Blog Archives

Father's Day

6/16/2013

What is a Father?
by Guest Blogger Shannon Sonneveldt

It’s Father’s Day, a day traditionally set aside to celebrate men who have fathered or sired a child. As I reflect this Father’s Day, I realize that, for me and hopefully for others, the day stands for so much more. Many have experienced the loss of a father or have never known one. Many children grow up without their biological father; however, this doesn’t mean they were without the influence of someone in a ‘father’ role.

There are so many men who have and continue to step into the role of father, role model, and/or mentor for those who don’t have an active father in their life. They may be a step-father, an uncle or other relative, a friend or just someone who saw a need and stepped in to fill it out of a place of genuine love and caring.

This Father’s Day, think of all the men in your life who have played and continue to play an important role in your life. Celebrate them and all they have done and added to your life. A father is so much more than the biological, it is the love and connection of all those men in your life who have encouraged and helped you, who set you on the right path, and who have helped you become the person you are. Let’s all take the time this Father’s Day to let each of these very special men know how much they are appreciated for taking an interest and loving us unconditionally!

A Part of Me

We’re not of the same blood
We weren’t born a part of each other
But through the twists and turns of life
Our paths came together

You became a member of our family
And many years have passed
We have fought and argued
Disagreements darken our past

But through it all you’ve stuck by us
Always there to help us through
You always helped us out of the jams
And the messes we got into

You’ve loved us like a father
A fact that can’t be denied
So I return your love with a heart
That’s full and bright

No, we weren’t born of the same blood
But we became part of the same family
It was fate that brought our lives together
And love that makes you a part of me

(By Shannon Sonneveldt, Experience Life in Poetry: Family, Friends and Romantic Relationships)

About Shannon Sonneveldt

Shannon is a Christian author, educator and speaker. She aspires to follow God’s path for her and educate, inspire, imagine and create. She has been capturing observations, feelings and events in poems and stories since middle school. As she grew older, she continued to write and create stories to entertain family and friends and to help celebrate life’s special moments. She currently has five books published and available on Amazon.

For many years she suffered from symptoms that went undiagnosed. After years of suffering and searching for answers, Shannon was finally diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and some other underlying conditions. With faith in Christ who led her to a well-rounded, holistic treatment plan including time spent with Him and His Word, she is feeling better and living a more active and joyous life.

She lives in Kansas with her husband, teenage son and her two gorgeous, ornery and energetic Scottie pups (Conner and Zoe). In her spare time she enjoys photography, spending time with family and friends, and traveling around the world with family.

She is always excited to hear from readers. Please join her on her website or Facebook page. She looks forward to hearing from you!

Author Website: http://www.shannonsonneveldt.com/

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ShannonSonneveldtAuthor/

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/shannonsonneveldt

18 Comments

HOTSPOT ~ Ward 8 Book Festival with WHUR- FM's Harold T. Fisher, Cheryl A. Pullins, and Barret Mathews

6/14/2013

17 Comments

Author Feature Finale

A big THANK YOU to everyone that participated in the HOTSPOT ~ Ward 8 Book Festival Author Feature! I wish all the authors a prosperous book festival experience as it is the first of its kind. You are making history! Many thanks to everyone that supported the authors with comments of support.

Harold T. Fisher

www.rosefogg.com

HAROLD T. FISHER IS A BROADCAST JOURNALIST AND AUTHOR. HE IS CURRENTLY THE HOST OF THE NEWS/TALK PROGRAM, “THE DAILY DRUM” ON WHUR-FM AND H-U-R VOICES, SIRIUS/XM CHANNEL 141. HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS JOURNALISM CAMPAIGNS INCLUDE THE AFTERMATH OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI; COVERAGE OF THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS; THE JENA 6 PROTESTS IN CENTRAL LOUISIANA; THE MIDWESTERN FLOODS OF 1994 AND HURRICANE ANDREW IN 1992.

HAROLD IS A PRODUCT OF AN HBCU, EARNING HIS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE FROM MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY IN BALTIMORE. HE IS A MEMBER OF KAPPA ALPHA PSI, FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED AND A PROUD NATIVE WASHINGTONIAN.

