Instructions Not Included

About the Author

With an intentional smile and a steady step, New York native Quani Boyd has began a journey to enlighten, encourage and empower young women across the world. Her willingness to practice transparency and "lay it all on the table" allows Quani to help break barriers that keep us all from sharing our issues and ultimately defeating them.

As a Graduate of (the First Historically Black College or University) Cheyney University, Quani has taken the tools learned while majoring in Sociology to explore and address many problems being faced alone by young adults every day. It is her goal to share her failures and triumphs in hopes of spreading the word that you are not by yourself in your struggles and that it is more than possible to overcome life's obstacles!

It was while experiencing a "Quarter-Life Crisis" that Quani discovered that her love of writing and motivational speaking was more than just a hobby…it was her passion. So she set out to stop running from her purpose and decided that it was much more useful as well as therapeutic to instead take the lessons learned from her own struggles and help equip others for theirs.

In addition to an author, Quani is also the founder and president of the Plush Barbie Club. A mentoring organization based in Philadelphia. A Plush Barbie is defined as a luxurious, rare and one of a kind woman who recognizes her self-worth and embraces the idea that she is ideal and beautiful. SHE determines who she will become and how far she will go! The Club is made up of like-minded young women who are committed to growth and success in their own lives as well as in the lives of the young women mentees.

In true Quani fashion, she has resolved to surely take the lemons life has thrown her and use them to create something nourishing and beneficial for her peers and others. The goal is to pay it forward and if nothing else, help to support another in their own struggles by letting them know that they are not alone and that if they endure the process there are most certainly abundant blessings awaiting them.

About the Book:

"Instructions Not Included" gives a relatable and translucent perspective on the struggles young adults often face alone...unaware that most of us are experiencing the same concerns. This book is geared towards the "Twenty Something" crowd going through a period that can be quite confusing, frustrating and trying. Many “Twenty Somethings” question the accuracy of their choices, in turn becoming overwhelmed with “getting it right”. This period is known as the Quarter Life Crisis. After experiencing much loss, failure, and defeat author Quani Boyd chose to face her crisis, determined to triumph over it. Quani wrote this book to share her lessons with other’s experiencing their own crises..

More info on Quani or any of her projects please visit her at www.quanispeaks.com

Kwanzaa in Hawai`i

About the Author

Ayin Adams, Ph.D., is an award-winning poet/playwright, actress, author, filmmaker, and healer. Her whose works have been published in magazines and numerous anthologies including, “Bum Rush The Page” a Defjam Poetry Publication. Her work has been translated in Dutch, French, and German. The author of more than 5 volumes of poetry and 2 novels, author of the acclaimed, “The Woods Deep Inside Me’, Adams won the Pat Parker Poetry Prize Winner, The Audre Lorde Memorial Prize, The Zora Neal Hurston/Richard Wright Award, 2004Rap-it-up Black Entertainment Television (BET) winner. Adams boldly challenges herself and becomes one of the voices which documents the history of African Americans in Hawai`i as Barack Obama, became the acclaimed President of the United States in her most recent ground-breaking book, “African Americans In Hawai`i: A Search For Identity”. Adams is without the shadow of a doubt a gifted and prolific poet who walks with an incredible determination.

About the Book

Kwanzaa is a celebratory period of seven days from December 26 - January 1 that acknowledges spirit, the ancestors, and seven principles for living more harmoniously in a ritual that is popular with many African Americans. It celebrates certain values to be embraced by the community, the family, and the individual to help create better, more productive, and fulfilled lives. Although the African American community is small in the Hawaiian Islands, resident groups of African Americans and their friends and families gather together in a tradition to celebrate the 7 principles of Kwanzaa at the end of each year. The principles are: umoja, ujima, ujamaa, kujuchagulia, nia, kuumba, and imani. Dr. Ayin M. Adams has put together this delightfully creative and informative book to share the philosophical values, cultural poetry, recipes, and photographs of the unique beauty of the Hawaiian Islands and enhance the meaning, scope, depth, and intimate ritual of Kwanzaa."

More about Ayin Adams, Ph.D.: www.ayinadams.com

Frank Marshall Davis: The Fire and the Phoenix

About the Author

Kathryn Waddell Takara, PhD, is the author of four books, including the ground-breaking biography of Frank Marshall Davis: The Fire and the Phoenix (A Critical Biography). Davis was an acclaimed journalist, poet, and long time resident of Hawai`i from 1948-1987 when he died.

Waddell Takara is a 2010 winner of the American Book Award (Before Columbus Foundation). She is a performance poet and writer, recently retired from the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa. Dr. Takara was a professor of ethnic, interdisciplinary, and cultural studies for thirty-six years (1968-2007). Waddell Takara holds a PhD in Political Science and a MA in French, and has traveled, lectured, and read her poetry extensively throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the USA mainland, and in Northeast China. She is a two time Fulbright recipient and a public scholar. Kathryn Waddell Takara makes her home in Hawai`i since 1968.

