made me realize that I would have been incapable of releasing my book 5 or 10 years ago.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

The importance of empowering yourself when others refuse to do so

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

That no matter how bleak things seem, quitting is not an option when it comes to pursuing your dreams.

What did you learn during the writing process? I found a plethora of attributes within myself that many others can relate to despite their zodiac signs, race or gender.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

Definitely more books! I have much more inspiration to share since I’m still learning every day.

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From Jail Guard to Perpetrator inside Rikers Island

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 09:25:49 +0000

“This shocking memoir from a former corrections officer… shares an eye-opening, gritty, and devastating account of his descent into criminal life, smuggling contraband inside the infamous Rikers Island jails. Gary Heyward… was warned of the temptations he’d encounter as a new officer, but when faced with financial hardship, he suddenly found himself unable to resist the income
generated from selling contraband to inmates.

In his distinctive voice, Heyward takes you on a journey inside the walls of Rikers Island, showing how he teamed up with various inmates and other officers to develop a system that allowed him to profit from selling drugs inside the jail. Corruption Officer is… a rare insider’s look at a corrupt city jail.”
— Excerpted from the back cover

After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Gary Heyward had a hard time finding a decent paying job. That took a toll on his marriage, so he ended up moving back in with his mother in Harlem, while his childhood sweetheart took custody of their two kids and returned home to stay with her own mom.

Gary’s fortunes changed for the better the fateful day in 1997 that he received a letter from the New York City Department of Corrections offering him a position as a prison guard. During basic training, he was warned by instructors that he could jeopardize his career by fraternizing with inmates. And upon graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to work at the infamous facility on Rikers Island. Unfortunately, Gary didn’t keep his nose clean very long.

His descent into depraved behavior began with sleeping around with female officers, even going so far as to record the act. He would subsequently pass his cell around the locker room to impress his male colleagues with proof of each conquest. Next, he started smuggling contraband behind bars: coke, booze, telephones and whatever else convicts’ friends and relatives were willing to pay a pretty penny for.

Gary eventually escalated to pimping in an attempt to cater to his captive clienteles’ carnal needs, too. He referred to his whores as “copstitutes” since they were fellow corrections officers secretly supplementing their modest civil service salaries by fellating and fornicating with felons in Rikers’ utility closets.

All of the above is recounted in riveting fashion in Corruption Officer: From Jail Guard to Perpetrator inside Rikers Island, a jaw-dropping memoir that’s as demoralizing as it is shocking. After finishing this eye-opening pageturner, one can’t help but wonder how much hope there can be for a country where the cops are just as crooked and as degenerate as the outlaws they’re supposed to be protecting society from.

A brutally-honest confessional exposing the ugly underbelly of an American incarceration system that nobody really wants to take a long, hard look at.

To order a copy of Corruption Officer, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1476794324/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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The Author’s Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 03:03:58 +0000

Faye McCray

Title: Boyfriend

Author: Faye McCray

Release: E-Book Available Now!

Date: Paperback Available April 17

Faye McCray is a native New Yorker and current resident of the Washington, DC metropolitan area where she resides with her husband and two young sons. She is an attorney and the author of Dani’s Belts, a collection of horror short stories, and Boyfriend, the story of a college student struggling with love, fidelity, and a complicated past. Faye’s work will also be featured in the upcoming anthology, Anything But Zombies, through Simon and Schuster’s Atria Imprint. You can also find Faye’s essays on For Harriet, Madame Noire, Black Girl Nerds, Black and Married with Kids, Graveyard Shift Sisters, Rachel in the OC, and on her blog at www.fayemccray.com. You can connect with Faye on Twitter @fayewrites and Facebook at facebook. com/fayewrites.

What was the impetus for writing this book? I started “Boyfriend” during a blissfully stable period in my life. I’d just had a baby, and I was entering my third year of marriage. One of the luxuries of stability is the opportunity to reflect. I started to reflect on past broken hearts and fleeting experiences with broken people. The protagonist of “Boyfriend,” Nate Best, was born in an attempt to understand what motivates people to do bad things. More specifically, what experiences cause one person to be painfully careless with another person’s heart.

What’s the overall theme? Acceptance. I think we all want to be accepted and understood. Nate struggles with acceptance throughout the entire book. It motivates him to lie, to cheat, and eventually to seek forgiveness.

What surprised you about the development of the book? How challenging it was writing from the perspective of a man! As a woman, we have so much more emotional freedom. If we need a good cry or just want to express our love for a friend, we can. No one questions our femininity or sexuality. With men, there are more rules. Nate feels things very deeply. However, he wasn’t always comfortable showing it. For him, those deep feelings manifested themselves in anger and acting out. It also manifested in his relationship with sex, drugs and alcohol throughout the book.

Which character excites you most? Yikes! That’s like choosing between my babies! I would say, the character I am most proud of is Nate’s sister, Natalie. When we first meet her, she is pretty broken. She is 17, in an abusive household and can’t see a way out. I think she has a beautiful arc in the book. She grows the most. I am very proud of where she is at the end of the book.

For what audience is your book written? Everyone. It is written about that time in your early twenties where you have one foot in childhood and another struggling to land in adulthood. I think we can all relate to that. The books takes place at an elite private college in Washington, D.C. and then in Southeast Queens in New York City. Two vastly different worlds. There is a broad range of multicultural characters so I think there is something in it for everyone. I will add that it’s not for children. Nate has pretty creative sexual experiences that I think are best saved for adult eyes.

What did you learn during the writing process? To remain disciplined. When I was in college, I took a much more liberal approach to the writing process. I’d wait around for my muse and only write when inspired. I was a bit insufferable. Now, when I have a project I’d like to write, I outline and I schedule my writing time. I realized when I call my muse, she shows up. Usually holding a glass of wine and ready to go.

What’s next on the horizon for you? I am working on my second novel now. It explores the early life of one of the more complex characters in “Boyfriend.” I am also working on a graphic novel based on my short story series, “Dani’s Belts” that is available now on Amazon!

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A Spirited Tête-à-Tête with Aunjanue Ellis and Clement Virgo

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 01:29:15 +0000

Book of Negroes – Episode 6 — with Aunjanue Ellis (Facebook Photo)

Aunjanue Ellis stars as Aminata Diallo in ‘The Book of Negroes,’ the hit TV-miniseries based on Lawrence Hill’s award-winning best seller of the same name. Here, she and the picture’s director, Clement Virgo, share their thoughts about the adaptation of the historical novel chronicling the life of an 11 year-old girl kidnapped in Africa and enslaved for decades in the U.S. until she manages to escape to Canada.

Kam Williams: Hi Aunjanue and Clement, thanks for the interview.

Aunjanue Ellis: Thank you, Kam.

Clement Virgo: Absolutely!

KW: What interested you in ‘The Book of Negroes,’ Aunjanue?

AE: To be honest, the first thing that interested me was seeing that the CBC and BET were partnering on the project. In my mind, I couldn’t think of two more divergent networks. Then, I found out it was based on this wonderful historical novel about a woman’s story of survival. I love doing that kind of work.

KW: Did you read the book before accepting the role?

AE: Yes, I did.

KW: Clement, what inspired you to turn it into a mini-series?

CV: The book was quite a phenomenon in Canada, where it won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and sold a million copies. I fell in love with Aminata Diallo and enjoyed reading about the period of history that she takes us through. I thought I knew about the American Revolutionary War and about my own and Canadian history. But I didn’t know about people migrating from New York to Nova Scotia, or appreciate that if you were African-American, you really had to choose sides during the Revolutionary War. And I saw Aminata as being a lot like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, where she was caught up in this twister of slavery, and all she wanted to do was get back home. Her determination to survive was so powerful, I felt like I had to tell the story.

KW: Given the facts brought out about the Revolutionary War by ‘The Book of Negroes,’ do you think that the American colonies were on the wrong side of history? The film suggests that the British were lesser of two evils. Have blacks been mis-educated into siding with the Patriots over the British Loyalists in the same way Native Americans talk about being manipulated by movies as children into rooting for the Cowboys over the Indians?

AE: The British kept their slaves while wanting to get rid of America’s, so you can take from that what you will. It’s a lot more complicated than we’re led to believe.

KW: Do you think George Washington’s ex-slave, Henry Washington, should be more of a hero to African-Americans than his master, the first president of the United States? After all, he escaped from slavery and then gained his freedom by fighting with the British during the Revolutionary War.

AE: America is steeped in mythology. The problem is that it’s been living a myth since its inception, starting with The Declaration of Independence. How can you say that all people are created equal, but mean only if they’re white and male? So, we, as its citizens, have continually had to die in the streets to force the country to live up to that promise and be more than a myth, and be a reality for all. That’s why it’s so genius that Clement has Aminata say to George Washington, “If this is what you’re claiming to be, then why do you have slaves?” This picture does a great job of shattering the myths perpetuated in many schoolbooks.

KW: This film actually moved me to tears on several occasions, like the very touching scene where Aminata tracks down her baby shortly after it was sold, but was immediately ordered off the plantation by its heartless, new slave owner.

CV: I’m glad to hear that. It was important to all of us to capture the totality of these characters’ humanity and not just reduce them to their circumstances. Aminata fascinates me, because she reminds me of all that black people have had to overcome. I also appreciated the fact that she was a midwife, since one of the last things she had been told by her mother before being kidnapped and sold into slavery was, “As long as babies are being born, life will go on.” So, her subsequently bringing life into the world is very, very significant.

KW: Editor Lisa Loving says: I meet so many people who don’t really know, or worse, don’t think about, the racist roots of our country which have grown into this imperfect present day. Do you see the success of ‘The Book of Negroes’ miniseries as part of a greater awareness in the United States of our racist history and how we should be living now?

CV: I consider it part of my job as a filmmaker to put art out into the world that is positive and affirms life. Yes, it says the roots may be racist and brutal, but it cannot define us and it cannot stop us.

KW: Lisa also asks: Who do you feel is ‘The Book of Negroes’ intended audience?

AE: Everybody.

KW: Harriet Pakula-Teweles asks: How much of YOU is in Aminata Diallo, and how much did you allow yourself to get lost in the character?

AE: Aminata couldn’t be more different from me than any character I’ve ever played in terms of her temperament, her world view and the way she carried herself with so much wisdom and grace, even as a child. My sense of self is a lot more haphazard. I lost myself with her, when I put my costume on. You can’t go through what she went through as an actor without giving yourself over to it completely. And I did. So, it got very hard and depressing. Who she is, is not me, which is why playing her was so rewarding ultimately. And I’m very grateful when anyone compliments me on my performance, since that means that they didn’t catch on that I was acting.

KW: Lastly, what’s in your wallet?

CV: What’s in my wallet? I have a check for $257 that I’ve been walking around with for three weeks that I need to cash.

AE: I have a wallet that I got when we were shooting in South Africa. What’s in it? Some change from Canada and other places, and my expired driver’s license.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Aunjanue and Clement, and best of luck with all your endeavors.

AE: Thank you so much, Kam.

CV: Bye!

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Encourage Your Soul: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems By Vel Humbert

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 03 Apr 2015 02:28:10 +0000

Vel Humbert is the author of ‘Encourage Your Soul: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems.’

Title: Encourage Your Soul: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems

Author: Vel Humbert

Release Date: June 25, 2014

Vel Humbert grew up in Baltimore and has an earned master’s in rehabilitation counseling from Coppin State University. She’s working in the human services industry for 10 years.

The publication of her first book, Encourage Your Soul: It’s Not As Bad As It Seems, has allowed her to reach out to other Christians who may be experiencing difficult times. She loves sharing that staying focused is the key to getting through the “go throughs” of life. She maintains that there are times when we look to others to get us through when all we need to do is keep our faith in God, trust in His word and be confident in who we are in the Lord.

In her spare time, she enjoys crabbing, cooking on the grill getting together with her family. She mostly enjoys her two granddaughters who she adores.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

The book was inspired by God. It was written to help Christian believers understand that even in their darkest moments, God is always there.

What’s the overall theme?

How to encourage yourself.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

As you are going through the rough times, know that you are not alone. Stay focused on God, no matter what it looks like.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I was able to deal with some unresolved issues in my personal life.

Vel Humbert will sign copies of her book at a meet and greet, 6 p.m., May 20 at the Northwood, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd. @ Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore. Books can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes & Noble.com, westbowpress.com.

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‘Rising Up from the Blood – A Legacy Reclaimed, a Bridge Forward’

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 21:55:27 +0000

“I am proud and honored to be the great-granddaughter of Booker T. Washington. The day I went to my first Washington family reunion, I had no idea how dramatically my reality was about to change…

When I first stepped foot on the campus of the renowned Tuskegee University, something magical happened… I had an epiphany and was immediately inspired to improve my life.

Prior to the reunion, I was going in the wrong direction… I didn’t realize from whence I came… By the time I was 16, I had become a lost soul, confused about life.

It wasn’t until I arrived in Tuskegee for the first time in my life that I would bear witness to my foundation—a foundation that was there all along. That’s when I began to live on purpose. It is also why I now feel a burning obligation to share my story…

It is my hope that this book will empower others to change unhealthy mindsets, increase levels of self-worth, and instill a healthy sense of self-love and self-respect within.”

–Excerpted from the Preface (pages 1-3)

Despite being a direct descendant of Booker T. Washington, Sarah Washington O’Neal wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Quite the contrary, she and her big brother James were raised on a rough side of Oakland, California by a single-mother who never mentioned their famous forbear. Perhaps she was ashamed by her relatively-lowly station and having to hold two jobs just to keep a roof over their heads after being abandoned by her husband.

The absence of a father figure would have a profound effect on Sarah, who ended up involved with a series of inappropriate partners. This was reflected in her picking bad boys who abused, cheated on, exploited, beat and/or raped her. That futile search for male validation started when she was molested at the age of 9, an event triggering a rapid descent leading to an unplanned pregnancy by the time she was 15.

Sarah’s baby-daddy neither stuck around to raise Mario, Jr., nor paid much in terms of child support, which meant the financial burden of the baby first fell squarely on the shoulders of her already cash-strapped mom. And when that responsibility proved too much for the beleaguered grandmother, the troubled teen was forced to fend for herself and the infant on her own.

Consequently, she soon became dependent on government subsidies like welfare, food stamps, public housing and Social Security benefits (after her father turned 65). Meanwhile, between her substance abuse problems (alcohol, weed, coke) and poor choice of men, it was little wonder that she had another child out-of-wedlock just a half-dozen years later.

Sarah got her act together after attending a Booker T. Washington family reunion, but not before having been tested in more ways than the Biblical character Job. Thanks to a combination of Christianity and psychotherapy, she finally found a righteous path once and for all.

A faith-based resolve has served Sarah well ever since, and she and husband Anthony Rush are happily married and raising a beautiful blended family. Her triumph over the odds is recounted in revealing fashion in Rising Up from the Blood, a mesmerizing memoir that reads like the literary equivalent of a TV soap opera.

Besides Sarah’s personal story, this riveting autobiography includes a family photo album containing snapshots of Booker T. and the rest of her relatives, as well as snippets of sound advice for other lost souls looking to turn their lives around. An empowering opus by a thriving survivor who has ultimately proven herself deserving of her very impressive family pedigree.

To order a copy of Rising Up from the Blood, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0692312749/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Greener on the Other Side

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 04:28:01 +0000

Greener on the Other Side

Lionel Ntasano

Author: Lionel Ntasano

Release Date: April 4, 2014

Lionel Ntasano was born in Burundi and raised in Zambia He attended university in the U.S.A, Kenya and Switzerland, almost quitting college to be a member of a music band. Most days, he wishes he’d actually had the guts to go through with it. He now understands that the pain of regret hurts much more than the pain of failure. Thus he went into culinary school to feed his soul, ultimately opening a small beach resort. Nevertheless, he still did not believe he’d reached the place he wanted be, regardless of the small career success. Emptiness was still rampant. As a voracious reader since childhood, he decided to have a go at writing.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

My family left Burundi (our home country) in 1986. I was only two years old. My father found a very promising job at the COMESA in Lusaka, Zambia, where we spent 16 years. I never really spent time in my home country. We went there for holidays, visiting relatives and friends. We also travelled to many other countries for vacation (Zimbabwe, Zaire now known as DRC, Kenya, South Africa, France, Belgium, Holland and the U.S.A). Growing up, my younger brother and I were sheltered by our parents. So we spent a lot of time playing just the two of us. Thus, we ended up being some really creative youngsters, creating characters, scenarios and many imaginary friends. It might sound weird, or funny, but it helped us in our creative endeavors later on in our lives. As I was inspired and constantly surrounded by musicians and songwriters in my late teens and early twenties, it only added to my already crazy way of seeing the world.

I attended French International Schools, and a British system boarding school, sharing classes with kids from all over the globe. I then decided to go to college in the USA majoring in electrical engineering. It was actually what my father wanted; I had no idea what I wanted to do. I met a few guys who were into music and followed them. It came to a point where I had to choose between being a musician, or getting an education. I got scared and decided to get an education. I got internships in Switzerland and the Ritz-Carlton in Florida. I met people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and social classes. There was no way I was going to let all this information and experiences go to waste.

When I decided to settle down in Burundi in 2011, I had to get accustomed to some of the inevitable living conditions, for instance, the numerous power cuts. I left my parents’ house to live in a tiny apartment on the other side of town. I had already experienced the party life, the travelling and the heartbreaks. I was involved in a major hotel project and always came back home late, tired and confused. In the summer, the power cuts became more common. That is how I decided to write, I needed to make sense of what was happening in my life.

What’s the overall theme?

The grass always looks greener elsewhere. All our lives, we dream of an elsewhere, another world richer than that in which we live. We want more, better, something else, in an eternal quest for the “Garden of Eden.” My novel examines the root of this elusive quest.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

What surprised me the most was how much discipline I wrote the book with – 2 hours in the morning before work, and 3 hours in the evening. It started out as an essay that I wanted to email to my closest friend. I never did send that email. It then developed into a prose, then a novel once I talked about it with my cousin, who told me that I would be a fool if I did not make a novel out of it.

Which character excites you most?

Nickolas, the future priest and protagonist, is then in his late teens, happy, well protected by his family and naïve. Suddenly, he loses his entire family to war (the massacre of Kibimba) while he was making his way to school. His life journey then takes him to New York, Paris, back to Burundi, then Nairobi, then back to New York through a series of human solidarity, where he leads brilliant studies in psychology and theology, parallel to his status as a writer. Through Nickolas’ eyes we meet different characters, each of whom seem to struggle with a particular vice. Nick is an impressively observant character, showing his virtue but also his pitfalls.

For what audience is your book written?

After watching the rise in popularity of websites such as “humans of New York” I believe that my book will appeal to a wide range of people from around the world and of different ages. The title and theme of the book comes from a very popular philosophical question that intrigues every person on this earth. The hero in the story is not a typical hero who is strong physically, handsome, confident and supper intelligent. He is actually a priest, Black and African. He is modest, confused and in search for a meaning to his life. In his search, he travels a lot.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

It is natural for an individual to want to run away, or pretend to be somebody else. However, confronting your situation will always set you free and make you attractive in the process.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

Forgiveness heals everything.

What did you learn during the writing process?

Firstly, I learned that writing isn’t as easy as I had always imagined. Secondly, it is such a lonely activity.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Always write down the most honest story. Write your truth, and the readers will connect.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I am currently writing a new book. It is a collection of fourteen powerful short stories that are thematically linked. The main them is Manhood. The fourteen stories transcend all the qualities and attributes expected in a man. The book is titled – Still Waters Run Deep.

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The Readers’ Corner

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 09:02:20 +0000

10 Blessings of Betrayal: A Spiritual Journey of Rebuilding through Tragedy

Author: Natasha T. Brown Release

Date: February 14

Natasha T. Brown is an author, activist and award-winning communicator, who resides in the Washington, D.C. area. She is the founder of Think Brown INK, a social responsibility branding agency.

Natasha is a 2015 Forty Under 40 Honoree in Prince George’s County, Maryland and has received numerous awards for community outreach, communications and journalism. Natasha graduated from Morgan State University in 2003, with an undergraduate degree in Communications and received a master’s degree in Professional Writing from Towson University in 2008.

Natasha released her Amazon Best Seller “10 Blessings of Betrayal : A Spiritual Journey of Rebuilding through Tragedy” on Valentine’s Day, and it has since ranked on three Amazon Best Seller lists, and been featured in Black Enterprise, the Gazette and by Radio One stations.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

After being wrongfully accused of trying to kill someone I loved very dearly and fighting those legal battles, as well as personal demons of depression; a violent, co-dependent relationship and social anxiety for nearly a year, I wanted to release the negative energy. So I sat down and began writing. I wanted to complain, but God wouldn’t let me. He revealed my journey, the betrayal and heartache in the form of blessings.

What’s the overall theme?

The theme of 10 Blessings of Betrayal is that God always has a purpose for our pain and there are lifelong lessons to learn, even from the deepest betrayals. If we stop looking at things from the standpoint of what was taken away, and focus our energy on what God is trying to do through and to us and rebuild, we can process the pain better.

For what audience is your book written?

The book is great for anyone who has ever experienced pain, hurt, betrayal and tragedy. It’s also especially relevant for people who are trying to heal and rebuild their lives after misfortunate events. I speak about relationships and domestic violence and it also has a deep spiritual element. Anyone who deals with real world problems, including young adults, can relate to this book.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

The biggest takeaway is to simply shift your mindset on things above — God, and his promises, glory and ability to restore the ugliest situations.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned the importance of being honest with myself before trying to be honest with readers. My first draft was very dense and guarded. I was still very afraid to search within myself and be transparent about my own flaws, mistakes and self betrayals. Once I let go of trying to protect an image and the people who had harmed me, I was able to re-write the book in a transparent way. This took me nearly four months.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I’m currently working to get 10 Blessings of Betrayal in hands of as many church groups, young adult mentoring programs, schools and domestic violence organizations as possible. I want to use this book, as well as future publications, as an advocacy tool and way to help people heal, build and restore the various aspects of their lives.

List other books you’ve written.

I wrote and published The Build Up Branding BluePRint: 7 Step Guide to Launch and Sustain Impact Brands, in January under my company, Think Brown INK’s learning division. This book can be found at thebuilduplab.org/publications.

10 Blessings of Betrayal: A Spiritual Journey of Rebuilding through Tragedy can be found at natashatbrown.com. The digital version is also on Amazon.com.

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Selling Heaven (It’s All an Illusion)

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 20 Mar 2015 01:27:01 +0000

“Religion plays an important part in most people’s lives… Many of us have absolute and often blind faith in the churches we attend. But is such dedication and unconditional loyalty well-founded, or even smart? Is it good for people to live their fragile lives based on stories told to them by someone who is not an informed, trusted family member, or a loyal and devoted friend?

Why have Christian churches kept their members in the dark for over 2,000 years? What did the church hierarchy actually know that wasn’t being shared? And why does the church continue to keep secrets, and will that always be the case?

Let Us Prey takes a brief look at organized religion and its attendant, ominous consequences. It is an attempt to help you understand and appreciate how and why your secular world and spiritual world work, or do not work.”

— Excerpted from the Preface (pages 11-12)

Televangelist Creflo Dollar recently asked members of his congregation to tithe the $60 million he needs to buy himself a luxurious Gulfstream jet so he could travel in style while spreading the word of the Lord around the world. Is the popular prosperity preacher sincere or just another hustler in a collar?

Before you answer, you might want to read “Praedamus: Let Us Prey,“ a jaw dropping expose’ written by Don Spears, a brother who is not one to mince words while making a full frontal assault on organized religion. This very timely tome represents the culmination of 9 years of research in religious history stretching back centuries from the present.

The erudite author tackles an impressive range of topics, including racism, homosexuality, Jesus, slavery, Shakespeare, lynching, Sir Francis Bacon and the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by European colonists, to name a few. Despite the diverse subject-matter, the book adds up to make a cohesive point, since every discussion relates directly to religion.

For example, he talks about how the evil institution of slavery was made respectable by Christianity. This enabled slave masters to pass themselves off as moral pillars of the community while committing serial rapes on black females whose private parts they literally owned. Spears goes so far as to speculate that the reason the Confederates were willing to secede from the Union and die in the hundreds of thousands rather than abolish slavery was because of the sex on demand they had become so addicted to.

Elsewhere in the text, the author questions the wisdom of adopting the faith of one’s enslavers, before offering Black Liberation Theology as a viable alternative. That progressive philosophy indicts “un-Christian” white racists for pushing a different brand of their religion on blacks than the one they practiced. Consequently, to this day, most African-Americans “stake their whole existence on heaven,” as opposed to the way whites focus on faring well, materially, in this life.

Other chapters explore whether Jesus was gay, if Shakespeare ghostwrote the King James Version of the Bible, and how lynching functioned “as a way of reminding blacks of their inferiority and powerlessness.” Spears’ ultimate aim, here, is ostensibly to undo the ongoing brainwashing of the black masses by the time they finish reading his incendiary arguments.

A whole new look at the Good Book arguably bordering on blasphemy.

To order a copy of Praedamus: Let Us Prey, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0692349219/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Baltimore Pastor’s Book Links the Physical to the Spiritual

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 03:11:41 +0000

Drew Kyndall Ross

Baltimore – Baltimore pastor, motivational speaker and fitness coach Drew Kyndall Ross believes that good physical fitness can help believers better serve God.

“Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and God lives there,” he said. “Why then would we want God to live somewhere that is unhealthy?”

He has written a book titled “Overcome: A 90 Day Jump Start to Developing a Healthy Lifestyle”, that he says will help Christians get right on the outside, as well as on the inside. The book, due out in April, is part devotional, part healthy living guide.

“If God is using us but we are unhealthy and can’t do it to the best of our ability, then God is not getting the best out of us,” he said.

Ross began his own journey toward better physical fitness in 2013. He was 350 pounds and, unbeknownst to his congregation at Resurrection Church, he was sick often. Although he had been heavy since childhood, he knew he had to make his health a priority.

“One thing I found out was that if I didn’t give attention to my health, then nothing else I was doing was going to matter.”

Ross says it wasn’t easy losing weight. He was not successful until he came to a realization about himself.

“My lack of discipline in my eating was also a spiritual issue,” he said. “It showed me I had no discipline in my personal life. The two are connected. I cannot be spiritually healthy and lack discipline every day when I sit down to have a meal. I have to control my spirit and my flesh.”

He has learned that he has to go to the gym first, before he does anything else – even if that means going at 5am to make a 9am flight. He also learned to cut fast food out of his diet. He makes healthy meals on Sundays and puts them into healthy portions so that he can grab them quickly throughout the week.

He said that members of his congregation approved of his weight loss and encouraged him along the way. As he lost more weight, members even began asking for tips. Soon, other pastors and their first ladies were asking for tips, too.

Ross said that the book helps readers learn health tips and set goals. He said the information comes from his own experiences, plus input from experts.

“Most of the book is a combination between what I’ve learned and in addition to that working with a fitness coach and trainer as I developed my strategies.”

He said that he made 90 days the goal because it’s a long enough time period to establish healthy habits – and even learn from mistakes.

“Most of the time, we can’t commit if it’s only 20 days. When you can survive 90 days, you can take that and put it into practice. After the first three months of doing my routine, I never looked back to some of the other stuff that I was doing.”

Learn more about Ross, including how to get his book at www.drewkyndallross.com.

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Fate’s Destiny

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 06:40:37 +0000

Kyle S. Taylor

Kyle S. Taylor is a 2001 graduate of Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, Md., and graduated from Morgan State University in 2005 with a bachelor’s in English/Journalism. He has a professional background in communications and journalism, and has had articles published in several newspapers including The Baltimore Sun, The Afro American Newspaper, The Baltimore Times, and The Baltimore Business Journal. His debut novel Fate’s Destiny is currently available as an e-book on Amazon, iBooks, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo Books. The paperback is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million. Find out more about Kyle and his book on his blog www.kylestaylor.blogspot.com.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

The main plot of this book came to me many years ago. It revolves around God being in dismay at the state of the world and debating destroying it. Instead mankind is given one last chance, with its fate put in the hands of three individuals who are tested, and have no clue that they are essentially on trial for the sins of the world. I felt that it was an original and unique story, and one that could also be both entertaining and enlightening.

What’s the overall theme?

Choice. Many of the characters in the book are confronted with an issue—either an internal one, or an external decision they must make. Their choices play a huge role in determining their personal fate as well as mankind’s fate.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

I was surprised at how many changes I applied to different scenes and characters from my initial concept. The initial concept of the main characters is vastly different than the final version that appears in the book, though the main plot itself didn’t change much.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

I would wish for the reader to remember that life is all about choices, and that every day we wake up, we make a choice of determining the person we want to be. The choice you make today may positively or negatively affect the person you will be tomorrow.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned the difficulty in describing a scene in detail as it’s shaped in your mind. You only have words to use to describe whatever emotion and tension is present, and that is easier said than done at times.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Hone your craft. Write on a regular basis and constantly work at becoming better. Read as often as possible. And edit, edit, EDIT!

What’s next on the horizon for you?

Next on the horizon for me is a follow up to this novel, as well as a few short stories. Hopefully these can be published a different points throughout 2015.

The post Fate’s Destiny appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Front “Page” News!

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 03:40:16 +0000

Clarence Page is a nationally-syndicated columnist and member of the Chicago Tribune editorial board. Besides those duties, the Pulitzer Prize-winner makes frequent TV appearances, including on The McLaughlin Group as a regular member of the show’s panel of political pundits.

Clarence makes his home in the Washington, DC area with his wife, Lisa, and their son, Grady. Here, he talks about his life, career and his best-selling collection of essay, “Culture Worrier.”

Kam Williams: Hi Clarence, how’re you doing?

Clarence Page: I’m good. How are you today, Kam?

KW: Great! First, I wanted to ask, how much of a connection do you still have to Chicago? You write for the Tribune, but live in DC.

CP: That’s right. I work out of our Washington bureau. My column is syndicated nationally, anyway. I have more of a Washington perspective than the other Tribune columnists, but I still love the place and try to get back as often as I can. And I occasionally do a locally-oriented blog item which is only printed in the Tribune.

KW: I think of you as the black Mike Royko. How would describe your style?

CP: I think every Chicago columnist considers himself to be a Mike Royko. His office was next-door to mine at the Tribune Tower for a number of years. I always admired his strong voice… a very ordinary Chicagoan sitting at the bar after work going back-and-forth with his buddies about politics and this or that from a working-class point-of-view. I really appreciated his ability to do that so flawlessly, and in such a strong voice. So, I always tried to cultivate a voice assessing what was good for the average members of the public, and sometimes I succeeded.