HAROLD WORKED AS A TV NEWS ANCHOR AND REPORTER IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA; HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA; COLUMBUS, OHIO; BUFFALO, NEW YORK, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI AND BALTIMORE, MARYLAND. HE HAS WRITTEN AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIFESTYLE ARTICLES FOR THE BALTIMORE SUN.

HIS FIRST ROMANCE NOVEL IS TITLED “TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE REST OF MY LIFE.” IT JUST FINISHED A FIRST RUN AS A STAGE PLAY IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK.
IT WILL DEBUT IN WASHINGTON, DC AT THEARC, JULY 20TH AND 21ST.
HAROLD IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HIS SECOND NOVEL TITLED “LACE CURTAIN LIFE.”
HE IS ALSO A CERTIFIED BOOT CAMP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR FOR THE YMCA.

Contact: www.rosefogg.com or www.HAROLDTFISHER.com

Cheryl A. Pullins

http://womanentrepreneursmentor.com/

New York City born, but Philadelphia, PA bred, Cheryl A. Pullins is no stranger to challenges. Adopted at the age of two, shot by a stray bullet at the age of nine, at the age of twelve she found out her neighbor’s children were her younger siblings, met her biological mother at the age of eighteen and was previously a pastor's wife for fourteen years, Cheryl knows what it takes to overcome and transform lives because she started with her own. For more than twenty years Cheryl worked in Corporate Human Resources, but had an epiphany that because of her personal experiences she was to make a bigger contribution and have a greater impact on the lives of others and leave an imprint on the world.

She took a leap of faith and started her own business. In less than two years she became a respected voice for women who beat the odds and turned lemons into lemonade. Cheryl has received both national and international recognition for her work and commitment to working with women entrepreneurs and professionals to help them produce rewarding results in their personal and professional lives. Cheryl is the internationally acclaimed Founder and CEO of Awesome Lifestyle, LLC, Certified Coach, and an Amazon Bestselling Author.

Cheryl is also a frequently sought after speaker in the areas of life management, leadership, social media, strategic planning, marketing and business start-up. She has been featured in numerous magazines and as a guest expert on a long list of radio shows. Her greatest joy is being a wife, mom and grandmom to four "grandgirls."

Barrett Mathews

www.E2ESystems.com

Barrett Matthews is the author of the new book, Why Didn't You Get It Done?
He is also the founder of E2E Systems, a company designed to help you to move from being an Employee to an Entrepreneur. Barrett is a native of Glenarden, Maryland; a suburb of Washington, DC. He is a graduate of Hampton University with a BA degree in Mass Media Arts, which he has leveraged to work with some of the legends in the media.
Barrett's work experience in sales, marketing and team building led him to his No Excuses approach to business and positive thinking approach to life. After the urging of associates, Barrett decided to place his talent to lead people into the coaching realm. So, to start things off he is releasing the new book, Why Didn't You Get It Done?, which is available on Amazon and Kindle to be followed by the launch of E2E Systems, his brainchild that will transform Employees to Entrepreneurs and Errors to Efficiency.

17 Comments

HOTSPOT~ Ward 8 Book Festival - Lawson Brooks, Kim Frazier, and Felecia Karen Scott

6/12/2013

5 Comments

Author Feature

Lawson Brooks

www.lawsonwbrooks3.com

A native of Bluefield, West Virginia, Lawson Brooks migrated to Washington in 1974. Lawson received his B.A. Degree in Political Science at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and his M.A. in Political Science at The American University in Washington, DC. Lawson also studied at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of Maryland- College Park. Since that time, Lawson has worked in various professional capacities in political, non-profit and corporate environments. Brooks explodes onto the literary scene with a suspenseful and smartly paced mystery with his book From the Waist Up. Currently, Lawson works as an independent Consultant and Writer.

Kim Frazier

www.dchanddance.com

Native Washingtonian and first time author, Ms. Kim Frazier, captures the spirit and soul of D.C. Hand Dance, in her book
D.C. Hand Dance-Capitol City Swing.

