Tulisoma South Dallas Book Fair

Vincent Alexandria
Vincent Alexandria is an author, actor, producer, director, composer, lyricist, screenwriter, vocalist, and musician. He holds a Masters degree in literature at Baker University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rockhurst College. He is the founder of the Brother 2 Brother African-American Male Literary Symposium. Its mission is to enlighten men and women in reading and comprehension to enhance their quality of life. Having nationally published authors show a commitment to their communities and give back to their readers in gratitude of what they have done for them and their careers. He has completed three murder detective mystery novels, Postal Blues, and Black Rain, which is due out this year and his first novel, If Walls Could Talk, which he is in negotiations for a movie deal. Vincent Alexandria also wrote the movie script, (Walls of Deception). He has completed his first poetry book, Poetry from the Bottom of My Heart.

Terry Allen
Dallas Entrepreneur Terry Allen returned in 2005 on his fifth year as Real Men Cook Dallas Event Manager. Real Men Cook is widely recognized as the world's largest urban Father's Day cooking event for charity. It is a ten city culinary event designed to honor real men who demonstrate exceptional interest in their families while providing service to their communities. Terry is featured in the National Simon and Schuster's Fireside Book Release of Real Men Cook… Rites, Rituals and Recipes for Living. Terry is a public relations and marketing consultant at Southern Methodist University.

Montré Bible
In Montré Bible's shocking debut novel, Heaven Sent (April 2005), the main character's world is turned upside down when he uncovers a dangerous and terrifying family secret. Montré Bible studied art at Texas A & M University. A former announcer for a gospel radio station and a substitute teacher, he currently lives in Dallas, Texas. Heaven Sent is his first novel.

MBridges
A prolific author, Mbridges, has had a lifelong affair with literature that started way back in Ms. Horton's first grade class. He has come a long way, with eight complete manuscripts to date. Are You Satisfied Yet? Has been chosen as the debut novel that will introduce the literary world to a fresh new voice.

Jeanetta Britt
Dallas-based author, Jeanetta Britt, is an Alabama native who was one of the first African-American students in her hometown to attend George C. Wallace High School. She is also a graduate of Fisk University, a historically black college in Nashville, Tennessee, and holds a masters degree from The University of Michigan. This early period, fraught with racial strife and cultural upheaval, formed the basis of her social awakening. Her first novel--Pickin' Ground--is a murder mystery with an inspirational twist. "However, the poetry overflowed me after an unplanned fast," she says, "and I finished it first." The poetry was published in The Trilogy--Book One: Poems From the Fast ; Book Two: Reunion; and Book Three: Third Ear. Pickin' Ground was recently released, and the sequel, In Due Season, followed. Miss Britt coined the phrase, true love story, to describe her newest release. "True love is made in your soul," she says, "before your body gets involved." Her next true love story is currently in progress--Empty Envelope.

Margaret Burroughs
Life Lessons for the Christian Journey, Vol I is Dallas-based author Margaret Burroughs first published book. This book serves as a motivational tool for those who are serious about their spiritual grow and a great tool for bible study groups. Each chapter ends with a question and answer section.

Vivi Monroe Congress
Author of The Bankrupt Spirit: Principles for Turning Setbacks into Comebacks. Ms. Congress, a voice-over talent and print model for local, regional and national radio and television commercial spots, is also the creator and sponsor of the annual Grand Prairie African American Author Showcase which features authors from the Dallas/Ft Worth area. Her writing has been heralded as being keenly adept and motivating to readers, daring them to explore the deep-seated issues at the very core of their spiritual versus human existence. While guiding readers through issues of personal bondage with sensitivity and support, Ms. Congress offers the challenge to her readers to own up and more importantly, move beyond the self-imposed limitations created by one's individual comfort zone. She generously affirms her audience with a "Come on in, girlfriend…. let's talk!" style. Ms. Congress calls Grand Prairie home, were she mothers 3 wonderful children.

Floyd Cooper
Floyd Cooper is the acclaimed illustrator of a number of children's books. He received the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor for Brown Honey in Boomwheat Tea in 1994 and again for Meet Danitra Brown in 1995. The technique Cooper uses is called oil wash on board. He paints an illustration board with oil paint, and then he does something unusual. With a stretchy eraser, he erases the paint to make a picture! He calls this methods of painting a "subtractive process". He likes to demonstrate this technique for kids to show them "that there can be different approaches to age-old problems", Mr. Cooper lives in West Orange, N.J. but he often returns to Oklahoma where his family still lives on the farm his great-grandfather staked in a land run.