KW: You always do a great job. Tell me a little about why you decided to publish a collection of essays?

CP: It occurred to me that after doing this for 30 years, from the Reagan Era to the Age of Obama, that if there was ever an appropriate time for me to publish a collection of columns, this would be it. So, I went back and reread my pieces, and I began to notice the strong trend toward social commentary interwoven with politics played in most of them, and the phrase “Culture Worrier” just jumped out at me.

KW: How do you enjoy appearing on the McLaughlin Group with John, Eleanor Clift, Mort Zuckerman and Pat Buchanan?

CP: I’ve been doing the show since about 1988. McLaughlin’s been a remarkable talent scout over the years when you think about how people like Chris Matthews, Lawrence O’Donnell and Jay Carney used to be regulars on the show.

KW: Marie Polo asks: What was the most interesting and the most challenging aspects of being an army journalist back in 1969?

CP: Oh, that’s an interesting question! I will say that the difference was that when you’re an Army journalist, as opposed to a civilian correspondent covering the military, you’re very often either a public relations agent or expected to perform that role, with a few exceptions, such as reporters for Stars and Stripes. I would say that one of the most unexpected benefits of that job was being taught to never try to cover anything up, but rather to get any bad information out right away, so that there would be nothing more to come out later. This was a wonderful lesson to be taught because often the effort to cover up a story becomes a bigger story than the original one.

KW: You suffered from ADD, but it obviously didn’t prevent you from having a very successful career as a journalist. How did you overcome this difficulty or turn it into a strength?

CP: I didn’t know I had ADD, because it hadn’t been invented back then. For what it’s worth, like a lot of others with ADD, I’ve been able to succeed simply by trying harder.

KW: When I watched Life Itself, the documentary about Roger Ebert, I learned that winning a Pulitzer Prize was a very big deal to him. What did winning a Pulitzer mean to you?

CP: One thing about winning a Pulitzer, it means you know what the first three words of your obituary will be: Pulitzer Prize-winner. After winning the Pulitzer, I couldn’t help but notice how people suddenly looked at me with a newfound respect, and would say, “He’s an expert.” On the negative side, I developed a terrible case of writer’s block for awhile, because I felt like readers would expect every one of my columns to be prize worthy. I spoke to a number of other Pulitzer winners who had the same problem, a creative block that had them hesitating. How do you get past the writer’s block? Nothing concentrates the mind like a firm deadline, and a little voice in the back of my mind reminding me that, “If you don’t write, you don’t eat.” Listen, we all want to be respected and appreciated, but when you get a big honor like that, people start to look for your work in a new way with higher expectations. Today, the best thing about having won is when I get a nasty comment from some internet troll I can remind myself of the Pulitzer and say, “Well, somebody appreciates me.”

KW: Dave Roth says: As far as I can tell, despite many people’s well intentioned efforts over the last 50 years, America still appears to be a racially-divided and culturally-segregated country, as evidenced by, among many other examples, Ferguson, Missouri, any examination of failing public schools and/or prison populations, and the current gerrymandering case being heard by the Supreme Court. What, in your view, is substantially culturally different in the U.S. today versus say March 3, 1991, Rodney King Day? And what do you believe is the single greatest piece of evidence that progress is being made toward a society that provides equality of opportunity and treatment under the law, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender?

CP: Good question. First of all, I would say that our cultural divides are less racial and more tribal. We’re trying to reduce racial barriers to opportunity while at the same time not creating artificial quotas in regards to race. Today’s tribal politics is more attitudes and values-based than back in the olden days when it was something we strictly associated with ethnicity.

KW: Environmental activist Grace Sinden says: Thank you for your fine work in illuminating important issues. What do you see as the most critical domestic concern that needs to be addressed by our national government?

CP: I would say environmental protection is our most important long-range issue. In the shorter term, as well as the longer term, I’ve always said our biggest challenge is in education, which has become even more challenging because of income inequality and wage stagnation. We haven’t confronted the fact that people who get their income from capital investments have benefited while ordinary workers who rely on salary have not. So, the income gap is getting worse. But Washington is in gridlock, politically, and I’m pessimistic about our making any major improvements over the next couple years.

KW: Sangeetha Subramanian asks: When you think about your legacy how would you like to be remembered?

CP: What a wonderful question! When I posed that question to retiring Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, he looked up as if he were surprised, but he quickly responded, “That he did the best he could with what he had.” It was remarkably humble, but to the point. That’s how I’d like to be remembered, too.

KW: Is there any question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?

CP: That’s good one, too! What would I have done, if I had not become a political writer? I wanted to become an entertainment writer. I’ve always been fascinated by showbiz as much as I was by politics.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

CP: Pasta and salmon.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

CP: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She’s dynamite! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307455920/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

CP: I see a guy getting older. But I always try to keep my mind open or I’d never have figured out Twitter and Instagram.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

CP: I remember being told by my parents when I was 4 that I couldn’t go to an amusement park advertised on TV because colored kids weren’t allowed there. That was a bit of a shock and really stayed with me over the years. That was how I first learned about racial segregation. Fortunately, I took it as a challenge, early on, and it motivated me. You never know how a child might respond to discrimination. It goes both ways. Some kids become embittered.

KW: Thanks again for the time, Clarence, I really enjoyed our chat.

CP: Same here. Thanks, Kam

To order a copy of Culture Worrier, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/193284192X/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Best-Selling Author Visits Books-A-Million in Hanover

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 19 Feb 2015 09:57:35 +0000

Acclaimed author Carl Weber, president of Urban Books LLC, held a book signing to share insights on his upcoming film projects and give back to the fans that have supported him over the years.

Fans gathered at Books-A-Million in Hanover, Md. on Feb. 3 to get signed autograph copies of one of Weber’s 21 books, 14 of which were New York Times bestselling novels.

“I can’t explain to you how much going back to say thank you to people for spending their hard earned money on something that I wrote means to me. The ultimate give back is to go to a book signing and let my fans understand how much I appreciate them,” Weber said.

Some of the books Weber is known for include the Family Business series, Choir Director, The Man in 3B, Married Men, The First Lady, Up to No Good, Something on the Side, among others. This book signing was just one step in his successes.

Weber is now making a big splash on the film screen.

Screen writing has now become part of Weber’s repertoire. He is currently producing screenplays for three of his bestselling novels: The Preacher’s Son, The Choir Director and recently the film adaptation of The Man in 3B, premiered as the closing film at the Pan African Film Festival on Feb. 16 in Los Angeles and it stared Billy Dee Williams, DB Woodside (Fox TV’s “24”), Lamman Rucker from Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and “Why Did I Get Married” and Jackée Harry from “227″).

“Change in Hollywood is coming and I am slowly and maturely letting people know that I am not going away and I am making films. At some point they will understand,” Weber said.

Weber frames his success candidly as an author, screenwriter, and entrepreneur. When asked about any regrets on his journey to success he shares some lessons learned. “A smart business person knows when to fold them. A smart business person knows when to take a different direction, and understands that failure grows character” Weber said.

“So many people lose everything because they are stubborn and don’t want to give in. For example, people are buying books on kindle. We can either provide books on kindle or not. So we started selling books on Kindle and in the Amazon Market Place,” he continued.

Weber credits his successes, lessons learned and future aspirations in film and television to some of his greatest influences including his dad; John Johnson, founder of Ebony; Michael Baisden, author and former radio personality; and Shonda Rhimes, writer and producer of Scandal and other television dramas.

Weber is hopeful of being a show runner one day. He said the black men who paved the way before him, as writers, have shown him anything is possible. Weber’s future hopes are to master the craft of film and television writing.

For more information about Carl Weber, log onto CarlWeber.net.

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The Trials, Triumphs and Truths of 12 Amazing Finishers

Stephanie Cornish — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 17:44:11 +0000

Being able to finish a task, any task, is a mark of success by anyone’s accounting.

In Life Happens…But You Can Finish, the Rev. Frances “Toni” Draper and Pam Love reveal how hard it is to complete a project and break down the science of finishing.

Life Happens tells the stories of 12 women who have suffered from traumatic lifestyles but still found strength within themselves to blossom in life. The stories are relatable, and I was intrigued the entire time while reading, anxious to get to the end of each woman’s story to see how she pulled herself up.

Domestic violence is a huge problem that affects many men and women. It is something that can physically and mentally distort a person. Yolanda Cumbess was a finisher that dealt with abuse from the men she dated. She describes the emotional and physical abuse she endured but that is quickly overshadowed by her success story. I feel like anyone from the poorest person with little education, to the richest person with the most education can read it, understand it, and walk away with empowering knowledge.

Delois Pearsall is another amazing finisher that explains her childhood growing up. Her mother suffered with a mental illness and, for some reason, favored her other siblings. No matter what Pearsall did, in the eyes of her mother it was never good enough. Childhood is an essential part of a human beings’ life. What happens in one’s childhood can heavily affect what an individual does as an adult. Pearsall’s experience is proof that even being unacceptable to your mother doesn’t necessarily hinder your success. You have to find that drive from within yourself.

Black women have historically had a harder time in American society, so the fact that all these successful stories are coming from Black women is awesome. Life is a battlefield; some are stronger fighters than others, but through the messages displayed in this book one can find self-will. It’s a great read, especially if you need a little push right now. It will inspire you to be a finisher.

There will be an official book launch, 7 p.m., March 27 at Community of Hope AME Church in Temple Hills, Md. and another, 3 p.m., March 29 at the Palisades in Arundel Mills. Also check out the Life Happens Facebook page.

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How J. Edgar Hoover’s Ghostreaders Framed African American Literature

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 05:44:10 +0000

“Drawing on nearly 14,000 pages of newly released FBI files, F.B. Eyes exposes the Bureau’s intimate policing of African American poems, plays, essays, and novels. Starting in 1919… secret FBI ghostreaders monitored the latest developments in African American letters…

These ghostreaders knew enough to simulate a sinister black literature of their own. The official aim… was to anticipate political unrest. Yet, FBI surveillance came to influence the creation and public reception of African American literature in the heart of the 20^th Century…

Illuminating both the serious harms of state surveillance and the ways in which imaginative writing can withstand and exploit it, F.B. Eyes is a groundbreaking account of a long-hidden dimension of African American literature.”

— Excerpted from the Bookjacket

Allen Ginsberg’s epic poem “Howl” begins, “I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn…” I couldn’t help but recall that iconic line while reading F.B. Eyes, a damning expose’ by William J. Maxwell illustrating the FBI’s long history of monitoring, policing and infiltrating the ranks of African-American writers.

For decades, from the Harlem Renaissance of the Twenties clear through to the Black Arts Movement of the Seventies, J. Edgar Hoover not only closely monitored the movements and work of black authors but employed agents to create and promote content as a counterintelligence measure.

These revelations are rather disturbing to me, as a Black Literature major-turned-aspiring novelist who failed to get either of my books published after getting a masters degree from an Ivy League institution. It never occurred to me way back then that the reason for all the rejections from publishers might have had more to do with interference on the part of government spies than the quality of the work itself.

However, the degree of FBI interference chronicled here is nothing short of shocking, between the abuses of power and infringements of Constitutional rights. This meticulously-researched opus reveals the Bureau to be a diabolical outfit dedicated to the destruction of the African-American intelligentsia by any means necessary.

For example, we learn that after Amiri Baraka founded the Black Arts Repertory Theater (BART) in Harlem in 1965, Hoover planted moles in the group to ensure the organization’s early demise. He even had the temerity to allow a white Assistant Director, William Sullivan, pose as black while ghostwriting everything from best-sellers to letters threatening the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

A daunting discussion of the FBI’s chilling effect on the writing careers and private lives of members of the black literati.

To order a copy of F.B. Eyes, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0691130205/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Mistaken Identity

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 07:25:34 +0000

Melinda Robertson

Melinda Robertson is an author, empowerment speaker and former teen mother. Her experience as a teen mother compelled her to write her first novel, Motherhood . . . What You Don’t Know! in an attempt to combat the teen pregnancy issue that plagues communities nationwide. Motherhood . . . What You Don’t Know! was featured in various newspapers, and two nationally syndicated radio shows, the “ Russ Parr Morning Show” and the “Wendy Williams Experience.”

Robertson’s second novel, Fatherhood . . . What You Ought to Know for teen boys was written to educate boys about the responsibilities they have to do to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

In her latest novel, Mistaken Identity, Robertson ventures into new territory targeting a more mature audience. This fast paced story takes you into the life of a modern day single woman who plays by her own rules and ultimately changes the dating game.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

My passion for writing.

What’s the overall theme?

The complexities of living the single life.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

How relatable it is.

Which character excites you most?

Morgan, the main character.

For what audience is your book written?

Adults

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

Life happens but how we respond is key.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

To not judge others.

What did you learn during the writing process?

That we all have a story to tell.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

To stay focused and see it through.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

To see where this thing called life takes me from here.

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Redwood

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 08:04:48 +0000

A. Rod Womack • Release Date: Oct. 15, 2014

A. Rod Womack’s passion for storytelling distinguishes him from many of his contemporaries. Redwood is his first book. Womack co-owned his first company at 18 years old. His entrepreneurial experience spans numerous industries including food service, real estate development, construction, and more.

In 2010 he left the private sector and worked as a Business Liaison for Baltimore City Schools and was later appointed Managing Director of Food and Nutrition for Baltimore City Schools. His many years of experience as an entrepreneur, combined with his fascinating life experiences, bring an uncommon thread of realism to his material. His writing style has been called “uniquely visceral.” Womack’s love of writing has led him to the development of his next intriguing book entitled Central Office, which he promises will leave his readers craving for more.
Womack holds a B.A. Degree in Philosophy from University of Maryland Baltimore County.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

An interest in sharing an African American business success story. The incredible experiences that were so unique they had to be put into a book.

What’s the overall theme?

How to overcome obstacles and challenges operating a small business.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

How long it took to write it and get it published.

Which character excites you most?

Shorty, the serial killer and Charlotte.

For what audience is your book written?

All races and people from all walks of lives. Also women 35-50.

What do you want the reader to learn?

There’s a fine line between success and failure. Entrepreneurship isn’t easy, but it’s something worth achieving. Set goals, reach for the stars and set in motion a well thought out plan. Fail to plan, plan to fail.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

Never allow fear or doubt to prevent them from trying.

What did you learn during the writing process?

You have to discipline yourself to write a fixed number of pages per day. Whatever your time allows.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Start writing your story today. Don’t wait. Don’t listen to naysayers. The next great novel could be yours.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

My next book entitled Central Office. I promise it will blow people away. It is a fiction based on nonfictional events involving the headquarters of a large school system.

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The Presidency in Black and White

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 07:54:29 +0000

April Ryan • Release Date: Feb. 15, 2015

April Ryan is a reporter for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN). She is the only Black woman covering urban issues from the White House – a position she has held since the Clinton era. April is a frequent speaker on the topics of the White House, Presidency, Race and Politics.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

The impetus for writing “The Presidency in Black and White” was my having been an eyewitness to history. My first year as White House Correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks, a friend strongly urged me to tell the stories in the book. He said, “You could not observe this history and not write a book.” He encouraged me to consistently “journal” what I saw each day. Those notes were typed into my computer, and ultimately became chapters in this book.

What surprised you about the writing process?

What surprised me most about writing this book is how much time I actually obtained for on-the-record conversations with the world leaders who shape policy. When you are in it, you really are not aware of the magnitude of what is happening at the time. I am overjoyed at the leaders who went on the record on the subject of race. But, there is another side. Some former power brokers strategically chose not to allow me to use their quotes for fear of political retaliation.

What are you most proud of?

What I am most proud of in this book is that many, including U.S. presidents, decided to go on the record on matters of race. This book shows sources standing by their comments. These quotes include presidents, secretaries of state, former press secretaries, other politicians, civil rights icons, clergy and entertainers.

What do you want the reader to learn?

I want the reader to learn that issues of race have been front and center at the White House, even though there is not as much media coverage by the mainstream. I want the reader to also glean that issues of race will continue to dominate the political landscape at the highest levels as the country continues to “brown.” It is important to understand that all of us have a right to be at the table when decisions are made that impact our community and the greater communities at large.

What have you learned from the writing process?

I learned that I had woefully underestimated the task of writing a book. This book is full of news, but it took 17 years to compile. It is a demanding process: from writing to “shopping” the book to getting the contract to making the deadlines to book promotion. There were times I did not think it would happen. The book went through numerous title and chapter changes and other edits. It finally resulted in The Presidency in Black and White. When we first shopped it during the Clinton years, it was an entirely different book that was turned down. We had a bite from another publishing house in the George W. Bush years, but my potential editor was fired. So we were back to the drawing board. But, all it takes is one company to see the value of your story, and the book found its home with Rowman and Littlefield years later as a much better read. The book contract was signed before the events in Ferguson, and is being released when race is one of the driving issues after Ferguson, New York, Cleveland and beyond.

—

Join April Ryan for book signings, 6 p.m., Feb. 4 at Morgan State University and 6:30 p.m., Feb. 5 at Enoch Pratt Library on Cathedral Street in downtown Baltimore.

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The Lawyer as Leader: How to Plant People and Grow Justice

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 05:01:51 +0000

“The social challenges of our time are enormous. About one in seven U.S. residents live in poverty, and the disparity between the haves and have-nots is wider than at any point since the Great Depression…

Imagine if community members across the world began planting seeds of social change, justice, and freedom. Could you be the one who plants the seeds for the promotion of access to affordable housing, fair sentencing, educational equity, or racial justice? This is your beckoning to lead—will you answer the call?

is an inspiring roadmap designed to help you become an effective agent for social change and transformational leader. ”

— Excerpted from the Introduction (page vii)

Most people think of ministers like Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverends Ralph Abernathy, Andrew Young, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, when it comes to iconic, African-American civil rights leaders. However, black attorneys have played a critical role in the movement, too, most notably, Thurgood Marshall who went on to become a Supreme Court Justice.

But since you can’t major in “Black Leadership” in law school, how is it that an aspiring African-American attorney might be groomed for such a calling? That is the concern of Dr. Artika R. Tyner, former professor with the Community Justice Project, an award-winning clinic designed to train law students “to serve as social engineers who create new inroads to justice, freedom and equality.”

Dr. Artika R. Tyner

In “The Lawyer as Leader,” Dr. Tyner chastises law schools for omitting leadership development from the curriculum, before attempting to fill that void with her seminal ideas. While the book is admittedly designed with of the bar in mind, it nevertheless has much to offer future torchbearers in any line of work.

After all, she defines leadership as simply, “an individual’s ability to exercise influence by organizing others around a shared vision.” Perhaps more importantly, she goes on to offer a new definition of leadership repositioning the role as a shared collective responsibility rather than hierarchical or positional.

The author’s game plan rests on these three pillars: (1) Social Justice Lawyering; (2) Lawyers and the Exercise of Leadership; and (3) Facilitating Social Change through Public Police Advocacy, each of which is discussed at length in its own chapter. The ultimate goal? To plant seeds of change that will bear fruit by galvanizing generation after generation of civil rights leaders.

To order a copy of The Lawyer as Leader, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1627226648/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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‘Why Vegan Is the New Black:

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 00:39:05 +0000

“An estimated 82% of black women and 69% of black men are considered overweight or obese, with 45% and 40%, respectively, suffering from hypertension. Heart disease is the #1 killer of African-Americans, with cancer, stroke and diabetes also among the top five reasons for early death.

These are largely preventable afflictions, directly related to what we put in our mouths. Reality is, what’s on our plates is killing us… The typical African American diet is full of greasy, high-sodium fast food that really packs on the pounds and sets us up for serious health problems.

My goal was to help change the perception that healthy foods look weird and taste bad. Reducing the quantity of animal protein and upping the plants we eat has been proven to reverse heart disease, normalize blood sugar and lipids, and lower both weight and blood pressure in just a couple weeks.” –Deborrah Cooper

Even though Deborrah Cooper had been a nutritionist and fitness trainer for over a decade, she never considered becoming a vegan until her body began breaking down.

As assorted stresses of life started taking a toll, she found herself battling headaches, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and sever stomach pains.

And with each visit to a physician’s office, she was prescribed pill after pill to treat this or that symptom. But rather than resign herself to a dependency on doctors and medications, Deborrah decided to become actively involved in her recovery by making some immediate lifestyle changes.

She had a hunch that a combination of diet and weight loss would do the trick, so she proceeded to exercise more while turning to vegetarianism. As she explains, in making the shift to a plant-based diet, she got rid of “anything that would not fit my new eating plan… bakery items, butter, eggs, cheese, crackers, packaged convenience foods, fish, poultry, bacon, canned chili and soups, canned milks, lunch meat, etcetera.”

Fortunately, the changes “worked wonders… reducing risks of coronary heart disease and stroke by half in just eight weeks.” As an African-American, Deborrah subsequently felt a sense of duty to share the secret of her success with the black community, given its particular susceptibility to a host of diseases which are preventable simply by paying strict attention to what one ingests.

However, she also knows that there is a general “perception that health foods are expensive, bland and flavorless.” So, in order to reverse that image, Deborrah has published Why Vegan Is the New Black, a combination how-to primer and illustrated cookbook featuring 100+ mouthwatering recipes for main dishes (Black Bean Lasagna), appetizers (Potato and Mushroom Soup), sauces (Tahini Salad Dressing) and sweets (Oatmeal Shortbread Cookies).

An inspirational, informative and creative guide for anyone hoping to wean themselves off meat and/or prescription drugs. To order a copy of Why Vegan Is the New Black, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0990971384/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

To Hear Deborrah Cooper discuss why she became a vegetarian, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MZq9f2UIts

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Book Signing

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:59:56 +0000

Author Melinda Robertson, and her third book “Mistaken Identity” shown on the right.

Author Melinda Robertson will hold a book signing for her third book, “Mistaken Identity” at the Dorothy Height Library, located at 3935 Benning Road NE from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 20.

Please visit www.motherhoodlove.com for more information.

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The Light of Truth: Writings of an Anti-Lynching Crusader

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 04:56:32 +0000

“Ida B. Wells was born a slave in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1862. After beginning a teaching career to support her orphaned siblings, she moved to Memphis to become a journalist…

In 1883, she was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a train, an experience that she chronicled in her first published piece. Though Wells achieved success as a writer, editor and even co-owner of a newspaper, her greatest accomplishments came after the lynching of a close friend in 1892 spurred her into a lifelong anti-lynching campaign.

She published powerful diatribes against lynching, leading to death threats and forced exile in the North… Wells devoted the rest of her life to civil rights, publishing widely and delivering impassioned speeches.”

–Excerpted from the Introduction (page i)

Over 70 years before Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus, Ida Wells was similarly arrested for refusing to surrender her seat on a train to a white person. Wells survived the ordeal and was eventually inspired to embark on an impressive career as an eloquent advocate on behalf of African-American civil rights.

Her specific focus was lynching. After all, the practice went unpunished for over a century during which not one white person was ever tried, convicted and executed for employing that brand of vigilante justice against any of the thousands and thousands of black men, women and children victims. Edited by Mia Bay and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Light of Truth is a collection of Ida’s fiery essays, culled from her early writings.

In a professional and persuasive journalist tone, Ida recounts case after case in which a rush to judgment led to a gross miscarriage of justice. For example, in Selma Alabama a “colored man named Daniel Edwards” was hung from a tree and riddled with bullets as a “warning to all Negroes that are too intimate with white girls.” Truth be told, he had secretly dated the daughter of his employer for over a year until the scandalous relationship produced a biracial child.

Another entry discusses the details of the 1892 lynching in Quincy, Mississippi of five African-Americans merely on suspicion of poisoning a Caucasian, despite their already having been declared innocent by the local coroner. In this instance, Ida chastises white Christian ministers for failing to give the matter “more than a passing comment” in the pulpit. She goes on to cite the slayings as “proof of the moral degradation of the people of Mississippi.” And so forth.

A debt of gratitude is owed Ida Wells for preserving for posterity a host of illustrative examples of racist mobs bent on satiating their bloodlust by visiting violence on the bodies of blacks in vile fashion without any concern about guilt or innocence.

To order a copy of The Light of Truth, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0143106821/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Author’s Corner – Overlords Karma: Miami’s Urban Chronicles Volume I

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 03:47:32 +0000

Author Thomas Barr. (Courtesy Photo)

Hailing from Miami, Fla., Thomas Barr was born in Lake City, S.C., home of the second African-American astronaut, Dr. Ronald E. McNair, who was killed on the Challenger space mission. At age 17 he graduated Bethune-Cookman University with honors. While in college he was inspired to write when he read Black Boy by Richard Wright. He began writing short stories for campus publications and entered the Air Force after college. He thereafter began a career in government as an intern with the Ohio legislature and later became employed with the Florida Senate.

Thomas Barr’s writings reflect the everyday struggle of the average individual trying to make something of life. Every person has a story to tell and the job of an inspirational writer is to bring those stories to life for the good of all.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

It was the death of a well known African-American politician in Miami. I met him through my job in government. He tragically committed suicide which inspired me to tell his story in my current book.

What’s the overall theme?

It’s a focus on the pressures some minority professionals face. Many experience obstacles in trying to assimilate to the modern day American culture of occupational processes.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

The book development was a two- fold process. It included the creative side and then the business side. I love to write, so the creative side was fun. However, the business side is a lot of work. I was surprised in the amount of work it took to market the product and get the material to the readers.

Which character excites you most?

I enjoyed developing the character Ray Sutter in the book. He was a seedy malevolent figure with a questionable past. He was allowed to be bad and stretch the moral content of the story in regards to various circumstances in the book.

For what audience is it written?

My book is for the audience that can relate to the pressures of assimilation whether it is school or work. All can relate to obstacles and the various ways of coping which could be viewed as destructive or healthy. This book is designed to begin the discussion of identifying contention and developing healthy resolutions.

What do you most want the reader to learn?

I would like for the reader to learn more about their inner self upon reading this book. Get in touch with your true feelings on issues and be true to who you are. “Be true to yourself” as the saying goes.

Other books you’ve written?

Other books I’ve written are Risen and The Notorious P Man Sam due to be released in the coming months

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‘We be Readin’ Book Club Celebrates 25 Years of Literary Fellowship

Stephanie Cornish — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 05:59:16 +0000

The late historian John Hope Franklin speaks to the group about his book ‘Runaway Slaves.

The invitation read, “ For some time now, I have been thinking about starting a literary guild or book club where members come together once a month to discuss the literature of the African diaspora.” This letter was mailed in February 1989 and was the beginning of a 25-year reading experience. Pat Wheeler who sent the letter, along with Debra Woods, started the African American Literary Guild: We be Readin’. Last month, Oct. 25, the 18-member coed book club celebrated 25 years of continuous reading.

Book club members representing a variety of professions including psychology, communications, engineering, photography and the ubiquitous Washington attorneys engage in lively, wide-ranging discussions, which while primarily focusing on the African American and Black diaspora experiences can also include other general literature. The book discussions are held once a month and while the group discusses the book, the conversations usually end up with discussions on politics, the arts and just about any topic currently in the news.

The group celebrated their 25^th anniversary in a special way; they invited other book club members to participate in a panel about their clubs experiences and reading habits. The celebration also included a fun skit about a book club member’s failure to read a book as promised with dire consequences, a tribute to book club members who have passed away and a presentation about our favorite books.

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson was the favorite book that members read in the last five years. One member designated the book her favorite because of its “depth, educational value and clear coherent explanation of our life stories.” Other top choices were Devil in the Grove by Gilbert King, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks by Jeanne Theoharis and Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.

Favorite fiction reads included I Am Not Sidney Poitier by Percival Everett, Home by Toni Morrison, Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi Durrow and Little Green by Walter Mosley.

Oct. 25 anniversary celebration included former and present members.

We be Readin’ members also discussed what makes the book club so special to them. Jason Miccolo Johnson, a professional photographer, put it this way, “Part of the longevity of our book club lies in the diversity of our members’ personalities, work and life experiences. This diversity informs each person’s perspective. But it is what we share in common that binds us. We are relatively of the same generation and share a certain type of ‘old school’ upbringing and culture. We are passionate. We are thoughtful. We are gregarious. We are independent. Yet, we are supportive of each other.”

JoAnn Henry, one of the book club’s charter members, gave her reasons for the success of the group, “Everyone’s voice is heard. Each book club meeting brings new revelations about ourselves. We don’t always agree on everything, which makes our discussions that much spicier and memorable. We can fuss and discuss, argue and say nasty things, but in the end, we do respect each other, which is a prerequisite to staying.”

And another charter member, Kathleen Halley, adds, “Members bring their individual histories and personal experiences to our discussions. I have loved hearing the many life stories and varied opinions of members. I am moved by and enjoy the revealing, poignant, and often hilarious story-telling that takes place during our second-Sunday gatherings.”

A member who moved to Arizona came back to Washington for the October celebration. “While we may have changed physically over these 25 years, we still retain the intellectual curiosity, flexibility and humor that has sustained us over that time. What I miss most about no longer residing in the D.C. area are family and friends, and I count all of you as my friends,” said Michael Mobley.

Over the years, the book club has seen many changes in the membership but the group continues to evolve and grow. Henry summed it up the best, “Over the past 25 years we’ve rejoiced at weddings, held steadfast at funerals and welcomed new babies and grand-babies into the world.”

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Rhythm for Sale

Stephanie Cornish — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 02:15:47 +0000

“I went into the Countee Cullen library… and saw a book titled: The Harlem Renaissance: A Historical Dictionary for the Era… I peeked inside to see if had any information about my grandfather, Leonard Harper…

I asked the librarian… and was told to walk around the corner to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture… I rushed to the Schomburg Center and was able to find so much material about my grandfather that it took me decades to complete my research.

The discovery of my family heritage by way of my grandfather was like opening up a treasure chest of precious metals.”

–Excerpted from the Introduction (page ix)

Have you ever heard of the late Leonard Harper? Neither had I, before reading this reverential biography chronicling his fascinating life. A seminal contributor to the Harlem Renaissance, the versatile talent once dubbed the “Father of Cabaret” belongs right up there in the pantheon of the era’s icons along with the likes of Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.

Rhythm for Sale was written by his grandson, Dr. Grant Harper Reid, who dedicated decades of his life to this labor of love. We learn from its pages that Leonard was born in 1889 in Birmingham, Ala. where, by the age of 4, he was already performing for pennies on the street dressed as a pickaninny.

And by the time he passed away prematurely of a heart attack during rehearsals for a show set to debut in Times Square early in 1943, he had amassed an impressive resume that any entertainer might envy. However, this encyclopedic is much more than just a litany of Harper’s considerable achievements, for it also recreates in vivid fashion, the periods he participated in.