This is a first of its kind literary work, solely dedicated to a discussion and exploration of Washington D.C.'s popular partner dance style and cultural art form; D.C. Hand Dance. It can be found as reference material in your local libraries and in the Library of Congress.

Ms. Frazier uses research, anecdotes, interviews, poetry, trivia, vignettes and pictures to depict and portray the "official dance of Washington D.C. "

This book has something for everyone, hand dancers and non-hand dancers alike. It covers such specific topics as hand dance history, basic dance steps and techniques, the benefits of hand dancing, the different dance philosophies, love and romance, manners and etiquette, competitive hand dancing and a description and exploration of Washington D.C.'s hand dance inner circle.

D.C. Hand Dance-Capitol City Swing takes the reader on a trip down memory lane with a stopover at new millennium square. It has a lot of old school flavor and new school attitude. It's a must read for any and everyone who's ever jumped to the beat, kicked up their heels or spun on a dime.

Felecia Karen Scott

Felecia Karen Scott discovered her love for poetry in 1984 when her sister asked her to recite William Blake's The Lamb in one her elementary school's talent shows. It was not until 1988 when in Mrs. Miller Creative Writing class that she decided that writing poetry was equally as entertaining as reading and reciting. So Scott decided to use poetry as part of her journal writing. Life is what inspires her to write. Many of her poems are centered around God, family, friends, personal life lessons that have directly and indirectly affected her outlook on life. Poetry for Scott has served as a positive outlet as well as vehicle for healing.

Scott has shared many of her poems with family, friends, co-workers, couriers, and at various poetry venues. One of her dreams is to use her poetry to assist with healing the brokenhearted along with continuing to use it for own personal creative arts therapy. Poems in this collection will indirectly introduce you to Felecia Karen Scott. She firmly believes that pearls should not be cast among swine but keeping what the Creator has given her to herself is an injustice. Hopefully, The LP Collection: Lessons and Praise will prompt readers to search themselves and perhaps write their own poems. Felecia Karen Scott resides in Washington, DC.

5 Comments

HOTSPOT~ Ward 8 Book Festival - Hope H. Lee, Gayle Johnson, Dyonne Massey Mitchell, B. Nakia Garner

6/11/2013

24 Comments

Author Feature

Hope H. Lee

Children Book Author

Hope H. Lee retired from the Prince George’s County School System where she taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Oxon Hill High School from 1996 to 2009. She taught courses in Foods and Nutrition, Fashion Design and Interior Design.

An honors graduate of Morgan State College (now University), Baltimore, Maryland, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics Education. She also holds a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), Westminster, Maryland. Her education has spanned an entire lifetime and she continues to avail herself to every opportunity to engage in lifelong learning.

Ms. Lee has always been concerned about the eating habits of young children and hopes her book What Colors Did You Eat Today? will make a positive impact.

Gayle Johnson

www.deliciousbooks.webs.com

Gayle Johnson is the fifth of eight children born to the late Charles Johnson, Sr. and Jean Johnson. A native Washingtonian, she now resides in Capitol Heights, Maryland in Princes George County. Reading, writing, and recording newsworthy events has always been a daily pastime for Gayle. Her interest in creative writing was piqued at age fourteen while attending a boarding school where she created her first short story.

Johnson believes she was born to write even though she was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age. This did not stop her from fulfilling her passion of writing. It only added fuel to the fire of her desire to be successful in the literary world.

In 2006, after the loss of a twenty plus year career in the medical field, Johnson wrote her first masterpiece; a mind grabbing, heart-wrenching fictional story that takes you back in the day where What’s Past is Not Forgotten. From 2008 to 2011 Gayle had 4 books published.

Dyone Massey Mitchell

Facebook @DyoneMasseyMitchell

Dyone Massey Mitchell, who goes by the stage name of Dee Poetic Mistress, is a spoken word artist and published author of a book of poetry entitled Love Pain Passion and Poetry. Every last Friday of the month you can find her at Annie’s Art Gallery in Camp Springs, Maryland where she hosts an Open Mic Talent Night and performs her poetry.