Robert "E" Criner
How to Keep Yourself Motivated and Win at the Game of Life , just about everything we do has rules and guidelines. This book is about stating, understanding and using rules that make sense to you in your everyday life. An exciting communicator, Robert E. Criner has been empowering audiences since 1990. What Robert shares with people is not just theory -it is his own personal experience of growing through and overcoming obstacles and challenges. His life has changed and progressed through the same positive motivational techniques, strategies and principles he shares with people from all walks of life. Mr. Criner resides in Oklahoma.

W. Eric Croomes
Free-lance writer, Playwright, Executive Director of Millennium Men of Color and author of Dance in the Dark: Poetic Reflections on Love and Culture is a native of Phoenix, Arizona, now based in Irving, Texas. In his book, Mr. Croomes writes with poetic candor from a black male perspective, using personal experience, interspersed with poem, myth and literary anthology of the mystery of love and the vibrancy of African-American culture. His debut stage play, 3 to 8, premiered at the February 2004 BlackenBlues Play Festival, a dramatization of the hours between 3pm and 8pm, when most teenage girls become pregnant and most juvenile crime is committed. His next book entitled, Brotha 2 Brotha: Becoming Healthy Men Inside and Out, is a spiritual primer for men of color who want to lead empowered lives, is due to be released Spring 2005.

Mark Crutcher
CHECKMATE: The Game Men Play, author Mark Crutcher sympathetically puts all the tricks of the trade out in the open to empower women to take back control of the dating process and their lives. He encourages women to start searching for the true meaning behinds a man's action and words

Erik Jerome Dickey
Eric Jerome Dickey was born in Memphis, Tennessee and attended the University of Memphis, where he earned his degree in Computer System Technology. He embark on his writing career in the early 1990's and soon became the national best-selling author of Naughty or Nice, Thieves' Paradise, Between Lovers, Liar's Game, Cheaters, Milk in My Coffee, Friends and Lovers, Cappuccino (Movie) and Sister Sister, as well as a contributor to Gumbo: A Celebration of African American Writing (2002), Black Silk (2002), Got to Be Real, Griots Beneath the Baobab: Tales from Los Angeles (2002)and NAL's Mothers & Sons. His books has held steady positions on regional bestseller lists and have been featured in many publications, including Essence, USA Today, Detroit Free Press, The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times. Dickey's Thieves in Paradise landed on bestseller lists for The New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Essence and Publishers Weekly. Genevieve is his latest release (May 2005)

Raj Dore
Raj Dore is a Software Engineer hailing from a very orthodox South-Indian Brahmin family. He was born in Hiderabad (Sind), now in Pakistan, before the Partition. When the Indian sub-continent was divided he and his family fled to India. He migrated to the United States in 1977. He now lives with his wife in Dallas, Texas. He has a B.Sc (Mathematics, Physics and Geology), MA (Political Science) and MBA. Later he worked on MS (Computer Sciences) at the Southern Methodist University. He is a member of MENSA and INTERTEL, his writings have been published in their magazines as well. His book Tandoori Texan Tales is filled with humor, passion, joys, sorrows and the whole gamut of emotions that one encounters when two cultures meet. Whether you are from the Indian sub-continent or not, you will empathize with the characters. Having picked it up you will not put the book down until you have read it from cover to cover.

Rufus and Glenda Fields
Minister, Rufus B. Fields, Jr. is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and now resides in Dallas, with his beautiful wife and his two sons, DeMarcus and Desmon. He is a devoted Father, Husband, who truly loves God, His Word and His people! He has been a Conference speaker, Sunday school/ Youth teacher, Deacon, and Mentor, who works with various youth organizations, Singles, Marital, Brotherhood, Deliverance, Prison, and Evangelism Ministries. This anointed Praise and Worship Leader/Singer; is the President and Co-Founder of Heirs of Faith, a Family Investment Group/Company, and he is currently a member of The Potter's House, of Dallas, TX, a graduate of the Potter's House School of Ministry and serves as a committed, and devoted member of the staff of ministers.

Glenda Fields a faithful member of the Potter's House Church of Dallas is the author of Look Out The Enemy Is Coming, the co-author of two other books, a founder of SISTER'S IN CHRIST; staff member/speaker for: M.E.N.D with W.O.R.D and C.O.R.D- Inspirational Seminar, Workshop, Conference and Motivational Speaking Group, has displayed her talents in, The Silence Within, Sounds of Poetry CD's. Glenda is known for her insight to provide practical strategies to restore marriages and just as aggressive for growing her ministry to glorify God.