Perhaps more importantly, in a straight no chaser style, it delves deeply into the psyches of both its subject and many of his African-American colleagues. For, while other history books merely stick to the surface by focusing just on the singing and dancing, here we have a sobering exploration which examines their feelings about racism.

Kudos to Dr. Reid for this long overdue tribute belatedly recognizing his truly remarkable grandfather.

Rhythm for Sale

by Dr. Grant Harper Reid

Amazon Digital Services

Paperback, $14.95

300 pages

ISBN: 978-0615678283

To order a copy of Rhythm for Sale, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0615678289/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Reflections on Race, Politics and Social Change

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 00:48:41 +0000

Clarence Page has compiled an opus containing selected opinion pieces published over the past three decades.

Fans of Sunday morning TV talk shows undoubtedly recognize Clarence Page as a regular on The McLaughlin Group where he participates in the program’s spirited banter about the prevailing political issues of the day. But he is also a Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated columnist in his own right who has been on the staff of the Chicago Tribune since 1969.

Over the years, Clarence has opined on everything from Thurgood Marshall to Clarence Thomas; from the use of the N-word to political correctness; and from Dr. Martin Luther King to President Barack Obama. Now, he has compiled an opus containing selected opinion pieces published over the past three decades.

Clarence takes pride in the fact that his articles enjoy a broad appeal, a reflection of his sterling reputation as an impartial pundit willing to criticize folks on either side of the aisle as he sees fit. On the one hand, he might indict Ronald Reagan for playing the race card by invoking the image of “welfare queens” to curry the favor of rednecks during the 1980 presidential campaign. On the other, he’ll point out how, during the 2008 campaign, Obama declared, “Race is an issue that I believe this nation cannot afford to ignore,” only to proceed to do just that once he got into office.

Again and again, the insightful author weighs-in in a pleasant fashion reflective of an introspective, enlightened than one with an ax to grind. A refreshingly-mellow, measured and moderate voice of reason all too rare in these divisive days of snarky, gotcha political rhetoric.

To order a copy of Culture Worrier, visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/193284192X/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Traci Braxton Starts Something New With ‘Crash and Burn’

Rev. Dorothy Boulware — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:49:35 +0000

By Rev. Dorothy Boulware

Singer, reality show co-star and now, solo recording artist, Traci Braxton, stopped by the AFRO, Oct. 6.

The Braxton sister who’s “second to the oldest,” who thought her personal dream had expired, finds herself singing a song to encourage others to keep theirs going.

Her first album, Crash and Burn which dropped Oct. 7, is the outcome of a struggle that taught her that it doesn’t matter what your parents think, it really doesn’t matter what friends and family members tell you. Even if you crumble or fall, it’s not the end.

AFRO’s Wanda Pearson poses with singer Traci Braxton. (Photo by Rev. Dorothy Boulware)

“I can still start something new,” Traci said.

And it’s new and it’s different.

“I have a different sound from my sisters. It’s a distinctive sound with a style from Mary J. and Jill Scott,” Traci said. “I’m a round the way Girl. Like ‘What’s up. What’s up.”

She said the new collection reveals more about Traci, set apart from her siblings.

“I sing about what I’m going through relationship wise, what other people are going through too.”

One of the songs was written by her brother Michael for their parents when they were going through a divorce.

AFRO’s Diane Hocker poses with singer Traci Braxton. (Photo by Rev. Dorothy Boulware)

“It was actually written for Toni to record, which she did, but it was never published.” Traci asked Michael for permission to sing it and was a little taken aback when she realized permission would have to come from Toni.

“But she was so helpful to me. She coached me in singing it,” Traci said. “To have a six-time Grammy winner to tell you what to do with a song; that made it so rewarding. It was an emotional and grateful feeling all at the same time.”

Crash and Burn has taken a while to materialize, having to be scheduled around the filming of the popular “Braxton Family Values,” reality show.

When Braxton toured the AFRO Archives, she couldn’t believe the number of bound volumes that hold more than a lifetime of Black history. (Photo by Rev. Dorothy Boulware)

When asked what she wants people to know about her, Traci said, “I’m more than what meets the eye. Besides being funny and crazy, I’m very passionate. And I do finish things.”

Her reference was to a couple of times going to cosmetology school and also not finishing college yet.

But it’s all good and it’s all happening in good time. She talked about how much the television show has improved upon their relationships.

(Photo by Rev. Dorothy Boulware)

“There was so much going on between the sisters all the time, there wasn’t really room for the guys,” she said. The spouses didn’t get a chance to be spouses. It was hard for the guys to try to get together and we didn’t promote that at all,” Traci said. “It had always been about us. We pushed them aside proclaiming every day Sisters’ Day.”

She said, “Doing the show made us realize that and create boundaries that make for stronger family ties. We needed to pay attention to our individual families and create our own traditions.”

Crash and Burn, which features the hit single “Last Call,” includes a duet with Raheem DeVaughn. (Courtesy Photo)

She said the same boundaries also became the basis for much of their bickering, which actually increased.

“Boundaries cause problems. We hadn’t realized how much we’d invaded each other’s space.”

It was destined to happen. She said her manager heard her singing to herself one day as she walked through the office.

“He said, ‘Girl get in this office right now. Stop playing,’” Traci said. He was furious with me.

“’Two more days and you’re gonna lay that song down. You’re going to waste a dream,’” he told me.

And as soon as the 24 songs were done,” I was signed the same day.”

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Author’s Corner: K.E.M. Keep Everything Moving: Letting Adversity Guide You To Destiny

AFRO Staff — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 00:18:49 +0000

Title: K.E.M. Keep Everything Moving: Letting Adversity Guide You To Destiny
Author: Dr. Kemberly E. McKenzie
Release Date: July 24, 2010

Dr. Kemberly Elaine McKenzie was born in Washington, D.C. and reared in Takoma Park, Md. She graduated from High Point High School in Prince Georges County. She has earned a B.A. in communications; a M.Ed. in elementary education; M.S. in special education; an M.A. and Ph.D. in educational leadership. She attended the following colleges: Messiah College – Grantham, Penn.; Temple University, Philadelphia; Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary – Wynnewood, Penn.; Cheyney State University – Cheyney, Penn.; Chicago State University, Chicago, IL; and Capella University – St. Paul, MN. Finally, she studied abroad at The University of Cambridge in London, England.

Dr. McKenzie was at a place called “stuck” which inspired, K.E.M. (Keep Everything Moving). She understands that to move forward, you must turn around and deal personally with whatever has you captive. Dr. McKenzie shares her story with the belief that others will be encouraged and learn to celebrate adversity on their way to destiny. She’s also written “Teacher Burnout: A Laughing Matter.”

What was the impetus for writing this book?

I discovered that tribulation, laden times and hardship are ingrained into the fabric of life. However, victory is on the other side of through.

What’s the overall theme?

Despite adversities, you have to K.E.M. (Keep Everything Moving) on your way to destiny.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

The process. Just when I thought the book was finished, a shift took place and I began to tell my story. I did not plan to be that transparent.

For what audience is your book written?

Mainly for women, but the content reaches all genders, nationalities and cultures.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

I want them to learn that their present circumstance is not their final conclusion.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned that there is freedom in transparency. It is so liberating.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

By popular demand, I am in the process of writing a study journal to accompany the book.

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Fishburne Baby Fishburne!

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 03:06:34 +0000

Laurence J. Fishburne III has achieved an impressive body of work as an actor, producer and director. Starting at the age of 10, Laurence starred on the soap opera “One Life to Live.” He made his feature film debut at age 12 in “Cornbread, Earl and Me” and followed that up a few years later with “Apocalypse Now.”

Laurence Fishburne co-stars on “Black-ish.

His television performances include “The Box” episode of “Tribeca” which earned him an Emmy award and “Thurgood,” which earned him an Emmy nomination. He starred for three seasons on the hit series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and he was an Emmy Award nominee and an NAACP Image Award winner for his starring role in the telefilm “Miss Evers’ Boys,” which he executive-produced. And he can currently be seen alongside Hugh Dancy and Mads Mikkelsen in the NBC thriller series “Hannibal.”

Through his production company, Cinema Gypsy, Laurence is scheduled to executive-produce and star in “The Right Mistake,” a dramatic television series for HBO. The company also made the movies “Akeelah and the Bee,” “Five Fingers” and “Once in the Life.”

Among his many film credits are “Boyz n the Hood,” “A Rumor of War,” “The Color Purple,” “The Matrix” trilogy, “Decoration Day” and “The Tuskegee Airmen,” for which he received an NAACP Image Award. Laurence also won the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theatre World, and Tony Awards for his portrayal of Sterling Johnson in August Wilson’s “Two Trains Running.” In 2006. he reteamed with his frequent acting partner Angela Bassett at The Pasadena Playhouse in August Wilson’s “Fences.” directed by Samuel Epps.

Here, he talks about playing Pops on the new TV sitcom, “Black-ish.”

KW: I told my readers I’d be interviewing you, so I’m mixing in their questions with my own. Aaron Moyne asks: What inspired the title Black-ish?

LF: Ah, the title came from Kenya Barris, our writer/creator. It’s like “squeamish” or “Jewish” or other “ish” terms like that.

KW: Editor Lisa Loving says: Why this show? Why now? And Harriet Pakula-Teweles says: What was “intrigue-ish” about doing this show?

LF: What was intriguing to me, first of all, was that it’s comedy, which is something I don’t do a lot of. I’ve wanted to do comedy for a while, and the elements of this show fit. They really made sense in terms of my doing a comedy basically about a well-to-do Black family with children of privilege, living in modern America, in our digital age. I can relate to what all of that means and how we have to navigate it. So, that’s the why and the where.

KW: Director Rel Dowdell says: You’ve presented some of the most memorable images of African-American men at either end of the spectrum with “Furious Styles” from “Boyz N the Hood” and Ike Turner from “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Is it difficult to portray characters that are so different in persona and morality, and do you have a preference?

LF: I don’t have a preference. The wonderful thing about what I do is being able to run the gamut. It’s never the same. I don’t get excited about the idea of playing the same person all the time. I do get excited about being able to explore different people and different characters, and using my range, as it were.

KW: Shelley Evans asks: Is it any easier for African-American actors to land parts on television and web series these days?

LF: Well, it’s certainly easier than it was 30 years ago!

KW: Sangeetha Subramanian asks: Do you think diversity has improved on television over the years? There is still so much more to do, but is there anything the general public can do to campaign for more authentic diverse images being represented?

LF: I think that if the general public would use that social media tool to express their desire to see a more authentic and genuine representation of what the American family looks like, then that would be helpful.

KW: Editor Patricia Turnier says: I have a high respect for you as an actor for decades and I was blown away to discover even more your high-caliber when you performed the role of Thurgood Marshall for the play. My question is what does Marshall represent to you and how did you prepare for the role?

LF: Thurgood Marshall came to represent not just the courage that African Americans have had to have in the face of discrimination and racism, but the courage that was borne out of the love he received from his family, his community, his educators and his classmates. Everything he did was borne out of that love and support that was given to him. He also went into the lion’s den not only with great courage but with great humor. So, he’s really a towering figure in our history.

KW: D.V. Brooks says: You and I share an experience from our youth: the Model Cities summer programs. What did that experience, along with the support of your parents, Laurence, Sr. and Hattie, instill in you as an artist?

LF: The Model Cities experience didn’t really inform me as an artist as much as it informed me as a human being. It was a very safe place to be, and I came away from that experience with a lot more confidence in myself as a person.

KW: Marcia Evans says: Kam, you must use my questions and comments. Please start off by letting Laurence know that I’ve followed his career since One Life to Live. Let him know that I’m a huge fan of his work, especially the amazing performance he honored us playing Socrates Fortlow in “Always Outnumbered” That blew me away. I went thru a box of tissues that night. Thank him for me because he really brought it.

LF: Thank you, Marcia.

KW: She goes on to say: I know his lovely wife Gina Torres has Cuban roots. I wonder if he’s had the pleasure to visit Cuba as yet.

LF: No I haven’t been to Cuba yet.

KW: She also says: I’m aware he is a music lover and I’d like to know whether he digs Cuban vibes.

LF: I love Cuban music.

KW: Next, she asks: What are your favorite countries to visit?

LF: Goodness! I love Morocco. I love Italy. I love Spain. And I love Tahiti.

KW: Finally, Marcia suggests: They should make a film about Hannibal, and cast you, Mr. Laurence Fishburne, in the title role. You’d make a splendid Hannibal!

LF: That’s very kind, Marcia. Thank you very much!

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

LF: The last book I read would be right here on my Kindle. It’s called “Perfect Brilliant Stillness.” http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0976578301/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

LF: I enjoy making Arroz con Pollo for my wife.

To see a trailer for Black-ish, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNqqjDv6_dU

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Author’s Corner: Do As I Say

Stephanie Cornish — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 02:22:53 +0000

Vince D’Writer is the author of several books.

Title: DO AS I SAY

Author: Vince D’Writer

Now Available on www.amazon.com/author/vincedwriter

instagram: vince_dwriter

Vince D’Writer was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Purdue University. In 2005 D’Writer received an opportunity to assist high school athletes through the recruiting process as a sports recruiter. The service cost hundreds of dollars. In search for a cheaper alternative D’Writer wrote a how- to athletic scholarship guide in 2011.

Developing a passion for writing Vince D’Writer challenged himself to write a book with a storyline and characters and that’s where his journey in urban fiction started.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

My goal was to take a different angle in reference to writing an urban fiction story. My book deals with a subject that is an all around problem in urban society and society as a whole.

What’s the overall theme?

The overall theme of the story is that even when it comes to domestic violence, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

The main characters Braxton and TaShawnna are a young, ambitious and successful couple. On paper they should be a premier power couple, but for reasons mentioned in the story they fail to reach that status. People on the outside looking in think TaShawnna and Braxton have reached this status, but in reality they fall short.

Which character excites you most?

I like Braxton because he’s successful and he has a big heart. He displays a lot of courage taking the physical abuse, but not retaliating.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?

Readers should remember there are ways to avoid this problem.

What did you learn during the writing process?

Patience is the key. You can’t rush a storyline. The writer must allow the storyline to develop in his or her mind. I believe this is the best way to develop an impactful story for the readers.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

I advise aspiring writers to study the craft. Get in the habit of doing research and to think about the development of the storyline for your book 24/7.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I started out writing a sports recruiting book and I’m about to go full circle with writing another sports recruiting book “PREPSTAR.” This book will be released in November, and it provides updated step by step instructions on how to earn an athletic scholarship. After that will be the release of DO AS I SAY 2, followed by an uncomfortable love triangle in BITE OF THE FORBIDDEN FRUIT. My other book is Mega Dollaz Mega Problems story about a garbage man who wins the lottery.

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Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Final Year

Kam Williams — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 18:34:04 +0000

“The question I attempt to answer in this book is simple: In his last year, what kind of man has Martin Luther King, Jr. become? In my view, he is a man whose true character has been misinterpreted, ignored, or forgotten. I want to remember—and bring to life—the essential truths about King in his final months before they are unremembered and irrecoverable. This is the King that I cherish: the King who, enduring a living hell, rises to moral greatness; the King who, in the face of unrelenting adversity, expresses the full measure of his character and courage. This is the King who, despite everything, spoke his truth, the man I consider the greatest public figure this country has ever produced.”

–Excerpted from the Introduction (page 5)

Most Americans’ memory of Dr. Martin Luther King is little more than his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered at the March on Washington on August 28, 1963. In fact, sometimes it seems that his legacy has been reduced to just the portion of that iconic address envisioning a world when people would “not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

While Dr. King did continue to lobby earnestly on behalf of that lofty ideal thereafter, he also subsequently spoke out forcefully against militarism, poverty and a host of other palpable evils plaguing the nation. And during the year before his assassination, he particularly voiced
some pretty progressive positions which put him at odds not only with the government, right-wing ideologues and the mainstream media, but even with many liberals who felt the civil rights leader was stepping out of his element by taking stands against the Vietnam War and economic
injustice.

Death of a King revisits the martyred icon’s last days in order to illustrate how, until his untimely demise, he resolutely followed a path dictated by his moral compass, often in the face of blistering criticism and wearying death threats. Author Tavis Smiley recognized a need
for this enlightening bio because “history has sentimentalized King, rendering him heroic but harmless.”

Tavis shares writing credits with David Ritz, with whom he previously collaborated on “What I Know for Sure.” Ritz is the prolific author of over 50 titles, most as the uncanny ghostwriter of celebrity autobiographies for Aretha, Elvis, Sinbad, Etta James, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Natalie Cole, Janet Jackson, Laila Ali, Paul Shaffer, BB King, Don Rickles and Tavis’ close friend Dr. Cornel West, to name a few.
A haunting portrait of the trials and tribulations of an unwavering visionary who held fast to his core beliefs to his dying day.

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Authors Corner: Bruh Beaver and Bruh Rabbit on the Road to Animal Town

AFRO Staff — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:54:34 +0000

Dawn and Dellaphine Chitty

Title: Bruh Beaver and Bruh Rabbit on the Road to Animal Town

Author: Dawn & Dellaphine Chitty

Release Date: October 2014

Dawn Chitty

Raised in South Carolina Dawn, felt inspired to honor her familial roots by sharing these timeless tales she has listened to her entire life. “Bruh Beaver, Bruh Rabbit and the Man in the Moon,” is Dawn’s literary debut, but is one of many folktales which have been shared in her family for over five generations. Currently the Director of Education at the African American Civil War Museum in Washington D.C., Dawn is an alumni of the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina and Kaplan University.

Dellaphine Chitty

A native of South Carolina, Dell, is the youngest of six children and she grew up hearing a verity of animal folktales from her mother and maternal grandmother. Many of these tales featured Bruh Beaver, Bruh Rabbit, Foxy Loxy, Chicken Li’l and the Old Wise Owl and the passion to share these stories became deep rooted at a young age when she first started sharing them with her own nieces and nephews. A graduate of South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Dell has been a professional in the field of Information Technology for the past 20+ years and is currently a Senior Consultant with Leidos Health, a healthcare consulting firm. Dell made her literary debut with “Bruh Beaver, Bruh Rabbit and the Man in the Moon,” in 2012.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

This story has a light hearted appreciation for hard work and gratitude. We thought this was an important lesson for children to learn. These types of folktales have been shared orally in our family for several generations and we wanted to share them with others. www.animalfolktales.com facebook twitter

What surprised you about the development of the book?

Dell: How much fun we had writing these stories down. How difficult it is to publish children’s picture books, everyone is looking for the next Harry Potter but we forget everyone starts with “The Cat in the Hat” before they progress to Harry Potter type books.

Dawn: How many details are in each phase of the publication process from wording to illustration.

For what audience is your book written?

K-3^rd grade and the adults who are children at heart.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

To appreciate when someone does you a kindness.

What did you learn during the writing process?

Stay organized, persistence, and have fun.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

More books to write.

List other books you’ve written.

Bruh Beaver, Bruh Rabbit and the Man in the Moon

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‘Story/Time: The Life of an Idea’

Kam Williams — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 15:32:50 +0000

“In this ceaselessly questioning book, acclaimed African-American dancer, choreographer and director Bill T. Jones reflects on his art and life… Presenting personal revealing stories, richly illustrated with striking photographs… and featuring a beautiful, large format design, the book is a work of art in itself…

The book is filled with telling vignettes—about Jones’ childhood… about his struggles to find a place for himself in a white-dominated dance world; and about his encounters with notable artists and musicians. In particular, Jones examines his ambivalent attraction to avant-garde modernism… as he strives to make his work more personal and broadly engaging, especially to an African-American audience.

A provocative meditation on the demands and rewards of artistic creation.”

Excerpted from the Book Jacket

Bill T. Jones was born in Bunnell, Fla. in 1952 but raised in upstate New York where he would study ballet and modern dance at Binghamton State University. Upon graduating, he embarked on a story book career as co founder of the eponymous company with his late life mate, Arnie Zane.

Besides creating over a hundred original works, Jones has choreographed for everyone from Alvin Ailey to the Boston Ballet to the Berlin Opera. And among his many accolades are a couple of Tony Awards, an Obie Award, a MacArthur Genius Fellowship, the National Medal of Arts, and induction into the National Museum of Dance Hall of Fame.

Story/Time: The Life of an Idea is an ethereal memoir emblematic of this iconoclastic trailblazer’s unpredictable approach to everything he does. The book is basically an attempt to reduce to writing and photographs a trio of multi-media talks Jones delivered at Princeton University as part of the prestigious Toni Morrison Lecture Series.

This would be no mean feat since the endlessly-inventive author’s presentation at Princeton was an impossible to pigeonhole, experimental piece of performance art. The pages of the opus contain his musings mixed with photos and quotes from great thinkers, especially his mentor, John Cage.

Bill T. talks about how he had arrived at college an acting major, yet turned to dance which he saw as “a means by which I could validate my place in the world.” After all, he admits to having felt uneasy on account of his skin color and sexuality.

However, he would soon come to adopt the countercultural attitudes “You are not your body!” and “You will be free if you declare yourself free!” leading to the logical calculation that “The only cost of this freedom is to cut yourself off from the ‘straight’ world and any investments, influences, or entanglements it demands.”

The honest reflections of a fearless firebrand who not only did it his way but continues to reinvent himself to this day.

To order a copy of Story/Time: The Life of an Idea, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0691162700/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Author’s Corner: Forgotten Black Soldiers Who Served in White Regiments During the Civil War: Vol. II

AFRO Staff — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 19:13:42 +0000

Title: Forgotten Black Soldiers Who Served in White Regiments During the Civil War: Vol. II

Author: Dr. Juanita Patience Moss

Release Date: Aug. 27

Dr. Juanita Patience Moss was born and reared in northeastern Pennsylvania where her great grandfather, a Civil War veteran, had settled his family. She is the daughter of Charles Edgar Patience, a renowned anthracite coal sculptor whose work was featured in Ebony March 1970. Her educational background includes the West Pittston Public School System; Bennett College, Greensboro, N.C.; Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Penn.; and Fairleigh Dickinson University, Rutherford, N.J.

King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Penn. awarded her a Doctorate of Humanities in 2011.

After retiring as a high school biology teacher in 1992, she developed an interest in genealogy and began searching for the exact location from which her great grandfather had absconded before enlisting in the 103th PA Volunteer Regiment, a White regiment garrisoned at Plymouth, N.C.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

I was told in 1998 that no Black soldiers had served in White regiments during the Civil War when I knew of one. My great grandfather.

What’s the overall theme?

The overall theme of Volume I and Volume II is to prove my hypothesis that if there was one soldier there may have been more. My research has discovered the names of several thousand forgotten Black Civil War soldiers.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

I was surprised by the unexpected sources that led me to uncovering names hidden in plain sight. For instance, by what is or is not engraved on their Union tombstones, some of which may be nearly 150 years old.

For what audience is your book written?

The book is written for persons of any age including Civil War descendants, historians and “buffs” alike.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

To my readers I want to impart that when you are being doubted, but have necessary proof, then forge ahead to meet your destiny.

What’s next on the horizon for you?

I will be speaking at the African American Civil War Museum in Washington, DC at 11:00 a.m. on 4 October 2014 during the Descendants’ Hour.

List other books you’ve written.

Anthracite Coal Art of Charles Edgar Patience

Battle of Plymouth, N.C., April 17-20, 1864: The Last Confederate Victory Created to Be Free

Forgotten Black Soldiers Who Served in White Regiments During the Civil War: Volume I

Tell Me Why Dear Bennett: Memoirs of Bennett College Belles: Volumes I & II

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Author’s Corner: White Slave Owners Breeding and Selectively Breeding Themselves with Their Black Female Slaves and Girls

AFRO Staff — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 22:04:52 +0000

Gerald S. Nordé

Title: White Slave Owners Breeding and Selectively Breeding Themselves with Their Black Female Slaves and Girls

Author: Gerald S. Nordé, Ph.D., sociologist
Release Date: January, 2014

Dr. Norde is the first Black American ever to graduate with a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Delaware and he accomplished being the author of the first ever Ph.D. dissertation submitted to the University of Delaware, 1985. He holds a M.S.Ed., Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Ill. and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He is the father of four children and the grandfather of four, His hobbies are fishing, baiting, bridge and pinochle, hand-dancing and writing.

What was the impetus for writing this book?
The little girls born in this country, who never learned how to laugh.

What’s the overall theme?
White, Black, Negro, and Colored Americans in and from the South have the same and identical family heritage and ancestry beginning with the South white slave owners and their two and more sets of children and families with their black female slaves and colored girls in addition to their two and more sets of children and families with their white women and girls.

What surprised you about the development of the book?
It was the resistance from Black, Negro, Colored national organization and associations concerning the book’s conclusions.

For what audience is your book written?
This book is a scholarly book, monograph, but I’ve gone to great effort to write the book for a general audience, especially for Black, Negro and Colored Americans.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?
That Black, White, Negro and Colored Americans in and from the South, along with the South’s “southern culture” of patriarch and patrilineality, are all descendants of the South white slave owners and none of the slave owners were Africans or descendants of African slaves.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember?
Science supports the contention that Black, Negro, and White American have the same ancestry and heritage; just their skin colors are different, just their skin colors.

What did you learn during the writing process?
I learned how soothing writing can be to me.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
My advice is for them to know their subject matter.

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How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality

Kam Williams — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 13:16:19 +0000

By Cheryl K. Chumley
WND Books
Hardcover, $26.95
288 pages
ISBN: 978-1-936488-14-8
“People have liberty; people take their liberty for granted; people become apathetic; people lose their liberty. We are on that track, but detouring back to the freedom road is still possible…

The data in this book concerns me and should concern you… The coming signs of tyranny are all around us. Fortunately, they can be stopped before it is too late, but not without a courageous effort… We can still save liberty for our children if, and
only if, America awakens.”
— Excerpted from the Foreword (pages xi-xii)

Anybody tuning in to the media coverage of the daily protests of the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. can’t help but notice the intimidating police presence that makes the city look more like a battlefield than a suburban enclave. The frightening militarization has featured everything from armored Humvees and tanks rolling down the streets, to helmeted officers flanked shoulder-to-shoulder behind body-length armored shields, to snipers in camouflage fatigues training their M16 rifles on marchers through night-vision scopes, to the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, smoke bombs and flash grenades to disperse demonstrators.

What are we to make of such a disturbing show of force on the part of local, state and federal authorities? To Cheryl K. Chumley it is merely further evidence of a burgeoning abuse of power on the part of a government already hell bent on trampling its citizens’ constitutional rights.

In her book, Police State U.S.A.: How Orwell’s Nightmare Is Becoming Our Reality, the veteran journalist indicts present-day America as a “total surveillance society.” She argues that tyrannical rule has come as a consequence of the Patriot Act’s creation of secret data collection centers and the employment of the IRS, NSA phone taps, drones, tracking devices, warrantless searches, traffic light cameras and the like to nefarious ends.

For example, the author cites the case of Scottsdale, Arizona, whose city council approved the purchase of a building to house its police investigative unit, “but refused to disclose the facility’s location” in order to “protect the lives” of detectives working undercover. She says it’s certifiably scary, when the nation has arrived at a point where taxpayers are no longer privy to such previously public information.

In a timely chapter devoted to “The Rise of Militarized Police,” Chumley states that what the technology cops now have at their disposal “is the stuff of science fiction,” like guns that fire darts embedded with a GPS. Though such draconian measures should supposedly be of no concern to the law-abiding, it’s still of little comfort when you think of the seemingly neverending state of siege of for folks in Ferguson trying to exercise their First Amendment rights.

Food for thought for anyone who fervently believes our inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness comes from God, not the government.

To order a copy of Police State U.S.A., visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00JUWZVUI/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Author’s Corner: The New You Revolution: A 40 Day Journey to Discovering and Becoming the New You

AFRO Staff — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 02:38:36 +0000

Title: The New You Revolution: A 40 Day Journey to Discovering and Becoming the New YouAuthor: Latoya A. Benson
Release Date: July 19, 2014

Latoya A. Benson is a visionary by design. She has a passion to empower women to not just recognize their full potential but to reach it. As an influential woman, Latoya walks in a distinguished reputation as a catalyst seeking change and is the voice of hope to present generations and those to come.

She initiates strategic forums, conferences and summits geared toward inner healing, self-discovery in God, walking in vision and thriving in business as a woman. She believes that good things come to those who wait but GREAT things come to those who GO GET IT!

Latoya is the CEO of Inner Visions Creative Enterprises, which is the home of Kingdom Voices Magazine Online, Beyond the Surface Ministries, and Inner Visions Professional Vision Consulting Services. She is a woman of God, mother of two, a daughter, a sister and a friend.

What was the impetus for writing this book?
Wow. This book is birthed out of my own journey from transition to transformation. While going through separation and divorce, I embarked on a 40 day spiritual journey. At the time, I didn’t know what the 40 days was all about but I knew it was something powerful that would transform my life. I was fully present in the moment and was willing to do the work to rediscover my hidden treasure. The 40 Day Journey is not something that I saw from afar but it is what I lived.

What’s the overall theme?
The overall theme of this book is to empower women to embark on a journey to transformation and wholeness. It is a spiritual guide to empower women to BECOME and LIVE! The New You Revolution is not just a book but a lifestyle brand and a social change initiative. It is about creating a culture among women that personifies who they are and empowers a bold and confident expression through the fulfillment of purpose. This global lifestyle brand will reach beyond age, race, and economic status and cultivate something much bigger…authenticity and self-worth. It will inspire women to embrace their femininity, uniqueness, strengths, and weaknesses as they evolve into the total woman.

What surprised you about the development of the book?
Since the book is a daily read, I was surprised at how each day progressed into a deeper discovering of self. I also was pleasantly surprised at how it continued to be thought-provoking throughout the entire book.

For what audience is your book written?
This book is for ALL women. The everyday woman, which includes the career woman, the single woman, the married woman, the divorced woman, the widowed woman and the minister. I believe that if we go beyond our various titles, roles, and responsibilities that at the end of the day we are at the core, everyday women. I believe that we will transformation evolves and we will continue to grow and develop into who we were created to be. The New You Revoution reaches beyond age because I believe that you can transform at any age!

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?
I would want the reader to remember that we all are created to LIVE and WIN. That our journey is comprised of our mistakes, bad decisions, hurtful experiences, lessons, victories, and triumphs. The pieces of you are relevant and they have made you RESILIENT. No matter what you win so continue to transform!

Any advice for aspiring writers?
JUST DO IT! I didn’t dream about being a writer. It was something that came along during my journey. So I had to remove all fear of failure and I just did it! I would also advise the aspiring writer to know their audience and write from an authentic and pure place because people like to connect to something real.