Line Dancing and Hand Dancing are also among her passions and she has been a member of the energetic dance team The FreeStyle Dancers for the past eleven years.

Acting has become one of her newfound passions and, as a result, has landed her roles in stage plays such as The Devil Don’t Live Here Anymore, In the Name of Love, Love is Revolutionary, Lost and Found, and most recently she was cast in the Maryland production of the musical stage Play The Color Purple. In May of last year Dyone performed her One Woman Show to a sold out crowd at Harmony Hall in Ft. Washington, Maryland, where she portrayed five different characters that she created.

B. Nakia Garner

Twitter: FlyingFingersCo

B. Nakia Garner developed her love of writing at a young age. She wrote her first poem at the age of eight and has not put her pen down since. Her love for the written word led her to pursue a communications degree from Syracuse University and a career as a newspaper editor. In addition to penning her first full-length novel, a feat that was more than 20 years in the making, B. Nakia is also a book reviewer for Romantic Times magazine and an active member in her local chapter of Mocha Moms, Incorporated. B. Nakia is also the founder of Flying Fingers Communications, which provides editing services. Her future projects include the continuation of her Element Series, four books whose characters and settings are predominantly influenced by earth, wind, water and fire. In addition to writing and reading, she enjoys traveling, playing board games, going to the movies, and using her writing as a way to spread God's word.

24 Comments

HOT SPOT ~ Ward 8 Book Festival Sandra Fleming, Monica Mathis-Stowe, C. Natasha-Richburg, Nanette Buchanan

6/10/2013

40 Comments

Author Feature

Sandra Fleming

www.sandrafleminginspires.com

Sandra Fleming is a native Washingtonian currently residing in Fort Washington, Maryland. She never knew a book was waiting to be birthed until she was inspired by her four-year-old granddaughter, Kaya Rylee, in 2011. Since that time, she wrote and self-published her first book in February 2013, “An Unlikely Trio: a Ladybug, a Dolphin & a Fairy.” A second children’s book, entitled “Sweet Grandma,” and in the near future, a motivational book for adults, are in the works. Thanks to Kaya, Sandra is proud to add the descriptive “author” to her accomplishments.

Sandra continues to be inspired by her granddaughter, who is the love of her life, to help our youth find their purpose and destiny in life. As she embarks on her journey to inspire, encourage and motivate youths, she has spoken and shared her story of being an author at pre-schools, churches, non-profits, and other local venues.

Her favorite quote: It’s all about the Children!

Her favorite scripture for children: Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV

Monica Mathis-Stowe

www.monicamathisstowe.com

Monica Mathis-Stowe is a D.C. native but spent a great deal of her formative years in North Carolina. She’s an alumnus of Nyack college, earning a B.S. in Organizational Management. She works as an investigator for a government contractor and finds time to write every day. She lives outside of D.C. with her middle school age son and firefighter husband. She enjoys travelling and is an avid reader. When she’s home, she’s usually surrounded by her family and friends. Her debut novel, WHERE DID WE GO WRONG?, was published in April of 2012 by The Literary Publishing Group.

At age ten, she was introduced to the world of romantic fiction by an older cousin who worked at a local library, and it was "love at first read"-- Monica simply couldn't get enough. Reading for fun opened her mind to a whole new world. Instead of just reading novels, she studied them, determined to join the ranks of the many published authors whose work she enjoyed. A few of Monica's favorite authors include Jackie Collins, Terry McMillan, Mary Higgins Clark and Carl Weber. She enjoys reading all genres, but her favorite is contemporary and romantic fiction with strong, independent women as lead characters.

Monica's writing describes the drama in relationships among families, lovers, friends, and colleagues. She likes to take her readers on a roller-coaster ride of emotions that will make them laugh, cry, gasp, think, and question people and the decisions they make.

C. NaTasha Richburg

www.thecnrministries.com

Author, mentor, and motivational speaker, C. NaTasha Richburg provides great summer reads for youth, young adults, and adults with seven faith based books about life, coming of age, relationships, and God. Each book contains definitive and open ended questions that allow for an intrapersonal understanding of learned principles.