A.K. Flourish
A Native of Nigeria, A. K. has a bachelor's degree in land surveying. He also has a Master of Science degree in geographical information systems. His life in Nigeria was very different from his life in Texas, although not as different as many might expect. His special interest include technology, agriculture, sports, literature, social networking, philanthropy and human rights. "It was in Africa where my love of all those things I love was developed. I came to America for the opportunity to have a better life - the chance to have more of the things I love, and provide them for the people I love". Lord I Have a Question is a collection of poetry written in Africa and in America by A. K. Flourish.

Elaine Flowers
Author of Black Beauty and a native of Wichita, Kansas Ms. Flowers now residing in Dallas. Her creative inspiration comes from eighteen years of being behind the styling chair and the relationships she built with her unique and longstanding clientele as a hairstylist and former salon owner. Ms. Flowers began writing stories as a youth, and was encouraged by close friends to seriously pursue publishing of Black Beauty. At this advice, she enrolled in creative writing and literature courses to perfect her craft, taking five years to complete the novel and another year and a half to complete the publishing process. Ms Flowers is thoroughly enjoying her emergence into the literary and publishing world and has now embraced her first love of living her dream of writing full time.

Nancy Flowers
Nancey Flowers paid tribute to her parents by using their native Jamaica, West Indies, as the setting for her first novel A Fool’s Paradise. Nancey attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she received her bachelor’s degree in mass communications with a minor in journalism. Nancey is the author of the #1 Essence Bestselling novel Shattered Vessels, and a forthcoming book, No Strings Attached. Nancey Flowers served as Program Director to the Harlem Book Fair, a contributor to Black Issues Book Review and a former Managing Editor of QBR the Black Book Review. Nancey is also co-owner of Flowers & Hayward Publicity and Entertainment and Editor-In-Chief of Game Sports Magazine. Nancey lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Mike Frazier
A torrential storm changed his life forever… leaving Mike Frazier for dead and killing his family. The deadly waters of a Texas creek rose, lifting their car with ease, tossing it over a bridge, drowning his mother, father, 2-year-old daughter, 11-year-old nephew and fiancée. It was by the grace of God that Mike escaped. He has overcome to tell his story of how he survived the storm. Surviving the Storm: Finding Life After Death...A Testimony is his book.

John W. Gibson
John Worthington Gibson was born and raised in "Flytown" (Columbus, Ohio) and attended Central High School. He served six years in the army and was a US Paratrooper stationed in the U.S. and Europe. On completing his tour of duty, he enrolled at Anderson College (Indiana), and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in social Work with a minor in English. John spent four years as a management trainer with McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California and, for the past ten years he and his wife have own Worthington Paper Company in Texas. John is a member of Toastmasters International and has done motivational speaking in educational civic and government settings. John is a multi-talented writer who has written several novels, screenplays, musicals, stage plays and a soap opera for radio. His works have been produced in churches, schools and community theaters and for television and radio in Indianapolis, Sacramento and Northern Texas. His characters grow out of his rich background and often portray the conflicts African-American face in attempting to reach a higher plateau economically and spiritually. A Sparrow Has Wings and Higher Heights are fictional, historical accounts of the Tuskegee Airman before and after their heroics in WWII and are John's first two published novels. John, his wife and son currently reside in Dallas, Texas.

Nikki Giovanni
Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni, Jr., born in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past thirty years, Nikki's outspokenness, in her writing and in person, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Her focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others. Nikki Giovanni has written more than two dozen books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children's books, and three collections of essays. Her book Racism 101 includes bold, controversial essays about the situation of Americans on all sides of various race issues. She has received 21 honorary doctorates and a host of other awards, including "Woman of the Year" awards from three different magazines as well as Governors' Awards in the Arts from both Tennessee and Virginia. Her three most recent volumes of poetry, Love Poems, Blues: For All the Changes and Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, were winners of the NAACP Image Award, in 1998, 2000, and 2003. Since 1987, she has taught writing and literature at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor. As a devoted and passionate writer, teacher, and speaker, she inspires not only her students, but also readers and audiences nationwide. The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, a spoken-word CD, was a finalist for the 2003 Grammy Award in the category of spoken word.

