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2016 AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS & EMPOWERMENT EXPO

WILL BEE ON THE CAMPUS OF HBCU

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

SATURDAY October 16,  2016

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2016 AFRICAN AMERICAN AUTHORS & EMPOWERMENT EXPO

FEATURED AUTHORS:

BRENDA JACKSON

I began my writing career in the eighth grade at Northwestern Junior High School, when I would hand- write my stories for fellow classmates to read. I’m proud to say some of those same classmates are still Brenda Jackson readers today!!

I have published more than 100 novels and novellas. Additionally, I have over 3 million books in print. My professional writing career began in 1994 when I signed on with Kensington Arabesque. My first book, Tonight and Forever, became a huge success, introducing the Madaris Family. Since then I have introduced the Bennetts, the Westmorelands, the Montgomerys, the Masters, the Savoys, the Steeles and the Grangers, just to name a few. A listing of my books can be found on this website.

Over the years I have received numerous awards and made many trail-blazing accomplishments by being the first African-American author to have a book published under the Harlequin/Silhouette Desire line of books and the first African-American romance author to make USA Today’s Bestseller’s List and the New York Times Bestseller’s List for the series romance genre. 

PHILADELPHIA FREEWAY

Freeway fast became a valuable member of the Roc-a-Fella family in the early 2000s. His ascent can be traced back to an agreement he made with fellow Philadelphia native Beanie Sigel. Acquaintances from the same local nightclub, the two shared admiration for one another and made a pact: the one who first landed a record deal would pull the other along. Sigel got the tap first and stayed true to his word; Freeway made his first major appearance in 2000, on "1-900-Hustler" -- a track on Jay-Z's Dynasty Roc la Familia album. A critical point came just after the album's release, when the MC was arrested for dealing drugs; forced to choose between two careers, he opted to stay in hip-hop, releasing the excellent debut full-length Philadelphia Freeway in early 2003. At the same time, Freeway was part of the State Property collective. An album with the four-member Ice City, Welcome to the Hood, had a low-profile 2004 release. Three years later, Roc-a-Fella finally issued Free's second album, Free at Last. While Just Blaze dominated the production work on Philadelphia Freeway, a cast including Cool & Dre, Don Cannon, Dame Grease, and J.R. Rotem shared the load this time out. Upon severing ties with Roc-a-Fella, he issued the no-frills 2009 album Philadelphia Freeway 2 (Real Talk), as well as 2010's The Stimulus Package (Rhymesayers), a collaboration with Jake One. He issued the solo album Diamond in the Ruff in 2012 then collaborated with mash-up producer Girl Talk on the 2013 EP Broken Ankles. In 2015 a routine doctor's visit revealed kidney failure that required dialysis and the search for a donor. These struggles helped inspire the MC's 2016 solo album, Free Will.

VICTORIA CHRISTOPHER MURRAY

Victoria Christopher Murray always knew she would become an author, even as she was taking an unlikely path to that destination. A native of Queens, Victoria first left New York to attend Hampton University where she majored in Communication Disorders. After graduating, Victoria attended New York University where she received her MBA.  

Victoria originally self-published her first novel, Temptation and in 2000, Time Warner published that novel. Since Temptation, Victoria has written over twenty other adult novels, including: JOY, Grown Folks Business, The Ex Files, The Deal, the Dance and the Devil and the popular Jasmine Cox Larson Bush series.

Victoria has received numerous awards including the Golden Pen Award for Best Inspirational Fiction and the Phyllis Wheatley Trailblazer Award for being a pioneer in African American Fiction. Since 2007, Victoria has won nine African American Literary Awards for best novel, best Christian fiction and Author of the Year — Female. After four nominations, Victoria finally won an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literary Work for her social commentary novel, Stand Your Ground.

Several of Victoria’s novels have been optioned to become movies, including The Deal, the Dance and the Devil and the Ex Files series.

APRIL D. RYAN

April Ryan, a NAACP Image Award nominee, a 30-year journalism veteran, has been the White House correspondent for American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) since January of 1997, covering three Presidents. Along with daily responsibilities at the White House, Ryan hosts the daily feature, The White House Report, which is broadcast to AURN's nearly 475 affiliated stations nationwide. Ryan also has hosted a digital television program for Colours TV called the White House Report withApril Ryan where minority America is given the White House perspective on matters specific to their community. Ryan is also a regular panelist on Washington Watch with Roland Martin for TV ONE.  The Baltimore native is a second generation Morgan State University graduate (following in her mother's footsteps). She is the daughter of Robert C. RyanSr. and the late vivian Ryan. April Ryan is also a proud mother of two daughters.