C. NaTasha Richburg has a BS in Business Administration from Frostburg State University, a MBA from Morgan State University and a MIS from Johns Hopkins University. Mrs. Richburg is currently attending Morgan State University in pursuit of a Doctorate in Urban Leadership Education. With over 25 years of federal government service, Mrs. Richburg is also President and CEO of CNR Ministries, an author, a mentor, and a motivational speaker. Mrs. Richburg has also served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Maryland Baltimore County in the Information Systems department for over 15 years.

Mrs. Richburg is married to her husband Melvin and has four children. Motivating others to achieve “excellence” is the force behind her passion that “[a] wise man is strong; yea a man of knowledge increaseth strength” (Proverbs 24:5).

Nanette M. Buchanan

www.ipendesigns.net

Nanette M. Buchanan was born, raised and educated in Newark, New Jersey. She attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It was then that she first set her pen to pad and wrote expressions of her love for poetry.

Her writing accomplishments include three volumes of poetry; Thoughts, Thoughts & Reflections and Quiet Times. Nanette’s first published work and debut novel was “Family Secrets….Lies & Alibis.”

Nanette's preferred genre’ is romantic fiction, but readers will attest they all have suspense, mystery and a dramatic twist. It is her goal to become a successful author without limits; writing and producing plays that feature her poems as well as adaptations of her novels on the “big screen”. Nanette is a proud mother, wife and grandmother who resides in Somerset, New Jersey.

40 Comments

HOTSPOT~ Ward 8 Book Festival Sanjo Jendayi, Chris Bridges, Erica Mobley, Donna M. Saunders,

6/9/2013

29 Comments

Author Feature

SANJO JENDAYI

www.deeprootzinspirtainment.com

Sanjo is more than a conqueror! A survivor of lung cancer while continuing to battle Sarcoidosis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Fibromyalgia. She is passionate about tapping into the little girl within all women to reach that sheer innocent place where they once believed anything were possible.

Sanjo’s perseverance is evident in her powerful personal testimony of trials and tribulations and it's translated through her poetry in Black Butterfly…Soaring on the Wings of Poetry and her debut of listen2myheartspeakspoken word CD.

A hospital scare birthed her most recent work, Girl, Get Empty, a power-packed compact read empowering women to release all that God has placed in them. Her process of emptying also included the subsequent release of NyAashia’s Freedom Ride a children’s bedtime story that teaches pride in their heritage and themselves.

Chris Bridges

www.creditwithchris.com

Christiana “Chris” Bridges is an award winning speaker, author, and coach dedicated to educating andraising awareness of credit and its impact on our lives. She strongly believes that, if we know better, we can do better. Her passion for sharing knowledge about the principles of credit management isdelivered in a down to earth style that is both engaging and empowering to take the first steps toward
financial freedom. Since 2006, Chris has been changing lives through her coaching, keynote speeches, workshops, seminars, blogs, and personal consultations. Her clients are educated and empowered to take control of their finances and live a better life.

She is an author of the bestseller “The Queens Legacy,” “What You Need to Know about Credit &Cosigning,” “Your First Step to Credit Restoration” and “He Jacked up My Credit.” She is also a contributing author for several magazines, newsletters and is the host of her weekly radio show, Real Talk about Credit with Chris. Her latest project, The 21 Day Credit Challenge is moving her clients closer to an 850 credit score in as little as 21 days.

She is a wife and mother of five who speaks from a personal experience of overcoming obstacles, reaching her goals, and walking in her God ordained purpose. Her mission is to change generations by breaking the silence of credit and increasing credit scores one point at a time.

Erica Mobley

www.defynepurpose.com

A native of Torrance, CA. and raised in Washington, DC, Erica Mobley is an author and a speaker who puts pen to her passion! Erica’s journey has been a roller coaster ride filled with twists and turns and ups and downs to include, obtaining her GED after being a high school dropout, homelessness, several abusive relationships and drug abuse. It was in this cycle of hope, trials, and faith that her diving calling was cultivated. After doing some soul searching, her inner author was born and given the name "Defyne Purpose". She released her first book; an autobiography entitled Growing Pains, in 2007. Undoubtedly it confirmed this to be her ultimate life’s assignment.

