Tulisoma: South Dallas
Book Fair & ARTS FESTIVAL 2006
Kayla is a motivational speaker, writer, business executive, and on-air talent. Her resume includes radio and television broadcasting, public speaking, events planning, feature writing, marketing, and corporate communications. She is author of "There's Beauty in the Rainbow", a motivational book for children.
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 Black Rain 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.
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.
Monica is a versatile journalist, author, motivational speaker, and Doctor of Dental Surgery. Her debut novel, When A Sistah's Fed Up, is an Essence and Dallas Morning News Bestseller. She has also authored two non-fiction books: Black English Vernacular and Mom, Are We There Yet? In 1996, she became the first African-American columnist for the Arlington Star-Telegram. She was a weekly columnist for one of the leading daily newspapers in Texas, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for seven years. Her editorials have appeared in various newspapers across the country including: the Seattle Times, the San Jose Mercury News, and the Courier-Journal of Louisville, KY. In 1999, the staff of the Fort Worth Weekly named her “Best Columnist” in Tarrant County. Dr. Moe is the former host of Perpetual Moe-tion, a weekly cable television talk show. As a third generation member of the international organization, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. this Texas native donates her time and resources to countless nonprofit endeavors in her community. She is also a member of The Divine Literary Tour, a first-of-its-kind event uniting authors from Black Greek letter organizations to share the diversity and richness of African-American literature in a cross-country tour. Moe has been the recipient of numerous awards, including: Outstanding Young Women of America, the "Outstanding Young Alumni" Award from the Alumni Association of Baylor University, the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Fort Worth Independent School District, and the Millennium Award for Medicine from Altrusa International, Inc.
Lewis
lives in Dallas, TX and is the father of three children. He graduate
of Central State University in Wilberforce, OH and is currently
pursuing his Global MBA graduate degree at the University of Maryland.
During Banks’ tenure in corporate America, he acquired a great many
accolades. In spite of his accomplishments, Lewis Banks realized
that the hand of God was on him, and decided that he needed to follow
the Lord’s call on his life. Following the American dream simply
was not enough. It was due to this realization that he authored
his first novel in hopes that it would reach and minister to others
who are “Falling to Grace”. “Fallen to Grace” is a personal journey
from corporate powerhouse to prisoner; from having it all to having
nothing. It is one man’s personal battle with his demons of depressions.
Lewis has also had his work published in Gospel Synergy Magazine.
MBridges
grew up on the Southern end of California, moving with her parents
and siblings to Texas in her early teen years. Always an avid reader
and writer the author recalls writing her first stories for her
most enthusiastic and encouraging fan at the time, Ms. Horton, her
teacher from the first through third grades at Ralph Waldo Emerson
in Compton, California. She attended the University of Houston-Downtown
for several years where she attempted to become the first student
to ever receive tenure – unfortunately the quest was denied, but
she still has hope. Her disciplines include English, Speech Communications
and Technical Writing. She wrote her first manuscript, a romantic-fantasy,
at twenty and is currently the author of ten manuscripts. She writes
anything from poetry, to short stories, fiction to non-fiction and
has a desire to see all fifty plus of her stories completed and
on book shelves one day. Though she left the Pacific coast years
ago, her heart remains there, but hopes to see exotic beaches and
distant shores, which beckon almost as incessantly as the stories
and characters in her head. 
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.
Thomas Brooks is the author of the new book
A WEALTH OF
FAMILY: An Adopted Son's International Quest for Heritage, Reunion
and Enrichment [ISBN: 0977462935]. This inspiring adoption
and reunion saga delivers timely and provocative viewpoints on multicultural
families and powerful insights on how to triumph over racism and
poverty. Brooks grew up as the only child of a struggling single
mother in inner-city Pittsburgh. He was battling racial stereotypes
at school and searching for a place among his peers. Then he was
told at age eleven that he was adopted. He did not know it at the
time, but Brooks had actually been born to a white biological mother
who descended from Lithuanian Jews and a black Kenyan foreign student
father.
Brooks has been featured in articles, on the radio, and on television. In 1998, Brooks won a Career Communications Group national award for Technical Sales and Marketing for his work in corporate America. The entrepreneur co-founded MinorityProfessionalNetwork.com in 2001, which provides a global Career, Economic and Lifestyle Connection. Brooks is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and also the National Black MBA Association. He enjoys snow skiing with the NBS, running and salsa dancing. He lives near Houston with his wife and two children. You can click here for Thomas' full bio.
Experts
agree, from birth to 6 are the most impressionable years for children.
What is imprinted on the psyche of a child during this period will
forever under gird the personality, behavior, and potential of the
child. BELOVED provides parents and other caregivers of children,
personal affirming messages, which positively acknowledge, validate
and celebrate the uniqueness of each child. Designed to be read
to the child, the book’s colorful illustrations reinforce and enhance
the affirming messages. The author, Barbara Samuels Cambridge, Ph.D.,
LCSW, ACSW, therapist/social worker for more than 30 years, has
observed first hand the effects of early negative messages. Her
passion is the development and enhancement of self-esteem in children.
Dr. Cambridge knows that words and images have power to imprint
behavior. The words and images found in BELOVED are appropriate
for children of all ages. BELOVED is an excellent gift for expecting
parents. Those who care for pre-school children will find the words
and images in BELOVED reflect the value and potential of each child.
Reading the words of BELOVED aloud to a child will enhance bonding
in a positive manner. 
At
15 years of age, pregnant with no job and no husband, the cards
couldn’t have been more stacked against her; but today Cynthia Cass
has proven the nay-sayers wrong and is telling her story so hundreds
of teen parents can have hope and dreams of success. Her book, Against
All Odds: Success After Teen Pregnancy has been read by hundreds
of pregnant and parenting teens. Against All Odds: Success After
Teen Pregnancy is required reading for many teen parenting students.
In the book, Ms. Cass gives her personal account of the odds she
faced: “I’d never met my mother and my father died when I was 17.
I was forced to move out on my own while still trying to finish
high school. According to statistics, I was destined to drop out
of high school, collect a welfare check and have more children while
unmarried. But, the statistics were too depressing for me to accept.
