Category Archives: amazon.com

Yasmin Shiraz, author of Retaliation. My parents took turns reading to me when I couldn’t read myself. One would sit on the edge of the bed and read Cinderella stories and bedtime tales. As soon as I could read, one of the first words that I remember is the word, “mine.”Â Books were mine. And I loved reading to myself.

When I was seven years old, my family moved from an apartment in the inner city to a home in the suburbs. I remember my parents asking me if I liked my new room and all I could think of is, “Where are my books?” My parents packed my favorite books in a crate and I didn’t care about what my room looked like until I knew where my crate was.

The first day in my new home, I sat in a corner and read my books. I guess my room was nice. I guess it had a nice view. But I can absolutely tell you that I enjoyed reading that day and everyday since. By reading to me, my parents opened me to a world of possibility, exploration and hope.

My latest book is entitled Retaliation. It was inspired by a 15 year old girl who attended one of my self esteem workshops. I was talking to a group of girls about feeling good about themselves. I asked them what were some of the things that they liked, loved and hated about life. One girl said, “I hate the girls who jumped me.” I was shocked by her admission and couldn’t get her voice out of my head for weeks.

I thought about what if there was a fictional character who had been jumped and felt that she didn’t want to retaliate, but everyone else in her family did. What would happen if a teen girl was jumped and she decided not to react violently?

That is the story of Retaliation. It puts the reader in a realistic position of deciding if violence is ever justifiable. Everyone who reads this book has to make a decision about who they are gonna be when violence stops on their doorstep.

For more information on Yasmin Shiraz’s Retaliation, visit: www.yasminshiraz.com

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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Brian McClellan, author of A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success

March 24, 2009 Joey Pinkney 2 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Brian McClellan, author of A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success
(Sherian Publishing)

A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success is a book sure to challenge and inspire those who have this type of deep affection for the Black community but also deep concerns for its future. Inspired in part by the historic political success of President Barack Obama, Love Letter explores the unique way high-achieving African Americans view race and success and why, for the love of the Black community, all Black people must apply these lessons. Love Letter is a must read for those who love Black people and just can’t help it!

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write A Love Letter to Black People?

Brian McClellan: The first seed of “Love Letter” was planted in my mind on July 27, 2004. This was the night then-state senator Barack Obama became a national figure with his inspirational speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. After hearing Obama for the first time, I sat up in my bed and said to myself aloud, “I have just seen the first Black president of the United States.”Â Obama was definitely on to something, and I dedicated myself to capture that “something” in words so the entire Black community could benefit from the knowledge.

There was something about Barack that was different. He and other successful Black people simply view success in the context of race differently. In the process of writing this book, I came the conclusion that the common thread linking these successful Black people was love – love of self, love of the Black community, love of future generations. This is why I call this book A Love Letter to Black People.

JP: Why is a book of this nature needed right now?

BM: With the historic election of President Obama, it is critical that the Black community seize this moment. We cannot afford to waste the inspiration that should be derived from the new roadmap Obama and others have written regarding race and success.

Racism is still real, but the most successful Blacks refuse to limit their aspirations due to racism. And with Obama’s success, we now have proof positive that racism is not omnipotent. “Love Letter” is a book about how we capitalize upon this historic positive momentum to transform the Black community through the power of love.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to A Love Letter to Black People getting out to the public?

BM: Love Letter was truly a labor of love. The insight of the discussion in Love Letter is bolstered by a supporting survey about race and success completed by more than 100 young, Black business and community leaders. Their opinions regarding provocative racially charged topics such as “acting white” are inspirational, thought-provoking and sometimes more provocative than the questions themselves.

After surveying so many young, successful Blacks (or “YSBs” as I call them in the book) was inspirational for me. To honor their achievements and the countless other YSBs they represent, I felt an obligation to “get it right,” to craft this message in a way that would move our Black community to positive action.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish A Love Letter to Black People?

BM: I believe it is important for authors to write all the time. I don’t wait for divine inspiration to start writing. I get inspired by writing. Therefore, I schedule time to write every day. The first manuscript for Love Letter took about three months to complete from start to finish.

Question 5: What’s next for Brian McClellan?

I believe the message of Love Letter is so important that I will spend as much of my energy as possible to bring this message to as many people as possible. Beyond Love Letter, I will continue to write books that uplift people, books that help readers see opportunities rather than obstacles in their own lives. I have many more books in my heart. The next one will be revealed when the time is right.

http://www.bamstrong.com

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National Reading Month With… Darnyelle Jervey, author of If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Praise

March 22, 2009 Joey Pinkney

Darnyelle A. Jervey, author of If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Praise: My love for writing began at the age ofÂ ten, when through my first journal. I learned to love the possibility that words could empower and encourage others.Â I can recall countless teachers and school volunteers reading stories that colored my experience. That encouraged me to dream larger than life.

My love for reading, writing and education deepened in the 9th grade. I met the most influential person in my literary career, my 9th grade English teacher, Jane McFann. She was an accomplished author.Â From that point on, I began to visualize my name onÂ books. I knew that one day, people would read my books and be encouraged to dream the Incredible.

My literary debut is If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Prase. This a memoir chronicles my path to self-discovery after the abrupt conclusion of a 3 year relationship where my ex-fiance’, three months before our wedding, dropped a bomb on me that changed everything. That forced me to deal with my past: the abuse, neglect and loveless family where I was raised. I realized that if I could conquer my past, I would confirm my future and find the love that I have been waiting for my whole life.

AlthoughÂ If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Praise is based on a true story, it reads like a well written novel complete with everything you need to spend a few hours wrapped in its embrace. You will emerge not only understanding my praise but also the manifestation of defining your own praise as well!

From cover to cover, you will be thoroughly engrossed in its pages and take the journey with me. I transparently share how I made it through a life-changing ordeal. Boasting rave reviews once readers finished my book, people are sharing my story to edify and strengthen people across the country.

For more information on Darnyelle A. Jervey’sÂ If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Praise, please go to http://www.incredibleoneenterprises.com.

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Category Archives: amazon.com

National Reading Month With… Yasmin Shiraz, author of Retaliation

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Brian McClellan, author of A Love Letter to Black People: Audaciously Hopeful Thoughts on Race and Success

National Reading Month With… Darnyelle Jervey, author of If You Understood My Past, You Would Understand My Praise

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