Erica Mobley is the Author of The Defyne Purpose Series which is a collection of short stories used to engage children in open and honest dialogue centered around traumatic experiences to include sexual abuse, social media drama, divorce, the effects of single-parenting, and death to name a few. The stories use very soft dialect for young children (and adults) to be able to think, process, share, and resolve conflict that is rapidly finding its way into our homes in a safe and healthy manner. She believes that to be aware of these very common situations could mean avoiding a lifetime of emotional trauma to everyone involved.

Donna M. Saunders

www.dslivingthedream.com

Donna M. Saunders is one of the featured authors in the anthology series Victorious Living and the 2008 We Support You! Letters of Encouragement for Our Troops Serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Donna graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. in Accounting. She is a CPA and Controller for a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to help the disabled. She has a passion for writing and helping others fulfill their dreams. Donna lives with her husband Gary and two stepdaughters in Springdale, Maryland.

29 Comments

HOTSPOT~ Ward 8 Book Festival Sir Charles Cary, Drica Armstrong, Austin S. Camacho, Leonara Sneed

6/8/2013

33 Comments

Author Feature

Sir Charles Cary

http://about.me/sircharlescary

Sir Charles Cary is a two time cancer survivor and a full time life encourager! His collection of poetry entitled Poetic Xpressions inspires with real life experiences and gets to the core of personal relationships- the good, the bad, and the indifferent.

Charles has trained for government agencies, spoken for non-profits and small business owners. He takes his gifts seriously, while having fun with them. As a vocalist, he has performed many cover songs for various occasions and has four music CD’s to his credit. He’s currently promoting his second book Courage Facing Mortality while working on his third book project.

Drica Armstrong

www.dricaarmstrong.com

Drica Armstrong was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ. She never thought of becoming an author because she wanted to be a lawyer. A homework assignment given to her by an English teacher sparked her interest in writing. While attending high school, Drica wrote several short stories and poetry. She began writing her first novel, Beautiful Liars, during her first year of college and self-published in 2009. Soon after the release of her new novel, Drica finished her second novel, Hide and Seek. It is the first book to be published on Drica’s self publishing company Double Take Publications in 2011. Drica is currently working on the screenplay for Hide and Seek and completing her third novel. Drica lives in Elizabeth, NJ with her son.

Austin S.Camacho

www.ascamacho.com

After leaving the Army, Austin S.Camacho wrote military news for the Defense Department as a civilian. Today he handles media relations and writes articles for military newspapers and magazines. He also teaches writing classes at Anne Arundel Community College and is deeply involved with the writing community.

Camacho is the author of five novels in the Hannibal Jones Mystery Series (including The Troubleshooter, Blood and Bone, Collateral Damage, Damaged Goods and Russian Roulette) and four in the Stark and O’Brien adventure series (The Payback Assignment, The Orion Assignment, The Piranha Assignment, and this year’s The Ice Woman Assignment. His short stories have been featured in four anthologies from Wolfmont Press, including Dying in a Winter Wonderland – an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association Top Ten Bestseller for 2008.

Leonora Snead

Author of "Forever Hold Your Peace"

Leonora Snead was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. She is also known as the Alter-Ego “Miss Lee.” Miss Lee is the host of an internet radio show called “Stilettos and Convo’s with Miss Lee.” Snead lives to motivate and inspire others to follow their dreams.

Her first novel “Forever Hold Your Peace” is scheduled to be released this summer. She loves to spend time with family, travel to new destinations and listen to music.