Instead, I chose to finish high school while providing a stable
home for my young daughter. My journey was not easy, but the prize
of self-sufficiency made the struggle worthwhile. I encountered
many obstacles along the way: minimum wage jobs, lack of decent
childcare, and no support from the father of my child. But I refused
to give up. In spite of the odds, we made it. That baby I had at
16 is my only child. Today we are both college graduates with successful
careers.” Instead of criticism, teen parents need realistic role
models of teen parents who have overcome the odds to become self-sufficient.
I hope my story inspires pregnant and parenting teens to strive
for success. 
W.
Eric Croomes is a writer based in Irving, Texas and a native of
Phoenix, Arizona. Croomes is a 1990 graduate of Jarvis Christian
College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in religion and sociology
and has studied theology at Southern Methodist University in
Dallas. In 2002, he self-published Dance in the Dark, Poetic
Reflections on Love and Culture, a collection of his
original poems and essays on love and relationship in the
African-American tradition. Dance in the Dark became a local
best-seller. In February 2004, Three to Eight, stage-play
written by W. Eric Croomes, was produced at the BlackenBlues
Theater annual play festival. Brotha2Brotha - Becoming
Healthy Men From the Inside Out!, a spiritual primer for men
of color, is Croomes' second book.
Paula
Edwards was born in Los Angeles, California, now residing in the
San Joaquin Valley. She was the co-founder of Black Women for Positive
Change, an organization structured to uplift teens and young adults
through monthly informative publications distributed across the
San Francisco Bay Area. BWPC received recognition in 1999 for their
most talked about interview with former Mayor, R.B. Jones of East
Palo Alto, CA, and a city once labeled “Number One Murder Capital
in the World”. Destined to turn her gift of writing into a career,
Paula Edwards launched her own imprint, JustWrite Publishing, in
2003, and produced her first novel, The Last Bad Decision
in 2004. “It's important to know that self-publishing means so much
more than it did back in the days. It no longer means your book
is so lousy you have no other choice but to publish it yourself.
In fact, I turned down a book deal with a reputable publishing house,” says Edwards, winner of the Best Books Finalist Award in 2005 for her Urban Fiction novel, The Last Bad Decision. “Please don't take that as advice to self publish your book! Writing is a love and publishing is a business. If you're not ready to be an entrepreneur, by all means seek out a publishing deal that fits your needs.” Since 2003, Paula Edwards has proven to be not only an entrepreneur, but a successful one. She’s a contributing writer for the Master Report Newspaper, providing articles, book reviews, and interviews centering on authors, and the host of “Intimate With Paula Edwards”, a top-rated Internet Radio Show, where the likes of talented authors and entertainers are showcased every Thursday from 7:00pm to 8:00pm on Artist First World Radio.
And if that's not enough to prove Paula Edwards is on her way to literary stardom, she has founded yet another hard-hitting association geared toward strengthening our communities. WriteWay2Freedom, the non-profit organization raising stakes, is committed to promoting literacy by providing the aspiring writer with the necessary tools to becoming published. “Our services not only help guide aspiring writers down a road to successful publishing, but also help disadvantaged kids find freedom through writing by turning their thoughts into a book rather than acting them out in violence or other harmful activity known to destroy our youth,” says Edwards, who admits her own learning deficiencies as a child. Founded in 2005, WriteWay2Freedom has already sparked the interest of aspiring writers, schools, libraries, and other literary organizations throughout California. In addition to all of Paula's accomplishments, JustWrite Publishing is proud to announce the release of its second publication. Searching To Find Myself, the follow-up to The Last Bad Decision, is scheduled to hit stores this summer!
Erik Greene is the grandson of Sam Cooke’s oldest sister, Mary.
Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Erik was constantly exposed
to the impact of Sam’s legacy growing up. Born 18 months after Sam’s
tragic death, his mother would play Sam’s music on a regular basis,
and he quickly learned the lyrics to most of his uncle’s hit records.
As he grew older, he became fascinated with the stories his aunts,
uncles and cousins would tell at holiday gatherings. The warmth
of the memories shared, in addition to the incredible stories of
courage, foresight, and determination, soon made Sam Cooke larger
than life. It was with this same passion Erik decided to record
his family’s memories in Our Uncle Sam: The Sam Cooke Story From
His Family’s Perspective.
For Erik, the collection of various childhood stories, life experiences, and unpleasant recollections of Sam’s tragic ending was as much a learning process as it was a literary venture. He talked intimately with family members, often in one-on-one settings over the course of several years, until he was able to get a better understanding of Sam Cooke the person as well as Sam Cooke the Gospel and Soul Superstar. At times his determination made him feel like a detective, seeking to uncover every aspect of his subject he could. The result is “Our Uncle Sam”— the inside truth behind of one of the 20th century’s most gifted and influential contributors to popular music. www.ourunclesam.com
The
Proper Care and Feeding of Your Soul. Description: This book
is for those who are seriously searching for meaning and spirituality
in their lives (Especially those who have found worldly success
without peace). It would be most relevant to teen to fifty-something
men and women who are dealing with lingering childhood or familial
issues which inhibit spiritual growth, such as sexual or physical
abuse. My secondary audience would be those searching for an entertaining,
spiritually based and challenging read. It touches on many different
subjects that pull together many different spiritual perspectives.
It also lends a spiritual perspective to everyday decisions for
success.
Why I wrote this book: The process of writing The Proper Care & Feeding of Your Soul was supernatural. Before knowing Christ, I was so unfulfilled although I had everything a woman could want. It began with a burning desire to just write. I wasn’t trying to write a book, just trying to make sense of my existence. I began by trying to record and purge my early life. I was angry and felt superior to those who violated my innocence as a child. I was jaded in my faith in people and their intentions. It just began as a cathartic tool to move forward and find peace. My writing evolved into a temptation of sorts. I began to see the world as conquerable through anger and wanted to plot out revenge through thought and execution. As revisiting the writing the worst of me became apparent and how I had manipulated all my life. It was a record of survival through ‘martyrdom’ and self righteousness. Ultimately, I was saved by truly seeing myself in the writing and finding redemption through faith. I found faith in the fact that even if I harbored all the negative feelings and attitudes experienced; love was abundant in my life. So this book is a record of living and dealing with anger and finally finding redemption. It is also the culmination of great general philosophies about what the Holy Spirit revealed to me during my spiritual baptism.