IRIS BOLLING

Iris Bolling’s published her first novel, Once You’ve Touched the Heart in 2008. This self-published work was the first of the five additional books to complete the Heart Series. The popular Heart Series has captivated the hearts of readers and awarded Iris the Emma Award as Debut Author of the Year in 2010

In May of 2011, Iris introduced a new cast of characters in her in Night of Seduction Series. The second book in the series, The Pendleton Rule was reviewed in USA Today and received, the 2014 Emma Award for Suspense of The Year.

In 2012, she began the Gems & Gents series with her novel Teach Me, which generated an importune shoe contest on Facebook that spanned the international waters. It continued with the release of the very popular Book of Joshua I and Book of Joshua II. The series has earned Iris several awards including 2014 Hero of The Year and 2015 Heroine of The Year.

The beginning of her third series, The Brooks’ Family Values, was introduced in her novel Sinergy in 2014, followed by book 2 Fatal Mistake and Propensity For Love, both released in 2015. 

In 2014, Iris stepped into a new venture geared towards bringing books to film. She produced The Heart, a television series based on her popular novels. Season two will air in the spring of 2016.

ALBERT "PRODIGY" JOHNSON

ALBERT “PRODIGY” JOHNSON, as one half of the hip-hop phenomenon Mobb Deep, has sold millions of albums and recorded with the elite of hip-hop, R&B, and rock. Prodigy is the founder and curator of Infamous Books, and is the author of the memoir My Infamous Life and coauthor, with Steven Savile, of H.N.I.C. He lives in Queens, New York.

LADAWN BLACK

LaDawn Black is a love, sex and relationship expert, author and media personality. Nightly you can hear her top-rated radio relationship show on Baltimore's Magic 95.9 - The LaDawn Black Show. She is the author of three top-selling relationship books for Penguin Random House. Black is also a frequent guest expert for many national media outlets: Wendy, The Bill Cunningham Show, BET, TVOne, Cosmopolitan, ESSENCE, match.com, blackpeoplemeet.comand many others. Connect with her at IG /Twitter: @teasebyladawn or www.ladawnblack.com

K'WAN

K’WAN is a best-selling, award-winning author of over a dozen titles, including Gangsta, Road Dawgz, Street Dreams, Hoodlum, Hood Rat, Section 8, Animal, and Animal II. He has been featured in Vibe, King, Entertainment Weekly, and Time magazine. K’wan was the recipient of the 2012 and 2013 Street Lit Book Award Medals (SLBAM) in adult fiction for Eviction Notice and Animal. His credits also include featured commentary in the documentary Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp (produced by Ice-T) as well as a recurring role as an analyst on TV One’s Celebrity Crime Files. K’wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel. Black Lotus is his latest work.

PARTICIPATING VENDORS

PART

ICIPATING BOOK CLUBS

BOOK DIVAS OF BALTIMORE

FROM PRAISE TO EMPOWERMENT

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS AT THE 2016 AUTHORS EXPO

 Maurice Butler was born and raised in northwest Washington DC. He is a proud product of DC public schools, having graduated from Cardozo High School and Bowdoin College (Brunswick, ME). He served as a DC public school teacher, varsity coach and administrator for thirty-five years most of which was at Theodore Roosevelt High School.  He has been happily married to Patricia J. Butler for thirty-six years and has two sons, Steven and Cardell. His desire to write and publish resulted from his affiliation with the DC Area Writing Project, which is the local site for the National Writing Project. 

CHAUNDRA SCOTT

Author, C. Scott, is a loving mother of one daughter.  She resides in Hanover, MD. By trade she is a social worker but enjoys writing in her spare time. Curls and Coils is C. Scott's first published children's book, released in 2015. In 2016 she also published the books entitled, "The All-Star"; "Sweet Dreams"; and "Beautiful Shades". In honor of her deceased mother, proceeds from "Sweet Dreams" are donated to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.  Curls and Coils is also the new business operated by C. Scott. Curls and Coils offers natural hair related merchandise and reading materials. The business is also home to the new literacy program named Reading Rocks.  Reading Rocks is set to provide young readers with new and used books; bookmarks; coloring pages; and more to encourage literacy in the home.   Curls and Coils is also the home for the new young girl mentoring program entitled, Little Curls and Coils, for ages 4-12. The program is located within Van Bokkelen Elementary twice a month.

Stay tuned for more literary adventures, available merchandise and community events.  Email: author.cscott@gmail.com:www.curlsandcoils.bigcartel.com; 

DENISE CUFFIE

Author D.M. Cuffie currently resides in Columbia, MD where the main character is from and a few of her beloved locations are highlighted in her very first novel. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland at College Park (GO TERPS) and a master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.  She serves as an usher in her church, line dances throughout the DMV, actively participates with the Black Writers’ Guild of Maryland, and runs with BGR (Black Girls Run!). She absolutely loves football and her Baltimore Ravens (GO RAVENS!).