Sheila M. Goss
Shelia M. Goss is a freelance writer and the ESSENCE MAGAZINE Best Selling Author of My Invisible Husband and Roses are Thorns, Violets are True. Her articles, poetry and short stories have appeared in national magazines such as Black Romance Magazine and Bronze Thrills. Besides writing fiction, she is an aspiring screenwriter. Shelia is also the Music Editor at BellaOnline Women in Music. Some artists she's interviewed in the past include Lisa Marie Presley, BET Gold Coast host, Rhian Benson, up-and-coming country music star Julie Roberts, and R & B artists, Tweet, Nivea, Sumeet.

Marcus Dwayne Haskins
“My Destiny is What I Make of It” has become a mantra for Marcus Dwayne Haskins, who has become one of America’s leading storytellers and authors. A Grambling State University graduate and Detroit native, the DFW resident creates stories that takes his audience on a journey of the world as he sees it – a word that may be familiar to some and alien to others. From his intriguing one-man show, “Through My Eyes”, to his debut novel Mama Bess, Haskins feeds his audience a delicacy of subliminal socio-consciousness, leaving them with just enough sustenance to get by until he serves his next dish. Haskins has dazzled crowds at such events as the Essence Music festival For Sisters Only and the National Black MBA Conference.

David Haynes
David Haynes has been recognized by Granta magazine as one of America's best young novelists. The author of six critically acclaimed novels and five children's books, he is the director of creative writing at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. The former sixth grade teacher's short stories have been heard on "Selected Shorts" on NPR, and his novels have been recognized by the American Library Association.

Vanessa Hollis
Vanessa is a self-published author of the book Love in My Teardrops, scheduled to be released August 2005. Vanessa resides in Austin, TX she owns Teardrops Publishing and is busy finishing the sequel to her book.

Chris Howell
Born into a heritage of entrepreneurial leadership, Howell has followed suit. He is CEO of C&D Associates, a full service talent-booking agency for voice-over artist and keynote speakers. The company also offers consultation to event planners along with a hoist of event services. With his overwhelming passion to help others reach their destiny, Howell serves as the Executive Coordinator for the Men's Department at the Potter's House of Dallas, where Bishop T.D. Jakes is the founder and Senior Pastor. The Potter's House Men's Ministry has over 10,000 men. Howell has been very instrumental in the start up and development of the curriculum for the training classes that are offered to the men of the Potter's House. The classes are: Discipleship, Mighty Man of Valor Leadership, Man2Man Mentoring and School of Kings. The classes are designed to empower men spirituality, relationally and economically. Howell also serves as broadcast personality on the Potter's House weekly news broadcast and is the host of a talk show designed to encourage and empower man entitled Man Talk. Howell's rich golden voice and broadcasting experience has afforded him the opportunity to produce many successful video productions and radio commercials. Howell lives in Dallas, TX with his wife of sixteen years Dominique and their three children Christina, Dominique, Chris Jr.

Derek Jackson
Derek Jackson is the author of Destiny’s Cry and A Man Inspired (January 2005). “As I grew up I became just like my mother in the sense that I devour books and newspapers like they are going out of style, and from that love of reading came a natural inclination to write”. A University of Houston graduate in communications, he is a freelance graphic designer and lives in Houston.

Mylia Jaza
A celebrated writer gifted in each area of The Arts – from dance and music to painting and oratory, Mylia Tiye Mal Jaza received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mississippi, and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Texas. By age 31, her work history had grown to include stints as a Managing Editor of a newspaper and as Proctor and Gamble and Match.com model. Mylia Jaza has also authored a dual series of poetry books aimed at resilience and self-love called Life is Beautiful. Life is Beautiful: La Vita E Bella is the debut work, and Life is Beautiful: La Vita Es Hermosa, is the follow-up book of poetry that completed the praise and self-acceptance series. Her second project and third book, Seen In Other Words, is an amalgamation of poetry and prose that candidly expose some truths generally unspoken, hidden, or in some way not fully disclosed in many social circles and intimate settings.

Rosemary Jenkins
Rosemary Jenkins is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She now resides in North Central Texas. Jenkins has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech and Theatre Education and a Masters of Education Degree in Counseling and School Psychology. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. While having reflecting on her own life adventures, Jenkins states that too often many of our life mistakes can take us too long to recover, when we have not equipped ourselves to manage them better. Jenkins also stated that a crucial time to prepare for such is during high school as we are preparing to graduate. Things To Know Have And Do As You Graduate From High School is a "must have" guide for students who are graduating or about to graduate from high school.