Deborah Lintz-Hill grew up in Dallas, Texas. She attended the University of North Texas earning a BA in Sociology. She currently resides in Plano, TX with her husband and three lovely daughters.
Vanessa
Hollis is a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She now resides in Atlanta,
Georgia. Vanessa is in the process of completing her Bachelor of
Science Degree in Business Management from Kaplan University. Vanessa
is a self-published author and founder of Teardrops Publishing.
Her debut novel 'Love in my Teardrops' was released in June 2005
and the sequel ‘When my Tears Cry’ release date was July 2006. Both
are available at www.vanessahollis.com.
"Love in my Teardrops" takes you on a journey of three very different women in their late 30's with one thing in common: each other. Even though you're going to experience them individually, you'll soon discover how their lives are linked together. "Love in my Teardrops" is going to have you laughing out loud and crying silent tears. This book won't be a stranger to you; it's going to get personal.
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. 
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.
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.
Mylia's fourth work, Plea For Peace, deals with a means to bring peace to the world. Her newest work, The Old Negro and The New Negro by T. LeRoy Jefferson, MD, deals with African-American social issues and is a re-publishing of the work first released in 1937 by her great-great-uncle.
K.L.
Jones K. L. Jones was born in Winnsboro, LA, on August 10, 1972,
to the parents of L.K & Pashion Jones Sr., a mother who did not
complete high school and a father who did not make it beyond the
second grade with his education. K. L. Jones had always been told
what to do, but never how to do, like many of us today. Instead
of living a productive life, K. L. Jones, lived a destructive life.
On many of occasions, in his life times he became homeless, and
lived out of his car as he went from state to state looking for
someone, or somewhere, to be accepted. Steadily running from the
calling the Lord placed on his life. The Womanizer, whose only passion
was to manipulate women and wanted death to claim him, K. L., wrestled
with the urge of contemplating suicide daily. It was not until the
Spirit of the Lord spoke to him, and the seeds that the Lord had
planted started to take root, and grow. K. L. Jones is one of Dallas,
Texas, well known authors representing one of the new voices in
Christian Literature, Theology and Spirituality. Mr. Jones recently
released his sophomore book entitled, Proof of Wisdom. The man who
once came from no educational back ground, and no direction in life
was given the assignment by God of creating, and teaching a new
learning code, known as the Usurpo Metaphysics Code. K. L. Jones
continues to exercise one of many of his gifts for the perfecting
of the body of Christ, and unbelievers by challenging those to obtain
Proof of Wisdom, through Faith, Logic, Judgment, and Obedience to
God.
K. L. Jones displays a committed passion to continue to pursue divine purpose, and destiny through his literary and writer's non-profit organization, Beyond the Limits, which is designed to give the opportunity to those desiring a career in writing and publishing the opportunity to learn, explore, and succeed in their dreams. K.L Jones has faced many of life’s setbacks, and disappointments but yet he continues to be a faithful man of God, by continuously giving back to his community, and by having a heart for the people. The man that was once stood homeless, and lived in various shelters is now able to extend a helping hand, by taking in other homeless individuals inside of his home, and the once well-known womanizer is now able to give words of encouragement, and wisdom that invokes change, influence, and power to diversified men, and women of all ages, creeds and nationalities. K. L. Jones, can be heard on various local radio stations, and can be seen on his monthly broadcasted television talk show "Proof of Wisdom” reaching a four million viewing audience in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolis, and surrounding areas, and giving readers, and viewers an opportunity to call in and provide feedback directly to him by asking inquisitive questions, as well as receiving thought -provoking, but yet insightful wisdom commentaries that is sure to affect, and bless there lives. K. L. Jones's applicable and simplistic writing style introduces philosophy, theology, and spirituality to those who may not have had the interest to read it. Mr. K.L. Jones currently resides in the great City of Dallas, Texas with his supporting wife, Alexcia Jones, and their five wonderful children, and family Mr. Jones continues to live by his life long motto….. “To know where one can go, he only needs to remember where he has been”
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.
Jennifer
was raised in Sweden and attended the International Art School in
Stockholm, and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Illustration
from New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology-State University
of New York. Her illustrated children’s book titles include: “Hurry
Up” by Bernette Ford, “Mommy’s Bed” by Sonia Black, both part of
the “Just For You! series published by Scholastic as well as “The
Christmas Puppy” and “Llamas in Pajamas” by Teddy Slater, published
by Sterling/Barnes & Noble. Her desire to share her passion for
illustration manifests itself in holding arts & crafts workshops
for various charitable organizations that focus on the welfare of
children and adolescents in the Dallas Metroplex area. She also
conducts school visits and aims to inspire both the young and young-at-heart
to view and use drawing and painting as means of self-expression
and as problem-solving enablers. Jennifer currently resides in Dallas,
TX and works as a freelance illustrator and portrait artist.
Born
in Greenwood, Mississippi on November 9th of 1969. He grew up traveling
throughout Memphis, Mississippi and Chicago. He attended college
at the University of Tennessee after which he spent a few years
living like a gypsy in Chicago. After growing bored with doing nothing,
he decided to join the Marine Corp. and see the world. The Corps
took him to him to various places around the world and put him in
contact with many different people. After ten years of service Diamond
tried his luck in Corporate America where he now resides. The one
thing that remained constant along Diamond’s path is his never ending
observance of people and his insatiable desire to write. His pages
are filled with memories of past experiences and his interactions
with the litany of characters whom he has met. 
Sylvia Willis Lett has been writing romance novels since the age
of 14. Her first novel, For Christina’s Sake, is an action adventure
romance that has garnered rave reviews from the readers with it’s
unexpected plot twists. She was voted author of the year and book
of the year for You Go Girl Book Club in 2005. Her second novel,
I Wish I Had Waited, debuted in October 2004. This book is intended
as a vehicle to open the lines of communication between teens and
parents on sexuality issues. Sylvia’s play based on I Wish I Had
Waited was a hit at the Plaza Theatre in Garland in June of 2005.