What’s next on the horizon for you?
Wow. Right now I’m going to continue to develop my online magazine, consulting company and ministry. I also plan to launch a book tour really soon so I am excited about that!

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Becoming Ready for a Transfer of Wealth

Special to the AFRO — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:37:17 +0000

The children of Israel must have been stunned. They had heard about Moses’ run-in with the burning bush in the desert and they witnessed the multiple plagues God used to humble the great Pharaoh. What God was asking them to do now, to assume the wealth of their captors, just as they were packing their bags to leave Egypt, must have perplexed them even more.

Wealth, properly defined, is having access to or control of more resources than needed to meet one’s basic needs. Centuries had separated the children of Israel from the blessings of Abraham so wealth and prosperity had become foreign to them. However, God was about to “flip the script.”

Before departing Egypt, God in His wisdom, instructed the children of Israel to meet with the Egyptians and require of them all their gold and silver. Without delay, the bible says that the Jews found favor among the Egyptians and that Israel left Egypt with all the Egyptian wealth. Thus, we see illustrated one of the most powerful principles of wealth creation – the principle of wealth transfer.

Author Robert L. Wallace

This principle highlights the fact that God, in due season, will transfer the wealth of the ungodly into the capable hands of the godly. Once received from God, the wealth is not only to be used to make one’s life more productive but it is to be used to strengthen and expand God’s Kingdom.

What Determines the Rate of Wealth Transfer into Our Lives?

In my workshop, “Creating Wealth: From the Inside Out,” I outline the four major factors I have observed which dramatically impact the rate at which God transfers wealth into the lives of His people:

What is your motivation for desiring wealth?

Our motivation for desiring wealth will dictate the quantity and “velocity” of wealth God injects into our lives. As a young man growing up in the housing projects of Baltimore, I was obsessed with building wealth. I resented the fact that my wealthy classmates at Poly, University of Pennsylvania, and Dartmouth College, lived much better than we did. I lusted after what they had. My motivation for wealth was spiritually flawed and was taking me down a dangerous, dark and uncertain path.

How large is your “spiritual capacity” to receive wealth?

The greater your capacity to receive, the greater your wealth potential. God’s primary objective is not to make us rich. His primary objective is save us.

Intentionality and Commitment To The Kingdom.

God wants to know that He can trust you to use your wealth to build His Kingdom and not squander it on frivolous pursuits.

Your Position And Role In Building His Kingdom.

The role you play in the Kingdom agenda will determine the amount and “velocity” of wealth transfer you experience.

Like a good banker, God has done His due diligence on each of us and knows our current capacity to receive. But be encouraged. If we stay focused and remain teachable, like the children of Israel, God will blow our minds with his eternal and infinite, wealth transferring ability.

This article was adapted from Robert L. Wallace’s latest book, “The Ssese Principles: Guidelines For Creating Wealth Through Faith.” Wallace is the current president and CEO of BITHGROUP Technologies (www.Bithgroup.com) and founder of BITHENERGY (www.Bithenergy.com).

Robert can be reached at RobertWallace@Bithgroup.com.

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Author’s Corner – “Road to Oprah”

AFRO Staff — Wed, 06 Aug 2014 14:23:01 +0000

Raymond Goode is the author of “Road to Oprah”.

Title: “Road to Oprah”

Author: Raymond Goode

Born and raised in Richmond, Va., Raymond Goode graduated from Meadowbrook High School in 1996. At this time, Raymond Goode was overwhelmed by the need to serve others, which continues to shape his life today. In an attempt to placate this need, he enlisted in the Navy after his time with the Army. Despite seven years of military/civil service, a deep-seated desire to serve still flowed within him.Raymond is dedicated to giving all of himself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually to the reader. In 2010 he eschewed all of his worldly possessions, becoming homeless, in order to become a slave to his art, his passion, his muse so that he can produce his best work. Above all; he is an idealist, in love with love.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

“Road to Oprah” is my faith-based journey that details my quitting three jobs and leaving my home to fulfill my dream of meeting Oprah Winfrey. I stepped on a nail and woke up in the hospital in Pittsburgh; my car broke down in Indiana, and I lived inside a 24 hour self storage unit in Chicago. The purpose of my journey is to show young people that there is a better way than selling drugs or prostituting.

What’s the overall theme?

The overall theme is to inspire and motivate all that continue to believe in a dream to keep believing. “Road to Oprah” will encourage readers to believe in themselves and to understand sometimes “Life ain’t always easy” and how some attributes such as a positive attitude, determination and persistence can play a part in realizing dreams.

What surprised you about the development of this book?

“Road to Oprah” began merely as a path to self discovery. Every day that I write gets me further and further away from that day I almost killed myself. This publication instills hope in all who know they are designed for a special purpose. I am surprised every day by how many people are touched by this book as well as my journey.

What one thing do you want the reader to learn?

God has placed us on this earth to push the human race forward. We all have individual talents we must capitalize upon. We cannot measure our self-worth by the perception of other people. Always remember; for us to change as a people we must change as a person.

What did you learn during the writing process?

Raymond Goode began to find out who Raymond Goode is. All the insecurities and self hatred I had developed as a young man began to unravel. I now know my purpose and destiny upon this earth. I have the power to change the world as long as I allow God to use my physical being as a vessel for his work.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Besides purchasing my books (laughs). Always remember this phrase:

“No tears in the writer

No tears in the reader

No joy in the writer

No joy in the reader”

Always write from the heart. As writers; we are held to a higher code of conduct because we put forth information that others seek.

What other books have you written?

My other books include “Traces of You”, “Through their Eyes”, and “How to write and print your book under 300$.”

Follow Goode’s journey on tracesofyou.org.

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Author’s Corner: Fostering Resilience and Well-being in Children and Families in Poverty: Why Hope Still Matters

AFRO Staff — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 16:43:29 +0000

Dr. Valerie Maholmes, Howard University alum and the first African-American to hold the Irving B. Harris Assistant Professorship of Child Psychiatry, an endowed professorial chair at Yale School of Medicine, has shared her insights with the community with her book.

Title: Fostering Resilience and Well-being
in Children and Families in Poverty: Why Hope
Still Matters
Author: Valerie Maholmes
Release Date: March 2014

Dr. Valerie Maholmes devoted her career to studying factors affecting child developmental outcomes. She was a faculty member at the Yale Child Study Center in the Yale School of Medicine where she held the Irving B. Harris Assistant Professorship of Child Psychiatry, an endowed professorial chair. She was the first African American to hold this distinction. She has served on numerous professional boards and research societies. A Howard University alumna, she was president of the D.C.

Chapter of the Alumni Association and chair of the Friends of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. She is also a member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and serves as the chair of its annual Black History Luncheon.

She currently works as the chief of the Pediatric Trauma and Critical Illness Branch of the Child Health and Human Development Institute at the National Institutes of Health.

Q&A
AFRO: What was the impetus for writing
this book?
Dr. Maholmes: So much has been written about the bad outcomes of children in poverty. I was very interested in knowing how children who experience early adversity manage to fare well and lead successful lives.

A: What’s the overall theme?
VM: Hope, optimism and resilience. We all have the internal drive to be succeed (however we define it). Families have many strengths and these strengths can be used as a catalyst for overcoming some of the challenges of adversities associated with economic disadvantage. If these strengths are acknowledged, and valued perhaps we can
learn from them to help other families overcome similar challenges. Policies and programs need to be develop from a strengths based perspective – not solely a focus on deficits.

A: What surprised you about the development of the book?
VM: That the family members I interviewed would be willing to share their stories and their insights. Their experiences brought the research and statistics I cited to life.

A: Which character excites you most?
VM: The family members I interviewed are the centerpiece of the book. One individual whom I refer to as “Carlton” is an African American single father. He is in recovery from alcoholism. He was motivated most by his love for his daughter. This gave him hope that he could overcome his addiction and raise her on his own. After a long and challenging journey, he is successfully raising his daughter, has a steady job and a stable home. He encourages
other parents to believe in themselves and in a higher power to help them achieve success.

A: For what audience is your book written?
VM: Policymakers, practitioners and anyone who works with children and families.

A: What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?
VM: Nothing is more influential than the relationship between a parent and child. We need to design, implement and consistently fund culturally relevant programs and support services to promote positive parenting , to strengthen the attachment bond between parent and child and to reduce the stressors that may place parents at risk of poor parenting practices.

A: What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?
VM: That hope matters. As a society, we cannot afford to consign people to a life of disadvantage. How we start out is not necessarily how we end up in life. As long as there is hope, people have a chance at overcoming adversity. Hope promotes optimism and optimism fosters resilience.

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The Author’s Corner

AFRO Staff — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:56:46 +0000

Obsessive Intimacies

Title: Obsessive Intimacies

Author: Yani

Release Date: February 14, 2014

The author Yani wrote her first novel when she was 15 years old while attending high school. What started out as just a short story to help her cope with the accidental murder of a friend, turned into a full length novel after she was encouraged by her peers to write more. Years later, A Thug’s Redemption, along with its two sequels, became Amazon best sellers and were featured in Yo! Raps Magazine. Yani had previously been known for her edgy poetry and was invited to Power 99FM to recite her popular poem “Why Tyrone Can’t Read.” Since then, Yani has been featured on numerous blogs and has made guest appearances on various blog-talk radio shows. She was also a featured author at the 2013 National Black Book Festival in Houston, Texas. She still resides in Philadelphia with her two children and is working on her fifth novel.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

I wanted to write a novel that appealed to the adult reader. I wanted to write something grown, sexy with a little comedy but with a relatable story line and lesson to be learned by readers.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

I was surprised that I could write a story with any form of detailed erotic scenes. I am very much a shy person at times and joke a lot about having sensitive ears and eyes. So to write a story that included such vivid, erotic scenes not only shocked me, but blew the minds of some of my readers as well.

Which character excites you most?

I think the strong, aggressive Black female who is not afraid to voice her opinion and put people in their place excites me the most. The strong Black woman who at times can be vulnerable but can overcome any obstacle which is the way I wrote Tierra.

For what audience is your book written?

My book is written for mature, adult audiences. It is not for those with sensitive eyes.

Yani

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?

I want my readers to learn that there are consequences for their actions. The wrong thing done for the right reason is still the wrong thing no matter how justified we feel in committing that wrong act.

What did you learn during the writing process?

I learned that I am more than just an urban fiction writer. I can write a compelling thriller and suspense novel as well.

List other books you’ve written.
I wrote an urban fiction series: A Thug’s Redemption, A Thug’s Redemption 2: Jamal’s Return, A Thug’s Redemption 3: The Wrath of Andre.

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Tools Cultivate the Promised Land: Working Wisdom from My Grandparents’ Garden

AFRO Staff — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 06:14:21 +0000

Deborah L. Parker

Deborah L. Parker operates from a platform of leadership, inspiration and action. She is an army veteran, motivational speaker, cancer survivor, business owner and author who believes in using the wit and gifts God gave her to help others professionally and personally. She grew up in Virginia, the eldest child of a single but very determined teen mother in the home of her wise maternal grandparents. These situations impacted her love of learning, history and culture tremendously.

With a bachelor’s in sociology and a master’s in human resource development, Parker blends them with military and corporate experience to manage her own company, the DPJ Training Group, where she specializes in seminars on careers, management, diversity and communications. She has also written for the AFRO on the same topics.

In the community, she is a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Herndon, Va.

What was the impetus for writing this book?
I was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King’s last words, “We as a people will get to the Promised Land.” Growing up in the pre-civil rights era, my appreciation for his and other valiant workers for freedom and opportunity stayed with me. Raised in the home with my maternal grandparents, for poor Black folks of their era, the garden they cultivated to feed the family was their promised land because they had more control in that plot of land than anywhere else. Their actions and wisdom provided many lessons for me.

What’s the overall theme?
Once we define our promised land, there are tools needed to work toward our goals. My grandparents had a tool shed from which they pulled out the tools needed to work the land, using their know-how . I use metaphors of those tools connected to actions we need to do i.e., dig up our roots with a hoe of history.

What surprised you about the development of the book?
That the journey to publication was a 20 year process. I started a version of this book in 1993, taking parts of it from my master’s thesis on Black women and leadership. The writing evolved into a family legacy book after my grandmother passed that same year and as a historical piece from attending the 30th anniversary of the March on Washington.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?
We have ancestral gifts at our disposal to support us in achieving what we want in life. It’s important to remember some of the “old folks” ways and insights. “Right ain’t changed in all these years,” is one of the quotes from my grandmother that emphasizes this perspective.

For what audience is your book written?
African Americans who value acknowledging history, culture and the legacy of those who toiled hard for the progress we have today.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
Just write. Don’t worry about the order of your piece initially. Also start a blog to capture writings connected to the themes of your genre. And find your sources of inspiration. Nature and faith are mine. I love long walks near the woods or along sources of water or hilly scenery with blue skies and fluffy clouds. I hear God speaking to me during those times. The lessons of my ancestors also become clear to me during those moments.

List other books you’ve written.
I have 4 other nonfiction books and they all can be found on Amazon.
For People of Strength, Soul, and Spirit: Seven Guidelines for Life & Career Success Hardcore Leadership: 11 Master Lessons from My Airborne Ranger Uncle’s “Final Jump”
Navigating Life’s Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey Life is A Review: Observations and Collections of My Passages Through the Times

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Everything’s Coming Up Rosie!

Kam Williams — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 14:54:13 +0000

Rosie Maria Perez

Rosie Maria Perez was born on Sept. 6, 1964 in Bushwick, Brooklyn where she was raised in a Catholic orphanage after being abandoned by her mom and taken from her aunt. She made a most memorable screen debut as Spike Lee’s girlfriend, Tina, in “Do the Right Thing,” and later landed an Oscar-nomination for a nonpareil performance in “Fearless.” Her many other credits include “White Men Can’t Jump”, “Won’t Back Down” and “The Counselor.”

Rosie serves as the Artistic Chair of Urban Arts Partnership and sits on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Here, she talks about her career and her autobiography, “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life.”

KW: What inspired you to write your autobiography?

RP: I didn’t really know at first. I kept asking myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ because I’m such a private person. Then, one day, the head of programming at my charity, the Urban Arts Partnership, said she was excited I was writing it, and she hoped I’d be giving copies to the students. My first reaction was “No,” since the subject-matter was really heavy, and because of some of the language I was using. But she then reminded me that I’d already shared my stories with them, and I almost burst into tears. I realized, “Oh my God! That’s why I’m writing it.” Those students had been the first people, outside of my inner circle, to hear my story. It happened when I participated in one of our programs called Life Stories, where we encourage the kids to open up and share so they can understand their lives. One day, I was challenged to share my story with them. That‘s where finding the inspiration and strength to write this book began.

KW: I found it very moving, especially since I had no idea about any of it. I just thought of you as that bubbly, talented, attractive actress I’d seen in movies and on talk shows.

RP: And I am that person, but I’m also this one. And the reason I decided to share with the students was because I saw them come into the Academy so burdened by life every day. When you are a low-income, poverty-stricken, Title I kid, you have so much to endure just waking up. So, you may have a bad attitude or a chip on your shoulder before you even get to school. You may arrive so anxious, angry, hungry or apathetic that you may say to yourself, “Why should I pay attention in class?” You might be beaten up on the way to school, because you live in a bad neighborhood. Still, I had to inform them, especially the seniors, that they didn’t have the luxury of bringing all that baggage into the world which they would be stepping into as adults. I’d say, “You need to come to terms with it, or let it go. One or the other. And if you can do both, then you’re golden.” If you are unable to get past that baggage, the opportunities that should be yours will not be yours.

KW: Well, I applaud you for overcoming so many obstacles. After all, the odds of making it in Hollywood are long enough for someone coming from a privileged background.

RP: I hear you, since the odds were supposedly great. But you know what? I knew I was going to be successful from day one. From day one. That’s why it throws me whenever someone says it was such a fluke that I was successful.

KW: The Judyth Piazza question: What key quality do you believe all successful people share?

RP: I would say tenacity and perseverance. You have to be like a dog with a bone. You can’t just let it go. And number one is belief. You have to believe in yourself. You need to have the audacity to be great.

KW: The Harriet Pakula-Teweles question: With so many classic films being redone, is there a remake you’d like to star in?

RP: Wow! No one’s ever asked me that question. I wouldn’t try it, but the only one that popped into my head is “A Woman Under the Influence,” the John Cassavetes film starring his wife Gena Rowlands. Her depiction of mental illness frightened me. Her performance shocked me because it was so simple.

KW: When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

RP: Me! I see me, and the reality of me gets clearer as I get older, and I’m loving it.

KW: The Ling-Ju Yen question: What is your earliest childhood memory?

RP: The crib, the peach bedspread, and the French doors at my aunt’s house when I was two.

KW: What is your favorite dish to cook?

RP: Pollo guisado; it’s a Puerto Rican-style chicken stew.

KW: The Mike Pittman question: What was your best career decision?

RP: To go to college.

KW: The bookworm Troy Johnson question: What was the last book you read?

RP: “White Girls” by Hilton Als. Blown away! http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1936365812/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What was the last song you listened to?

RP: To be honest, “Drunk in Love” by Beyonce’. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00HFWYA3E/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

KW: If you could have one wish instantly granted, what would that be?

RP: That my husband and I will be in premium health until we take our last breaths, so that we could enjoy every single second of our lives together.

KW: The Jamie Foxx question: If you only had 24 hours to live, how would you spend the time?

RP: With my husband and my family. It wouldn’t matter what we were doing. We’d probably be telling each other how much we appreciate each other while watching boxing and eating a good meal. Of course, it would turn into a party.

KW: The Kerry Washington question: If you were an animal, what animal would you be?

RP: A horse.

KW: The Anthony Mackie question: Isthere anything that you promised yourself you’d do if you became famous, that you still haven’t done yet?

RP: Yes, to go back to school and get a degree.

KW: What was it like to skyrocket to fame?

RP: It was both difficult and wonderful. It was quite difficult for me because, being raised in a home, I’d come to hate being pointed at whenever we went out in public in a group. It’s still uncomfortable for me to be stared at, although I’ve learned to deal with it better. It makes me self-conscious.

KW: The Viola Davis question: What’s the biggest difference between who you are at home as opposed to the person we see on the red carpet?

RP: I’m more guarded and shy on the carpet. At home, I’m the silliest cornball who talks way too much and wants to be quiet and left alone at the same time. And I love to entertain, but in a small, intimate way. But I feel like I can be myself on Craig Ferguson’s show. I have so much fun on his couch, because he’s an idiot. That man cracks me up. I think there’s a kinship in our silliness. I dance like he does in my living room all the time.

KW: The Melissa Harris-Perry question:How did your first big heartbreak impact who you are as a person?

RP: You might think it was being abandoned by mother. But no, it was being taken away from my aunt at the age of 3, because I was self-aware by then and I knew what was going on. That was my biggest heartbreak, and it informed a lot. I didn’t want it to be my whole story as an adult. So, I’ve learned to heal that heartbreak and move on.

KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?

RP: Yeah.

KW: The Teri Emerson question: When was the last time you had a good laugh?

RP: About an hour ago during a meeting at my charity. I laugh a lot. It’s disgusting how much I laugh during the day.

KW: The Tavis Smiley question: How do you want to be remembered?

RP: As someone that gave back, because the people I remember the most in my life are the ones that gave.

To order a copy of “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life,” visit:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307952398/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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The Author’s Corner

AFRO Staff — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 22:07:34 +0000

The First 60 Years: The History of Afro-American Musical Theater And Entertainment 1865-1930.

Title: “The First 60 Years: The History of Afro-American Musical Theater And Entertainment 1865-1930”

Author: Ronald Smokey Stevens

Ronald Smokey Stevens has grown to become an author-filmmaker-and producer.

He began his career professionally as an actor singer-dancer with The DC Black Repertory Co. Broadway credits include “Bubbling Brown Sugar”, “Inacent Black”, “DreamGirls” and his production, “Rollin on the Toba.”

His most recent production, a one-man show entitled “I Just Want to Tell Somebody,” based on his autobiography of the same title.

Film credits include “Times Square”, “The Cotton Club” and “TheWiz” in which he was one of the crows along with Michael Jackson.

He recently filmed his documentary “Preserving LeDroit Park” and is currently shooting a television pilot.

What was the impetus for writing this book?

I wrote it at the time of my production, “Rolling on the Toba: A Tribute to the Last Days of Black Vaudeville” on Broadway.

What surprised you about the development of the book?

It was my discovery that this year is the 100^th anniversary of the creation of Black Vaudeville which originated in Wash. D.C. with Sherman H. Dudley and his “Dudley Vaudeville Circuit” in 1914

For what audience is this book written?

This book is targeted to anyone that appreciates entertainment history, Black history, and American history on a whole. It is also targeted to all creative artists participating in the entertainment industry. It is also targeted to educators and institutions of higher

What do you want the readers to remember?

The one thing I want the reader to never forget is his or her history, and to realize that Black history is American history.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Write about the things that you are passionate about, and that interest you the most.

What’s next for you?

My immediate plans are to finish producing the pilot I’ve been developing for national television

What other books have you written?

I’m also the author of my autobiography, “I Just Want to Tell Somebody.”

The post The Author’s Corner appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

Inside the Hotel Rwanda

Kam Williams — Wed, 28 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

“Hotel Rwanda was promoted as a story about ‘the quiet heroism of one man, Paul Rusesabagina, during the Rwandan Genocide.’ I knew Paul Rusesabagina. All the people who survived inside the hotel … knew Paul Rusesabagina.

No one among us has ever thought of him as altruistic, let alone heroic. On the contrary, of all the people who were within the hotel during the genocide, he would quite possibly be considered the furthest from a hero…

Rusesabagina had been a war profiteer, a friend to the architects of the genocide, a man willing to starve those without money while hoarding piles of food, drink, and riches for himself.”

Excerpted from the Introduction (page xxx)

In 2004, the film Hotel Rwanda received widespread acclaim for its heartrending account of how one man had singlehandedly shielded over a thousand Tutsi refugees from certain death during the Rwandan Genocide by hiding them in the hotel he managed. Don Cheadle earned an Academy Award nomination for his powerful portrayal of Paul Rusesabagina, an apparent modern-day saint suddenly mentioned in the same breath as Oskar Schindler, the German factory owner who had saved so many Jews from the Holocaust during World War II.

Rusesabagina was subsequently celebrated by Amnesty International and other organizations as he embarked on a world tour during which he collected countless prizes and honorary degrees, including the Wallenberg Medal, the National Civil Rights Museum Freedom Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to name a few. And, to this day, he’s remained in demand as a revered icon and inspirational speaker sought to recount his uplifting tale of unparalleled bravery in the face of ethnic cleansing.

What a difference a decade makes! Over the intervening years, telltale cracks gradually appeared in the image Rusesabagina had so carefully cultivated with the help of Hollywood and the human rights community. Those swirling rumors came out into the open when Rwandan President Kagame referred to the supposed paragon of virtue as a total fraud.

Now, Hotel Rwanda survivor Edouard Kayihura has collaborated with journalist Kerry Zukus to set the record straight once and for all. Their book, “Inside the Hotel Rwanda: The Surprising True Story … and Why It Matters Today” painstakingly deconstructs Rusesabagina’s self-serving myth about what transpired.

Truth be told, he was never a hero but rather a Hutu sympathizer and war profiteer who had extorted money from the frightened folks seeking refuge on the grounds of his hotel. According to Kayihura, “He treated … us as his personal cash register … Refugees were refused entrance unless they could pay him.”

Furthermore, “The hotel was protected by UN peacekeepers and any attempt to kill was aborted by them … Paul Rusesabagina had absolutely nothing to do with any of this.” Kayihura’s damning assertions are supported by the recollections of many of his fellow countrymen who had sought refuge at the hotel for the duration of the bloody conflict.

Assuming this eye-opening opus is accurate, a debt of gratitude is owed Kayihura and Zukus for belatedly exposing a very slippery character as a shameless charlatan.

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The Author’s Corner

AFRO Staff — Wed, 21 May 2014 04:00:00 +0000

Title: Why Do Christian Families Suffer? The
Devastation of Suffering of a Christian Family!
Author: Dr. Linda Lee Jones
Release Date: January, 2014

Dr. Linda Lee Jones holds a doctorate in clinical counseling from Cornerstone University, St. Charles, Ill. She’s a professional member of the National Christian Counselors Association in Sarasota, Fla. and the Sarasota Academy of Christian Counselors. A licensed clinical pastoral counselor and certified temperament Christian counselor, Jones also holds a doctorate in the ministry of Christian counseling, a master’s of divinity in clinical Christian counseling and an undergraduate degree in Christian education. She is married to the Rev. Norris A. Jones, since 1975 and has three daughters; Lynnita, Norlyque and Lynura and two granddaughter, Nariah and Skyla.

What was the impetus for writing this book?
My desire to finally be obedient to God after running away from His calling upon my life in 1970. And to share His power of forgiveness and healing and great Love He extended toward me in this my season to bring completion to this project.

What’s the overall theme?
The overall theme is families within the church structure experience all types of suffering as do those not in the church.

What surprised you about the development of the book?
The more I yielded in writing, the more I was met with believers who were going through a lot more than I realized. I was also motivated to help these families so God blessed me to go back to school.

What one thing do you most want the reader to learn?
You often find your purpose in this life through your calamities, tempestuous situations and turbulent times.

What one thing do you want the reader to remember forever?
God specializes in things impossible to us and He Is sovereign and can deliver us out of all our sufferings.

What did you learn during the writing process?
There are 4 sides to every story; the speaker, the listener, the observer and of course, God.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up, nor give in but stay focused until you have completed your story. Your first story may not cover your whole story.

List other books you’ve written.
Melodies of the Heart inspired by the Holy Spirit!

Dr. Jones will sign copies of her latest book, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 31 at Comfort Inn, 4050 Powder Mill Road in Beltsville Md. For more information call 443-857-1549.

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Book News: Polish Poet With Mission

Isaac Barnes — Fri, 16 May 2014 03:02:48 +0000

Polish poet and playw right Tadeusz Różewicz, who was a member of the resistance during Germany’s occupation of Poland in World War II, has died, according to reports in the Polish press. He was 92. Writing in The Guardian, the British-Hungarian poet George Szirtes called him “one of the great European ‘witness’ poets whose own lives were directly affected by the seismic events of the 20th century.” Różewicz’s older brother was killed by the Gestapo in 1944, and Różewicz made it his mission to refute Theodor Adorno’s dictum that it is barbaric to create poetry after the atrocities committed at Auschwitz. Różewicz wrote, “at home a task / awaits me: / To create poetry after Auschwitz.” Czeslaw Milosz wrote in an anthology of Polish poetry that Różewicz’s “first poems published immediately after the war are short, nearly stenographic notes of horror, disgust, and derision of human values. Long before anybody in Poland had heard of Samuel Beckett, Różewicz’s imagination created equally desperate landscapes.” Różewicz’s bleak poem “cobweb” begins:

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Polish poet and playwright Tadeusz Różewicz, who was a member of the resistance during Germany’s occupation of Poland in World War II, has died, according to reports in the Polish press. He was 92. Writing in The Guardian, the British-Hungarian poet George Szirtes called him “one of the great European ‘witness’ poets whose own lives were directly affected by the seismic events of the 20th century.” Różewicz’s older brother was killed by the Gestapo in 1944, and Różewicz made it his mission to refute Theodor Adorno’s dictum that it is barbaric to create poetry after the atrocities committed at Auschwitz. Różewicz wrote, “at home a task / awaits me: / To create poetry after Auschwitz.” Czeslaw Milosz wrote in an anthology of Polish poetry that Różewicz’s “first poems published immediately after the war are short, nearly stenographic notes of horror, disgust, and derision of human values. Long before anybody in Poland had heard of Samuel Beckett, Różewicz’s imagination created equally desperate landscapes.” Różewicz’s bleak poem “cobweb” begins:

Courtesy Photo-Dr. Sylvester James Gates Jr., the first African American to hold an endowed chair in physics at a major U.S. research university.

He was 92. Writing in The Guardian, the British-Hungarian poet George Szirtes called him “one of the great European ‘witness’ poets whose own lives were directly affected by the seismic events of the 20th century.” Różewicz’s older brother was killed by the Gestapo in 1944, and Różewicz made it his mission to refute Theodor Adorno’s dictum that it is barbaric to create poetry after the atrocities committed at Auschwitz. Różewicz wrote, “at home a task / awaits me: / To create poetry after Auschwitz.” Czeslaw Milosz wrote in an anthology of Polish poetry that Różewicz’s “first poems published immediately after the war are short, nearly stenographic notes of horror, disgust, and derision of human values. Long before anybody in Poland had heard of Samuel Beckett, Różewicz’s imagination created equally desperate landscapes.” Różewicz’s bleak poem “cobweb” begins:Polish poet and playwright Tadeusz Różewicz, who was a member of the resistance during Germany’s occupation of Poland in World War II, has died, according to reports in the Polish press. He was 92. Writing in The Guardian, the British-Hungarian poet George Szirtes called him “one of the great European ‘witness’ poets whose own lives were directly affected by the seismic events of the 20th century.” Różewicz’s older brother was killed by the Gestapo in 1944, and Różewicz made it his mission to refute Theodor Adorno’s dictum that it is barbaric to create poetry after the atrocities committed at Auschwitz. Różewicz wrote, “at home a task / awaits me: / To create poetry after Auschwitz.” Czeslaw Milosz wrote in an anthology of Polish poetry that Różewicz’s “first poems published immediately after the war are short, nearly stenographic notes of horror, disgust, and derision of human values. Long before anybody in Poland had heard of Samuel Beckett, Różewicz’s imagination created equally desperate landscapes.” Różewicz’s bleak poem “cobweb” begins:

RUFUS | SUNDREAM from Katzki on Vimeo.

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Pageants, Parlors & Pretty Women: Race and Beauty in the 20th Century South

Kam Williams — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

“ tells us how Jim Crow and civil rights were expressed in southern women’s bodies. Using female beauty as a lens, the book brings into focus an untold social and cultural history of southern women and of the South generally… I argue that female beauty in the American South was, more so than in the rest of the country, deeply racialized…I also emphasize the complexity inherent in the pursuit of beauty… I approach beauty as an expansive category that encompasses ideals, practices, labor, and even spaces…

Underscoring almost every conversation about beauty in the region were worries about morality and sexuality… Pageants, Parlors & Pretty Women provides a fresh perspective on the anxieties that plagued southerners from the late 19th C. through the mid-20th C. Or, put another way, it reveals how the female body both informed and reflected the challenges of life during Jim Crow.”
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pages 6 -10)

America has a long, ugly legacy of promoting diametrically opposed images of black and white females. This can be traced all the way back to Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson, an adulterer who had a white wife, but fathered a half-dozen children with Sally Hemmings, one of his hundreds of slaves.