Shaundale Johnson
Author of soon-to-be released in the Fall of 2005 Once Broken, Now Blessed, which is based on the 23rd Psalm. In her debut title, Shaundale shares her valley-to-victory experiences, telling her own story of a broken lamb finding total liberation through her shepherd. She resides in Cedar Hill with her husband and two children. She is a native of central Louisiana and an alumnus of Grambling State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems. She joined various clubs and organizations, one of which was Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Shaundale currently resides in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metropolitan area with her husband, Derrick and their two daughters, Eian and Emahn. They are members of Concord Church in Oak Cliff and lead the Cedar Hill/DeSoto Bible Study Growth Group. Johnson is currently working on her second manuscript as she obeys the command of the Lord when He spoke to her in a dream, "Let your writing be the conviction."

Linda Jones
Linda Jones is journalist, media consultant and author of Nappyisms: Affirmations for Nappy-Headed People and Wannabes, a thought-provoking collection of essays, anecdotes, affirmations and other writing about the sensitive issue of hair in the African American community. She is founder of A Nappy Hair Affair, Inc., which promotes African American culture and identity. One of her educational projects under ANHA is the 'hairepy session' cultural enrichment workshops she conducts for youth and adults. Linda is also owner of ManeLock Communications which provides professional writing and media consulting services.

Dr. Jacqueline Lawrence
“Losses caused by death, divorce and income, I would say, naturally bring about the greatest pain for most of us, however the pain that I can’t seem to shake stems from people not loving one another the way they would want to be treated” says Dr. Lawrence, who have recently relocated from to Dallas, Texas. Dr. Lawrence’s book Single & Waiting is filed with inspiration, compassion, wit, and wisdom, a guide for African-American Christian women reveals how to navigate the trials and tribulations of relationships while remaining true to their faith and to God.

Sylvia Willis Lett
Sylvia Willis Lett was born in a small East Texas town called Rusk and has been writing romance novels since the age of 15. Her love for reading shines through in her writing. For Christina's Sake garnered rave reviews from the readers. Her latest endeavor I Wish I Had Waited is a gripping novel of teens coming of age sexually and emotionally. This is a book every parent and teenager should read and discuss, thereby opening the lines of communication. The novel is geared towards girls 12-19. Sylvia wrote a play based on the novel, the play premier in June 2005 at the Plaza Theatre in Garland, the next show is at the Fort Worth YMCA on October 9th. Ms. Lett resides in Dallas, TX with her two children Michael and Courtney.

Alfred C. Martino
Alfred C. Martino is the co-founder and president of Listen & Live Audio, an independent audiobook publishing company located in New Jersey. Listen & Live Audio has published over 200 titles, on both CD and cassette, abridged and unabridged. The company has worked with some of the finest narrators in the audiobook industry, including Burt Reynolds, Penn Jillette (Penn & Teller), Frank Muller, Suzanne Toren, Simon Prebble, George Guidall, Laura Hamilton, Grover Gardner and Alyssa Bresnahan, among others. The company has also had the privilege of recording many high-profile books, including the New York Times bestseller The Jane Austen Book Club, The Darwin Awards series, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series, and authors Donna Hanover, Carol O'Connell and Cassandra King. The company has won 3 Audie Awards and 9 Publishers Weekly 'Listen Up' Awards. In March 2005, Harcourt Inc. published Mr. Martino's debut novel, Pinned, a coming-of-age tale that follows Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane, two high school seniors, as they embark on the most important winter of their lives in a quest for the state high school wrestling championship. The novel (and audiobook) have been positively reviewed in magazines such as Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist, AudioFile and Kirkus. The novel has also been chosen as a Jr. Library Guild Selection, Capitol Choices nominee, and nominee for YALSA's 'Best Book For Young Adults.' Mr. Martino regularly has speaking engagements at public libraries, wrestling groups and schools to discuss his writing, audiobook publishing and the importance of education with middle and high school students.

Mackie Maynor
Nine Years of Mental Anguish & Grief, Could you be the Next Victim?

Victor McGlothin
Victor McGlothin almost lost an athletic scholarship due to poor reading skills. Ultimately, he overcame that obstacle and later completed a Masters degree in Human Relations & Business. After he developed a love for the written word, Victor left a vice president position with a local bank to pursue a career in literature. He now lives in the Dallas area with his wife and two sons.

Evelyn Palfrey
Evelyn Palfrey grew up in East Texas. She is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas Law School. Ms Palfrey is active with the Austin Writers League, the Austin Romance Writers of America, the Travis County Bar Association and the Links Inc. "I write stories that have middle-age heroes and heroines because I believe that romance is just as beautiful with a little grey at the temples". Author of four novels, the current hit Everything In Its Place, the romantic thriller Dangerous Dilemmas, the bestselling Price of Passion and the classic Three Perfect Men, Evelyn's writing is described as "superb storytelling". She is currently at work on her fifth novel.