Look for the play in Irving tentatively for April 2007. In June
2006, she signed a deal with Kensington Publishing for two romance
novels. Perfect for You is scheduled for a tentative release of
March 2007. She is represented by Crichton & Associates Literary
Agency. She is busy searching for a Script Agent for her movie scripts
of For Christina’s Sake and I Wish I Had Waited. Sylvia holds a
degree in Computer Science from Tyler Junior College. She resides
in Dallas, Texas with her two children, Michael and Courtney. She
has devoted years of service to volunteer work.
The organizations she worked with are listed below:
- The Promise House – 5 years
- Girl Scouts of America – 5 years
- Big Brothers & Sisters – 1 year
- PTA 1st VP, PTA Secretary – 1 year
- Cub Scouts – 1 year
- Scottish Right Hospital – 6 months
Christine
LeVeaux was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised north of the city
in Deerfield. After high school she headed south, to Atlanta, Georgia
where she obtained a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College. Once
she graduated, she traveled further south to Baton Rouge, Louisiana
where she earned a Ph.D. in political science from Louisiana State
University. LeVeaux is now a professor of American Government and
Black Politics in Houston, Texas. She finds that the most rewarding
aspect of her job is teaching people of diverse backgrounds about
the history and political experiences of blacks in America. Because
of this LeVeaux also dedicates time outside of the university classroom
speaking to groups of all ages about black history and politics.
In November 2004, LeVeaux discovered another way to do what she
loves most. LeVeaux established her own publishing company, Cast
Bucket Press, and published her historical novel They Dance Alone.
LeVeaux hopes to continue the dialogue about the black experience
in America through her writing. 
Marilyn Logan, also known as “The Money Lady” is a national radio
and television personality, business owner, author and motivational
speaker. Marilyn, “The Money Lady” is on a mission to help you “get
your money right.” Armed with years of experience as a successful
investment broker for individuals and major corporations, “The Money
Lady’s” in-your-face, pull-no-punches style is what sets her apart
from the everyday “stuffed-shirt” financial advisor. Marilyn, “The
Money Lady” has a rare ability to tackle serious financial matters
with a sense of humor and if you take her knowledge and advice to
heart, you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. In 2006, she
published her first book, “I CAN’T AFFORD TO MARRY YOU” - A guide
to understanding the true cost of love. (Self Published) Marilyn
Logan, “The Money Lady” is a regular on Steve Harvey’s Morning Radio
Show. www.steveharvey.com She’s also featured as “The Money Lady”
on the GREAT DAY HOUSTON – morning television show 
Shandra
Love is a native Oklahoman, who drew from her deepest survival skills
to combat "Clinical Depression" after the unexpected death of her
little sister, which was also only fifty-two days after losing her
"favorite" aunt. Grief, denial and pride would prevent her from
seeing the self destructive course that she was taking, but the
love and concern of her two daughters, and a best friend would help
her to want to find her way back. My Journey Back, My One Mile:
A Sister's Grief is very blunt, in your face and poignant, but it
is also real. It sheds light on the stigma that keeps many from
seeking the help of clinical professionals, when coming to grips
with the devastating hands that life can sometimes deal them. You
will laugh one minute and cry the next, but whichever you might
be caught doing, you will not want to put it down until it has ended.
A new book of poetry, which was written with her fifteen year-old
niece, Sherene Love, made its debut on February 23, 2006. Less
of Me, More of You - The Gift of an Aunt is an awesome and profound
show of the literary greatness that runs through the veins of this
aunt and niece duo.
Known by many as “Pat”, continues to fight the good fight of faith. She is determined come hell or high water not to give up or give in to the struggles or perplexities of life. She knows that God has redeemed her from destruction; crowned her with loving kindness and tender mercies. Her endurance and tenacity allows people to see what God can do through you. She understands that she will have to fight everyday, with the good fight of faith to lay hold of the promises of God. She was ordained by the hands of man, but chosen by the power of God, according to John 15:16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” It has been foretold that she was sent by God to be a world shaker for the Kingdom of God. "No Pain, No Gain" was written from her life experiences. She boldly, unashamedly became transparent to the readers to help encourage, build up and comfort those who were struggling with relationships and a call from God on their lives. "No Pain, No Gain" comes from the heart of an individual who understands the importance of sharing her testimony--not for the purpose of glamorizing oneself, but for the sole purpose of glorifying the Lord. 7x’s Hotter “Have You Been Tried by the Fire?” has been written to bring you encouragement, comfort, and self-determination to advance to your next dimension in Christ Jesus. You must keep your whole armor on each day of your life. You must trust that God will never leave you or forsake you in any situation that you may face. You must know that this too shall past and God is more than able to deliver you from the hands of the enemy. You must remember it’s only a test of your faith.
Since Michael Moore began writing haiku in 1990, the publisher/author/poet has introduced Japanese haiku to thousand o students and teachers. His enthusiasm and love of the art has captured the curiosity of elementary to high-school age students in private and public schools throughout Texas. Moore specializes in writing and teaching contemporary haiku (free verse) and the traditional (5-7-5) style. Moore is a literary pioneer known for his Haiku en español. Michael shares his expertise and teaches technique at the college level.
Walter
Mosley is the author of twenty-three critically acclaimed books
and his work has been translated into twenty-one languages. His
popular mysteries featuring Easy Rawlins began with Devil in a Blue
Dress in 1990. Others in the series include A Red Death, White Butterfly,
Black Betty and A Little Yellow Dog (both of which were New York
Times bestsellers). Last year, Easy Rawlins returned with Bad Boy
Brawly Brown and Six Easy Pieces. Fear Itself, the follow-up of
Fearless Jones, Mosley's new mystery series featuring second-hand
bookseller Paris Minton and his friend Fearless Jones was published
July 2003 by Little Brown. The Man in My Basement, a novel of ideas
set in contemporary time in a Long Island community, was published
in January 2004. Little Scarlet, an Easy Rawlins novel set five
days after the 1965 Watts riots, was published in July 2004. In
2005, Mosley published his first book for young adult readers, 47,
an ingenious mix of history, science fiction, and adventure and
Cinnamon Kiss, an Easy Rawlins novel that was also a New York Times
bestseller. 2006 brings a return to science fiction, The Wave and
what promises to be his best book yet, Fortunate Son.