33 Comments

HOTSPOT~ Ward 8 Book Festival Teleah Scott, R. Kayeen Thomas, Kelle' Avent, and LeGrand Latney

6/6/2013

28 Comments

Author Feature

Teleah Scott

www.teleahscott.com

Free To Grieve: A Mother’s Memoir In Black and White' is a powerful and compelling narrative about a mother whose life begins to quickly unravel when her 16-year-old-son, a high school football player, is found lifeless in his bed. Her son had died without warning. After a harrowing plunge into the depths of despair and grief, she resurfaces with a greater sense of purpose to help spread awareness about the number one threat to young athletes. Intertwined with personal excerpts from her journal she began weeks after her son’s death, this moving memoir offers a chronicle of her emotional devastation and unspeakable pain to how she moved forward through the gravity of her loss towards acceptance, wholeness, and renewed strength.

Teleah Scott-Williams’ life has been a courageous journey of tragedy and triumph. The unexpected death of her son, Timothy, sparked her to conduct research to deepen her understanding and knowledge about what has become the number one killer of young athletes. In doing so, she gleaned a deeper insight on how important it is for children to receive heart screenings. A native of Harrisburg, PA, Teleah currently resides in Owings Mills, Maryland with her family. Never ashamed of her testimony, Teleah is a living witness that God is bigger than any tragedy life can bring you. She founded the Timothy Q. Scott Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to help spread awareness about sudden cardiac death in young athletes.

R. Kayeen Thomas

www.whoisrkayeenthomas.com

R. Kayeen Thomas is an author, director, playwright, and hip hop artist. His passion for the written word and his affinity for social critique, make all of his creative endeavors powerful and fearless. He is a thunderous voice emerging from the hip-hop generation.

Kayeen was recently nominated to receive the 44th NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Debut Author. His latest project constitutes the conversion of his first stage play, “After Church” into an independent, short film that is being created and developed under the umbrella of his emerging company, RKT Productions. In today’s world, Kayeen Thomas’ commitment to social justice and to being a creative change agent truly sets him apart as a unique Millennial who advocates looking back in order to effectively move forward.

Kayeen currently resides in the nation’s capital with his wife and young daughter. He also is scheduled to complete a Master’s degree at Wesley Theological Seminary in 2014.

Kelle' Avent

http://kelleavent.webs.com

KELLE' AVENT is a native Baltimorean raised by grandparents from the age of 10 months. She is more than a survivor. Faced with many trials as a result of her parents’ addiction to substance abuse throughout her childhood, she chose to rely on faith to fuel her future. A 2001 graduate of Baltimore City College, 2006 graduate of Delaware State University, Kelle’ has received the opportunity to work in many industries including: radio, film, theatre, and fashion designing to name a few, earning many honors. However, her most prized honors are personal: as wife to Carlos, mother to Lyric and mentor.

Avent's latest work, Makes Me WannaHolla, is a life changing inspirational writing designed to minister to the needs of teen girls and women of all ages. This book, written in a down to earth tone, highlights the issues surrounding today’s woman, both young and seasoned.

LeGrand Latney

www.legrandlatney.blogspot.com

LeGrand Latney is a native of Washington DC and grew up in the historic LeDroit Park community neighborhood of Howard University. LeGrand is an Author, Musician, Graphic Designer, Avid Book Reader, and Inspirationalist and has written award winning poetry that has been published.

LeGrand’s written works include the award winning poem Herstory as recorded on the The CD titled: The Sound of Poetry. Girlfriend! Who You Tellin is his first published book along with a collection of poetry unpublished and other books still a work in progress. LeGrand has a broad writer’s genre from fiction to non-fiction and inspires to write more while motivating others as a role model, currently is working on a motivational book.

28 Comments

HOTSPOT Ward 8 Book Festival

6/3/2013

27 Comments

Author Feature

Brandon Hairston

Author of "Now I Know My ABC's"

Brandon Hairston is a rising urban fiction author from the Washington, DC metro area. Writing wasn’t the obvious career path for Hairston, but he entertained the idea as a way to keep his creativity active outside his work environment. He wrote his first short story in 2009, and was urged by friends and family to consider writing a book. In 2011, Hairston published his first collection of adult short stories, “Now I Know My ABC’s”. The local success of “Now I Know My ABC’s” further increased his hunger for the craft. He plans to release his first novel this year.