Yet, in his only book, “Notes on the State of Virginia,” the hypocritical third President of the U.S. frowned upon race-mixing while denouncing black women as unattractive on account of their hair texture and skin color. He actually went so far as to pronounce sisters so promiscuous that they would just as soon mate with an ape as a human.

Sadly, such racist notions continued to shape popular attitudes about African-American femininity after Emancipation, especially in the South with its strictly-enforced color line. In the wake of the Civil War, Caucasian women “were transformed into symbols of white supremacy and, eventually, massive resistance,” to integration and equal rights.

That is the proposition put forth by Blain Roberts in Pageants, Parlors & Pretty Women: Race and Beauty in the 20th Century South. Roberts, a History Professor at California State University, Fresno, discusses at great length the role which beauty played in maintaining the racial divide.

For, the enduring plantation myth still propagated post slavery placing white women on pedestals as paragons of virtue in need of protection proved to be the ideal tool for justifying the persistence of white supremacy ad infinitum. And Jim Crow Era bigots found affirmation in the Miss America beauty pageant which would for many decades be not only lily-white but dominated by entrants from former Confederate States.

The opus also delineates the black female struggle to escape the stranglehold of their stereotype as “sexually licentious” and “innately depraved and dirty.” They fought back by turning to skin lighteners and straightening combs until finally being freed by the Sixties’ “Black is beautiful!” movement to embrace their natural hair and skin tones.

A far more sophisticated examination of black and white pulchritude than Gone with the Wind’s long unquestioned suggestion that it’s as simple as Mammy vs. Scarlett O’Hara.

To order a copy of Pageants, Parlors & Pretty Women, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00JN8AQLS/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Book Review: The Myth of Race, The Reality of Racism

Kam Williams — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 04:00:00 +0000

The Genome Project has scientifically proven that there’s only one race, the human race. But despite definitive proof that race is purely a fabrication of man’s imagination, racism continues to persist.

That confounding conundrum is the subject of “The Myth of Race, The Reality of Racism,” a collection of enlightening essays by Mahmoud El-Kati.

El-Kati, a distinguished lecturer in history at Macalester University in St. Paul, Minn., traces the derivation of the word “race” back to 1570, before chronicling the subsequent evolution of racism into an oppressive political and cultural ideology employed by Europeans to rationalize the exploitation and marginalization of so-called “inferior races.”

Defining racism as “prejudice plus power,” the author sees it as “largely an institutional phenomenon” based on “aggression, domination and greed.”

However, he warns that it can also be observed on the individual level in a variety of everyday social “habits, nuances and traits,” such as a condescending look or a halfhearted handshake.

Determined to eradicate the false notion of “race,” El-Kati assails it as a superstition, no less ridiculous than the belief in witches that once led to innocent women being burned at the stake. He argues that it is patently farcical to associate a host of negative stereotypes with black skin ranging from criminality to laziness.

The book offers viable solutions for the problem, too, suggesting the creation not only of a new vocabulary, but the condemnation of racist institutions and the active overhauling of society. After all, as stated in Ralph Ginsburg’s encyclopedic study “100 Years of Lynchings,” until relatively recently, “no White person had ever received the death sentence for taking the life of a Black person in the whole history of capital punishment in the United States.”

“The Myth of Race, the Reality of Racism” is an insightful tome repositioning America in the age of Obama less as a post-racial utopia than as a work in progress, still striving for dignity for all and the demise of White supremacy.

The Myth of Race, The Reality of Racism
by Mahmoud El-Kati
Papyrus Publishing
Paperback, $8.00
92 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9882883-3-1

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Stokely: A Life by Peniel E. Joseph

Kam Williams — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

“It was Thursday, June 16, 1966… Less than a year before, President Lyndon Johnson had signed the Voting Rights Act… Stokely Carmichael was now in Mississippi to ensure that the federal laws… would apply to black sharecroppers living in plantation communities…

released from his latest stay in jail… Stokely’s voice broke through the humid Mississippi night…’This is the 27th time that I’ve been arrested,’ he shouted, ‘and I ain’t going to jail no more… We want black power!’

Carmichael made a case for political revolution. ‘We have begged the president. We’ve begged the federal government… Every courthouse in Mississippi ought to be burned down tomorrow!’

His life changed that night, and so did America’s civil rights movement. Black Power provoked a national reckoning on questions of civil rights, race and democracy.”
— Excerpted from the Prologue (pages 1-2)

Stokely Carmichael (1941-1998) was born in Trinidad but moved to Harlem at 11 where he joined his parents who had already emigrated to the U.S. An outstanding student, he attended NYC’s prestigious Bronx High School of Science and Howard University before turning down a full-scholarship from Harvard Graduate School in order to do pursue his passion, namely, civil rights work in the South.

Stokely rose to the rank of Chairman in the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, in which capacity he would forge a close relationship with one of his idols, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, he tired of the passive resistance approach after being repeatedly arrested, attacked, intimidated and terrorized by white supremacists for organizing poor black folks who just wanted to exercise their right to vote and to sit at a lunch counter.

Another one of Stokely’s heroes was Malcolm X, a militant firebrand who was no fan of turning the other cheek. And when Malcolm was assassinated in 1965, a huge leadership void was created in terms of African-Americans advocating an “eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” political ideology.

The very next year, Stokely, a charismatic speaker whose magnetism was matched only by his ambition, emerged as Malcolm’s heir apparent upon delivering his historic Mississippi speech during which he coined the term “Black Power.” He rapidly skyrocketed to icon status as he crisscrossed the country on the college and inner-city circuits. In 1966, he also founded the Black Panther Party which eventually blossomed into the preeminent, national, radical organization.

Given Stokely’s notoriety and resume, one would think that a biography of him would’ve been published before now. After all, both Malcolm and Dr. King have been the subject of beaucoup bios.

Perhaps Stokely’s been bypassed because he wasn’t a martyr, or because he left the U.S. for good after marrying singer Miriam Makeba in 1968. Regardless, thanks to Tufts University Professor Peniel Joseph, the fiery iconoclast is belatedly getting his due.

Meticulously-researched and painstakingly-detailed, Stokely: A Life is a fast-flowing, informative read which intimately follows its subject from the cradle to the grave in absorbing fashion. In the process, this powerful portrait effectively repositions him as an uncompromising prophet who played a pivotal role in the struggle for black equality.

A visionary of far more substance than the rallying cry he’d been reduced to by history.

To order a copy of Stokely: A Life, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465013635/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

Stokely: A Life
by Peniel E. Joseph
Basic Books
Hardcover, $29.99
414 pages, Illustrated
ISBN: 978-0-465-01363-0

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Review: Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man

Kam Williams — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 04:00:00 +0000

“How many times have we heard successful African-American women complain they can’t find a good man? Everyone has an opinion on the black man shortage, but none of the so-called relationship experts offer real solutions…

Is it possible that we have been missing an important match? Yes! Jewish men make wonderful husbands… as well as fantastic lovers. This book… sheds light on why successful black women, and career gals in general, and Jewish men are very compatible…

In summary, to find Mr. Right, women must date with quality in mind, such as character traits and values, they should be open to interracial dating, and apply faith in dating.”
–Excerpted from the Introduction (pages xiii-xiv)

Sometimes, a sister has to kiss a lot of frogs before finding her soul mate. In Dr. Nazaree Hines-Starr’s case, she had to date a lot of “scumbags,” as she puts it. As a Black woman, she had trouble meeting single guys who were at her level “emotionally, academically or professionally.” Unfortunately, most of the available African-American men she met “had managed to waste years that should have been spent in college or developing a career, chasing skirts, getting arrested, or playing video games.”

Moreover, many had “accumulated baggage” such as “rap sheets” and “baby-mama drama.” And even the rare brother who had his act together was never serious about settling down and starting a family.

So, rather than lower her standards by entertaining the advances of commitment-phobic losers from a lower socioeconomic class, Nazaree decided to expand her pool of potential suitors to include men who might not be Christian or African-American.

Lo and behold, she met her future husband over the internet at an online dating website. Although Michael was white and Jewish, love blossomed across the color and religion lines, and the couple has since married and welcomed a baby boy, Hayden.

Nazaree chronicles her perils in the battle-of-the-sexes and exactly how she emerged victorious with the perfect alpha male on her arm in “Why Every Black Woman Should Marry a Jewish Man.” The author, a gifted writer but a pharmacist by trade, is surprisingly forthcoming in her combination memoir/how-to tome whose title speaks for itself.

Beginning with Chapter One, “Scumbag Files,” she takes delight in laying out the lessons she learned from a string of dates from hell. By Chapter Eight, she’s done with dishing the dirt and is ready to extol the virtues of taking a dip in the snow, so to speak—entering a relationship with a proverbial good Jewish boy.

Why? First of all, you don’t have to worry that he might be on the “down-low,” because Jewish culture isn’t homophobic. Secondly, Jewish men generally graduate from college, and they aren’t looking for someone to support them.

Furthermore, they “marry BEFORE making babies,” and “they don’t display their underwear in public.” Plus, they’re practical financially and don’t have a need to preen in macho fashion. And last but not least, they know how to please a partner in bed. The sum appears to be a proven approach for open-minded sisters in search of their Prince Charming.

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Speed Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster– and Overcoming Our Fear of Slowing Down

Kam Williams — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 05:00:00 +0000

“This is a book about a new kind of addiction that I believe has taken hold in our culture… I call it the addiction to speed… I’m talking about a culture-wide phenomenon that is snatching people up and carrying them along, convincing them that doing ‘more, better, and faster’ is the path to happiness.

Some people see it as a result of our increasingly wired society… I believe technology is only part of the story, however… what I am seeing in my practice as an addiction specialist is that, especially in urban areas, this speed trap is outstripping people’s ability to manage, to fulfill all their responsibilities, and even to cope…

You do not have the ability to be on 24/7 like a computer, but… you push yourself incessantly, creating an addictive spiral. You can’t stop… I do want to ask if we can slow things down…

I want to identify how so many of us have become addicted to speed, how this is encouraged and reinforced by our culture, and how seeing speed through the lens of addiction can help people reclaim their lives. ”
— Excerpted from the Prologue (pages 4-16)

There’s a lot more to life than accelerating its pace, but you wouldn’t know it judging by the everyday behavior of most folks lately. People have become so hopelessly dependent on smart phones, computer tablets and the like, that they can’t go for more than a few minutes without texting, checking their messages or looking something up online, however trivial.

I first recognized this phenomenon a few years ago when I was invited to friend’s house for Passover. During the Seder, while his family and friends were taking turns reading from the holy Haggadah, he was secretly texting away under the table. Despite being contrite and embarrassed when I pointed out to everybody that our host was ignoring the sacred ritual, he was right back at it less than five minutes later.

Back then, I had no words for such behavior besides rudeness, but thanks to Dr. Stephanie Brown we now have a diagnosis of addiction to speed. In her groundbreaking book, “Speed: Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster–and Overcoming Our Fear of Slowing Down,” she bemoans the fact that the culture has morphed into a ramped-up dystopia where machines lead and humans follow.

What’s particularly unhealthy about that state of affairs is that we simply can’t keep pace with demanding electronic stimuli that never need to rest. Hence, we’re fated to fail without the resolve to say “Enough is enough!” and then set reasonable limits.

How do you know if you’re hooked? The author has 20 questions which will help you discern whether you have a problem, including: Do you want to slow down, but cannot? Do you work longer and longer hours, but don’t ever finish? Do you check your email and reach for your phone first thing and last? Do you feel nervous without your tech gear in hand or pocket?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, there is still hope, provided you are willing to redefine success to include “delay, endurance and enough.” The goal is to cultivate a new way of thinking via willpower and reflection to put you on a healthier, less stressful path.

A viable, step-by-step guide to sane cell phone use.

To order a copy of Speed, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0425264734/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

Speed

Facing Our Addiction to Fast and Faster–

and Overcoming Our Fear of Slowing Down

by Stephanie Brown, Ph.D.

Berkley Publishing Group

Paperback, $16.00

334 pages

ISBN: 978-0-425-26473-7

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The Global Obama Crossroads of Leadership in the 21st Century

Kam Williams — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 05:00:00 +0000

What a paradox. The first Black president, loved by people around the world, yet struggling for approval for his policies at home—whether it be the healthcare initiative, the stimulus to bail out the economy, or his ‘leading from behind’ on foreign policies.

Clearly, part of Obama’s worldwide appeal is due to his international biography… Barack Hussein Obama’s rise from his early life as a multiracial and multicultural outsider in a broken family… to assuming the world’s most powerful executive position is as improbable as it is global in its trajectory and in its implications for the evolving 21st Century.
— Excerpted from the Preface

Barack Obama was so uniformly admired when he became president, that he won the Nobel Peace Prize during his first year in office, even before he had a chance to prove himself on the world stage. And just last month, he received the warmest reception of any of the heads of state in attendance at the funeral of Nelson Mandela.

How has Obama managed to maintain his popularity overseas despite suffering from plunging approval ratings at home? The answer ostensibly lies in his being as much President of the Planet as the President of the United States.

While he has caught considerable flak from Republicans for the supposedly “apologetic” speeches delivered to citizens on his tour of over 40 foreign countries and counting, truth be told, those visits have actually cultivated considerable political capital for the sage leader of the Free World. So, while his second term tanks domestically due to the dubious launch of Obamacare, our peripatetic pres is nevertheless likely to find continued approval abroad.

Exploring this surprising development is the raison d’etre of The Global Obama: Crossroads of Leadership in the 21st Century 4. Edited by Dinesh Sharma and Uwe P. Gielen, the enlightening opus is comprised of insightful essays on the subject by a diversity of academics, shrinks, journalists and social scientists, contributors coming from ports-of-call as far afield as Kuwait, England, Thailand, Germany, Dubai, France, Kenya, Japan, Korea, India, Canada, Malawi and, of course, the U.S.

The book simultaneously serves as a logical follow-up to Obama in Hawai’i and Indonesia, a painstakingly-researched biography of the President’s formative years published in 2011 by Sharma, a Professor of Global Cultural Studies at SUNY-Binghampton. Here, the focus is on the charismatic role model’s image as perceived by folks on five continents.

A seminal exploration painting a complex portrait of the President as a compassionate humanitarian, militaristic expansionist and Teflon diplomat with incomparable strategic and oratory skills.

The Global Obama
Crossroads of Leadership in the 21st Century
Edited by Dinesh Sharma and Uwe P. Gielen
Routledge Books
Paperback, $59.95

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The 10 Best Black Books of 2013 (Non-Fiction)

Kam Williams — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The 10 Best Black Books of 2013 (Non-Fiction)

1. (1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race
Edited by Yaba Blay, Ph.D. with photography by Noelle Theard

2. Ebony & Ivy: Race, Slavery, and the Troubled History of America’s Universities
by Craig Steven Wilder

3. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants
by Malcolm Gladwell

4. The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Dr. Donald Yacovone

5. Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine
by Adrian Miller

6. This Is the Day: The March on Washington
Photos by Leonard Freed

7. No Place for Race: Why We Need to Address Economic and Social Factors That Are Crushing Us Every Day
by Rodney L. Demery

8. The Speech: The Story behind Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream
by Gary Younge

9. High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self-Discovery That Challenges
Everything You Know about Drugs and Society
by Dr. Carl Hart

10. The Motherhood Diaries: A Humorous Look at Motherhood in the New Millennium
by ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Honorable Mention

If You Can See It, You Can Be It: 12 Street-Smart Recipes for Success
by Chef Jeff Henderson

Better Than Good Hair: The Curly Guide to Healthy, Gorgeous Natural Hair
by Nikki Walton with Ernessa T. Carter

Eslanda: The Large and Unconventional Life of Mrs. Paul Robeson
by Barbara Ransby

Sugar in the Blood: A Family’s Story of Slavery and Empire
by Andrea Stuart

Men We Reaped
by Jesmyn Ward

How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America
by Kiese Laymon

Kansas City Lightning: The Rise and Times of Charlie Parker
by Stanley Crouch

Harlem Nocturne
by Farah Jasmine Griffin

Life upon These Shores
by Henry Louis Gates

Jim Crow Wisdom
by Jonathan Scott Holloway

Boomerangs to Arrows
by Sharon Norris Elliott

Self-Inflicted Wounds
by Aisha Tyler

The Rejected Stone: Al Sharpton and the Path to American Leadership
by Reverend Al Sharpton

A Matter of Life or Death: Why Black Men Must Save Black Boys in America’s Public Schools
Edited by Dr. Michael W. Nellums and Dr. Walter Milton, Jr.

Front Row Seat: A Photographic Portrait of the Presidency of George W. Bush
by Eric Draper

Guiou: The Other Blacks
by Gloria J. Arnold

The Wealth Choice: Success Secrets of Black Millionaires
by Dennis Kimbro, Ph.D.

Raising the Bar
by Gabrielle Douglas

Harlem Street Portraits
by Harvey Stein

The Lace Wig Bible: How to Style, Care & Maintain Lace Wigs
by Morgan R. Gantt

Where Did Our Love Go? Love and Relationships in the African-American Community
Edited by Gil L. Robertson, IV

Shattered Mirrors: Broken in Plain Sight
by Karl Allen Griggs

PHD to Ph.D.: How Education Saved My Life
by Dr. Elaine Richardson

240 Ways to Close the Achievement Gap
by M. Donnell Tenner, M.Ed.

Journey to the Woman I’ve Come to Love:
Affirmations from Women Who Have Fallen in Love with Themselves
by Miki Turner

God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens
by Reverend Romal Tune

Soul Recovery: 12 Keys to Healing Addiction
by Ester Nicholson

My Guide to Love & Romance
by Mama Jones

For cover photos of the Top 10, visit:

1. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/0989664503

2. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/1596916818

3. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/0316204366

4. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/1401935141

5. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/146960762X

6. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/1606061216

7. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/0615908705

8. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/1608463222

9. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/0062015885

10. http://astore.amazon.com/thslfofire-20/images/159309499X

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Baltimore Preacher Writes Path to Healing

The Rev. Dorothy S. Boulware — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Trouble is a phenomenon that finds everyone, but it has a beginning and an ending. That’s the message the Rev. Dr. Dana Neal posits in her new book, “Released in the Spirit,” hot off the presses for those who are pressed.

“I just want people to know that there is deliverance, deliverance from pain, deliverance from bondage,” Neal said. “Hurting people need to know there’s an end to their pain.”

Her message is neatly packaged in seven chapters that represent a journey of recovery, beginning with “It’s Me O Lord,” which deals with the depths of despair, to “Free at Last,” which is self explanatory. The easy read lends itself to a similar experience on the way to healing.

“I’m trying to go to sleep, but the book is so good,” was the message Neal received from Keisha on Facebook.

Sandra Wilkins, principal of Hebbville Elementary School said, “Wow, I messed around and got blessed.”

Neal invested herself in the writing, but also her story in the book, which garnered appreciation from Valerie Johnson of Miracle Worship Center.

“Thank you for your transparency and for being real,” Johnson said. “So many of us can connect with your story. Truth be told, it’s our story also.”

The structure for the book began in 1999, and with divine inspiration, Neal was able to write it in two weeks.

“Well God created an entire universe in six days, so surely He could get a book written in two weeks,” was her response to the writer’s surprise.

But the final edition, released in October, was revised and updated and developed to include intricate parts of the ensuing journey.

In it, the reader is introduced to the Rev. Pam who’ll “fly with one wing,” rather than wait for wholeness to offer up her worship. Ultimately, the reader is invited to share the rocky path of the author, who has no qualms about telling the truth.

“And it was my son, Wendell and my daughter, Danisha, who inspired me to complete it, who offered their assistance and who give their support while I’m introducing the book,” Neal said.

The promotion of the book, conducting workshops and conferences and monthly healing and deliverance crusades are all part of Dayspring Ministries, which has been in operation for 15 years. Dr. Neal is a Baltimore native who graduated from Polytechnic Institute and pastored Dayspring Worship Center for 11 years.

For seven years she’s been married to Elder Charles Neal, with whom she likes to watch movies and spend free time along with her extended family.

For more information on the book, or to engagement ministry services contact Rev. Neal at 443-469-7577 or e-mail releasedinthespirit@gmail.com. Healing and deliverance crusades are held at 7 p.m. every third Thursday at Miracle Worship Center, 4105 Sunnyside Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21215.

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Shades of Black

Kam Williams — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 05:00:00 +0000

“What exactly is Blackness and what does it mean to be Black? Is Blackness a matter of biology or consciousness? Who determines who is Black and who is not—the state, the society, or the individual? Who is Black, who is not, and who cares?
In the U.S., historically a Black person has come to be defined as any person with any known Black ancestry. This definition has been… known as the one-drop rule, meaning that one, single solitary drop of Black blood is enough to render a person black…
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. 4)

Traditionally, in America, if you were just a teeny-weeny bit Black, you’d always been considered black. This arbitrary color line was even codified by the Supreme Court decision in Plessy v. Ferguson, an 1896 case brought by an octoroon light enough to pass who sued for the right to sit in the “White only” section of a segregated train traveling through the South.

Much to Homer Plessy’s chagrin, the court sided with the state of Louisiana, taking judicial notice of the “one-drop rule,” ruling that “a Negro or black is any person with any black ancestry.” In other words, you could be black without looking black.

The nation’s population has more mixed ancestry than ever nowadays, which is reflected in the latest census offering over a dozen race options to check off, as well as “Other,” if none of the above is to your liking.

This means that folks who only a generation ago would’ve been forced to identify themselves simply as Black, now feel much more freedom to avail themselves of an array of alternatives along the ethnic spectrum. (1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race is a collection of essays reflecting on racial identity by 60 introspective individuals who until relatively recently would’ve been labeled black in the eyes of the law.

The book breaks down the contributors by three categories: “Mixed Black,” “American Black” and “Diaspora Black.”

Although “Black” Kathleen Cross has a Black father and a White mother, she has resisted the invitations to join the “Multiracial Movement, which she sees as divisive. By contrast, Harlemite Jozen Cummings describes himself as “Mixed,” with parents who are Japanese, Puerto Rican and African-American.

Particularly fascinating are the two albinos participating in the project, Sean Gethers and Destiny Birdsong, who embrace being “Black” in spite of their white skin.

Edited by Yaba Blay, Ph.D.
with photography by Noelle Theard
BLACKprint Press
Hardcover, $40.00

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No Place for Race: Why We Need to Address Economic and Social Factors That Are Crushing Us Every Day

Kam Williams — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 05:00:00 +0000

“Law enforcement isn’t about the white man out to get the black man, as so many in the media and social leadership would have us believe…. In most cases, the person riding in the police cruiser isn’t out to get you because of your race or because of how you look.

As a police officer, I know that we’ve seen way too much death and drama to be so superficial. Yet, this suspicion remains… I think we can get beyond all this… if we acknowledge the historical reasons for certain issues, take responsibility for current circumstances, and honestly open ourselves to the possibility of change—uncomfortable as it may be.”

— Excerpted from Introduction (pages 15-17)

Rodney Demery is a homicide detective with the Shreveport, Louisiana Police Department who has investigated many a murder over the course of a 25-year career in law enforcement. He says, “Numbers don’t lie,” in observing that “94% of black victims are killed by other blacks.”

That’s why he’s so frustrated by the widespread TV and newspaper coverage attracted by those very rare occasions when a white slays a black person. He points out that “George Zimmerman was the exception, not the rule: The most vital threat to a black man is a black man.”

He believes that the media circuses surrounding protests and marches led by hypocritical religious and civil rights leaders with “their own agendas” suggests that hate crimes are the norm, thereby obscuring the day-to-day reality of young African-American males slaughtering each other on inner-city streets all over the country.

Officer Demery knows the latter to be the truth, as a first-hand witness whose job it is to handle all the fallout, from drawing chalk lines, to collecting evidence, to informing next of kin, to apprehending and interrogating suspects. Out of utter frustration, he was moved to write No Place for Race: Why We Need to Address Economic and Social Factors.
In this sobering book, the author indicts preachers for having “failed their communities and perpetuated a fear of nonexistent systemic racism—to profit from the fear.” He sees the society as arguably post-racial since both the president and the attorney general, the country’s top lawyer, are African-American.

According to Demery, the solutions to the problems plaguing the ghetto start at home. He calls for black folks to make better cultural choices in terms of family, child-raising, education, etcetera. But the brother also has bones to pick with the white community which he calls upon to “acknowledge this nation’s history.”

A persuasive polemic in favor of focusing attention on lowering the entire murder rate rather than on obsessing whether or not a particular perpetrator is or is not a racist.

No Place for Race:
Why We Need to Address Economic and Social Factors
That Are Crushing Us Every Day
By Rodney L. Demery
RootSky Books
Paperback, $15.95
136 pages

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Turning Visions Into Reality

Kam Williams — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 05:00:00 +0000

“People want to know how a youngster from poverty, who failed his way through public school, got caught up in the 80’s crack epidemic, got indicted and sent to federal prison… wound up working for five-star hotels. They want to know how he became the author of four books, a celebrity chef, a top inspirational speaker, and finally a mentor-coach who travels the world teaching and preaching about the power we have within us to transform our lives…
The answer is simple: I made a choice to change… I decided that I wanted more from my life, and I found the way to get it. Though I had wise and unexpected mentors along the way, I still had to find my own way. Here’s where you just got lucky… I’m here to show you how, right now.”
— Excerpted from Chapter One (pg. 5-6)

Jeff Henderson turned his life around behind bars while serving time for drug dealing. In the penitentiary, he developed a passion for cooking which, upon being paroled, he parlayed into a career as a celebrated chef and host of his own TV series on the Food Network.

Now, he’s published a collection of recipes not of his best dishes but of the secrets of his success. The dozen key ingredients include: self-discipline, delayed gratification, education, intuition, risk, persuasion, adaptation, collaboration, humility, selflessness, visionary leadership and getting the competitive edge.

Besides clarifying each of those concepts, the author augments his ideas with pearls of wisdom from fellow luminaries like Oprah Winfrey, who reveals, “The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work.”

Rap star Jay-Z weighs in with, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man,” while NBA great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar suggests that, “The good and the great are only separated by the willingness to sacrifice.” Also quoted are ancient proverbs by such Eastern philosophers as Confucius (“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.”) and Lao Tzu (”He who does not trust enough will not be trusted.”)
Part pep talk/part workbook, this handy how-to also reserves some space for audience participation via fill-in-the-blanks exercises. There, readers are urged to record everything from their childhood dreams to long and short term goals to action plans and character strengths.

A practical toolkit designed to turn any ambitious Chef Jeff protégé into one of those surefire overachievers he calls “hustlepreneurs.”

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A Matter of Life or Death: Why Black Men Must Save Black Boys in America’s Public Schools

Kam Williams — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“Life for many Black boys is akin to a war. Wars on their minds, souls, spirits and yes, even their bodies take place on a daily basis. It is my desire that our sons become equipped with an artillery of excellence, weapons of mass knowledge/information and a navigation/GPS system that will help them avoid life’s roadblocks…

The co-author of this book, Dr. Michael Nellums, an accomplished educator… and I are dedicated to creating a resource for parents, students and community members. Our work in environments populated with Black male students has propelled us to join in the pursuit to write this book…

It is our firm belief that readers will find our project meaningful and helpful in their fight to combat the numerous and varied challenges that impact our boys.”
– Excerpted from the prologue by Dr. Walter Milton Jr. (pgs. 1-4)

Despite the implementation of numerous educational programs since the 1960s such as Head Start, No Child Left Behind and, most recently, Race to the Top, African-American males continue to fare poorly in the nation’s public high schools. Rather than wait for the next federal initiative, Dr. Michael W. Nellums and Dr. Walter Milton Jr. have decided to do something about it, given the prospect of having yet another generation of inner-city Black boys slip through the cracks.

As a principal and former school superintendent with a combined 40+ years of service in the field, these African-American academics feel strongly that it is incumbent upon folks like themselves to intervene. So, they enlisted the assistance of fellow educators to write A Matter of Life or Death: Why Black Men Must Save Black Boys in America’s Public Schools.

The book is a collection of introspective essays containing the reflections of brothers serving in positions ranging from teachers to counselors to mentors to principals to superintendents of schools. Relying heavily on personal anecdotes, each of the contributors explains his unique approach to the pressing problem.

For example, teacher Henry Kleckley talks in heartfelt fashion about how he sees middle school as a critical turning point where Black boys are suddenly “at risk of becoming and creating another statistic” if they don’t have a Black male role model in their lives. He goes on to explain how he has engaged these kids in his classroom via a novel variation on the three R’s, namely, relationship, relevance and rigor. What’s involved is establishing a positive relationship based on mutual respect while teaching relevant course material offering a rigorous challenge.

The book closes with a how-to chapter containing 10 bits of advice to be shared directly with Black boys. These pearls of wisdom include: “Learn how to read,”

“Establish goals,” and “Preparation for your profession begins in the classroom,” to name a few.

A viable game plan shining a vital beacon of hope for a marginalized, much-maligned demographic in increasingly dire straits.

To order a copy of A Matter of Life or Death, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0989850404/ref=nosim/thslfofire-20

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Harlem Captured by a Lens

Kam Williams — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“With a population of nearly half a million people, Harlem is America’s most celebrated African-American neighborhood. Its rich past and historical importance have made a unique contribution to our national popular culture…

Photographer Harvey Stein documents the humanity and spirit of the people of Harlem in 166 beautiful photographs taken over 22 years…. The images are mostly close-up portraits that reveal the friendliness and warmth of this city’s inhabitants…

What may at first appear to be a casual encounter becomes a personal, intimate record, a meaningful collaboration between photographer and subject. Stein’s photographs capture and celebrate the Harlem spirit.”
– Excerpted from book jacket

Harlem has been a predominantly African-American neighborhood since the dawn of the 20th Century, when the mass migration by descendants of slaves from the rural South flooded many a metropolis above the Mason-Dixon Line. By the 1920s, this section of Manhattan had blossomed into an artistic mecca and home to many black intellectuals, writers, painters, musicians and dancers.

Spanning that decade, the Harlem Renaissance marked a period of explosive creativity aborted only by the onset of the Great Depression. Nevertheless, in the wake of World War II, the region was resurrected as a hub of cultural, religious and commercial activity, and continued to play that pivotal role over the intervening decades

Today, however, Harlem is at risk of losing its identity because of the influx of Whites as a consequence of the gentrification which has accompanied skyrocketing real estate prices. For this reason, Harvey Stein’s Harlem Street Portraits couldn’t be more timely.