Ms. Cuffie has always been an avid reader. However, her storytelling skills were realized writing emails to her friends. Her single gal shenanigans and awesome vacations provided gripping, yet relevant storylines, incorporating themes of “encouragement, accountability, and girl talk” for six novels in her While We Wait series. At Least Once is her very first novel and the first installment in her While We Wait series.

CHERYL BARTON

Cheryl Barton is an author who was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has worked for the Federal Government for the past 28 years.  In her spare time she loves writing, line dancing, sci-fi movies and eating Maryland steamed crabs.  

As a romance novelist, Cheryl released her first novel, ‘Bachelor Not for Sale’ in April 2013.  Following this release, she has authored ten other romance novels, including two follow-ups to her first novel, ‘A Designed Affair’ and ‘A Perfect Combination’. She also released ‘The Artist’, ‘The Bookkeeper’, ‘The Chef’, ‘The Dancer’ and ‘The Electrician’, the first five novels in a twenty-six romance novel series called Amorous Occupations.  She also released a holiday short story, ‘Holly for Christmas’, three Valentine novellas in, ‘Second Chances’ and one of her favorites, Heartthrob, a steamy romance which is her most recent. Cheryl has two romance novels which are slated for release in Spring 2016.  

For more information and to peruse Cheryl’s novels, visit her website at www.cherylbarton.net.

BAYYINAH MONK-NDUAKA

Bayyinah, a former caterer, funeral director, international business consultant, funeral director, entrepreneur and author of recently released cookbooks entitled Gimme That Recipe! A Diva's Cookbook Of Her Family's Favorite Ethnic Recipes, which is a cookbook of an array of original and international dishes and the #1 Amazon Bestseller - Gimme That Smoothie Recipe! is a collection of Bayyinah's favorite healthy smoothies. Bayyinah wears many professional hats but her first passion is writing and cooking.  Her life reflect so much diversity which reflects in her cookbooks. A native of Philadelphia, PA,  Bayyinah currently resides in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband Obinna. 

J PLUNKY BRANCH

Plunky: Juju Jazz Funk & Oneness is an overnight success story 50 years in the making.  It documents James Plunky Branch’s career in music and arts activism, and delivers his memoir as a straight forward recollection of anecdotes, journals, and photographs.   It is not a standard sex, drugs and rock & roll exposé, rather this is an insider’s look behind the scenes of the independent Black jazz and soul music business and Plunky’s philosophies and methodologies that allowed him to persevere and come out on top.

J. Plunky Branch began his music career while attending Columbia University in New York City in 1967.  He moved to San Francisco during the tumultuous 1970’s and established his African avant-garde group, Juju.   Migrating back to NY Plunky began working with free jazz pioneers Ornette Coleman, Pharaoh Sanders, Sam Rivers and artists on the Strata-East Record label.   For the next several years, Plunky & Oneness of Juju continued to evolve, occasionally touring in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.  A studio musician, record producer, writer of over 400 songs, and documentary film producer, Branch has released over 35 albums through his independent record companies.  A political activist, educator and writer, he was recognized by the Library of Virginia as one of the 2015 Strong Men and Women in Virginia History. For more information: www.coolgrovepress.com & www.plunkyone.com

TONYA WILSON

Tonya Wilson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland and spent her early childhood years growing up in a project community known as "Westport".  Some of her  childhood friends grew up to be Baltimore's biggest drug lords and were characterized in the Baltimore based series, "The Wire".  Wilson has always enjoyed reading and creative writing. She acquired her Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications at Towson State University in 1985. Her love for writing and her experiences growing up in the ghetto, has resulted in two debut novels, "Portrait of a Hustler" and its sequel "The Chronicles of Toni" under Polk Publishing House, Baltimore, MD.  Tonya is a born again Christian who says it's her duty to share God's love and while her genre of urban fiction writings are unapologetically  influenced by her life experiences, controversial issues and shocking hard facts of street life she has managed to tell her stories with an infusion of spirituality thus sewing unexpected seeds of the "Good News" throughout her writings to an audience that most Churches have either forgotten about or just not taking the extra effort to go after.  Wilson says that she is proud to be a ground breaker because no other author has stepped out of the box to combine "hardcore" adult urban fiction with a "Christian" message.

DEMETRIA ALEXANDER GRISSETT

Dee Grissett, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.  She furthered her education at Johnson C. Smith University (BS - Computer Information Systems/Business) in Charlotte, North Carolina and Fayetteville State University (MBA/Management) in Fayetteville, North Carolina.  She was lead to publish her first book "In Sickness and In Health: A Journalized Account of Coping with Multiple Myeloma" after being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow. Dee's goal in publishing this book is to share her experiences in hope of encouraging and inspiring others who may be in the same or similar situation.  Her biggest highlight of being an author was being invited to the White House to share her book and story with others. Dee resides in Lumberton, North Carolina with her husband and two sons.   Visit Dee Grissett at   www.deegrissett.com

CHE' DEERING HARPER

Ché Deering Harper, née Chequana Yanceé Deering, was born in Portsmouth, VA. As a Navy brat she has traveled to more places in the world than most people will see in their entire lives. After graduating  High School with honors in 2002, she joined the U.S. Air Force where she served as an Intelligence Analyst at the National Security Agency (NSA) until 2007. Following her experience in the Air Force, she returned to Chesapeake, VA where she worked for ManTech International Corporation as an Information Systems Technician.