Marcus Parker
Marcus A Parker was born in Port Arthur, TX in 1974. Growing up in an area known for high unemployment and drug abuse, to discovering his biological father at the age of 17, Marcus has displayed a remarkable ability to use the negatives in his life to propel him to achieve. Parker graduated from Lincoln High School in 1993, and immediately joined the United States Air Force where his drive to succeed landed him some of the Air Force's top acknowledgements for saving the Government over $100,000 dollars in maintenance costs. After receiving an associate's degree in Electronics from the Community College of the Air Force he took his training to corporate America and became a highly paid semiconductor equipment technician. Investing all his earnings into the stock market and following up with real estate ventures, Parker had become financially independent at the tender age of twenty-six. The tragedy of September 11th caused Marcus to lose all he had worked so hard for and after facing foreclosures, repossessions, and bankruptcy, this relentless young man recovered again from these negatives and wrote The Product which is his life story packed with values that he learned throughout his vast experiences with having to stay positive even with much negativity surrounding you. Marcus now speaks to young and old alike, and encourages his audience to rise above their circumstances and use the negatives in their lives to propel them to bigger and better things. Parker's motto is to always keep your faith in God, "You do what you can and He'll do what you can't."

Crystal Perkins-Stell
Crystal is a native of Detroit, Michigan, an educator, self-published author, and a "woman on a mission" to hit the literary world like a heavy storm. Her passion for writing is based on inspiring literacy, thought, dialogue, and change amongst "our lost and misguided youth". She currently works for a Historical Black College/University as the Associate Director of a Trio Program. They provide various services to first-generation and low-income students, designed to retain them in college. After hearing Tom Joyner delivered the 2001 commencement address, Crystal decided, like him, "I too had a real purpose in higher education". She is a role model, a mover, and a shaker. Ms Stell sold her car, saved her tax return and produced a novel for the sole purpose of generating scholarship money for underprivileged college students. She is happy to report that book sales have gone well and fifty percent of the revenue she earned is donated to a course book scholarship fund.

Nicolle Pierce
Nicolle Pierce’s novel The Sacred Sermon has been featured on the Essence Best Sellers List and has been featured in the Dallas Morning News twice as #1 paperback fiction novel. Nicolle has created a believable character, Natalie Thomas, and anyone who reads this novel can’t help but laugh, smile and cry with Natalie as she walks along her path of misguided love. Pierce who was born and raised in Dallas, TX, has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Tuskegee University and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is an account executive, motivational speaker, and a licensed real estate professional. She currently resides in Houston, TX where she is finishing the sequel to The Sacred Sermon. Also keep on the look out for The Sacred Sermon (play) that is scheduled to start touring in 2005.

Sana N. Rashid
G-Mama: A FUN-damental Guide to Grandparenting is a useful ingredient to enrich your G-Parent experience. It's a must have. G=Parenting understand the necessity of the old values, but add a new twist, making it not only fashionable but desirable for both the adult and the child. The G-Parent encourages self development while continuing their own evolutionary journey. G-Parenting at its finest is the first role model and mentor with everlasting affect for today's youth. The author, Sana N. Rashid, affectionately known as G-Mama is mother of four, G-Parent of four and G-Mama to numerous surrogate grandchildren. She has taken this role seriously for over twenty years of working in the community. Ms Rashid presents lectures and workshops dealing with the G-parent concept including grandparents parenting.

Francis Ray
Francis Ray is a native Texan and lives in Dallas. A graduate of Texas Woman's University, she is a School Nurse Practitioner with the Dallas Independent School District. In 1999 and 2000 she was nominated for Texas Woman's University Distinguished Alumni Award. The Turning Point, her first mainstream, was a finalist for the prestigious HOLT Medallion Award. At the release event for The Turning Point in May 2001, she established The Turning Point Legal defense Fund to assist women of domestic violence to help restructure their lives. Ms. Ray's titles consistently make bestseller's lists such as Blackboard and Essence Magazine. Incognito, her sixth title, was the first made-for-TV movie for BET. She has written fourteen single titles and eight anthologies.. Awards include Romantic Times Career Achievement, Emma, The Golden Pen, and The Atlantic Choice. Titles include: Someone to Love Me December 2003, Trouble Don't Last Always January 2004, First Touch February 2004, Whole Lotta Love February 2004, Love At Leo's July 2004, The Falcon Saga August 2004, and You and No Other December 2004.