Mosley has also written three works of literary fiction (RL's Dream, Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned, and Walkin' the Dog), two works of science fiction (Blue Light and Futureland), and two works of nonfiction, (Workin' on the Chain Gang and What Next). Two movies have been made from his work including the 1995 TriStar release of "Devil in A Blue Dress," produced by Jonathan Demme, directed by Carl Franklin, and starring Denzel Washington and Jennifer Beals. "Always Outnumbered," was produced by HBO/NYC and Palomar Pictures film, directed by Michael Apted and starred Laurence Fishburne, Natalie Cole, Cicely Tyson and Bill Cobbs.
He has won numerous awards including the Anisfield Wolf Award, an honor given to works that increase the appreciation and understanding of race in America. In 2002, he won a Grammy award for his liner notes accompanying "Richard Pryor…And It's Deep Too!: The Complete Warner Bros. Recordings (1968-1992)" from Warner Archives/Rhino Entertainment. He was a finalist for the NAACP Award in Fiction and won the 1996 Black Caucus of the American Library Association's Literary Award (for RL's Dream.). He was an O'Henry Award winner in 1996 (for a Socrates Fortlow story) and is featured in Prize Stories 1996: The O'Henry Awards edited by William Abraham. This year he was honored by Robert Redford's Sundance Institute with a "Risktaker Award" given to him by Sundance for both his creative and activist efforts. Also this year, he was given an honorary doctorate by The City College.
Marion Napoleon is the first time author of “Lady Silverstone’s
Darkest Hour”, a book that provides an exciting and exhilarating
journey into the heart and mind of a woman. The book deals with
every issue a woman can imagine. It was the book for the month for
two consecutive months on KR&B 105.7 in Dallas, TX. Mrs. Napoleon
currently travels the world promoting her newest book, and is highly
requested as a Motivational speaker and Vocalist.
Marion has been an independent entrepreneur for the last 13 years.
She owned and operated Research Team USA, Inc. a research, recruiting
and consulting company located in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metropolitan
area. She continues to enjoy success in the Real Estate industry
capturing the top sales award for both the year 2004 and 2005. Find
out more about “Lady Silverstone’s Darkest Hour” books and products
at www.ladysilverstone.com
Artist
Kadir Nelson Kadir Nelson began drawing at the age of three, displaying
artistic acumen before he could write or spell. “I have always been
an artist,” Nelson explains. “It’s part of my DNA.” At age eleven,
Nelson was apprenticed by his uncle Michael Morris, an artist and
art instructor. “My uncle gave me my foundation in art,” says the
artist. Nelson experimented with several different media and later
began painting in oils at the age of sixteen under the encouragement
and tutelage of both his uncle and high school art teacher. He began
entering his paintings in art competitions and ultimately won an
art scholarship to study at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. Upon
graduating with honors, Nelson began his professional career as
an artist, publishing his work and receiving commissions from publishers
and production studios such as Dreamworks, Sports Illustrated, Coca-Cola,
The New York Times and Major League Baseball, among others.
Nelson also exhibited his work in galleries and museums throughout the country and abroad including the Simon Weisenthal Center, Museum of Tolerance and the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences in Los Angeles, The Museum of African American History in Detroit, The Smithsonian Anacostia Museum in Washington DC, The Society of Illustrators and the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, The Bristol Museum in England, The Citizen's Gallery of Yokohama, Japan and the Center for Culture of Tijuana, Mexico.
Many of his paintings can be found in the private collections of actors, professional athletes and musicians including Debbie Allen, Denzel Washington, Will and Jada Smith, Ananda Lewis, Jalen Rose, Spike and Tonya Lee, Terry Lewis, Ray Allen, Venus Williams, Queen Latifah and Ice Cube. His paintings have also decorated the sets of television sitcoms "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and "The Jamie Foxx Show," as well as feature films "Friday,” "Set it Off" and the forthcoming “The Beauty Shop.” Most notably, Nelson was the "Conceptual Artist" for Steven Spielberg's feature film, "Amistad," and the Oscar nominated animated feature "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron." Among Nelson’s most recent works are the epic paintings, “The Life of Marvin Gaye,” “Marvin Gaye,” “Swizz Beatz: Ghetto Stories” and “Angel,” none of which are smaller than six feet high or wide. Nelson has also collaborated with several notable authors on a series of picture books. Presently, ten children's books are in print including Debbie Allen's DANCING IN THE WINGS, Jerdine Nolen’s Coretta Scott King Honor Book, THUNDER ROSE, Deloris and Roslyn Jordan's best-seller SALT IN HIS SHOES, PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE, by Spike and Tonya Lee and Will Smith's JUST THE TWO OF US, for which Nelson won an NAACP Image Award. Currently, Nelson is planning a tribute book about the Negro Baseball Leagues which he is both authoring and illustrating. Although Nelson works in a variety of styles, he always retains a sense of identity and focus in his work. Nelson’s works are instantly recognizable by the emotion and strength of his varied subject matter. “My work is all about healing and giving people a sense of hope and nobility. I want to show the strength and integrity of the human being and the human spirit.” That is exactly the feeling one walks away with after viewing one of Nelson’s paintings--a feeling that runs all the way down to your DNA.
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."
The
only African-American woman ever to write a number-one country song,
Alice Randall has had more than twenty songs recorded, including
two top ten records and a top forty. Her work includes the only
known recorded country songs to explore the subject of lynching
in The Ballad of Sally Ann, mention Aretha Franklin in
the same line as Patsy Cline XXX's and OOO's: An American Girl,
and give tribute to both the slave dead and the Confederate dead
I'll Cry for Yours, Will You Cry for Mine? Randall is also
a produced screenwriter (a movie of the week for CBS) and has worked
on adaptations of Their Eyes Were Watching God, Parting the
Waters, and Brer Rabbit.
The author of The Wind Done Gone, an unauthorized parody of the American classic Gone With The Wind, Randall was awarded the Free Spirit Award in 2001, the Literature Award of Excellence by the Memphis Black Writers Conference in 2002, and she was a finalist for the NAACP Image Award in 2002. Her most recent book, Pushkin and the Queen of Spades, chronicles the tribulations of an African-American professor of Russian literature whose pro football player son plans to marry a Russian lap dancer.
Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Randall grew up in an enclave of Motown populated almost exclusively with refugees from Alabama and then in Washington, DC. She attended Harvard University, from which she graduated in 1981 with an honors degree in English and American literature. In 1983 she moved to Nashville to become a country songwriter.
The mother of Caroline Randall Williams, the great-granddaughter of the Harlem Renaissance poet Arna Bontemps and the wife of attorney David Ewing, a ninth-generation resident of Nashville and a great-great-grandson of Prince Albert Ewing, the first African American to practice law in Tennessee, Randall lives deeply down south.
The entire family is involved in documenting and preserving the history of people of color in the American South, with particular interest in the history of enslaved women and enslaved children and in the formerly enslaved who went on to striking academic achievement.
Peni-El
Raphakumwah is a poet, a songwriter, and a teacher. She began writing
at the age of six and has continued to pursue her passion through
her students. She has taught poetry workshops to her elementary
students for four out of her eight years in the classroom. Several
of her students have gone on to publish their own poetry books and
have continued to write on into their high school years. Her students
frequently report of their enjoyment of the process and their appreciation
to Ms. Raphakumwah for lighting their fire to the art form. Peni-El
Raphakumwah has written her first manuscript of poetry entitled
In Seeking Solace: For Those Who Have Never Been Loved Well.
She is well on her to publishing her second work entitled The
Poet. 
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.
Alexus
Rhone is a YA author devoted to candidly exploring teen/young adult
issues through fiction. Graciously labeled “the black Judy Blume,”
her universal stories and raw voice engages 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 #2 on The Dallas Morning News Bestsellers List
and #3 in Essence Magazine (September 2003). Alexus recently
celebrated the release her third YA novel, Backseats and Bleachers:
A High School Love Story and is sketching her fourth and final
project in the Trek Baden-series, Cover the Coo, where
her main character Trek is a freshman in college, facing an unplanned
pregnancy and confusion about which one of her beau’s is the baby’s
father. Alexus has worked with various youth organizations as a
speaker/facilitator, including The Tavis Smiley Youth Foundation
where she facilitated youth activist workshops at the National Youth-2-Leaders
Conference in Washington, D.C. To the numerous awards and honors
bestowed on Alexus, 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
taught language arts and Black American culture classes as a Spanish
Fellow with Instituto Londres outside Mexico City. 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/YA issues. As the “raw, relevant, responsible voice in teen
lit,” Alexus uses her stories to build a platform promoting literacy
among kids who hate to read, raising teen sexuality and teen dating
violence awareness and other issues pertaining to the teen relationship
scene. A member of the Society for Children Book Writers and Illustrators,
Alexus holds a Bachelor of Journalism/Public Relations degree from
the University of Texas at Austin and resides in Phoenix, AZ.
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 grandmother’s 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.
Lisa Brown Ross’s career spans radio and television reporting, public relations and public affairs consulting, motivational speaking and leadership development. She is currently President of the LJR, Inc. a Public Relations and Public Affairs.
Ross served for more than 12 years as a chief spokesman for the Immigration and Naturalization Service in Houston, TX and Washington, DC and followed as Public Affairs Director of the Seattle Police Department. By White House appointment, she served on the strategic planning team for the 1990 Economic Summit of Industrialized Nations, worked for the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. as executive producer for the organization’s 50th Anniversary television show and wrote resolutions for African Heads-of-State for an international conference in Zimbabwe, South Africa. Before founding the LJR Group, Inc. she served as Leadership Programs Director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Urban Health Initiative.
Ross is a sought after public speaker. Her knowledge of Biblical, African and African American history is captured in inspiring talks and workshops throughout the country. Her poetry has been called healing and encouraging to women facing the challenges of breast cancer and to young men and women on the road to self-discovery. She exposes the symphony of God’s Word and encourages all who hear her to be and give their highest self.
She is the author of Sapphires and Satin-Beauty of Black Soul; The MAAFA: A Commemoration of the Transatlantic Slave Trade; and Red, Beans, Rice and Chopstix Too! She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Small Publishers Association of North America, The Writer’s Block, and the Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation.
Raised in Pine Bluff, AR, Min. Roger Russell, is the last of four sons born to Mr. W.L. Russell and the late Mrs. Jeweline Russell. He graduated from Dollarway High School in 1989. Min. Russell received a Bachelor of Science degree in English Education, magna cum laude, from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1994. Also, he earned a Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in 2001. Min. Russell was named “Man of the Year” in 2002 at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church were he serves as associate minister; Dr. C.W. Wallace is pastor. As a minister of the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, he writes for the church publications, The Pilgrim Rest Express and Dimensions Magazine. On Sunday mornings he welcomes the visitors to the church by quoting poetry he composes regularly. It was following his graduation from Dallas Seminary that Minister Russell wrote and published his first book, Faith Beyond the Comfort Zone in 2005. It is a synopsis of his life in Christ over the years involving testimonies of divine provision, triumph over tragedy, and spiritual growth. On February 17, 2006, Min. Roger Russell, conference speaker-author-teacher, was named “Writer of the Year” by the American Christian Writers at their Dallas Conference. Following the publication of his book, Minister Russell founded Servant’s Heart Ministries. Through this full-time ministry, Minister Russell seeks to edify the body of Christ in discipleship and intercessory prayer through public speaking, teaching workshops, Christian literature and intercessory prayer meetings throughout the community.
A
storyteller, author and producer, Simmons graduated Magna cum laude
from Fisk University, where she majored in speech and drama. After
receiving a Master's degree in Library Science, she began working
as a children's librarian combining her knowledge of children's
literature and creative drama in storytelling sessions. She continued
this activity while working for public libraries in Miami, FL; Des
Moines, IA; and Minneapolis, MN. Now a professional storyteller,
she brings to the stories new life with the use of rhythms, songs
and audience participation, which places them in the story. Her
work appeals to audiences of all ages, young and old, and includes
a wide variety of literature from different cultures. Now living
in Dallas, Texas, where she taught drama at The Hockaday School,
she continues to share stories. She has been featured on the Good
Morning Texas TV Show, the Texas Library Association Convention
and as a Regional Teller at the Texas Storytelling Festival. Toni
has performed in 13 states, South Africa, the Bahamas, and most
recently, through Germany. 