The book is basically a collection of striking, black & white photographs which the talented shutterbug took of residents between 1990 and 2012. His impromptu snapshots capture colorful subjects with a tremendous range in terms of fashion tastes, personal interests and even emotions.

From a Freemason rocking a funky fez, to a flag-waving patriot, to a boy hugging his basketball, to an aspiring ballerina in a tutu, to churchgoers strutting in their Sunday best, this visual history of a rapidly-disappearing demographic weaves a telling tapestry of a once-cohesive community.

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The Rejected Stone Al Sharpton and the Path to American Leadership

Kam Williams — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“…As you read through the following pages and get a sense of my journey and the lessons I’ve learned, I believe you will come to understand why I’ve not been unsettled or slowed down by the attempts over the years to paint me with a broad brush as some kind of troublemaker or self-interested hustler. While those caricatures might have become media shorthand, I was not about to let the world define me…”
– Excerpt from Chapter One

In Chapter 21, Verse 42 of the Book of Matthew, Jesus observed that “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” Now, Reverend Al Sharpton paraphrases that parable for the title and theme of The Rejected Stone, an enlightening autobiography/how-to tome in which the longtime civil rights leader retraces his path from fiery street activist to international icon.

Besides reflecting on the highpoints of his controversial career, the outspoken author has 23 lessons to offer ambitious individuals interested in following in his footsteps. He elaborates upon those priceless pearls of wisdom individually in chapters all their own entitled, “Learning from Flawed Leaders,” “Never Rest on Your Laurels,” “Practice What You Preach,” and “Don’t Be Afraid to Be Big,” to name a few.

As interesting as Rev’s sage advice, however, are his personal anecdotes. He’s rubbed shoulders with folks from every station in life. And like a black Forest Gump, the peripatetic Sharpton has not only managed to land at the center of many an historic moment, but he even has a knack for summarizing the event in “Life is like a box of chocolates” fashion.

For example, he talks about having to pinch himself while attending President Obama’s inauguration earlier this year, when he realized that he was sitting up on the same platform with Congress, the Cabinet, the Supreme Court and luminaries like Jay-Z and Beyonce’. Not bad for a poor kid from Brooklyn whose father abandoned the family when Al was just 9.

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The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross

Kam Williams — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 04:00:00 +0000

By and large, history books have marginalized the African-American community by either omitting or minimizing its cornucopia of contributions to the country. Similarly, the African-American psyche has been trivialized by a host of harmful stereotypes which suggest that we aren’t as diverse or as capable of experiencing the same full range of emotions as Caucasians.

How else can you explain that the mayor of New York City might rationalize employing the “stop and frisk” police tactic against blacks in wholesale fashion, as if criminality is a racial trait instead of judging people by the content of their character as envisioned by Dr. Martin Luther King a half-century ago? Fortunately, {The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross} has just been published in the face of such persisting, institutionalized prejudice.

Co-written by Harvard’s Dr. Henry Louis Gates and Dr. Donald Yacovone, the book is basically a companion piece to the six-part television series of the same name that’s set to premiere on PBS on Oct. 22. But this relatively-encyclopedic opus has been afforded the luxury of being able to explore the same subject-matter in much greater depth.

Arranged chronologically, it starts with a chapter covering the period from 1500-1540 when Africans first arrived in the so-called New World. Next comes the period during which skin color-coded slavery became institutionalized, followed by 1700-1811, which the authors dub “The Age of Revolutions.”

That’s followed by “Half Slave, Half Free,” the awkward ante bellum era when many Africans were emancipated while the majority remained in chains. Subsequently, in succession, came the Civil War, Reconstruction, lynchings and the rise of the Klan, en route to the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements and President Obama in the White House.

An engaging journey through African-American history from a fresh perspective reflecting the rich inner lives of black folks irrespective of station.

The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross
By Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Dr. Donald Yacovone
Smiley Books
Hardcover, $34.95

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This Is the Day: The March on Washington

Kam Williams — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“There have been many marches since, and several before, but no other march to the nation’s capital captured our collective imagination like the March on Washington of August 28, 1963… The momentous pilgrimage showcased an inspired… Martin Luther King Jr., the celebrated leader of black America who hadn’t yet delivered an entire speech that the nation had listened to…

Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson… encouraged her friend to depart from paper… “Tell ‘em about the dream, Martin,” she bellowed from the background. And respond to her call King did… King cast aside his prepared speech… to weave the dream metaphor into the tapestry of the nation’s self-image, and in the process he grafted black folk to the heart of American democracy.”
Excerpted from the Essay by Michael Eric Dyson (pgs. 1-5)

“Leonard Freed’s photographs of the March on Washington depict
both the march and the marchers… For the participants, this was both a serious and a happy occasion, a chance to exercise their rights and to petition their government for a redress of ancient grievances. The marchers are at once sober, somber, and gleeful—proud to be present as they sense history is being made.”
Excerpted from the Foreword by Julian Bond (page ix)

When you think of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, what automatically comes to mind for most people is Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. And while Dr. King’s remarks certainly deserve every bit of recognition they have garnered over the years, it is also important to remember that hundreds of thousands of ordinary American citizens committed to civil rights had descended on the National Mall to attend the event.

I was only a child at the time, but I can still readily recall the palpable concern in the air about the folks from the neighborhood boarding buses for DC. After all, the press had been speculating about the prospect of rioting and arrests if the crowd were unruly, so those participating were doing so with the prospect of considerable personal risk in mind.

Fortunately, the glorious gathering went off without a hitch and came to represent a watershed moment in U.S. history. Now, a half-century later, we are lucky to have an opus like “This Is the Day” available to remind us of that high point in the nation’s non-violence movement.

The book is essentially a photographic essay chronicled by Leonard Freed (1929-2006) before, during and after the March. His beautiful black & white images are rarely of the leaders (only one of Dr. King), but rather are evocative portraits of the movement’s hopeful foot soldiers who’d trudged from all over the country to petition the government for equal rights.

A few of the photos captured are wide-angle panoramas which give a sense of the mammoth scale of the demonstration. But most are intimate snapshots which afford you an opportunity to read each of the earnest subject’s faces.

Besides the timeless stills, the tome is devoted to the reflections of civil rights leader Julian Bond, who was at the March, as well as to a very colorful essay recounting the day by Michael Eric Dyson, written with a profusion of the popular professor’s trademark rhetorical flourishes. It also features a postscript by Paul Farber analyzing the gifted Freed’s approach to his craft.

Overall, this timely tome is a perfect way to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of one of the most important landmarks in African-American history.

This Is the Day
The March on Washington
Photos by Leonard Freed
Foreword by Julian Bond
Essay by Michael Eric Dyson
Afterword by Paul Farber
J. Paul Getty Museum Publications
Hardcover, $29.95
120 pages
ISBN: 978-1-60606-121-3

To order a copy of This Is the Day, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1606061216/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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A Speech for the Ages: ‘I have a dream’

Kam Williams — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“A great speech is both timely and timeless. First and foremost, it must touch and move its immediate audience… But it must also simultaneously reach over the heads of the assembled to posterity.

The ‘I Have a Dream’ speech qualified on both counts. It was delivered in a year that started with Alabama Governor George Wallace, standing on the steps of the state capitol, declaring ‘Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!’

The speech starts, both literally and metaphorically, in the shadow of Lincoln, ends with a quote from a Negro spiritual, and in between quotes the song ‘America the Beautiful’ while evoking ‘a dream rooted in the American dream’ and drawing references from the bible and Constitution…

Fifty years later, the speech endures as a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement… This gripping book unearths the fascinating chronicle behind ‘The speech’ and the revealing events surrounding The March on Washington.”
— Excerpted from Introduction

On Aug. 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech, an unapologetically poetic appeal for the elusive equal rights long denied African-Americans. Unfortunately, over the years, the late martyr’s historic address has all but been reduced to his wish that “my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

A half-century later we find that “content of character” phrase being appropriated, quoted out of context and willfully misrepresented by arch-conservatives from Glenn Beck to Herman Cain in service of a right-wing agenda. For this reason, it is rather refreshing to find an opus like this being published on the 50th anniversary to remind us of the true meaning of Dr. King’s moving remarks.

The author of the book is Gary Younge, a Black roadcaster and columnist based in Chicago. Here, the British-born, award-winning journalist does a masterful job of not only dissecting Dr. King’s words, but of filling in much of the back story to the events leading up to his taking the podium.

We learn that “I Have a Dream” was not the planned focus of the speech, in fact, that divinely-inspired, emotional crescendo was substantially improvised on the spot as an afterthought. King’s intended theme merely revolved around an earnest explanation that blacks had descended on the District of Columbia “to cash a promissory note for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

For, while preparing his speech on the eve of the march, King had been advised by a colleague to cut out the lines about his having a dream. “It’s trite… It’s cliché,” Reverend Wyatt Tee Walker warned.

But, the next day on the National Mall, as Dr. King came close to finishing reading from his prepared text, gospel great Mahalia Jackson started prompting him to go off script.

“Tell them about the dream, Martin!” she shouted repeatedly, referring to a familiar refrain she’d heard her dear friend eloquently riff about in sermons several times before.

Fortunately, Martin did indeed heed Mahalia, and began waxing romantic about his prophetic vision. “Aw, sh*t, he’s using the dream,” Reverend Walker moaned. Yet, as Coretta Scott King would recall, “At that moment, it seemed as if the Kingdom of God appeared.”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

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God’s Graffiti: Inspiring Stories for Teens

Kam Williams — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“I was raised in poverty, surrounded by drug dealers, gangs and community violence. My mother was addicted to crack cocaine and alcohol. I rarely went to church… somehow God’s grace found and saved me when no one and nothing else could…

God’s Graffiti takes a look at young men and women in the Bible who overcame family and community challenges… Their stories give us some practical guidance for our own lives.

You have the ability to do amazing things through your faith in God, the courage to try something different, and the help of a few committed people.”

— Excerpted from the Introduction (pages xiv-xv)

Sadly, this is an era when the bulk of African-American children are being raised by single-moms with little investment in their lives on the part of their deadbeat baby-daddies. The absence of a father figure in the home ostensibly plays a big role in the high dropout, unemployment and crime rates presently plaguing the black community.

Romal Tune could just as easily been another statistic. After all, his mother was a crack head who never took him to church. And the absence of his dad meant he grew up on the streets where he got mixed-up with the wrong crowd and started dealing drugs by the time he was a teenager.

Miraculously, however, he found Christ and came to see the light and, benefitting from a new purpose, eventually graduated from both Howard University and Duke Divinity School. Today, Reverend Tune routinely ministers to the underserved as the founder of a couple of organizations dedicated to at-risk youth.

God’s Graffiti is a mix of memoir and motivational resource designed as a prescription to put juvenile delinquents on a proper path. The book’s title was inspired by the author’s observation of how the Lord often “takes what looks like a mess and transforms it into something amazing.”

What makes the opus very relevant is how it relies on scriptures to remind the reader of the humble beginnings which many a Biblical figure had to overcome en route to finally flourishing. Again and again, from the prostitute Rahab, to the abandoned Ishmael, to the orphaned Esther, to the unfairly accused Joseph, we see how these unlikely heroes ultimately conquered their considerable challenges.

For instance, Moses, the prophet who would part the Red Sea prior to leading his people to the Promised Land, was born a slave. To his credit, he survived being placed as an infant in a basket on which was allowed to drift away on the Nile by a mother desperate to save her son from certain death at the hands of the pharaoh’s henchmen.

Written in a down-to-earth style certain to resonate with the targeted demographic, God’s Graffiti simultaneously addresses such salient subjects as bullying, sex, suicide, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, divorce and abusive relationships. A timeless tool offering profound, faith-based advice for troubled teens in need of reasons to believe in a better tomorrow.

To order a copy of God’s Graffiti, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/081701733X/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Crime Writing Duo Top List of Best-Read Black Authors

AFRO Staff — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The writing team of Ashley and JaQuavis Coleman continues to dominate the paperback fiction bestseller list with four titles in the top ten, according to the latest Power List, a compilation of three websites that have published African American literature for more than a decade.

Ashley & Jaquavis’s Cartel 4, the latest in the duo’s Cartel series, attracted enough readers to push the series into the million-copy sales level. Their other entries in the top ten of paperback fiction are Murderville 2, The Prada Plan 2 and Murderville.

Urban fiction author Wahida Clark also had two titles among the paperback fiction bestsellers, Payback Ain’t Enough and Justify My Thug, as well as one, Honor Thy Thug, among the hardcover fiction bestsellers.

The Power List, released July 23, is a joint project of AALBC.com, Cushcity.com and Mosaicbooks.com and is published quarterly.

The best-known Black authors with one or more titles on the Power List include Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Walter Mosley, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Eric Jerome Dickey, Carl Weber, Sister Souljah, Mary B. Morrison and Mary Monroe.

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Cynthia McKinneyA 21st Century Gadfly

Kam Williams — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“Elected six times to the House from the state of Georgia, Cynthia McKinney cut a trail through Congressional deceit like a hot ember through ash. She discovered legislators who passed laws without reading them… black-skinned individuals shilling for the white status quo.

She excoriated government lassitude over Hurricane Katrina… held the only critical Congressional briefing on 9/11… She read truth into the Congressional Record, held town hall and hearings, led protests, showed up while others played along to get along…

This is the Cynthia McKinney saga as it stands to date—what she saw, what she learned, and how she fought for change.”
–Excerpted from the book jacket

Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney is a fearless firebrand who always seemed to be sitting in the middle of controversy, both during her tenure in the House of Representatives, and since. Whether it’s questioning the legitimacy of the 2000 Presidential election, suggesting that the U.S. had advance knowledge of the 9/11 terror attack, punching a Capitol police officer who asked to see her ID, blaming a failed reelection bid on the Israel lobby, insinuating that there might be more to the murder of gangsta’ rapper Tupac Shakur than an East-Coast-West Coast turf battle, running for the presidency against Barack Obama in 2008 as the Green Party candidate, being aboard a boat torpedoed by Israel as it tried to run a blockade of Gaza or, most recently, intimating that the Boston Marathon bombings might have been an inside job on the part of the local police, she’s never been one afraid to speak her mind.

Dismissed by some, present company included, as simply too nutty to take seriously, Cynthia has languished lately at the lunatic fringe of American politics.

Frankly, I’d long since written her off as a hopelessly-paranoid conspiracy theorist in the wake of her staff’s treatment of an innocuous journalist like me as suspicious when I innocently asked for an interview.

Here, the marginalized iconoclast makes a decent attempt at resurrecting her terribly-tarnished image with this self-serving autobiography, Ain’t Nothing Like Freedom. The book doesn’t touch much on her personal life beyond several sincere expressions of affection for her parents and son, Coy.

Instead, the author focuses squarely on her checkered career, conveniently putting a positive spin on many of its dubious and debatable highlights. For example, in a 20-page chapter on her presidential campaign, not once does she mention the fact that she rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by potentially spoiling Obama’s historic bid, the same way that third-party candidate Ralph Nader had done to Gore in 2000.

Basically, McKinney paints herself as a woman of the people and a tireless advocate of such causes as Hurricane Katrina victims, reparations for African-Americans, and the preservation of the planet. Along the way, she repeatedly indicts her fellow black politicians as sellouts, including the President, predicting that folks will tire of his speeches and symbolic gestures if they remain “unattached to real gains and material change in the community’s conditions.”

Among her advocates is anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who asserts that Cynthia was more deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize than just-elected President Obama. McKinney, wacky or wise? You be the judge.

A classic case of revisionist history walking a fine line between inspired and insanity.

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‘O Say Can You See’ May Not Mean the Same for Blacks

Ronald A. Taylor — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 04:00:00 +0000

As America celebrates its 237th birthday, it is hard to imagine the nation’s capital in its infancy, much less as a Southern town that, 20 years before the Civil War, could count more free Blacks than slaves among its 20,000 residents. But that’s the setting for A Snow Storm in August, a riveting account of the 1835 race riot in Washington, D.C. and its aftermath.

The story centers on the pivotal role of ex-slave Beverly Snow, an ambitious, resourceful restaurateur when race-inspired violence gripped the then-mud caked capital city that was swaddled in immorality and drunkenness.

At the time, Whites were insecure about –and threatened by –the swelling ranks of free, Black, residents, many of them ex-slaves, in a town of 20,000 inhabitants in which slave markets still lined the two-mile route connecting the White House and the U.S. Capitol.

So when, on a hot August night, drunken slave Arthur Bowen, 18, was found in the bedroom of his owner Anna Thornton just a few blocks away from the White House, wielding an axe, it is easy to understand what fueled D.C.’s first race riot.

After all, just four years earlier, Nat Turner had, 180 miles south of Washington in Southampton County, Va., led a rebellion by a band of runaway slaves that resulted in the axe deaths of at least 50 white people before the rebels were rounded up and hanged by local authorities.

But that’s not the only reason to pick up Jefferson Morley’s extraordinary narrative of life in Washington during a period that could be labeled “Founding Fathers Behaving Badly.” There is the account of Francis Scott Key, author of the lines “…land of the free and the home of the brave…,” that, applied to the melody of an English drinking song, made up the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Key, President Andrew Jackson’s nominee as Washington’s District Attorney, argued in favor of slavery and defended against an assault charge former congressman and future Tennessee governor and Texas president Sam Houston who pummeled a sitting member of the House of Representatives on a Washington street.

Key prosecuted Bowen for attempted murder after the slave fled from the boudoir of Anna Thornton that hot August night, just ahead of a mob that then turned on Beverly Snow, the ex-slave from Lynchburg whose affable nature, culinary skills and good looks were envied by many in Washington, where he had established a thriving restaurant business.

But Key also fought the good fight against the mob of drunken immigrants who wanted to lynch Bowen but, turned aside by a contingent of Marines from the Navy Yard, turned their blood lust onto Snow. Key’s approach is in contrast to his reputation as a White supremacist.

White supremacist Henry Clay also plays a role in the animus against Blacks. Morley writes: “While the supporters of colonization prided themselves on their humanitarianism toward Negroes, theirs was a benevolence wrapped in a prejudice that Henry Clay voiced as well as any man. Clay especially reviled those Africans in America who had managed to gain their legal freedom. “Of all classes of our population, the most vicious is that of the free colored,” Clay liked to say. “Contaminated themselves, they extend their vices to all around them.”

The hatred of Blacks was linked to, but not limited to, their impact on wages and to the belief that Blacks were inferior to Whites. But Beverly Snow believed that the future for Blacks in Washington was bright.

“The capital beckoned not as a promised land but as a refuge, a haven where a colored man just might have room enough to prove himself,” Morley writes. It was a vision that he was unable to realize until after escaping a mob and winding up in Toronto, Ontario years later.

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Mister and Lady Day: Billie Holiday and the Dog Who Loved Her

Kam Williams — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“The great jazz singer Billie Holiday, known as Lady Day, had fame, style, a distinctive singing voice—and lots of dogs. But a boxer named Mister was the dog she loved most.

She took great care of Mister, and Mister took good care of her. When the spotlight lit her up like a star, Mister was there. When the stage—and her life—went dark, Mister was there.

No matter what, Mister gave Lady Day courage. But would she have enough courage to sing at the grandest venue of her career?
— Excerpted from the inside flyleaf.

I was somewhat skeptical of the children’s book about Jimi Hendrix published last year, until I read it and was pleasantly surprised by its apropos storyline.

Because the self-destructive rock guitarist died of a drug overdose on drugs at 27, it was hard to see how anybody could figure out how to put a positive spin on his checkered career in a way that would work for impressionable young readers.

I was just as wary approaching this exquisitely illustrated tale about Billie Holiday (1919-1959), given that it’s aimed at tykes between the ages of 4 and 8. After all, the late jazz legend known as Lady Day died way before her time after a relentlessly-rough life marked by absentee parents from infancy, rape during adolescence, teenage prostitution, a string of abusive relationships, substance abuse, a prison stint for drug possession and passing away of cirrhosis of the liver while in police custody.

Apparently, the doomed diva’s saving grace was being a dog lover, including owning a beagle, a mutt, a poodle, a terrier, a Great Dane and a couple of Chihuahuas. This touching tome is devoted to chronicling Billie’s enduring bond with her beloved boxer, Mister. She and the anthropomorphic canine were ostensibly inseparable, with her cooking and knitting sweaters for him while he would keep fans at bay by guarding her dressing room before and after shows.

The delightful picture book’s plot thickens when we learn that the loyal pet was inconsolable after she was sent up the river. What supplies the primary suspense is the question of whether or not the recently-paroled ex-con would be up to the daunting challenge of a comeback concert at Carnegie Hall soon after her parole.

Of equal import is Billie’s concern for her long-lost hound’s whereabouts. Of course, he miraculously materializes, waiting in the wings just offstage, allowing a very grateful master to share a joyous reunion with Man’s, or should I say, Lady Day’s best friend.

To order a copy of Mister and Lady Day, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0152058060/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

Mister and Lady Day: Billie Holiday and the Dog Who Loved Her
By Amy Novesky
Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton

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Mimi’s Village and How Basic Health Care Transformed It

Kam Williams — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“Mimi’s fictional village is like thousands of real villages in the developing world, where health care, especially among infants and children, is poor or uneven. As a result, every day, 21,000 children under the age of five die, most of them from diseases that could have been prevented with basic health care.

Mimi’s Village is ultimately a story of hope and a vision of a better future. It shows how people working together can make changes for the better, and it gives young readers tools to help them improve the health of villages half a world away.”
— Excerpted from the Introduction

When I was growing up, my well-meaning parents often relied on the mantra “Don’t you know there are children starving in Africa!” to get me to finish my dinner.

But I’m not sure whether that message or my relatively-privileged quality of life ever really registered. All I knew was that I was expected to clean my plate before I’d be allowed to proceed on to my favorite course, dessert.

Too bad my frustrated folks didn’t have a companion tool like Mimi’s Village at their disposal back then. For this entertaining and informative picture book would undoubtedly have captured my imagination while simultaneously helping me understand the deeper message they were desperately trying to convey.

Written by Katie Smith Milway and delightfully illustrated by Eugenie Fernandes, the story is set in rural Kenya where it revolves around a cute little girl with cornrows called Mimi Malaho. As the tale unfolds, we find the women of her village weeping and eating from a common bowl as they mourn the passing the previous night of a baby named Kanzi.

The death concerns Mimi, since her mother is pregnant. After all, their country has a high rate of infant mortality as a result of combination of poor sanitation, malnutrition, contaminated drinking water, disease-carrying mosquitoes, a need for vaccinations and more.

The narrative proceeds to delineate each of the aforementioned dangers before discussing some simple solutions, such as inoculations, sleeping under netting and boiling water. Plus, after the optimistic ending, the author shows where you can send donations, and exactly what that money will do. For example, $18 buys three bed nets and just $8 can save a hundred kids from dehydration.

An inspirational opus likely to inspire any spoiled-rotten, little monsters to appreciate that they have a lot to be thankful for and maybe even motivate them to minister to the needs of the least of their brethren.

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A Caribbean Family’s Links to 17th Century White Gold

Kam Williams — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“In the late 1630s, lured by the promise of the New World, Andrea Stuart’s earliest known maternal ancestor, George Ashby, set sail from England to settle in Barbados. He fell into the life of a plantation sugar owner by chance…

The swiftly increasing demands for sugar worldwide would not only lift from abject poverty… but it would also bind together ambitious white entrepreneurs and enslaved black workers in a strangling embrace.

Stuart uses her own family story—from the 17th C. through the present—as the pivot for this epic tale of migration, settlement, survival, slavery and the making of the Americas.”
— Excerpted from the Book Jacket

Although Andrea Stuart was born and raised in the Caribbean, she never knew much about her ethnic heritage growing up. As a curious adult, she started digging around in library archives and was able to trace part of her ancestry as far back as the 17th century to a White plantation owner of a sugar plantation on Barbados.

Being mixed, Ms. Stuart also tried to find her African roots, but that search proved far more challenging, given how her earliest black Bajan ancestors had been brought to the island as slaves. That meant they’d been considered property, and there weren’t as many records to be found about chattel.

Nevertheless, the bilingual (English and French) writer approached the project like an investigative journalist, eventually unearthing a cornucopia of fascinating factoids about her gnarly family tree. And the upshot of that tireless effort is {Sugar in the Blood}, a book that is as much the intimate tale of one incestuous clan as it is a universal one shared by many folks from the region who have both European and African blood running through their veins.

The gifted author evidences quite a way with words here, employing her vivid imagination to spin historical tidbits into a compelling page-turner guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat, ala a best-selling suspense novel. Yes, she takes poetic license periodically, but merely to extrapolate and plausibly fill the penumbras lying between solid kernels of truth.

Over the course of this centuries-spanning opus, we’re treated to a host of colorful characters passing time in and around the author’s ancestral plantation, with Whites generally enjoying easy sexual access to enslaved females as well as the fruits of Black labor. Curiously, Ms. Stuart treats both sides with an almost affectionate understanding, even addressing the enduring skin color issue which has left her homeland hopelessly stratified after generations of race mixing.

A credible, cross-cultural examination chronicling the unresolved master-slave relationship still reflected in today’s Barbados where, as Faulkner sagely surmised about America’s Deep South, “The past is never dead. It isn’t even past.”

To order a copy of Sugar in the Blood, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0307272834/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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New Devotional for Sisters in Faith

AFRO Staff — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Readers familiar with the Sisters in Faith Devotional Bible will love the impending release of a new devotional that includes scriptures to encourage contemporary women on the go.

God’s Wisdom for Sisters in Faith addresses the concerns of Christian women who are seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in every area of their complex lives.

Michele Clark Jenkins and Stephanie Perry Moore, co-founders of Sisters in Faith, have as their goal to create meaningful products that encourage and empower women of color with God’s truth.

“African-American women have long suffered and long loved the Lord in such a way that being Christian and being an African-American woman is synonymous,” Moore writes. “But very few Christian products reveal the African-American woman’s voice to the body of Christ and almost none have been created to speak directly to her in a way that relates to her life and her struggle.”

The book , which is divided into eight sections that address topics such as abiding in God’s love, being anxious for nothing, praying for one another and developing strength for the journey, will be in stores April 30.

For additional information visit thomasnelsoncorporate.com.

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Good Hair Owner’s Manual

Kam Williams — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

“I often get stopped on the street by other black women. They tell me they love my hair and want to know who ‘does’ it. It always gives me great pleasure to tell them that I do it myself.

And it gives me even more pleasure to refer them to CurlyNikki.com to find out how they, too, can achieve fabulous, healthy, natural hair on their own… CurlyNikki.com is the most popular natural hair care blog in the world.

This book is not a political manifesto intent on shaming you into giving up your relaxer… If you haven’t decided whether to give up your relaxer, we’re here for you…

Inside, you’ll find product guidance, lifestyle advice, hairstyle tips, and frank discussion—just as you would in any hair salon across America… We only want to provide you with the information that you need to take the next step in your hair care journey.”
— Excerpted from the Prologue (pgs. 4-5)

I can still vaguely recall the day I overheard someone telling my mother at a barbecue that I should have been born a girl because I had “Good Hair.” I was too young at the time for the remark to register, so I simply shrugged it off and ate s’more ribs.

But I belatedly came to appreciate the meaning of the phrase a few years ago while watching the Chris Rock movie of the same name. For, Good Hair was an eye-opening documentary which offered an inside look at the great lengths to which African-American females go to straighten their hair. Yes, I had been aware that my mother and friends spent a lot of time at the beauty salon on Saturdays, but I really had no idea what went on there.

The informative film generated discussion and reflection because it not only blew the covers off the dangerous chemicals (“creamy crack”) involved in the relaxing process, but it also questioned whether the considerable expense and effort involved in maintenance were even worth the effort. Why not go natural?

Today, ostensibly in response to the controversy stirred up by that shocking expose, a hair revolution is afoot. Suddenly “Relaxers are out!” and “Weaves are so yesterday!” have become the rallying cry in black communities all over the country.

At least that’s the case made by Nikki Walton in Better Than Good Hair, a handy how-to guide to rocking a retro-style natural. The opus is amazingly encyclopedic in terms of its scope, as it covers everything from transitioning to TWAs (Teeny Weeny Afros) to tips for white mothers of biracial toddlers.

Apparently, “The Big Chop” can be pretty traumatic. That’s the day you cut off all your chemically-treated locks. For, if you’ve looked one way in the mirror for as long as you can remember, you might need a “curl”-friend’s shoulder to lean on after making the decision to let your hair grow the way God intended.

Should you be so inclined, take note of the five mandatory hair care products: Shea Butter (for moisture), Aloe Vera (for shine), Jojoba Extract (for softness), Olive Oil (for sealing and shampooing) and Honey (as an antibacterial rinse). Who knew?

Chock full of fascinating factoids like that, Better Than Good Hair is a veritable, natural hair bible, a very “Good Book” for anyone seriously considering that route.

To order a copy of Better Than Good Hair, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062123769/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Radical

Kam Williams — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

“Why am I a radical? Because in order to live up to our promise as a nation, we cannot rest until we provide a quality education for all our children. If America is truly going to be the land of equal opportunity, we have to provide that opportunity to every single child, regardless of where they live, what color they are, and what their parents do…

Right now, our public school system isn’t working for every child. It isn’t working for our economy. And it isn’t working for our democracy. As a result… cycles of poverty repeat and… a generation of children… too often children of color… is being denied its civil rights to a high-quality education.”
— Excerpted from Chapter Twelve (pgs. 268-269)

Michelle Rhee spent a stormy three years in the public eye as the embattled Schools Chancellor of the Washington, DC public schools. A first-generation Korean-American descended from a long line of educators, she embarked on a career as a teacher in inner-city Baltimore soon after graduating from Cornell University with a BA in government.

However, her star really started to rise after she earned a master’s in public policy at Harvard University’s prestigious Kennedy School. She was subsequently recruited by NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein to help handle his stalled contract talks with the teachers’ union.

And on the strength of Michelle’s negotiations with UFT president Randi Weingarten, Klein recommended his feisty protégé for the top job in DC. Washington’s public schools were among the worst performing in the nation, and Rhee found a very receptive mayor in Adrian Fenty, who gave his new hire free reign to overhaul his troubled system in accordance with her controversial reforms.

Employing a “kids first” philosophy, Rhee chopped heads in the top-heavy administration, firing dozens of dead wood principals, laying off hundreds of extraneous office workers and closing over twenty underperforming schools.

Although students’ test scores improved during her brief stint in the position, her anti-union stance proved unpopular.

Mayor Fenty’s reelection bid was basically a referendum on whether the city wished to continue with Rhee’s scorched earth philosophy. When he lost, her days were numbered, so she handed in her resignation rather than wait around to be fired.