Alexus Rhone
Alexus Rhone (affectionately known as "MS. Alexus") is a YA author devoted to candidly exploring teen issues through fiction. Graciously labeled "the black Judy Blume," her universal stories engage even the most reluctant of readers. Her debut novel, Premature Pleasures (2001), hit Children's Young Adult bestseller lists around the southwest region and her sophomore release, Secret Shame (2003, debuted number two on The Dallas Morning News Bestsellers List and number three in Essence Magazine (August 2003). Alexus recently completed her third teen novel, Backseats and Bleachers: A High School Love Story (release date pending) and is sketching her fourth and final project in the Trek Baden series, Cover the Coo. To the numerous awards and honors bestowed on Alexus, in 2005, The Phoenix Business Journal awarded her the coveted "40 under 40" Award in recognition of her business acumen and leadership in the community. In addition, Alexus has been selected as a Spanish Fellow with Instituto Londres and will teach language arts outside Mexico City this summer. During the school-year, she serves as a writer-in-residence at several high schools in Phoenix and travels the country actively promoting and lecturing on teen issues. Alexus holds a bachelor of Journalism/Public Relations degree from the University of Texas at Austin and resides in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, Lewis.

Shewanda Riley
Shewanda Riley is the author of the Essence best-seller Love Hangover: Moving From Pain to Purpose After a Relationship Ends. The book describes how she was victoriously healed spiritually and emotionally after a devastating relationship breakup in 1999. Her passion is helping singles rebuild and sharpen their relationship skills. Shewanda has been featured as a guest on the Potter’s Touch Television show hosted by Bishop T. D. Jakes, ABC Radio and Sheridan Broadcasting Network. In addition to being a national speaker on singles and relationship issues, she is an Associate Professor of English at Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas as well as the Managing Editor of The Dallas Weekly. Both the conference and book have been featured in JET Magazine. Love Hangover was endorsed by Bishop T. D. Jakes, Stephen Arterburn, Les Brown and Thelma Wells.

Kim Robinson
Kim talks about her book The Roux in the Gumbo. It starts in the 1800's in Louisiana telling the story of people who helped my Great-Grandmothers and Grandmother whose life story I tell through the migration to California and goes through to 1997 to my grandmothers funeral. Back in the day women had a lot of adversity to overcome, but they also had the heart to help others. Every person ads something to everyone they touch. This story has slavery, reconstruction, prohibition, depression era.

Pastor Rickie G. Rush
Pastor Rickie G. Rush is one of the most cutting-edge pastors in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. His unique demonstrative style of preaching has allowed his ministry to grow from a faithful few to a flourishing flock of over 14,000. After completing a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of Texas in Arlington, he went on to receive a doctorate in divinity from Rialto Bible College in Southern California. In his book May I Have Your Order, Please? he uses six principles to help Christians go from prayer to possessing the promises of God. Pastor and Organizer of the IBOC (Inspiring Body of Christ Church) Worldwide Ministries, Pastor Rush resides in Dallas with his wife and daughter.

Toni Simmons
Toni Simmons brings to life story-telling as only a veteran entertainer can. After years of working as children's librarian and drama teacher, Toni combined her talents and began sharing stories throughout the United States, in South Africa and Germany. Her listeners become part of her multicultural oral traditions with carefully orchestrated rhythms, chants and movements. She is a Touring Artist for the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Louisiana Division of the Arts and is listed on the Arts Midwest Heartland Fund. Children and adults are mesmerized by this energetic and animated storyteller who involves her audiences in her acclaimed performances to everyone's delight. Her Stories Alive: African and African American Folktales is a Winner of Parents' Choice & Parent Council Award. The Cheese Chase: Why Dogs Chase Cats is her latest book.

Shani Smith
Shani Smith was born in Houston, Texas and raised in Dallas. Graduating from David W. Carter High School in 1994 she went on to attend Oklahoma City University, majoring in Communications with a concentration in Film. She has been a radio personality for the last 11 years working in various markets across the county. The Rough Side/The Soft Side is her first book and she plans to write many more.