Brian W. Smith is a native of New Orleans, LA. He currently lives
in McKinney, TX (a suburb of Dallas). Brian turned to writing as
a form of therapy- a method of coping with a personal situation
he was dealing with. What started out as a hobby evolved into a
labor of love. While completing a graduate degree Brian wrote, The
S.W.A.P Game. Rather than deal with the bureaucracy that seemed
to be prevalent throughout the publishing industry, Brian created
Hollygrove Publishing and self-published his first book. To contact
Mr. Smith email him at
bsmith@hollygrovepublishing.com
or visit www.hollygrovepublishing.com.
Lois Snell was raised in the scenic town of Valliant, Oklahoma.
Due to there being no jobs nor colleges nearby, she migrated to
Oklahoma City upon high school graduation. She attended Rose State
College, citing journalism as her major. Longing to become a writer
since childhood, she became disillusioned with the hard core straight
facts associated with journalism. A strange occurence happened at
that point, neither thought not memory of her passion for writing
came to mind. Twenty years would pass before Ms. Snell and her pen
were reunited. Once memory surfaced, she began to write at all times.
She wrote and produced the spiritual comedy Heaven Home,
which received rave reviews. She wrote and published the Christian
poetry book, Renaissance of the Soul . Her second devotional
book, In His Presence...Witnessing the Glory of God, is
scheduled to be released February 2007. Ms. Snell designs, writes
and produces a heart-warming line of greeting cards, Snell Visions
Greetings. In addition, she is a powerful motivational speaker.
The mother of two daughters, Ms. Snell resides in the Dallas metro
area. 
is
an author, a speaker, and an educator who received her Bachelor
of Science degree from Jarvis Christian College in 1994. Her highly
acclaimed Christian debut novel, Boaz Brown (published by TimeWarner/AOL)
hit the stands in 2004, and her second novel, Divas of Damascus
Road was released in July of 2006. She is currently working
on her third novel and a nonfiction book on deliverance. Michelle
is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority and the Ft. Worth Metropolitan
Alumni Chapter of Jarvis Christian College. Her home church is Oak
Cliff Bible Fellowship, where she serves in the media ministry.
She lives near Dallas with her husband, their two children, and
one crazy dog. 
Author of The Rain Will Tell was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She moved to Texas in 1985, where she began work with EDS as a Business Analysts for their Minority and Women Owned business program. She was responsible for bringing teams of Ambassadors from around the world to Texas where they embarked upon the task of learning the industries that EDS’s products supported. Myra, a member of Phi Theta Kappa, is currently pursuing a degree in English locally, while proudly supporting her daughter’s second semester at Prairie View A & M University. Myra has written several newsletter articles and has won awards for poetry. Myra self-published The Rain Will Tell through Infinity Publishing as a Christmas gift to herself in 2004. Myra enjoys gardening and cooking, and loves to make people laugh. She is currently employed full-time and going to college, while working on her second novel.
Bryce
Turner is an entrepreneur and an author, born September 2, 1964,
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Detroit,
Michigan and returning back to Oklahoma. He is the oldest of three
boys, growing up in a single parent environment, Bryce felt like
the man of the house, Bryce did his best to take care of his family
the best way he could. Going through tough time, he manages to get
a college degree in photography at O.S.U. Bryce escape the hustling
world, turning into a business man putting all behind, helping everyone
that he can, focusing on rehabilitating those who are incarcerated
and on probation, letting many know that society is for all. Bryce
encourages all to reach for the stars, the sky is the limit, just
have a dream and act on it. 
Kendal
Turner, born June 2, 1977 as Kendal Jones, was raised in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, and
attended college at Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
She is a poet, author and true woman of God. Kendal first fulfilled
her calling as a writer with the Word for the Day for the
edification of the Body of Christ. What began as a simple e-mail
group with only 7 people and grew to a ministry which spanned the
country. She later developed a passion for poetry, and wrote Broken:
yet sustained by God as an expression of life, testimony, and love
for God. Kendal is a member of Integrity’s Voice of Victory Church
in Oklahoma City. Her next book, titled My Last Name, chronicles
the story of her troubled childhood and adolescence, and the challenges
she faced as an adult that ultimately led her to surrender her life
to Christ.
Omar
Tyree is a New York Times best-selling author and NAACP
Image Award winner is a journalist, author, lecturer, poet, screenwriter,
songwriter, and publisher who completed his undergraduate studies
at Howard University in Washington, DC, with honors in print journalism.
After high school graduation, Tyree became one of 30 fortunate minority
students to enroll at the University of Pittsburgh under a challenge
grant scholarship program. He was later awarded the sum of $3,400
toward his school tuition after being recognized by the Phi Eta
Sigma Freshman Honor Society for academic excellence in math and
science studies.
While attending the University of Pittsburgh and studying to become a pharmacist, Tyree scored at the highest level of reading comprehension and discovered an uncanny ability to write. He penned a journal, The Diary of a Freshman, which was published in the minority counseling news pamphlet. He then became one of few freshman allowed to enroll in a creative writing course during his first year of schooling after receiving an A grade mark in highest level of freshman English. In 1989, Tyree transferred to Howard University and began a new career interest in writing. In his senior year of 1991, he became the first student in Howard University history to have a featured column, “Food For Thought,” published in The Hilltop, the school’s award-winning newspaper.
Following the completion of undergraduate studies in December of 1991, he was hired as a reporter and an assistant editor at The Capital Spotlight weekly newspaper in Washington, DC, where he also sold advertising. He later served as the chief reporter for News Dimensions weekly newspaper while freelancing for the Washington View.
Tyree made his next move writing and publishing books. After having first hand experience with print shops and typesetting at newspaper plants, he organized MARS Productions, a sole-proprietorship, to publish his first novel, Colored, On White Campus. The small-scale book was published in October of 1992, with financial help from friends and family, who offered him personal loans. Colored, On White Campus sold well enough to produce funds to publish his second effort, FLYY-GIRL, in April of 1993. By July of 1993, Tyree was self-employed.