In 2012, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Tidewater Community College. From there until the present, she has served Norfolk Naval Shipyard as the Civil Service Team Lead, Information Technology Specialist. she enjoys writing. It is her dream to have her writings published and venture into public relations, production and film. Ché resides in Chesapeake, Virginia with her two lovely children.

RICHARD SWARTZ

Richard Swartz is President of Mano Swartz Furs and a fourth generation furrier.  He began working for his grandfather, Jimmie, on Saturdays on Howard Street at age ten.

Richard's fur education continued during summer breaks from high school and college.  After graduating from the University of Vermont, he was sent to Copenhagen to study at the side of one of Europe's most
prominent master furriers, A.C. Bang.  When word from Denmark that Richard was a bona fide master furrier reached his father, Mano, he was welcomed home to Baltimore, Md. to join the family business.
Since then, Richard has upheld the strong community ethic of Mano Swartz started by his great-grandfather to always give back.  He has supported Baltimore's educational and religious institutions and charities.  For over 20 years Richard has backed the Tuskegee University Alumni Assn, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, United Negro College Fund, dozens of churches, temples, schools, children's causes, hospitals, and The House of Ruth.  Through his charitable work Richard has furthered Baltimore City education and the community as a whole.  He has equipped people to achieve in school and in life, which has provided them greater opportunities to give back to their communities.  By investing in these charities, Richard has invested in Baltimore.
Today, Mano Swartz is located in Green Spring Station on Falls Road. The Mano Swartz Family prides itself on selling the finest furs, luxury outerwear, fur accessories, and providing complete fur services.

KEMI SOGUNLE

Kemi Sogunle is an award-winning author,  international speaker, certified professional coach.  She is also the Founder/CEO of the nonprofit organization (501c3), Love Not Hurt, an organization that promotes self-development, building healthier and stronger relationships while living with purpose.  She is dedicated to helping others transform their lives through self-development and growth, gaining knowledge and understanding of self-love and who they are before becoming involved in a relationship, find what works best and how to stay true to oneself while connecting with others to build solid relationships that will make their lives better not bitter.

She believes that living truthfully is paramount to long-lasting relationships and healthy living.

DOMINIQUE JONES

My name is Dominique Jones! I am a 39yr old mother of 5 blessings. I was born and raised in Severn, Maryland by my late grandparents Shirleen & Author Jones since I was 3 days old. I grew up in a christian home and our upbringing was taught that God is our priority. I knew my life would be different when someone violated me as a teen. I knew one day I wanted to write a book of my life and having kids of my own that someone special brought out of me what I knew I had to share with the world.  So I decided to write my very first Autobiography and share with everyone my testimony.  Shattered My Silence is my book title.

LYNN CALVIN

D.L. Lance is a former air traffic controller who spent his formative years in New York City and most of his adult life in the greater metropolitan area. He is a graduate of New York University. For almost all of his twenty-year career as an air traffic controller he worked at the NY TRACON, a radar facility that handles all air traffic going in and out of the New York area. Thus, his perspective is an insider’s view of the complex National Airspace System. As an author, he is a late bloomer and although this is his first publication, he is presently working on two other literary projects—both of which explore the systemic venality of society. When he is not frightening the general public with tales of covert corruption and cataclysmic disasters, he keeps busy as an avid tennis player and baseball fan.  D.L. currently lives in the Baltimore, Maryland area with his wife of 43 years.

SADE RENA

The Author, Sade Rena, currently works, lives, plays and attend school in the Washington, D.C. Area. With the help of mentors and friends of the DC Creative Writing Workshop, she realized early on just how important writing is to her. At age 12 she dabbled in poetry while attending Charles Hart Middle School, where she's written several pieces for "Hart Works", the school's magazine. But it was during her time at Goldsboro High School, in Goldsboro, NC, that she decided that the life of a writer was perfect for her.   Visit Sade Rena at:   www.saderena.weebly.com 

 

JOHNETTA HOWARD

Johnetta Howard is the Author of "Where Does Jesus Live?" A book based on questions her 3 year old son had about Jesus.  In addition to being an author she is a Speaker, Mentor, Entrepreneur, Wife, and Mother of 3. She is also the owner of Harvest Reach, LLC a business/ministry purposed to reach the lost for Christ and improve the lives of men, women and children everywhere. She lives to share God's love through her life, business and books.  She resides in northern Maryland with her family.