A blow-by-blow of all of the above is recounted in riveting fashion in Radical, a revealing autobiography devoted as much to Michelle’s political career as to her private life. As compelling as the debate about teacher tenure, charter schools and private school vouchers was reading about the author’s being raised in a suburb of Toledo, Ohio by immigrants who sent their daughter as an adolescent to live with an aunt back in Seoul for a year.

We get to see what a role having strict parents who put such a heavy emphasis on academic achievement might have played in shaping Michelle’s high hopes and expectations for every child. I was also surprised to learn that this divorced mother of two recently married former NBA star-turned-Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson.

A heartfelt memoir by a passionate champion of every child’s right to a decent education.

To order a copy of Radical, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062203983/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith

Kam Williams — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

“Gymnastics is not my passion anymore. I want to get famous off of running track, or I want to try dancing, or become a singer. I can get a job at Chick-Fil-A in Virginia Beach… I just want to be a normal teenage kid. I am so homesick. I just want to come home.”
— A text sent by Gabby Douglas to her mom on Jan. , 2012, a mere seven months before the Olympics (page 7)

Gabrielle Douglas became a household name during the Olympic Games in London last summer after she won a couple of gold medals in gymnastics. Regrettably, much of the media coverage accompanying Gabby’s historic feat came in the form of superficial sound bites which focused on her bad hair day and on her mother’s having recently declared bankruptcy.

But lost in the media circus surrounding the poised, pretty 16 year-old was the story of the host of challenges she had overcome en route to being crowned the best in the world. The trials began in infancy when she contracted a life-threatening illness called branched-chain ketoaciduria.

Although that rare blood disorder eventually went into complete remission, it appears that the affliction might have stunted Gabby’s growth. After all, the diminutive dynamo stands only 4’11” tall and weighs a mere 94 pounds soaking wet.

In the revealing autobiography, Gabby regales the reader with intimate tales about her challenging childhood: from her parents’ divorce when she was four, to being homeless and living in a car, to being bullied, to experiencing the sting of racism, to feeling isolated and homesick when she moved away from her mom and three siblings to Des Moines, Iowa in order to train for the chance to represent the U.S.

She goes on to relate how she scaled all those hurdles with a combination of faith and help from her mom whom she expressly thanks with the acknowledgment that, “I couldn’t have accomplished my dream, without your constant support, sacrifice, and belief in me.”

A truly inspirational memoir, by a humble, high-flying, hard-working role model with a very bright future who put her trust in God when the chips were down.

To order a copy of Grace, Gold & Glory, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310740614/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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The Making of a Champion: Success Is an Inconvenience

AFRO Staff — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Joseph Taylor, who retired as head football coach at Florida A &M University in November, is currently doing a book tour to promote “The Making of a Champion: Success Is an Inconvenience,” his autobiography.

Taylor, the 15th coach at FAMU, had headed teams for 40 years. A native of Washington D.C., he is married and has two grown sons. His career record stands at 233-96-4, according to media reports.

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Hey Cabbie II! Showcases Baltimore Cab Driver’s Wisdom

Ronald A. Taylor — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

The best way for a curious stranger to find out about a city is to travel its streets and boulevards, in daylight, on public transportation. Public buses are cheap but noisy and full of distractions. But a wise and knowing cab driver can do more to tutor a newcomer than any other resource.

Thaddeus Logan, author of Hey Cabbie II!, is the sort of resource that the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce ought to enshrine. A retired detective who spent years on the city’s vice squads, Logan has a finely honed sense of right, wrong, history and urban style.

His latest book, a sequel to Hey Cabbie!, is another odyssey through Baltimore’s streets in which he nails the sights, sounds and even the smells (a segment about the sewage treatment plant is priceless!) of this city in a way that newspapers could only hope to convey.

In 116 pages of vignettes covering 72 cab rides, Hey Cabbie II! tracks the heart of the town, touching on events such as the Preakness and Halloween night and institutions such as Morgan State University in northeast Baltimore and Highland Beach in Annapolis. It even has a very useful map.

But it is clear that Logan knows not only where places are and how to get from here to there, but also how the city ticks.

He has plenty to say about street vice, local political corruption and organized religion, especially the Black church. It is wisdom gathered from his fares and filtered through the prism of a man who has chased miscreants, stared down the barrel of a gun and tracked down criminals.

He knows about the city and its inhabitants because he listens. It doesn’t take much for a Black cabbie to get a 50ish Black woman to share her views of local Black politicians in the ride from Northwest Market to his old neighborhood on West Lafayette Street. The woman had unflattering remarks about both former Mayor Sheila Dixon, who she regretted voting for, and her church, which had charged her over $2,000 for her daughter’s wedding.

There are also several encounters with foreign visitors. In one instance, there was a chat with a woman in her mid-30s who has just emerged from a concert at the Meyerhoff Symphony Concert Hall. The woman, a visitor from Madrid, delivers a monologue in which she compares urban life in Europe and the U.S., wishing aloud that the two cultures would do more to learn from each other about to keep cities livable.

Through another fare, just picked up from Port Covington Terminal where they had returned after an ocean cruise, he learned of the shortcomings of the U.S. health care system. Through his fare, a middle-aged married couple on their way home to Columbia, Md., he learned it might be wise to sign up for health insurance on a cruise. They told him that a couple on the cruise, whose husband suffered a heart attack, had not signed up for the cruise line’s health insurance and were suddenly confronted with huge medical bills.

He also shares his conclusions about the decline of civilization, as seen through the crowd at Pimlico Race Track for the annual Preakness Stakes. He talks about how degenerate the scene is in the track’s infield. “You name it, it was happening,” Logan writes.

Readers should be cautioned that the language and scenes are graphic, salty and sometimes x-rated. For someone who grew up, as I did, the son of D.C. cab driver, it was pretty tame but provided fresh insight about the city.

But when future anthropologists comb through the rubble of this civilization, let’s hope a copy of Hey Cabbie II! is still readable.

Thaddeus Logan is a former Baltimore City vice detective turned taxicab owner/operator who has chronicled his 35 years behind the wheel in {Hey Cabbie!} and {Hey Cabbie II!}. He will be the subject of a book signing at the Pratt Library main branch Jan. 27. The books are available at his web site, http://www.heycabbie.net. Hey Cabbie! is $11.99. Hey Cabbie II! is $9.99.

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Popsicle Goes to Church

BlackNews.Com — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:00:00 +0000

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Pre-schoolers and young children now have a new way to learn about faith, thanks to a book release by Connecticut-based writer Cristal Baker. Popsicle Goes to Church, is a storybook with faith and God at its heart.

The book takes readers on a journey with a friendly five year-old girl. As with any good story, there’s a twist – her faith, determination and love for her sick puppy get her into a bit of a pickle.

“Don’t worry, everything turns out well in the end,” Baker told {BlackNews.com}.

“However, along the way, children will have a compelling opportunity to learn about faith and the importance of believing in God. It’s important that the idea of faith isn’t allowed to dwindle as time progresses. Therefore, I have attempted to re-connect with young children in a fun and engaging way.”

Critics praise Baker, a committed Christian and strong follower of God’s word, and her work for its efforts in re-instituting children with the Christian faith.

As the author explains, her love of children wouldn’t exist had God not blessed her with their gift. “Every child is special and every child is valuable. Therefore, it’s vitally important that no child is denied the opportunity to explore faith, Christianity and ultimately, the existence of God,” she concludes.

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An Umbrella in Case of Rain Features Art and Poetry to Inspire Dreaming

AFRO Staff — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Columbus, OH (BlackNews.com) — Those who enjoy the spoken word and appreciate fine art, can now look forward to a new exciting literary artistic journey and adventure as author and artist Lisa M. Cliff presents An Umbrella In Case of Rain: Art and Poetry for the Soul Vol. 1, an amalgam of meaningful poems and creative images.

This book is a collection of uplifting art images and poetry meant to inspire the mind and stir the soul. Each warm and colorful image is coupled with a companion poem adding richness to the visual experience. Heartfelt poetry and art infused with positive energy that encourages readers to dare to dream big and live life out loud.

“No longer taking life by chance, no longer a victim of circumstance,” says the poet. She asks the reader to assume control of their own destiny by listening to and trusting in their own intuition, as well as encouraging the reader to follow one’s dreams by walking by faith, not by sight.

Cliff, a former 20-year executive of one of the top southern food brands, Glory Foods, offers An Umbrella in Case of Rain as an inspirational example of truly taking a leap of faith, offering pearls of wisdom on navigating life’s rough terrain.

She encourages other women, while pursuing the corporate fast track, to remember the importance of also nourishing one’s creative side, through writing, painting, performing or doing whatever makes the heart sing. Cliff says “that achieving real success” means to find the balance between work, life, family and creative self expression.”

Filled with inspiration and wonderful insight, this book will take readers on a memorable lyrical ride – an amazing poetic adventure they will cherish.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.anumbrellaincaseofrain.com

An Umbrella In Case of Rain * by Lisa M. Cliff
Art and Poetry for the Soul Vol. 1
Full color Picture Book; soft cover $29.99 – 58 pages; 978-1-4653-7006-8
Picture Book Hardcover; $39.99 – 58 pages; 978-1-4653-7007-5

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Chronicle of a Black Woman’s Struggle

AFRO Staff — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“I project an outward appearance of success, confidence and strength. I am a successful author, a single mom… and a very vocal child and foster care advocate… when I look in the mirror, the image that I see being reflected back at me is not that of a strong, capable black woman.

What I see is the face of an ugly black woman who is a constant failure, has no self-esteem and is confused and unsure of how to change what she sees. Much of how I see myself comes largely, I know, from the years I spent in foster care.”

— Excerpted from Chapter Two (pgs. 22-23)

Jessica Angelique was surrendered in infancy by parents she’s never known to a foster care system that would prove to be a living hell. For, from an early age, the unfortunate ward of the state became the victim of unspeakable violations as she found herself being shuttled from home to home and from molester to molester, each worse than the last.

At 5, her legs were permanently disfigured by a foster father who put out his cigars on her legs as punishment for forgetting to make her bed. That remains Jessica’s earliest childhood memory. At 7, she was raped by another “daddy” who forced her to watch pornography while sitting on his naked lap. And so forth…

The only break she ever experienced from the revolving door of incessant abuse was the year she spent with Barbara and David, a white couple who unsuccessfully tried to adopt her at a time when cross-racial adoption was heavily discouraged. Otherwise, Jessica says, “my foster fathers never saw me as a child. When they looked at me, they saw a sexual play toy. They were always staring at me, and wanting to touch me, and I didn’t understand why… I never experienced a black man’s hands on me in a good way, as a child.”

Is it any surprise, then, that the impressionable orphan came to view her own people as “a cruel, manipulative, hateful race.” Yet, despite her harrowing ordeal, Jessica somehow matured into a strong black woman who managed to get a BA and an MBA before embarking on a career as an advocate for abandoned kids.

The trouble is she was living in denial, since she had never entered therapy to give herself a chance to heal her deep psychic wounds. That’s why her world came crashing down on Oct. 27, 2010 while watching actor and producer Tyler Perry share his own life story.

The floodgates opened and, at 39, instead of continuing to minister to lots of lost souls, Jessica devoted the next month to belatedly addressing her depression, her anger and a host of other unresolved issues. Ignoring her sons, her commitments, phone calls and email, she proceeded to keep a journal while plumbing the depths of her roiling emotions.

The net result is Alas, Peace Be Still, a heartbreaking memoir by a survivor with every right to be bitter. Miraculously, this once-anguished soul has ostensibly put the nightmare behind her and arrived at a peaceful place of gratitude and serenity.

This is as riveting and raw an autobiography as you could ever hope to read.

To order a copy of Alas, Peace Be Still, visit:http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1468134051/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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What in the Hell Happened?

Kam Williams — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“There is an illusion of marriage created by Hollywood… that only exists in the movies and on TV… All ‘housewives’ are not ‘desperate,’ and ‘How I Met Your Mother’ is seldom an accurate depiction of a Godly marriage…
This book has been written to help couples find fulfillment in marriages and to provide spiritual release to those who have broken the marital covenant and bond by divorce. We want to help save marriages and provide a basis to salvage relationships that may be floundering under the stresses of life or the pressure of current trends.”
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. 5)

During the traditional exchange of wedding vows, a bride and groom invariably promise to remain together “’til death do us part.” Yet, so many marriages end in divorce nowadays, suggesting that something must be amiss, given the clarity of that unambiguous pledge.

As pastor of Destiny Worship Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, Bishop Alphonso Lee Smith has pronounced plenty of couples husband and wife over the years, only to see some of those supposedly-sacred unions ultimately end in divorce. This has led the good reverend to wonder whether “vow-takers really know to what they are committing” or if they appreciate “the gravity of the wedding ceremony.”

In What in the Hell Happened? An Intimate Look at Love and Relationship with Raw Honesty, he maintains that “marriage, as a practical consideration, should be entered into with wisdom… reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.” For he feels that engaged couples ought to be ought to be fully conscious of the covenant they are about to make with the Almighty.

Still, there comes a point in a severely strained relationship where one must assess whether it can be saved, if it isn’t on the rocks already. That is why the author places such an emphasis on premarital counseling.

Not being a hypocrite, Bishop Smith admits that even his own marriage failed, and he devotes an entire chapter to sharing that painful story. On those pages, he chronicles the emotional roller coaster ride he experienced as he went through the stages of denial, anger, guilt and self-confrontation prior to arriving finally at a peaceful place, by the grace of God.

A practical, prenuptial primer, written from a faith-based perspective, urging couples to reflect and really look before you leap.

To order a copy of What in the Hell Happened?, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1460906926/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Better Than Alright: Finding Peace, Love & Power

Kam Williams — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“I can’t believe someone found my journey interesting enough to want to put it in a book…Being on display as an artist is never comfortable for me.

Behind my songs and my words lies a very shy little girl who has become a strong woman. Luckily, there are people around me who push and lift me to be open and transparent…

So here I am, and in every chapter of this book are fragments of my life between the lines and spaces of music. Pivotal moments that are filled with ups and downs, challenges and triumphs. Experiences that shaped the woman and singer you have come to know as Ledisi…

I hope you will be inspired by my journey.”

— Excerpted from Chapter One – The Journey (pg. 7)

In recent years, hip-hop icons from Eminem (The Way I Am) to Jay-Z (“Decoded) have written memoirs in which they ruminate about their private lives while deconstructing the deeper meaning of their poetry and song lyrics. R&B diva Ledisi is the latest star to take just such an approach in terms of an autobiography.

Ledisi Anibade Young was born in New Orleans on July 9, 1978 to Nyra Dynese and Larry Sanders, a musician who abandoned the family when his daughter was still an infant. The name Ledisi, which means “to bring forth” in Yoruba, was picked because of the spunk she exhibited during her valiant struggle to survive a host of life-threatening ailments as a premature baby.

In the book, Ledisi lets us know that she admires First Lady Michelle Obama (“I love her!”), Nina Simone (“Reminded me to be proud of my skin”), Malcolm X (“A class act”) and Miles Davis (“My muse”). However, she credits another role model, her beloved Aunt Gussie, a choir member who only performed for the Lord, with helping her cultivate that soulful singing voice, a blessing she had to learn the hard way not to take for granted.

Overall, Ledisi paints a stylish self-portrait, here, via a vibrant mix of artistically-illustrated rhymes, proverbs, photographs, personal anecdotes and introspective journal entries. Wearing her heart on her sleeve, the unguarded author tackles such subjects as love, forgiveness and faith with an enviable vulnerability.

For example, in the chapter on Beauty, she suggests that “When you don’t know how beautiful you are, you will always be in search of happiness.” By opus’ end, expect to feel oh so nurtured by the practical pearls of wisdom reflecting the essence of the insightful and likable lady who goes by Ledisi.

And that’s better than alright.

To order a copy of Better Than Alright, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1603201823/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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19 Years Old & 19 Men Later

AFRO Staff — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“I wrote this book as a guide for young women so that they won’t make the same mistakes I’ve made… I really needed someone to step in and show me that I could be so much more…

Because I have been in the bottom of the barrel… I thought to myself, ‘You can’t just sit around and do nothing when so many of your home girls are getting pregnant, chasing these no-good guys, and going down that same road you were headed.’

As I hear the latest statistics about young people—getting pregnant, contracting STDs and AIDS, losing their lives, going back to jail time and time again, and just living lives that were not meant for them—I know why they are there, because I have been in many of those places.

By the end of this book, I hope you will have learned the easy way what I learned the hard way. ”
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. 1-2)

Although billed as a relationship advice book, this jaw-dropping memoir really reads more like the cautionary confessions of a wanton party girl gone wild who’s done it all and was lucky enough to live to tell the tale. Tenisha Gainey’s uncensored autobiography actually reminds me of the Jack Kerouac classic “On the Road,” between the relentless joy ride and the surreal, stream of consciousness writing style.

Yes, the author is ultimately Born Again by the end, but one can only wonder whether this belated convert to Christianity will be able to resist the temptation to revert to her hedonistic patterns. After all, Tenisha’s horrible taste in men and admitted weakness for alcohol (especially a mixed drink called The Incredible Hulk) led her to rack up a lot of road miles on her body before she had turned 20. That self-destructive path was marked by substance abuse, abortion, STDs, prostitution, rape, incarceration and involuntary commitment to a mental institution.

A sucker for any guy with a flashy automobile, again and again the author made the worst dating choices imaginable. For example, she describes the night she impulsively agreed to be gangbanged in a motel by some middle-aged, white men on the way to a poker game who propositioned her at a traffic light. She even felt flattered by a pimp who told her she was pretty enough to add to his stable since she’d attract a lot of business.

The tragedy is how she’d squandered her considerable potential, flunking out of Fairleigh Dickinson University, after having been seduced by the lure of making easy money. But the thrill of giving lap dances in seedy strip clubs, sponging-off losers for fifty bucks a pop in the boom-boom room, and sleeping with old dudes oozing AIDS sores down in Florida wore off after awhile.

Before you start pointing fingers, try walking a mile in Tenisha’s hot pants and high heels. Well, on second thought, maybe you should only think about it. She was clearly a victim of circumstances during her formative years, being born to a 16 year-old single-mom and an absentee career criminal who was always out on the street or behind bars.

How do you think you’d fare in similar circumstances? Fortunately, Tenisha’s doing fine now (cross your fingers), and the sky’s the limit with God as her co-pilot. The icing on the cake will be when Oprah options her life story for an inspirational, overcoming-the-odds biopic.

To order a copy of 19 Years Old & 19 Men Later, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0578055368/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-+20

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Reader’s Corner: Born, Not Raised: Voices from Juvenile Hall

AFRO Staff — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“Please don’t forget me”, are the words Susan Lankford’s daughter Polly found as they sat at home looking through the countless survey’s they conducted. Lankford describes the sight of that message and her memory of the little boy, who wrote it as one of the most poignant moments in her study at the Las Colinas Juvenile Detention Center. Born, Not Raised is the culmination of a trilogy of books that started years ago when she rented an old, abandoned jail in San Diego, California.

Her intention was to simply use the jail as a backdrop for a project, but it became so much more as she developed relationships with the homeless or street people as they preferred to be called, who slept in the building at night.

The trilogy grew from an evolving interest in the lives of her subjects. She watched many of the homeless she worked with go in and out jail. This inspired her write Maggot’s in My Sweet Potatoes, a book that details the life of the female population of prisoners in a San Diego Prison. During this experience she learned about the children these women left behind. Many of them had become victims of the system, either through incarceration or placement in foster care.

Born, Not Raise, not only focuses on the reasons these children have become a part of the system, but on the need to rehabilitate them before sending them back into the world. The book is filled with expert opinions on why children have ended up in the system, but Lankford herself attributes a lack of parenting, broken homes and early childhood trauma as the reasons. “Juvenile facilities are not good parents, but they do eliminate a lot of chaos and they do create structure and boundaries and they do give three meals and they do give you a cot. So some kids would prefer that to being at home or being in foster care as harsh as that is to believe,” says Lankford.

Lankford sites remediation as perhaps the most important part of incarceration. The lack of literacy programs, skill training and other therapeutic services in detention centers makes reoffending almost inevitable. This lack of rehabilitation services is amongst the tough issues Susan Lankford’s Humane Exposure project tackles.

Through social media, documentaries, books and the future development of a volunteer bureau Humane Exposure is determined to shed light on the issues American’s don’t seem to want to be bothered with. They are concerned with topics varying from America being the most obese nation in the world, to the need to improve our struggling education system, to the U.S having the highest incarceration rate in the world.

Through strong black and white images taken inside the detention center walls, poetic excerpts, essays, surveys and drawings from the children incarcerated in the juvenile detention center Lankford uses very interesting techniques to present this study. This story may not be one you want to see, but it is impossible to ignore.

To order Born, Not Raised and learn more about Humane Exposures, visit:
http://www.humaneexposures.com/index.php

Born, Not Raised: Voices from Juvenile Hall
By Susan Madden Lankford
Humane Exposures Publishing, LLC
Paperback, $18.95
216 pages
ISBN: 9780979236631

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Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King

AFRO Staff — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“Coretta was determined– through education, art, faith, and social activism– to do all she could to create a better life for herself, her family and people around the world. In doing so, her life was like a rose pushing up from the parched, dry ground, and springing forth in a beautiful blossom.”

Coretta Scott did not become a public figure until she became Coretta Scott King, but her identity, her ideals and her story started long before that time. Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King paints a picture of exactly how great a woman she was on her own. King’s older sister Edythe Scott Bagley pens the biography that spans from their early years growing up in rural Alabama all the way to the years of her younger sister’s twilight. Black and white photos of captured memories are woven throughout the book, telling their own story of Coretta Scott King’s illustrious life.

“Planted in fertile soil and blessed to have come from strong and hardy stock, she was well on her way to changing the world before she ever set foot out of our house.”

Beginning at slavery, Bagley travels through time, chronicling not only her sister’s story, but the story of an entire race. This book traces a journey that’s spans from the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation to the signing of the legislation for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. Coretta Scott King served as an unwavering partner and supporter to her husband during the Civil Rights movement.

She exuded strength after his untimely death and she showed resolve by continuing her husband’s legacy. All of this is outlined in this carefully thought out work.

Author, Edythe Scott Bagley was the first African American to enroll in Antioch College, where she and her sister, Coretta Scott King both studied. She went on to earn master’s degrees from both Columbia University and Boston University. She was an educator at Albany State College, Norfolk State University and Cheyney State College. Bagley also sat on the board of directors for the King Center. Edythe Scott Bagley passed on June 11, 2011, before Desert Rose was published.

To order a copy of Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King Visit:
http://www.uapress.ua.edu/product/Desert-Rose,5324.aspx

Desert Rose: The Life and Legacy of Coretta Scott King
By Edythe Scott Bagley with Joe Hilley
Trade Cloth, $34.95
336 pages, 48 illus
ISBN: 978081731765-2

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Unchained

AFRO Staff — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

In an effort to encourage teen literacy, L.B Tilt brings forth Unchained, one of the three novels in the Gravel Road series written as a hi-lo novel. Unchained aims to blend high level interest with low level reading skills. Tilt uses the 16 years of experience she gained while teaching at-risk students as a way to develop stories and characters they can identify with.

Unchained follows the story of TJ, a young man forced to live with his mother, who has been deemed rehabilitated, two years after being taken away from her and placed in the foster care system. TJ also struggles with hunger, peer pressure and intimidation. He yearns for attention, affection and love.

“I knew the minute they came in that more than dad would be taken away from me. They would find the drugs still cluttering up the living room. They would find the small amount of pot in my room. I knew nothing would be the same.”

Re-entering his mother’s home also means readapting to the lifestyle he was once accustomed to, whether he likes it or not. During the course of the story TJ realizes that he has more power over his situation than he ever realized. He has the power to make his own decisions, decisions that will affect his future.

The other books in the Gravel Road series include Edge of Ready and 2 Days. Edge of Ready deals with issues of rape and abuse, while 2 Days focuses on teen pregnancy.

“I totally understand why some kids don’t like to read. I get it. But it is through teaching that I became passionate about literacy and learned that reading really is a gateway to a better life. So now I’m on a mission to provide a variety of books filled with captivating stories for kids of all ages who struggle with reading.”

Tilt’s willingness to tackle real issues that plague a large population of today’s youth is important. It is a step in the right direction in terms of not only combating the issues at hand, but combating illiteracy in the United States, especially among the at-risk, who often are from underserved areas around the country.

To order a copy of Unchained, visit:
http://www.sdlback.com/estore/product/SE8219/

Unchained
By L.B Tilt
Paperback, $8.95
204 Pages
ISBN: 9781616517922

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Seven Key Ingredients to Happily Living & Loving Together

Kam Williams — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“Jamillah and David Lamb are the dynamic couple behind the successful Off-Broadway play ‘Platanos Y Collard Greens’ which is enjoying its 9th year-running. For years, they have worked side by side, 24/7, to create and build their business. And, not only have they not killed each other, their love has grown stronger.
This insightful relationship guidebook is part love manual and part diary, as the couple explores important and intimate topics. Honest and… hilarious, Perfect Combination offers seven key ingredients for anyone to create their own recipe for Love and Happiness and to achieve the perfect balance of love, hard work, friendship and respect.”
— Excerpted from the book jacket.

Jamillah and David Lamb’s love story is a rarity, a real-life fairytale. They’ve pretty much remained inseparable since falling in love at first sight, and God has recently blessed their union with a delightful daughter, Kaira.

And to think that heir paths could just as easily never crossed. After all, he was born and raised in New York City and she in Chicago, and they attended college in different cities.

But fate came into play after graduation, when they both were hired by the same investment firm, even though Jamillah was stationed on the West Coast, while David was on the East Coast. One day, his head was turned by the picture of an attractive colleague in a staff photo on the office wall, and he said to himself, “I’m going to marry that girl.”

So, he made it his business to meet Jamillah, and when the two were finally introduced at the company’s California headquarters, they instantly fell head-over-heels for each other. The couple’s feelings only intensified during their whirlwind courtship and continued to be nourished by their marriage, partnering as entrepreneurs, and starting a family.

Given how Jamillah and David had flourished seeming so effortlessly, it was only natural that, over the years, friends would frequently urge them to share the secrets of their success with the world. The upshot of that suggestion is Perfect Combination: Seven Key Ingredients to Happily Living & Loving Together, a book that is as much an introspective memoir as it is an instructional how-to tome.

As producers of the hit Off-Broadway play ‘Platanos Y Collard Greens’ it makes sense that they chose to publish their sage insights in recipe form. Thus, each chapter ends with a summary of “Key Ingredients,” under headings like “Lighten up!” and “It’s about balance,” followed by sensible tips for “Cooking with Love,” such as

“Plan a surprise date for your partner” and “Write a love letter to each other describing your first date.”

The precious pearls of wisdom are served up gourmet chef-style. Consider this cute recipe for finding balance in a relationship which calls for: “2 Heaping Cups of Appreciation, 1 Cup of Self-Knowledge, 1 Cup of Modesty and 1 Cup of Trust.”

Betwixt and between delineating their seven steps to maintaining marital bliss, the authors treat us to a cornucopia of family photos from their childhoods, their romance, their work, their wedding, and the birth of their baby. Pictures must still speak a thousand words, because again and again the Lambs’ love for each other just jumps off every page.

An ongoing, Off-Broadway tale of black-on-black love and devotion overdue for the limelight!

To order a copy of Perfect Combination, visit: http://bit.ly/perfcomb

To learn more about Jamillah and David Lamb, visit: www.acoupleoflambs.com

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Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing Our World

Kam Williams — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“Inspiration allows 30 exceptional people to tell their unique stories. Each of these women takes us on her life journey, describing the people, the teachings and the circumstances that shaped her. We see the role that family, culture, community and mentorship play, as well as the influence of dreams, ambitions and ideas.

These women have achieved extraordinary success in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Even more important, each one has attributes of character–integrity, courage, energy, commitment, faith, drive–that illustrate how talent and character come together to create a rich and fulfilling life.

The results are astonishing… and I hope you enjoy and find inspiration in their stories.”
— Excerpted from the Preface (pg. 6)

As a journalist, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing a number of the talented trailblazers profiled in this book. But while I might have done a decent job of capturing, say, Laila Ali’s dogged determination, Raven-Symone’s admirable maturity, or Soledad O’Brien’s sheer brilliance, those tete-a-tetes still seem to pale in comparison to the emotional depth of the material captured on the pages of Inspiration.

Perhaps that’s because the author, Crystal McCrary came up with the idea of having her contributors relate their life stories in their own unique voices. Consequently, other than First Lady Michelle Obama’s, the bios in this intimate opus are written in the first person, and each sister sounds ever so authentic whether reflecting upon what really matters most to her or about how she managed to reach the pinnacle of success in her chosen field.

For example, Children’s Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman devotes much of her memoir to bemoaning the breakdown of the family. “The rituals and structure of childhood have been torn asunder,” she says, citing their pivotal importance in terms of teaching values.

“When I was a child,” she continues, “most people didn’t have a whole lot, but they shared what they had. They valued children, and they valued education… Family members and community elders knew that education was important.”

Coincidentally, Mellody Hobson, president of Ariel Investments, pays tribute to Ms. Edelman in her entry, identifying the inveterate child advocate as one of her heroes. Mellody recalls literally bursting into tears during a conversation between them when the altruistic Edelman matter-of-factly stated that her only regret, namely, “I haven’t done enough.”

After beginning with Michelle Obama, the balance of Inspiration is arranged alphabetically, with each entry being accompanied by striking photographs of the subject. Among the other icons offering priceless pearls of wisdom are singer Mary J. Blige, environmentalist Majora Carter, prima ballerina Misty Copeland, actress Ruby Dee, comedienne Whoopi Goldberg, supermodel Iman, choreographer Judith Jamison, ex-Essence editor Susan L. Taylor, and tennis star Venus Williams, to name a few.

An ideal Mother’s Day gift of sufficient substance to continue to grace a coffee table for generations to come.

To order a copy of Inspiration, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1584799595/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter

Kam Williams — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“Throughout the years of his public life, former President and Nobel Peace Prize-winner Jimmy Carter has lived out a conspicuous faith… has been leading Sunday school classes ever since he was an 18 year-old ensign at the U.S. Naval Academy…

For over 6 decades, he has been examining the Scriptures and teaching classes to adults… Study Bible is designed to… amplify the deeply held convictions of one of the most important and influential voices of our time.”
— Excerpted from the inside book jacket

Jimmy Carter has been teaching Sunday school all of his adulthood, even as Governor of Georgia and President of the Uniteds States. The difficult decisions he had to make while in office, whether about caring for the poor, finding peace in the Middle East, fighting an enemy, advancing human rights or reversing nuclear proliferation, were all influenced “by his deeply-held belief in the Bible.”