Groundwork Accomplishments: Tyree was the youngest participant on a BET (Black Entertainment Television) talk-show pilot entitled, For Black Men Only, which successfully aired in the fall of 1992. The show shared candid views of African American men on stereotypes, life-styles, social/economic politics, public issues and their affects on them. Hosted by Washington Post columnist and BET news commentator Courtland Milloy, the program’s taped shows aired continuously throughout the summer of 1993 with positive national response.
In the summer of 1993, Tyree was published in the Sunday “Outlook” section at the nations number two newspaper, The Washington Post (“Meet The New Invisible Man,” 7/18/93). At twenty-four-years of age, he again made history as one the youngest African American male journalists to be published in The Post’s commentary page with his views on the lack of attention positive young black men (YBM’s) receive in the American media. The story became syndicated and printed by newspapers nationally and internationally. The British Broadcast Channel (BBC) then sought out an interview for a network special on young black men and stereotypes in the United States.
Capital City: The Chronicles of a D.C. Underworld was released in April of 1994, becoming Tyree's third successfully published book. Tyree was later honored with an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership plaque by the Multicultural Youth Incorporation (MCY Inc.) in Washington, DC. His three published books, FLYY-GIRL, Capital City, and BattleZone have all been picked up by book distributors in New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Virginia, Baltimore and Chicago. Sales escalated to more than 25,000 copies, and are still selling through Tyree’s of persistence in marketing.
In August of 2000, Tyree landed on the New York Times Bestsellers List with For the Love of Money after just one week of publication. That same year he won the NAACP Images Award for this sequel to Flyy Girl. Tyree has now published a total of eleven novels including: Diary of a Groupie, Leslie, Just Say No!, For the Love of Money, Sweet St. Louis, Single Mom, A Do Right Man, and Flyy Girl, all published by Simon & Schuster, and The Underground, College Boy, and One Crazy-A** Night under his new line of “Hard Core Novels” as The Urban Griot. He has also released a spoken word album entitled Rising Up as The Urban Griot and is presently producing his first original screenplay, Move the Crowd.
A best-selling author, an acclaimed speaker and teacher, and an award-winning visionary and activist in the fields of intergenerational feminism, enlightened masculinity, and transformational human awareness. When she was just twenty-five, Time Magazine named her one of the fifty most influential future leaders of America—an award which has since been followed by many others, including the Women Who Could Be President Award from the League of Women Voters, the Champion of Choice Award from CARAL, and the Women of Distinction Award from the American Association of University Women. In 1995 Rebecca published her first anthology, To Be Real: Telling the Truth and Changing the Face of Feminism, which has been in print for more than ten years. Called a "seminal text of Third Wave feminism," To Be Real is taught in Women's Studies programs around the world. In 2002, Rebecca's memoir, Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, became an international bestseller and won the Alex Award from the American Library Association. People Magazine called Black, White, and Jewish, "A heartbreaking tale of self-creation Walker masterfully illuminates differences between black and white America." A second anthology, What Makes a Man: 22 Writers Imagine The Future, was published in 2004 to similar acclaim: "Walker has done society at large a great service by bringing forth these voices, these views." (Booklist) Rebecca is a popular speaker on campuses and in business settings around the world. She has lectured at more than 300 universities including Harvard, Oberlin, MIT, and Stanford, and addressed dozens of organizations including the National Council of Teachers of English, and the Ministries of Culture and Gender of Estonia, at the first-ever Conference on Masculinity in the Baltics. She's been a consultant for Sony Music, Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase, and has been featured on Charlie Rose and the Oprah Winfrey Show. Rebecca has written for blogs and magazines, including Harper's, Salon, Glamour, Essence, and Buddhadharma, and her essays are widely anthologized. She has taught the art of memoir at workshops, MFA programs, and writing conferences nationwide. For writers developing non-fiction manuscripts, Rebecca offers consultation on theme, voice and structure, helping take projects from concept to manuscript to publication. In December of 2004 Rebecca gave birth to a son, Tenzin, whose arrival is the subject of a new memoir, Baby Love, forthcoming from Riverhead Books in 2007.
Serena Wallace is a former Air Force captain who left the military to become a full-time mother and writer. She earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and she holds a master’s degree in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. Serena recently established New Light Publishing Company to help realize her dream of becoming a published author. She resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband Lonzo, and daughter Zorie. For more information about this talented new author, visit her website at www.serenakwallace.com.
Pine
Bluff, Arkansas native Millicent Courtney-Ware has captured the
elements of drama, lies, sex and scandal; spinning them beyond control
in her first body of work; The Freak Within. CushCity.com voted
it in the Top 20 for Best New Author Award (2006). It has also garnered
other honors as it has a mixed Drink, of the same name, at The Cosmopolitan
Bistro (Located in the historic downtown district of Garland, Texas).
Some of Millicent’s merits include a Master’s of Art in Organizational
Management (Dallas Baptist University), a Master’s of Science in
Human Relations and Business (Amberton University) and a Bachelor
of Art’s degree in Criminal Justice (University of Arkansas at Pine
Bluff). She is an avid participant on the local poetry circuit in
the metroplex. Millicent is also the co-owner of Ivy Pyramid Publishing
(www.ivypyramid.com), serving
as its Creative Director, as well as one of its resident authors.
Raised amongst wealth and poverty, Marvin's life was destined to
be unlike most young Black men. Marvin D. Woodard was born September
20, 1974. He was raised in Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California.
Although an excellent student and athlete throughout grade school,
his life off campus consisted of running the streets and struggling
to find an identity. During his senior year of high school, Marvin's
life was for ever altered when his fascination with life on the
streets landed him in a court room fighting for his freedom. Faced
with a possible 10 year sentence, Marvin left California to attend
Kimball High School in Dallas, TX where he graduated.
After returning to California, Marvin was eventually sentenced to 12 months which he begin serving his time shortly after the birth of his first son. Marvin's 12 month sentence and introduction to fatherhood was the turning point in his life. After working many jobs and pursuing music management, Marvin finally found a hidden passion for interactive graphic design which led to his current career and the beginning of UrbanLace, Inc. As a completely self taught graphic designer, Marvin overcame the obstacles of competing in the advertising world without a degree. Marvin now resides in Plano, Texas with his wife and 2 girls.
For more information visit: www.101thingsablackmanshouldknow.com or send email to info@101thingsablackmanshouldknow.com.
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African American
Museum | Women's Museum
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