J. REID

J. Reid, author of "Trapped," is a born and bred resident of Baltimore. A graduate of Towson University, she spends her time with her two children, Caim and Symone .

SHONA ROBINSON

Shona is a mother is four, wife, and entrepreneur. All these hats Shona wears proudly. Determined to be a servant to God, her family, her Church, and the publishing industry.

Shona has spent the last 13 years working as a Call Center Manager. In that position it has taught her strong communication skills, people skills and the importance of teamwork. Although Shona enjoys her job she recently took the leap of faith to become self-employed. Shona is enjoying the freedom of being able to write, do motivational speaking, tax and business consulting, and a travel consultant full time.

Shona portrays in her writings that we all fall down but we can get back up. No sin to great or too small for God to forgive.

Shona is an advocate for fighting for greater revenue for authors in the publishing industry. Through her fight and dedication birth a new beginning of the Queen City Bullies, LLC.

Although Shona enjoys the many hats that she wears nothing is more important than her relationship with God, and her family.

DABINIQUE MAGWOOD

D. Magwood is a new generation writer, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, who has struggled through years of relocation and family turmoil.  Dabinique began to think up stories to write along with poetry, completing hundreds of poems about life, aspirations and struggle in the big city. She moved upstate with her family to Albany at fourteen.  Now with three children and a family of her own, she is certified as a graduate from Bryant and Stratton College with an Associate’s Degree in Medical Assisting.  She is now a publisher and CEO of Envision Publications.  Down to the Core is her first novel of many more.

 

 C.NATASHA RICHBURG

C. NaTasha Richburg is a wife and mother of four grown children with a catalog of books focused on the reality of the Hip Hop generation. 

Mrs. Richburg is also the visionary for Jeremiah's Kall, an urban Spoken word and Hip Hop music platform presented in a manner that is "Real-Raw-Responsibly Rebellious" with indie artists accountable to the Word of God. 

Mrs. Richburg's brand of motivation includes promoting Jeremiah's Kall concerts and having inspiration sessions with audiences of all ages that combine her wisdom with artistry to present an electrifying brand of edutainment that motivates positive change.

BERNICE LAYTON

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Bernice Layton works full-time and is an avid reader of romantic suspense novels.  She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Black Writers' Guild of Maryland. Happily married, Mrs. Layton resides with her husband and is the mother of one daughter, NaTiki who inspires her to keep writing with this phrase in mind, "all things are possible with love and friendship, and the endless possibilities of past, future, and present encounters."

Mrs. Layton has published four romantic suspense novels for Genesis Press, Inc. Promises Made, Crossing the Line, Lies in Disguise and Mind Games.  

COREY JOHNSON

Corey Johnson is a new upcoming author from Baltimore who is on the fast-track to becoming a prolific writer and storyteller. Mr Johnson through his writings has the ability to take his readers on a detailed journey into his stories all while allowing room for the reader to use their own imagination and their own visions. While reading his books, you will find yourself wanting to know more and more about the characters and the lives they portray. His books are intellectually well written, yet the words jump off of the pages very easily to any reader. His first book titled Courageous is about his older deceased brother Avon "Flubber" Johnson. In writing this book, Corey felt that it was important to reveal to the world who his brother Avon was and how much he had impacted not only Corey's life, but the life of many others who were looking for answers to the questions of life as a lost soul living in Baltimore City during the 70s and 80, a time of open air drug trade, violence, and corruption. "Hopefully, this book Courageous will save someone's life."

KIRKLYN J. BERRY

Kirklyn J Berry, President and CEO of KB Enterprises, is an entrepreneur, a powerful keynote speaker, and a director of People for People Inc, a non-profit organization devoted to the North Philadelphia community. Earning a Division 1 athletic scholarship to the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo, Kirk played defensive tackle for the UB Bulls football team throughout his education. Kirk received his Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration from the university’s School of Management, an AACSB-accredited school ranked amongst the top elite business institutions around the world.  

With a personal motto “success is the art of being who you already are,” Kirk imparts his impact on the world by furnishing others with the skills to discover their own individual P.O.W.E.R. (Positivity, Opportunity, Wisdom, Encourage and Responsibility)

 

Cherie Trahan

As the author of With a Purpose 2 Inspire:  A Poetry Collection and founder/CEO of Purpose 2 Inspire, Cherie D. Trahan is currently pursuing her dreams as a poet, author, and inspirational speaker.  Cherie is also a very proud mother of her son, Antjuan.  

Born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Fort Washington, Maryland, as a young woman, life would take Cherie down some unexpected roads for an extraordinary journey.  As a result, there would be a tremendous shift as relates to what Cherie found herself mostly writing about, as Cherie’s testimony plus her talent would work together to reveal God’s purpose for her gift.  