After returning to private life, Carter not only resumed hosting Sunday school classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, but he remained “an outspoken advocate of the poor and disadvantaged.” And as a committed Christian, he has endeavored to follow Jesus’ example of attending to the least of his brethren by devoting his blood, sweat and tears to a variety of worthy causes.

Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity, credits Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, for donning hard hats every year for over a quarter-century to help his organization build and repair homes for folks in desperate need of affordable housing. Reckford states that their participation has never been a mere photo-op, given that “No one works harder on … site than President and Mrs. Carter.”

If you’re interested in understanding the source of Jimmy Carter’s inspiration and abiding faith, you might want to invest in this special edition of the New International Bible that highlights selected scriptures, and is supplemented throughout by a life’s worth of his favorite lessons, reflections and prayers. For instance, he offers a literal interpretation of Jesus’ suggestion that “We must do the works,” (John 9:3-5) as an urgent imperative to minister to the needy “today, right now.”

The “good book” annotated by a former president who probably would prefer to be remembered as a selfless servant of God.

To order a copy of the NIV Lessons from Life Bible, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0310950813/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Tuskegee Love Letters

Kam Williams — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

“My father was a pilot with the all-Negro Tuskegee Airmen; my mother a steno-typist… Separated by war and duty, they shared the events of their lives through letters. They wrote about their joys, their dreams and their individual struggles.

Thankfully, each preserved their letters…. This collection is a glimpse of their lives between 1942 and 1956… These letters are my parents’ legacy. They tell about a difficult but wondrous journey filled with obstacles and opportunities… remind us that all young Americans begin their lives with dreams.”
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. 5)

If you saw the recent World War II film Red Tails, you were treated to a riveting reenactment of the heroic exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen over the skies of Europe.

But a glaring omission from the movie was any mention of the African-American pilots’ pining for their loved ones back in the States.

In fact, the only romance featured in the film revolved around an ill-fated, interracial liaison between an airman and a local girl he met while stationed in Italy. For that reason, a book like Tuskegee Love Letters couldn’t have come along at a more timely moment.

This bittersweet memoir is essentially conceived as a play constructed from the notes which Bernard and Luana Knighten exchanged by mail while he was serving his country as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. The passages were culled by their daughter, Kim, from a collection of over 400 missives she found after her father passed away in 2000 at the age of 79.

The initial entries were written when the Knightens were still newlyweds in the full bloom of youth, and exhibiting an endearing combination of bravado, exuberance and vulnerability. Though their subjects ranged from safety to racism to ambitious plans for making their mark on the world upon reuniting, every message invariably included a passionate reaffirmation of their love.

For instance, Luana signs one note with a heartfelt, “Please, please, please be careful and come back to me,” well aware that some members of her hubby’s squadron had already perished in action. Bernard, in turn was just as ardent, not only naming his plane after his wife, but admitting that “I dream of you all night long.”

He also describes his reaction to Nazi POWs ‘enjoying better accommodations than Black GIs. “It is really disgusting. It makes my blood boil to see how nice they treat the German prisoners… It really hurts.” But discrimination didn’t discourage him after the war from publishing with the help of “a talented young writer named Alex Haley” the debut issue of Essence Magazine, a short-lived precursor of the popular periodical for Black females.

Meanwhile, equally-talented Luana started pursuing her acting career, only to die of a heart attack two days before she was set to make her Broadway debut co-starring in Take a Giant Step opposite a teenager named Lou Gossett Jr. Because Kim was only a couple months old at the time, she never really got to know her mother.

That makes her all the more grateful to her parents for having the inclination to save their intimate love letters and to her long-widowed dad for preserving them for posterity, knowing just how much they might mean to his darling daughter the day she discovered them in a dusty trunk in the attic after he was no longer around. A priceless slice of African-American history that can’t be read without crying and which undoubtedly deserves to be on display in the Smithsonian.

To order a copy of Tuskegee Love Letters, visit:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/061559154X/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

To learn more about Kim Russell, visit: http://www.speakersontour.com/index.html

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Singing, The Lord’s Song In A Strange Land

Staff — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowry has not only been a witness to the transformation of America, from a land of oppression to one that is run by an African-American president, he has been a righteous participant. His words have been heard during times of struggle, as a peaceful foot soldier in the Civil Rights Movement and in times of Triumph, as he delivered the benediction at President Obama’s Inauguration.

“Life is a strange land, but we are called to preach God’s Word in strange circumstances. We must sing the Lord’s song, do his will even in and under strange circumstances. Here you will find sermons, speeches, poems, commentaries, and remarks that were made in churches, public forums, rallies, and school and on the streets.”
–Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. xiii)

This book details Lowery’s life as a pastor, a preacher and a leader. He tells his story through an inspirational and informative narrative. These accounts are accompanied by a compilation of transcripts of his spoken works, to give us a unique look into black history. Each chapter deals with a social woe relevant to the time being recollected.

“Throughout my life, I have sought to apply the moral imperatives of my faith to social, economic, and political problems. I never saw real distinction between the roles. Preaching is designed to help folks make heaven their home and to make their homes here heavenly.”
–Excerpted from the Introduction (pg. xiii)

Singing, The Lord’s Song In A Strange Land is an important story that will take you on a journey through the past and into the present, through the eyes of a man who was there for it all. He reflects on where we have been as a people, where we are now and where we should be focusing our eyes on going in the future.

To order a copy of Singing, The Lord’s Song In A Strange Land, click here.

Singing, The Lord’s Song In A Strange Land
By Joseph E. Lowery
Hardcover, $22.00
144 pages
ISBN: 978142671348

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Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life

AFRO Staff — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Ken Carter, the title character of the 2005 hit movie, Coach Carter, offers advice on how to be successful in life in Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life. In 1999 Carter drew harsh criticism from some and praise from others when he locked out the Richmond High School Boys basketball team he coached, for failing to perform to the academic standards he mandated. At the time the team was undefeated. Forcing the team to focus on their education instead of solely on basketball garnered national attention.

Twelve chapters indentify the elements Carter deems necessary for success. Each chapter focuses on a different step. Filled with accounts from his life, Ken Carter uses each story as an opportunity to teach a lesson. Carter, who prefers to think of himself as a teacher rather than a coach, provides encouragement throughout the text, along with a road map to victory. Just when you think Coach Carter has given all of the gems he has to give he closes the book with an additional chapter that offers 12 more tips for success.

His methods are straightforward and his tone is that of a father earnestly trying to impart wisdom. There is a refreshing honesty in the way he speaks to the reader. He actually seems to care about the success of others. Carter doesn’t just spout phrases and tell you to believe them because he is “Coach Carter”. He explains why each step is important and how it has impacted his success and the success of his players.

“These steps, worked together, promote a life of achievement and honor and business practices that will maximize you and your company’s success and growth. My life is living proof of it.”

Yes Ma’am, No Sir: The 12 Essential Steps for Success in Life
By Ken Carter
Hardcover, $24.99
256 pages
ISBN: 9781455502349

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Book on Black Memorabilia Documents Movement

Valencia Mohammed — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Among the estimated 50,000 collectors of Black memorabilia, the phenomena of gathering and sharing these items has been described as a “movement” by such historians as Malinda F. Saunders and Jeannette Carson. The duo wrote a book about the depictions of Black people in America and how those images became collectors’ items.

Unlike other immigrants who fled to America willingly, the images of generations of enslaved Blacks brought here from the African continent were always depicted by our captors and viewed as negative by those in captivity.

The book describes how organizers of the movement are aware that Black memorabilia provides a chronological documentation of our saga and represents a significant part of American history. Among the oldest collectibles of Black memorabilia are slave documents and items related to the slave trade dating back to the 18th century.

After centuries of enslavement, the first Black Memorabilia Collectible Show and Sale ever held in this country was in 1984 at the Armory Place in Silver Spring, Md.

Molefi Kete Asante, president of Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies, has written 70 books and over 400 articles on African-American history. He said artifacts from our history are of two types: those we have created and those that have been created about us.

“Those we have created tend to be positive, but some of those created by whites in the United States, in fact, most of the memorabilia created about our people might be called negative, anti-black, and racist,” said Asante.

For Carson, the book offers the novice, curious and the collector a better view of who, what, when, where, why and how behind the Black Collectible Movement.

Collector A. Peter Bailey said he had no idea he was a collector of Black Memorabilia. “The book captures all of the excitement and energy felt by those of us committed to that movement. All I knew about was my inability to discard Black magazines. I have become aware of the importance of Carson’s helping to bring some structure to people such as myself,” said Bailey.

The book celebrates the individuals who initiated the movement and the events that catapulted it into the mainstream. Another collector, Carolyn Bartlett of Fort Washington, Md., said as a child she often wondered why Hollywood only wanted to show Blacks in a negative light. “After reading this book I grasped a whole new point of view on Black history,” said Bartlett. “The best collection one could have now is the one on our President Barack Obama.”

Who would ever think that some of the most degrading images of Black people would be considered collectibles as well as learning tools for future generations? The book gives the reader insights on what hidden treasures to look for in Black memorabilia. Artifacts such as coon, jezebel, sapphire and picaninny caricatures can yield a pretty hefty bounty and serve as a reminder of where Black people will never be taken again.

“Collecting Black memorabilia is a way of learning about African-American history and serves as a constant reminder to the collectors of our experiences in this country,” said Lindsey Johnson
Gaithersburg, Md.

The chronicles outlined in the book tell about the acceptance and rejection of Black memorabilia by those who have suffered the most from slavery. It encourages others to continue the collection adding items today that will have significant importance in the future as we evolve into a people who have survived a multitude of obstacles.

“The History of the Black Memorabilia Movement provided facts about people, places, events, and gave historical accounts of the experience Jeanette Carson and her colleagues had in producing the shows and other Black Memorabilia organizations,” said Velma Banks of New York. “Many people can be remembered for their collections and their desire to preserve the legacy of the African-American community.”

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Book Documents Movement to Gather Black Memorabilia

Valencia Mohammed — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Among the estimated 50,000 collectors of Black Memorabilia, the phenomenon of gathering and sharing these items has been described as a “movement” by such historians as Malinda F. Saunders and Jeannette Carson. They focus on the depictions of Black people in America and how those images became collectors’ items in their book, The History of the Black Memorabilia Movement.

Unlike other immigrants who fled to America willingly, the past images of generations of enslaved Blacks brought here from the African continent, were always depicted by our captors and viewed as negative by those in captivity.

The book describes how organizers of the movement were aware that Black memorabilia provides a chronological documentation of our saga and represents a significant part of American history. Among the oldest collectibles of Black Memorabilia are slave documents and items related to the slave trade dating back from the 18th century.

“No other ethnic group has been or can be depicted in imagery which encompass such a broad range, thus, making Black Memorabilia one of the most diverse types of collecting in existence,” wrote Carson, in , a book that tells the history
After centuries of enslavement, the first Black Memorabilia Collectible Show and Sale ever held in this country was in 1984 at the Armory Place in Silver Spring, Md.

Molefi Kete Asante, president of Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies, has written 70 books and over 400 articles on African American history. He said artifacts from our history are of two types those we have created and those that have been created about us.

For Carson, the book offers the novice, curious and the collector a better view of who, what, when, where, why and how behind the Black Collectible Movement.

Collector, A. Peter Bailey said he had no idea that he was a collector of Black Memorabilia. “The book captures all of the excitement and energy felt by those of us committed to that movement. All I knew about was my inability to discard Black magazines. I have become aware of the importance of Carson’s helping to bring some structure to people such as myself,” said Bailey.

The book celebrates the individuals who initiated the movement and the events that catapulted it into the mainstream.

Another collector, Carolyn Bartlett, of Fort Washington, Md., said as a child she often wondered why Hollywood only wanted to show Blacks in a negative light. “After reading this book I grasped a whole new point of view on Black history,” said Bartlett. “The best collection one could have now is the one on our President Barack Obama.”

Who would ever think that some of the most degrading images of Black people would be considered as collectibles as well as learning tools for future generations? The book gives the reader insights on what hidden treasures to look for in Black memorabilia. Artifacts such as coon, jezebel, sapphire and picaninny caricatures can yield a pretty hefty bounty and serve as a reminder of where Black people will never be taken again.

“Collecting Black memorabilia is a way of learning about African American history and serves as a constant reminder to the collectors of our experiences in this country,” said Lindsey Johnson Gaithersburg, Md.

The post Book Documents Movement to Gather Black Memorabilia appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

The Cross & the Lynching Tree

Kam Williams — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

“The cross and the lynching tree are separated by nearly 2,000 years. One is the universal symbol of Christian faith; the other is the quintessential symbol of black oppression in America… Despite the obvious similarities between Jesus’ death on a cross and the death of thousands of black men and women strung up to die on a lamppost or a tree, relatively few people… have explored the symbolic connections.

Yet, I believe this is a challenge we must face. What is at stake is the credibility and promise of the Christian gospel and the hope that we may heal the wounds of racial violence that continue to divide our churches and our society…

who want to understand the true meaning of the American experience need to remember lynching. To forget this atrocity leaves us with a fraudulent perspective of this society and of the meaning of the Christian gospel for this nation.”
— Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. xiii-xiv)

It has been said that Sunday morning is still the most segregated time in America. An explanation for that phenomenon might rest in the fact that the White Church remains in denial about the country’s ugly legacy of lynching, while the Black Church was on the front lines in the battle against that despicable form of state-sanctioned terrorism.

This is the thesis of James H. Cone in The Cross & the Lynching Tree, a scathing indictment of the silence of Caucasian clerics in the pulpit about the perilous plight of generations of African-Americans. The author, a professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York, points out the obvious parallels between, “the crucifixion by the Romans in Jerusalem and the lynching of blacks by whites in the United States” before wondering “What blocks the American Christian imagination from seeing the connection?”

By contrast, many Jews did join African-Americans on the frontlines in their fight for equality. In this regard, Cone reminds us of Holocaust survivor-turned-civil rights activist Joachim Prinz who explained his prompting his congregation’s participation in the movement with, “When I was a rabbi of the Jewish community in Berlin under the Hitler regime… the most important thing I learned… was that bigotry and hatred are NOT the most urgent problem. The most urgent and most disgraceful, the most shameful, the most tragic problem is silence.”

Similar sentiments were echoed by many Black leaders, such as James Baldwin who bemoaned the absence of White outrage in the wake of the 1963 church bombing which killed four little girls attending Sunday school by saying, “I don’t suppose that all the White people in Birmingham are monstrous… But they’re mainly silent… And that is a crime in itself.”

It was likely that belief which had led Ralph Ginzburg in 1961 to publish “100 Years of Lynchings,” a chilling encyclopedia which chronicled, in vivid detail via gruesome photos and eyewitness accounts, the systematic slaughter of thousands of African-Americans by bloodthirsty vigilante mobs.

In concluding, the author argues that, “Just as the Germans should never forget the Holocaust, Americans should never forget slavery, segregation, and the lynching tree.” A sobering clarion call to heed the history lessons of our horrifying past in these presumably post-racial times.

The Cross & the Lynching Tree
by James H. Cone
Orbis Books
Hardcover, $28.00
222 pages
ISBN: 978-1-57075-937-6

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Round & Round Together

Kam Williams — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

“About four months before the March on Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King was arrested during demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama. While in jail, he wrote a letter in which he explained why he protested…

‘When you suddenly find your tongue twisted and your speech stammering as you seek to explain to your six year-old daughter why she can’t go to the amusement park that has just been advertised on television, and see tears welling up in her little eyes when she is told that Funtown is closed to colored children, and see the depressing clouds of inferiority begin to form in her mental sky… then you will understand why we find it difficult to wait.’

This book tells the tale of the nearly decade-long struggle to liberate once whites-only merry-go-round, weaving its story into that of the civil rights movement as a whole.”
— Excerpted from Chapter One (pgs. 9 & 12)

One of my earliest childhood memories from back in the Fifties was asking my mother if the family could go to Palisades Amusement Park right after watching a TV commercial featuring kids enjoying its rides and swimming pool. My hopes were dashed when she patiently explained that we couldn’t because colored people weren’t allowed in.

Who knows whether a kid ever fully recovers from having it ingrained in your brain at such a tender age that you’re a second-class citizen? And yet, just such a scenario ostensibly played out in millions of other African-American homes back then, even that of Dr. Martin Luther King, who specifically referred to his frustration with precisely the same predicament in his historic Letter from a Birmingham Jail.

For this reason, America owes a debt of gratitude to Amy Nathan for writing Round & Round Together, a welcome reminder of the ten-year struggle to integrate Baltimore’s Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. It was whites-only from its opening in 1894 right up until Sharon Langley became the first black child allowed on a ride there on August 28, 1963, the very same day that Dr. King delivered his prophetic “I Have a Dream” speech.

The title of Round & Round Together was inspired by the fact that it was the park’s merry-go-round that little Sharon rode that fateful afternoon. In the book, the author seamlessly interweaves eyewitness accounts of the long effort to desegregate Gwynn Oak with descriptions of what was simultaneously transpiring elsewhere around the country in the Civil Rights Movement.

The text arrives amply augmented by dozens of archival photos taken at Gwynn Oak, many of which show demonstrators being carted away by cops for trying to cross its strictly-enforced color line. It also includes a number of iconic images already emblazoned on the nation’s consciousness: of the March on Washington, of dogs being set loose on picketers in Birmingham, Alabama, of a firebombed Freedom Riders’ bus, and of Rosa Parks being arrested for refusing to sit on the back of the bus.

A profoundly moving tribute to the intrepid unsung heroes who risked their lives to help bring an end to Baltimore’s Jim Crow Era.

To order a copy of Round & Round Together, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1589880714/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

Round & Round Together
By Amy Nathan
Paul Dry Books
Paperback, $12.95
260 pages, Illustrated
ISBN: 978-1-58988-071-9

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Joan Myers Brown & the Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina: A Biohistory of American Performance

Kam Williams — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

“Blacks in the segregationist United States of America of the 30s and 40s fought back with inherent toughness. If the white world could not see the nobility of their culture, black artists crowned themselves: Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lady Day, and more recently, Queen Latifah…

There is no finer demonstration of the black voyage toward reinvention and assertion of aristocracy than in the encounter of black dancers with ballet. They mastered the form to show that they mattered, making it a bodily thing…

To be a black ballerina is not a simple rejection of one’s African and Afro-American heritage but instead a challenge to those who would say ‘stay in your place; your bodies, and abilities are not capable of doing this.’ It is an embracing of our full heritage—black and white—just as white Americans can see fit to embrace black genres.”

— Excerpted from the Foreword (pgs. xvii-xviii)

In 1960, Joan Myers Brown opened a dance school in Philly in order to afford aspiring, black ballerinas a chance for formal training at a time when their opportunities were severely limited due to de facto segregation. A decade later, she founded The Philadelphia Dance Company, aka Philadanco, a professional company for her top students who found themselves unwelcome at lily-white institutions still practicing racial discrimination.

Against the odds, Ms. Brown built her organization over the ensuing decades into a leading ensemble with an international reputation for excellence which simultaneously served as a career springboard for top artists of color. This phenomenal accomplishment is glowing recounted in Joan Myers Brown & the Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina, a biography which actually is as much a an intimate memoir about an intrepid pioneer as it is a chronicle of the African-

American struggle for civil rights during the 20th Century.

The book was written by Brenda Dixon Gottschild, professor emeritus of Dance Studies at Temple University, a brilliant scholar who is passionate about her field of endeavor. Consequently, the enlightening text might be best described as a combination history lesson about the talented Brown (including her mentors and protégés as well) and a labor of love undertaken by a sage elder determined to remind future generations in vivid detail about the many hardships endured by their African-American ancestors on the long, hard road to racial equality.

A timely testament to a legendary role model who inspired generations of little black girls to reach for the stars in the face of a racist society that would just as soon crush their prima ballerina dreams.

To order a copy of Joan Myers Brown & the Audacious Hope of the Black Ballerina, visit: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0230114091/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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10 Best Black Books of 2011 (Non-Fiction)

Kam Williams — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0000

1. Sister Citizen by Melissa Harris-Perry

2. Fatal Invention by Dorothy Roberts

3. Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? by Touré

4. Muzzled by Juan Williams

5. A Reason to Believe by Governor Deval Patrick

6. Ashamed to Die by Andrew J. Skerritt

7. Super Rich by Russell Simmons

8. Giving Back by Valaida Fullwood

9. Fail Up by Tavis Smiley

10. High on the Hog by Jessica B. Harris

Honorable Mention

No Higher Honor by Dr. Condoleezza Rice

My Long Trip Home by Mark Whitaker

Incognito by Michael Sidney Fosberg

The John Carlos Story by John Carlos with Dave Zirin

This Is Herman Cain by Herman Cain

Eye of the Hurricane by Rubin Hurricane Carter

Push Has Come to Shove by Dr. Steve Perry

Black Gotham by Carla L. Peterson

Faith in the Fire by Gardner C. Taylor

I Didn’t Ask to Be Born by Bill Cosby

Life upon These Shores by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

The End of Anger by Ellis Cose

D.C. Unmasked and Undressed by Lillian McEwen

Is Marriage for White People? by Ralph Richard Banks

Black Woman Redefined by Sophia Nelson

Legacy by Yvonne Foster Southerland

How Could My Husband Be Gay? by Ondrea L. Davis and J’son M. Lee

I Can Finish College by Dr. Marcia Y. Cantarella

Ageless Beauty by Yvonne Rose and Alfred Fornay

News for All the People by Juan Gonzalez and Joseph Torres

Pass It Down Cookbook by Chef Jeff Henderson and Ramin Ganeshram

True You by Janet Jackson

I Hate Muscular Dystrophy by Star Bobatoon, Esq.

Transparent by Don Lemon

Second Chance by Martha Marie Preston

I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher

My Brother, Marvin: A Memoir by Zeola Gaye

The Adventures of Sasha & Malia at the White House by Carol A. Francois and P Segal

You Are Not Alone, Michael by Jermaine Jackson

Not Another Victim by Katha D. Blackwell

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My Long Trip Home: A Family Memoir

Kam Williams — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

“His father, Syl Whitaker, was the charismatic grandson of slaves… His mother, Jeanne Theis, was a shy, World War II refugee from France…They met in the mid-‘50s, when he was a college student and she was his professor, and they carried on a secret romance for more than a year before marrying and having two boys…
“My Long Trip Home” is a reporter’s search for the factual and emotional truth about a complicated and compelling family, a son’s haunting meditation on the nature of love, loss, identity and forgiveness.”
Excerpted from the Inside Cover Page

As managing editor of CNN Worldwide, Mark Whitaker is currently in charge of content and reporting for the world’s largest, global television network. Previously, he made history as Newsweek’s first African-American Editor-in-Chief.

To his credit, Whitaker has achieved his phenomenal, professional success in spite of being raised in a very dysfunctional family by parents as different as night and day, literally and figuratively. His mother, Jeanne, was in her fourth year as a French professor at Swarthmore College when she found herself being pursued by one of her students, Syl.

Since this was America in the 1950s, perhaps of more significance than their age difference was the fact that she was white, conventional and the daughter of devout Christian missionaries while he was black, immature, and a relatively-bohemian free-love advocate. Nonetheless, the unlikely couple secretly embarked on a torrid affair and wed just a couple of months after his graduation.

Unfortunately, although their union soon produced two precious sons, it would only last about a half-dozen years. Syl had a weakness for both broads and booze. Worse, he turned into an ill-tempered lush to boot, when on the sauce.
In no uncertain terms, the abusive husband repeatedly made it clear to his wife that he considered theirs an open marriage, whether or not she was prepared to join him in participating in the Sexual Revolution. And he proceeded to imbibe and sleep around with such abandon that he torpedoed his own promising career in the process.

For instance, after being hired to head Princeton University’s newly-created Black Studies Department, he developed a reputation for propositioning colleagues’ wives and for staggering around the campus drunk, until he was finally given a severance package and shipped off to rehab. On the home front, not only was Syl a deadbeat dad after the divorce, but he was too busy making whoopee with fellow swingers even to call his sons, let alone share some quality time with them.

This makes Mark’s subsequent ascension up the corporate ladder something of a major miracle, especially given his mother’s simultaneous battle with depression as she struggled to keep a roof over her kids’ heads. Meanwhile, Mark was compensating for his anger at being abandoned by his father by acting out and overeating to the point of obesity.

Reflecting both a reporter’s painstaking attention to detail and a prodigal son’s sincere search for closure and redemption, “My Long Trip Home” is a riveting, revealing, and heartbreaking memoir affirming the potential of even the messiest of lives to blossom belatedly into something satisfying and beautiful.

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Inside the Locker Room: A Journey of Faith and the Power of Prayer

AFRO Staff — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Ebony Humphrey, wife of New Orleans Saints TE Tory Humphrey Sr., presents her first book Inside the Locker Room: A Journey of Faith and the Power of Prayer. Released in Spring 2011, through the Charisma House imprint Creation House, she takes readers through the highs and lows of life as the wife of a professional athlete.

Inside the Locker Room: A Journey of Faith and the Power of Prayer is a personal account of Ebony Humphrey’s tumultuous childhood living with a mentally ill mother, abuse, and time spent in the foster care system. She explains how her personal relationship with Christ brought her through the hard times. Now Ebony declares victory as the mother of four and wife of a professional athlete. She encourages readers to depend on the power of God to guide all aspects of their lives.

Humphrey learned to put God first and trust his will for her life. Her prayer and faith keep her from crumbling each time her husband is injured on the field, and it is that same faith that keeps her rooted in who she is in Christ. A complete contradiction to the over-the-top lifestyle portrayed by ‘Ballers Wives’ on television and in the media, Humphrey works to live her life as a virtuous woman and apply the word of God to her personal, business, and social life. She shares her blueprint for life with readers in her touching and powerful book.

To learn more about Ebony Humphrey, visit www.ebhministries.com

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Three Stooges FAQ: Everything Left to Know About the Eye-Poking, Face-Slapping, Head-Thumping Geniuses

Kam Williams — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0000

“The foundation of the legendary comedy act known as the Three Stooges … is the work the team did from 1934-1957. In little 15- to 18-minute films … Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp and Joe created the body of work that has ensured their immortality — to the dismay of moms everywhere …
This book explores the boys’ personas and comic technique … They were aggressive, physical comics from vaudeville whose humor was based on personal and bodily insult … They’d squash each other, and be squashed by other people …
So, why are they funny? On the one hand, we laugh because the Stooges embody many of our worst instincts, such as the desire for petty revenge … On the other hand, we love the boys because … despite the failings of personality that were built into every script, we knew that the Stooges were good.”
Excerpted from the Introduction (pages xi-xii)

Time was when part of the rite of passage to manhood involved an addiction to the Three Stooges. There’s something about the comedy team’s uniquely-male brand of slapstick humor which escaped most girls while simultaneously being simply irresistible to prepubescent boys.

Although the Farrelly Brothers will be reviving the franchise with a big screen production next spring, it’s hard to think of anybody playing Moe, Larry and Curly besides Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard themselves. For, you even felt a bit of a letdown whenever Curly was replaced by either Shemp Howard or Joe Besser.

If you ever wondered who exactly were the Three Stooges, and how they came to fame, Three Stooges FAQ is the only companion you’ll ever need. Illustrated with lots of photos and movie posters, this encyclopedic opus answers every question you ever wanted ask and more about them and their company of regular co-stars.

Much of the material unearthed by author David J. Hogan is nothing short of fascinating, such as the interesting tidbit that siblings Moe and Shemp started out as minstrels, first appearing on stage in blackface in New York City’s Mystic Theater in 1916, before performing on the vaudeville circuit for a half-dozen years. Or how about the fact that Moe retired from showbiz in 1927 to sell distressed merchandise after the birth of his daughter?

Among the second bananas featured here is Dudley Dickerson, a black actor who, we learn, ended up spending the last decade of his life as a garbage man after enjoying an enduring, if not financially rewarding, career “playing innumerable chauffeurs, porters, waiters, red caps, and cooks from 1934 until his last film in 1959.” Fleshing out the stereotypes he was asked to execute, Dudley managed to maintain his dignity in his episodes opposite the Stooges, whether shining shoes or having the bejesus scared out of him by a ghostlike Curly.

Still, the real reason to take in this enlightening tome is for pleasure of taking a nostalgic walk down Memory Lane while reminiscing about Moe, Larry and Curly’s pratfalls and classic lines like, “I’ll murder you!” “I’m warning you!” “Pick two fingers!” Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!” and “I’m sorry, Moe!”

To order a copy of Three Stooges FAQ, visit:
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1557837880/ref%3dnosim/thslfofire-20

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Is Marriage for White People?

Kam Williams — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0000

“Over the past half-century, African-.Americans have become the most unmarried people in our nation. By far. We are the least likely to marry and the most likely to divorce; we maintain fewer committed and enduring relationships than any other group. Not since slavery have black men and women been as un-partnered as we are now…
Why? Black women of all socioeconomic classes remain single in part because the ranks of black men have been decimated by incarceration, educational failure, and economic disadvantage… Yet despite the shortage of black male peers, black women do not marry men of other races.
Black women marry across class lines, but not race lines. They marry down but not out. Thus, they lead the most racially-segregated intimate lives of any Americans.”
Excerpted from the Introduction (pgs. 2-3)

This book has the sort of eye-catching title which suggests that the content might be superficial. But no, the author, a professor of law at Stanford University, launched a serious investigation here into the question of whether African-Americans are the marrying kind anymore.

Professor Ralph Richard Banks was ostensibly inspired by the troubling statistics indicating that ”Jumping the Broom” has become less and less popular not only among ghetto-dwelling blacks but also among the middle and upper-classes. So, he decided to examine the issue of the breakdown of the African-American family in depth by conducting research, by amassing a combination of anecdotal and scientific evidence.

The upshot of that effort is “Is Marriage for White People?” a controversial opus which offers a surprising solution to the burgeoning problem. Believe it or not, the groundbreaking book makes the case for sisters getting out of their comfort zone and entering more romantic relationships with Caucasians, Asians and Latinos.

Banks’ basic thesis is that because black females are generally better-educated and make more money than brothers, it’s silly for them to restrict themselves to a dating pool of just black men. Besides, he says black males tend to take them for granted, and to think nothing of sleeping with more than one woman at once.

Paradoxically, the author ultimately arrives at the counter-intuitive conclusion that “For black women, interracial marriage doesn’t abandon race, it serves the race,” because “If more black women married non-black men, more black men and women might marry each other.” That humdinger of a plan might very well be the answer, but it sure sounds to me a lot like traveling East in order to go West.

Order a copy of Is Marriage for White People from Amazon.com

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