Charron Monaye

www.charronmonaye.com

For more than 20 years, this Philadelphia native has inspired audiences as a dynamic Songwriter, Poet, Author, Playwright, and Advocate against Bullying & Domestic Violence. She is the proud mother of Christopher and Craig, who are now finding their way in the performing arts industry. Charron Monaye is a writer within many industries and has no desire of slowing down any time soon.

To learn more about this phenomenal woman, visit her website at www.charronmonaye.com or contact her management team at datrahicksnow@gmail.com.

Norwood Holland

www.norwoodholland.com

Norwood Holland is a freelance writer, lawyer, and author of the Drew Smith legal thriller series based on the capers of an urban trial attorney. He is a graduate of Howard University School of Law with a bachelor’s degree in English from Fisk University where he studied under the renowned Harlem Renaissance author Arna Bontemps. Holland favors D.C.’s local color in his fiction as he has served in several government agencies including the National Labor Relations Board and a number of Washington’s top national law firms.

He currently blogs at editorialindependence.com devoted to promoting independent authors among other things.

Tameka Diggs

Author of "Love Speaks"

Born and raised in Maryland, Tamika has always had a creative edge. At the young age of 9 she started writing poetry. Her mother noticed her writings during the hardship that the family experienced as a result of being raised by a single parent with 3 children, Tamika being the youngest. Her desire and ability to write became her outlet not only emotionally but creatively.

Her most recent book of poetry, Love Speaks, came after making a life changing decision in her life. Tamika entered into a new space in her life. She felt the need to embrace self love and let go of hurtful relationships. In doing so, her name went from Quiet Storm to Meek Love. Love Speaks is a declaration of self love.

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HOTSPOT Ward 8 Book Festival

6/2/2013

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Author Feature

Wilma Jones

www.livinghappierafter.com

Speaker and author Wilma Jones is passionate about inspiring people to live better lives. Following a devastating divorce and financial disaster she was determined to figure out how to emerge better, not bitter as a result of her experiences. Through an intensive research process which included interviews and surveys with hundreds of women, Jones confirmed what it takes to become healthy and happy after devastation. She is available to conduct workshops and seminars.

Rebecca Klemm, PhD

www.numbersalive.org

Since receiving her Ph.D. in Statistics, Dr. Klemm, The Numbers Lady, has specialized in explaining mathematical concepts via every-day language.

While on the faculty of Georgetown University School of Business she received the 1982 Decision Sciences Instructional Award from the American Institute of Decision Sciences.

In 2010 she established NumbersAlive! to introduce children to math using the fun and friendly number characters of Team Ten. Her first book, NumbersAlive! Books for Young Travelers – Washington DC, was published in April, 2012. Dr. Klemm proudly receivedCreative Child Magazine awards in July 2012 for her Washington DC children’s book and the plush number character toys that are currently available.

Joey N. Jones, PhD

www.promopublishers.com

Dr. Joey N. Jones, a native of Reidsville, North Carolina has served as an award-winning educator for over 25 years, focusing on the development of youth as a middle school principal, high school administrator, technology education teacher, curriculum writer, mentor, minister, coach, and tutor. He earned undergraduate degrees from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Maryland College Park. Among numerous awards and recognitions, he serves as principal of a blue ribbon school and was selected to participate in the Washington Post’s Vincent E. Reed Principals Leadership Institute in Washington, D.C. 100 Percent The Power of Giving Your All is his first of many motivational/inspirational books. Dr. Jones is married to Kinta C. Jones. They have three daughters and reside in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Angela Harris

www. ALHsuccesslines.com

Angela is the author of the children's book, MOMMY WHAT IS A CEO? She believes every girl can be successful if given the tools to do so. Angela has a heart for making a positive difference in the lives of girls.

Angela devises and implements mentoring programs to inspire, motivate and boost self-esteem in girls. She served for several years as a Community Outreach Director with the Girl Scouts of the Nation's Capital, where she worked with a wonderful group of girls ages 8 to 16. Angela has also served as a consultant to non-profit organizations leading donor and sponsorship support programs for major community outreach endeavors and projects that benefit at-risk youths in urban areas.

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