CHARLOTTE BROWN

SHARON POLK

Sharon Polk is a licensed Minister of the gospel in the Washington D.C. area.  She is married to Minister Bill Polk.  She is the sole proprietor of Novellas By Sharon, LLC, which produces Christian Fiction.  Sharon has a Bachelor of Science degree in business and is a published poet.  She is involved in prison ministry and has ministered to young women in detention centers, as well as, half way houses for the last nineteen years.  While ministering in a detention center in the Washington area, she developed a life skills curriculum geared towards equipping and empowering young girls.  Sharon has dedicated her life to encouraging people and advancing the Kingdom of God.  Her deep commitment to women’s issues is the catalyst for her novellas, Hidden Secrets and Darkest Before Dawn from the Beauty for Ashes saga.  The Beauty for Ashes tetralogy is simply stated about life.  It highlights the ups and downs we all experience in the course of living.  It brings to light the power that God has to take the ashes of our lives and turn them to beauty.  Mystery, intrigue, and romance enmesh to create what readers describe as absolutely amazing.

HAKI AMMI

Haki Ammi is a best selling author, radio host, entrepreneur, community organizer, speaker, job and career coach, network marketer. A United States Navy veteran and currently a 9 year veteran serving as an EMT/FF in Baltimore City Fire Department. Business Marketing Major which experience having lead to starting and joined several network marketing companies from 1998 to present. Community organizing work consisting of culturally conscious raising, economic empowerment events.  Haki Ammi work has been featured in Bmorenews.com, Baltimore Afro and the Baltimore Times Newspaper. Haki Ammi has hosted radio programs on www.harambeeradio.com and 1590 AM WURD in Baltimore.   He has been on the Newsmaker Line for the Larry Young Morning Show on 1010 AM in Baltimore.

 

 FANITIA PENDLETON

 Fanita began her career as a Juvenile Probation Officer and later worked in Adult Probation before taking a short break to pursue her love of teaching as a Criminal Justice Instructor at a local technical college. Recently Fanita stepped back into law enforcement, and is now a Parole Officer.  Fanita blazed on the scene with her Criminal Romance Series: Shoot First Ask Questions Never 1-3, Fist Full of Tears 1-2, The Moscato Diaries, MOET: Money Over Everything, Moet’s Revenge, and Open Marriage. An avid reader, Fanita holds a special place in her heart for the unsung genre of Urban Crime and Urban Romance Dramas, and in her youth, devoured the works of such greats as Donald Goines, and Iceberg Slim. She is an author with SBR Publications and a card carrying member of The Bank Roll Squad #TBRS Family.  Fanita is Owner of Blaque Diamond Publications an Urban Moon Productions Company where she is now giving young authors their shot at making their dreams come true.

TANYA MCDANIEL

Author Tanya McDaniel is an Analyst for a major banking company. She has a Bachelor’s Degree from Wilmington University. She is involved in her local church. Reading and Writing in her journal have always been a favorite pastime. Tanya enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Tanya loves to travel and has lived in Hawaii for three years. Tanya is also a guest writer for an online magazine

BLAQUE DIAMOND

Blaque Diamond is a rare diamond. Her composition sets her apart from other writers and from other authors of all kinds. Diamonds range is from children books to memoirs, but it is Blaque Diamond's uniqueness that makes her most interesting. Blaque Diamond is the owner of BlaqueDiamond Enterprise (BDE) and the author of In My Mother's House. He mission is to support individuals and families as they go through the journey of parenting, kinship care, foster care, and adoption.    

Blaque Diamond has three biological children raised nine nieces and nephews, four of whom are now adults, two of whom she was granted custody, two she adopted and one of whom she will adopt from the NYC foster care system. Diamond currently lives in Dundalk Maryland and is working on the sequel to "In My Mother's House" and her third children's book to be released December 2015.  As a model for family advocacy she demonstrates strategies for strength perspectives for professionals and parents as they identify their own strength.  

AQUILLA DANIELS

Aquilla Daniels is a newly published author of fictional children's books.  She has a bachelor's degree in business, and over the years, she has worked with young children and teenagers in various settings.  Aquilla love for children's literature, child development, and business economics is what prompted her to become a writer, and her goal as an author is to publish as many books as she can.  Aquilla lives in New Jersey with her family.  To learn more, contact her at danielsaquilla@yahoo.com

SONYA HARRIS

Sonya Harris resides in Boston, Massachusetts. Sonya is a mother, published author, educator, and mentor. She is a woman with a sincere desire to inspire women and girls to be themselves, believe in themselves, and love and take care of themselves so they can discover and use their passion to add value to their communities and life circle. 

 

ROBYN F. EVANS

Robyn Franceen Evans grew up between Baltimore, Maryland and York, Pennsylvania. The daughter of a pastor and an administrative assistant, Robyn was always surrounded by sermons and letters. Her earliest compositions date back to pre-school, when she would write poetry about everything she saw, from street lights to her mother’s red 1978 Monte Carlo. She is an author, speaker, health enthusiast and freelance writer determined to use her writing to open eyes to spiritual truths and win hearts to Jesus.