Earl Staggs
Earl Staggs took the long path to becoming a novelist, but he got there in style. A former sales professional, business consultant and trainer with a national trade association, Staggs honed his general writing skills by working on technical articles, training materials and trade magazines. Always committed to writing fiction Staggs got the chance to indulge himself when he and his wife moved to Florida, and eventually Texas. As he did begin to write mystery stories. Staggs found his niche, and his work has appeared in numerous magazines and anthologies and one of them was awarded a Derringer Award for Best Short Mystery Story in 2002. He served as Managing Editor of Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine and as President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society. He was a Finalist for the 2003 Derringer Award, received best Best Story of the Year honors from Mysterical-eMagazine, a Pushcart Prize nomination, and the Kathey Clarey Mystery Writer Memorial Award for Best First Chapter. Memory of a Murder is the author’s first novel.

Michelle Stimpson
Author of Boaz Brown, her roots are as a native Texan and a self-proclaimed church brat. Michelle is an educational consultant who earned her master's degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She currently resides in Dallas with her husband and two children.

Rosalyn Story
Rosalyn Story a violinist with the Fort Worth Symphony, lives in Dallas, Texas. Her first book, And So I Sing: African American Divas of Opera and Concert (Warner), inspired the PBS documentary Aida's Brothers and Sisters: A History of Blacks in Opera, in which she appeared as feature narrator. She has written on music and art for Essence, Emerge, American Visions, Stagebill (the magazine of Lincoln Center), Opera News, and The Crisis magazines. Her first novel More Than You Know is due for release September 2005.

Pastor Daryl Tate
Author of Unleashing the Blessings of God in your Life has a true passion and gift to ignite a continuous flame of excellence among God's people which stems from his personal struggle with sin and living a deficient life. Inspired by the release the power of application into his own spirit, he discovered the exit from deficiency and the entrance into the hidden treasures of abundance and the principle of God's way as A More Excellent Way was born. God called Pastor Tate from the entrepreneurship of a computer consulting and television production firm and released in him a vision to impart these principles of excellence and expertise for the purpose of building the Kingdom of God.

Dr. Joyce Willard Teal
Joyce Willard Teal is a graduate of Prairie View University. She is an award-winning teacher in the Dallas Public Schools. She has taught school in Dallas for six years, but her career path has taken her through New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Virginia where she taught community college and reading/language arts to boys and girls in the public schools. She began writing professionally in 1993 and has had several award-winning poems published. Her first book, It's O.K. To Be Different, was written for boy and girls between the ages of nine and fifteen, but has universal appeal and is being read by children as well as adults. It is now in its fourth printing, the most recent of which is a new millennium edition with expanded glossary and artwork. Activities for children are included in this edition.

Kathy Mitchell Thomas
The Houston-based author self-published Blame it on the Rain (2004) and The Fish Ain't Biting (March 2005) under her own publishing company Shunu Publishing. A former veteran and alumni of Northwestern State University in Louisiana K. Mitchell-Thomas recently established the Steven Thomas Foundation, a non-profit organization that makes annual contributions to area schools' special needs students grades K thru 6, for educational and recreational purposes. A true G.R.I.T.S (girls raised in the south) the author is currently working on her next writing project.

Ronald Walters
Currently, at the University of Maryland College Park, Dr. Ronald Walters holds the position of "The Distinguished Leadership Scholar" and the Director of the African American Leadership Institute in the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership, and a position as Full Professor in the Department of Government and Politics. Dr. Walters is the author of over 100 articles and six books. One book, Black Presidential Politics in America won the Ralph Bunche Prize, given by the American Political Science Association and the Best Book award from the National Conference Of Black Political Scientists (NCPBPS). His book Pan Africanism and the African Diaspora also won the NCOBPS Best Book as well. He is a frequent guest on local and major media as an analysts of African American politics in Washington, DC, and nationally has appeared frequently on such shows as CNN's Crossfire, The Jesse Jackson Show, Lead Story, CBS News Nightline, Today Show, C-Span, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, as well as countless radio programs. In Freedom is NOT Enough (July 2005) Ron Walters traces the history of the black vote since 1965, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2005, and shows why passing a law is not the same as assuring its enforcement, legitimacy and opportunity. He is married to Patricia Ann Walters and resides in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Dr. Scott Whitaker
Dr. Scott Whitaker is a Naturopathic Doctor and Author with over 15 years experience in herbology, iridology, homeopathy, natural healing, and detoxification. Dr. Whitaker is the Founder/Owner of the Wholistic Health Institute Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of disease through education. MEDISIN the Causes and Solutions to Disease, Malnutrition and the Medical Sins that are Killing the World. MEDISIN has been awarded two National Awards: “Book of the Year” KHA Books and Conquering Books, LLC, charlotte, NC 2005, and “Best Non-Fiction Science/Health” Los Angeles Black Book Expo, 2005. Dr. Whitaker currently resides in Corona, California.