LETICIA FETTIS

Leticia A. Fitts was born in Baltimore, Maryland. A graduate of Morgan State University, she earned her B.S. Degree in Psychology in 1998. As an innovative and spirited educator, she excelled as a teacher and reading specialist. In 2003, she received her M.A. Degree in Education from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. With certifications to teach grades 1-6 in all subject areas, in addition to providing reading instruction for K-12 curriculums by the Maryland State Department of Education, she is a proven subject matter expert. She has published the educational workbooks, African American Sheroes and Heroes and Telling Our Tale.

DENISE WIGGINS

Denise Wiggins is the Author of 'My Struggle, God's Glory', a book that chronicles Denise's life as a single Mother that made ends meet to raise her three children, then turned her pain and turmoil into success. She worked hard and built a life that is sure to leave a positive legacy for her family. Denise started Lip Synk Cosmetics in 2014. Mrs. Wiggins has always had a passion for helping others, especially women. Mrs. Wiggins has learned many valuable lessons from being a single mother raising 3 children independently; struggling to make ends meet by working 2-3 jobs; and realizing opportunities missed due to a lack of education. She now, inspiringly shares those lessons in hopes of empowering women from all walks of life to know that whatever situation you may find yourself in, as long as you can dream and have faith – there is no mountain too big to overcome. Mrs.Wiggins’ motto is “You must believe that all things are possible through Christ.” Mrs. Wiggins always remained a faithful servant of God, and her dream of encouraging, inspiring and giving hope to other women is now being realized through LipSynk Cosmetics. Read more at www.LipSynkCosmetics.com.

 

DR. OLIVER T. REID

Dr. Oliver T. Reid has used God’s blessings and favor upon his life in the marketplace, as Founder of ECKLESIA Professional Development Center in 2001, and Founder of M.I.N.D. Consulting in 2007. Dr. Reid provides consulting and coaching services to distinguished entities through his companies. In 2013, Reid launched the I Am a Solution and I Am A Solution Consulting Firm, LLC a global entity aimed at empowering men and women to change the world.  Dr. Reid is also a seasoned trainer, ministry life coach, motivational speaker, solution strategist, and bestselling author. Dr. Oliver T. Reid is the Founder of Oneness Through Redemption Ministry International. His first book, Don’t Press Fast Forward, was released in 2010, international bestsellers Spiritual GPS, in 2013, and Words From the Low Place in 2014.  Dr. Reid has recently launched a variety of other books: Manhandled, Nine Keys to Keeping a Vision Fresh, and his widely anticipated course Ministry Not Impossible will be published in the near future.

Using his God-given passion to help others uncover their solutions within, Dr. Reid has traveled the world providing solutions to the masses. Dr. Reid has developed a series of solution focused empowerment workshops, coaching techniques, and conferences. Dr.

You can connect with Apostle Oliver T. Reid at the links below.

https://squareup.com/store/otr-ministries-international?t=merchant-fb

yoursolutioncoach@gmail.com

            

CARRIE ALEXANDER COLELLA

Carrie Alexander Colella received a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from the graduate school of Business and Management from Argosy University, Washington, DC campus in November, 2013. She received a Masters of Social Work degree from Howard University, Washington, DC and a Bachelors of Science from the University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia.  She has worked in the child welfare profession for over twenty years post masters degree and has a particular interest in the communication practices in large organizations and how these practices directly affect those working in the organizations as well as how these practices can affect outcomes for children.  

JOHN HAYNES III

John believes the one who sits in the chair of authority and leadership has the loftiest and the most challenging of responsibilities, namely, leading people, developing and imparting vision, and ensuring that organizations and their missions come to fruition. Because of his belief that all things rise and fall on leadership, John has weaved together his human resources expertise, organizational effectiveness capabilities, and his purpose and gift of coaching and advising people and businesses and is focused on leading leaders and being the visionary to visionaries.  With a wealth of experience spanning various industries, including, start-up, government contracting, architecture, engineering, internal development, energy, manufacturing, and commercial land care, and having advised leaders across the nation, in Canada, and internationally, John holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Old Dominion University and has become a coach through the Life On Purpose Development Institute.

HAIKEEM STOKES

Haikeem Stokes, a South Philly native, is the eldest of three brothers and three sisters. He first fell in love with writing in the third grade. In junior high school, he wrote several short stories, then later illustrated and penned a series of comic strips. In the eighth grade, he used those creative-writing skills to transform short stories into rhymes. By the twelfth grade, he won first place trophies for rapping in talent shows. It was during his high school years that Haikeem’s skills in rhyming had evolved into poetry. He has taken his passion for word play and literary arts and cultivated it into realizing the dream of creating, “Works of Heart.” These “Works of Heart,” include 2 novels, I Need You Too and At 12, After and 2 books of spoken word, Reality Life Conscious Struggle and Earlixer. Haikeem believes that the gift of writing allows one to blend imagination and reality to create a wonderful universe. He writes from his heart in order to convey his message of life and love. 

C. LUCINE CHINONN

The daughter of two educators; C. Lucine Chinonn grew up to be exactly what she admired most, an elementary school teacher in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.  Currently working with the Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth, she continues to be a passionate advocate of sparking a child's imagination.  A zealous creator of wacky stories and their illustrations from a very young age; Chinonn went back to basics- making up stories and drawing pictures.  Ironically, after writing her first children's book, she’s never been more excited to be an adult!

 ROSA PRYOR-TRUSTY

Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor, a native Baltimorean, graduated from Edmondson High School in 1963 and attended Community College of Baltimore and Morgan State University to study business and law.

Rosa’s trade name is “Rambling Rose”, a name that was given to her by the late great Nat “King” Cole when she was touring in the 50’s as his opening act. The color red has always been her favorite color and when she used to perform, she always dressed in red exotic, sexy gowns and gave out her favorite flower, a long stem red rose, which became her signature. During this time, Rosa was not only a singer, but a musician, playing piano and saxophone; she was a recording artist, record producer and song writer.

Rosa “Rambling Rose” Pryor was the Entertainment Editor, Account Executive and Entertainment Columnist for the Baltimore Times and the Annapolis Times for ten years. “Rambling Rose”, as her readers affectionately call her is currently an entertainment columnist and reporter with the Afro-American Newspaper, and has been since 1998; The Informer Newspaper, The Northwest Voice and she freelance for other periodicals and have over 200,000 readerships. Since May 2011 she is back writing also for the Baltimore Times Newspaper. Rosa is a long time member of the National Association of Black Journalist, (NABJ).

Rosa is the Founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of the Rosa Pryor Music Scholarship Fund, Inc. created in 1991.  The fund provides money for gifted and talented children aspiring musicians, ages 5-17 years old to help pay for tuition, voice and music lessons and purchase instruments. Her organization is the only one of its kind in the country. She is also the Co-founder & CEO of an entertainment company with her husband, William “Shorty” Trusty, called “RoseGarden Entertainment Enterprises, Inc.”. This is a company that provides entertainment, local and national for clubs, casinos, hotels, social events and racetracks, (but not active at this time).

In 2001, Rosa became Mrs. William (“Shorty”) Trusty. They are partners in Business and soul mates! She is the mother of 4 and grandmother of 22 and great- grandmother of 17. For additional information her email address is rosapryor@aol.com 

NIKKI WOODS

Multi-media personality, Social Media and Personal Branding Coach, Motivational Speaker and Voice-over artist, NIKKI WOODS is the senior producer of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the most successfulsyndicated urban radio show in history reaching more than 8 million people on a daily basis. Born in Rock Hill, Missouri, Woods studied education at HowardUniversity in Washington D.C. and journalism at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Her journey in broadcasting landed her in various markets, including St. Louis, Boston and Chicago, before Woods became senior producer of the acclaimed, nationally-syndicated “Tom Joyner Morning Show,” (TJMS) where she is responsible for the engaging on-air content heard each morning on the over-100 affiliate radio stations that air the award-winning program. Tom Joyner says, “I completely trust her judgment and know that she brings her A game every day. You can see (the) result(s) of that in the ratings and listener response.”

DR. HATTIE N. WASHINGTON

In her new memoir, Dr. Hattie N. Washington reveals how a country girl, from the backwoods of Meherrin, Virginia, succeeded through life with optimism, drive and a belief in God to become an honor student, a teacher, a parent to two successful daughters, and a foster parent to over one hundred foster boys over a twenty-year period. She writes about family, relationships, and the complexities of growing up during the segregation and desegregation era, where the strike at R.R. Moton High School, in Farmville, Virginia in 1951, led to the historic landmark case, Brown v. Board of Education.

She shares her personal sacrifices and accomplishments in her memoir that overflows with warmth and wit. She also shares the long journey she had starting a non-profit foster boys home in Baltimore, Maryland that she affectionately named Aunt Hattie’s Place, and the challenges of opening a third eco-friendly home for boys in May 2010, in Sandy Spring, Maryland. You’ll read how an ongoing series of personal setbacks brought on many stumbling blocks, yet she broke down barriers by becoming the first female vice president of Coppin State University.

Dr. Hattie N. Washington’s Driven to Succeed: An Inspirational Memoir of Lessons Learned through Faith, Family and Favor is complete with historical photographs from the R.R. Moton Strike and personal photographs of her life. Her riveting story provides inspiration for generations to come.

BLACK WRITERS GUILD OF MARYLAND, INC.

www.blackwritersguild.org

www.edc-creations.com