About the Book

Frank Marshall Davis: The Fire and the Phoenix (A Critical Biography) is a compelling historical biography about Frank Marshall Davis (1907-1987), journalist, editor, poet, labor activist, and Renaissance man of the Black Chicago Renaissance who wrote and recorded the times, race relations, and culture as reflected in his life and community. He wrote of his vision of democracy, his observations of race relations, the African American culture and community, the urban experience, the hypocrisy of democracy, war and the black soldiers, imperialism in Hawai`i, and the economic disparities in the USA.

Between the pages of this critical biography, Davis established connective marginalities between the black and white worlds, in the first half of the 20th century. His personal aim to acquire power, status, and dignity like any white citizen and the methods he utilized were often unusual, unconventional, and challenging: journalism, editorials, poetry, music, American and African history, politics, and activism.

Davis’s esthetic perceptions, sociopolitical analysis, and rigorous interpretive thought are valuable today in understanding America’s socio-political and economic development. He wrote of the racial climate, unhealthy environment and the black psyche, identity issues, migrations of blacks to the urban areas and their struggles with poverty, lack of education and training, tattered dreams, sexual politics, and conflicts based on stereotypes and race, alternately using lyricism and satire to educate, empower and push for social reform.

His writing, especially his editorials, shows how the black intellectual’s voice has been forged in response to political and cultural movements as a confrontational force connecting the black and white worlds. Davis documents the geopolitics of race and class from Kansas to Hawai`i.

The Fire and the Phoenix highlights Davis’s journey from where he was born, raised, and educated in Kansas to his professional work as a journalist and poet in Chicago, Gary, Atlanta, Chicago and finally the territory of Hawai`i in 1948. Throughout his long life, Davis wrote about the social, political and economic events and served as a witness and critic of racism, economic disparities, imperialism and colonialism long before those concepts were part of the social science jargon and studies. Davis remained in Hawai`i until he died in 1987.

The author, Kathryn Waddell Takara, Ph.D., political scientist, poet, and retired professor of Black and Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Hawai`i at Mānoa, writes with an uncanny ability to dissect the humanity of Frank Marshall Davis and to explore the myths and legacy of what Davis left to the world that is applicable in the 21st century. Takara met, visited, befriended, and interviewed Davis in Hawai`i during the last 15 years of his life. Takara felt a special affinity for and understanding of Davis due to certain shared situations: the Jim Crow South, poetry and politics, activism, and interracial marriage and life as an African American in Hawai`i.

More about Kathryn Waddell Takara PhD: www.pacificravenpress.com

I Am The Blues

About the Author

Gwyn Gorg is a graduate of the Theatre Academy of Los Angeles City College. She has worked professionally for more than thirty five years as actress, model, dancer, singer, songwriter, storywriter, screenwriter, producer, director, educator, and manager in theatre, television, radio, film and educational media.

As an educator, she has taught from kindergarten to high school in private and public schools. Her children’s art exhibit was honored and displayed at the Los Angeles International Airport. She served as the educational coordinator of the 18th Street Arts Complex in Santa Monica. Ms. Gorg is a grant winner of The California Arts Council award. In 2007, Ms. Gorg won the teacher of the year award, by the United Teachers of Los Angeles. At the International House of Blues Foundation she co-created their Blues Schoolhouse Program as a performing artist and a history consultant.

In Hawai`i, Ms. Gorg was appointed resident artist in the schools by the Hawai`i State Department of Education. She founded the Hilo Theater for Youth, a community group dedicated to young performing artists, now in its twenty-sixth year of award-winning productions.

At Leeward College in Honolulu, she wrote, produced, directed and hosted the Oahu Gazette, a community television magazine show, for the Public Broadcasting Service. A film documentary she wrote and produced there, Inside State Prison, about Oahu Penitentiary, which won Special Honors at the Los Angeles International Film exhibition (Filmex).

Ms. Gorg wrote and produced The Savages, an educational documentary on juvenile street gangs, winning Honors at the Columbus Film Festival and the American Film Festival. Her entertainment feature film writing and producing credits include Living the Blues, starring the legendary Sam Taylor, the story of an old blues man in modern America, winner of a Filmtrax award at the Ghent International Film Festival for its outstanding presentation of musical culture and of a Best Feature Nomination at the American Film Institute Video Awards.

Ms. Gorg is the Executive Producer for Media Associates Production Company. Presently, she works as an instructor at the University of Hawai`i for the Maui Language Institute. Ms. Gorg makes her home on Maui with her husband.

About the Book

I Am The Blues is a story that depicts the evolution of the Blues from rhythmic drums in Africa merging into wails across the Middle Passage and morphing into calls and responses on the plantation fields. When freedom came, the drum rhythms and tones expanded to include new forms, instruments, and subsequently evolved into new genres. This music has been absorbed and transformed by people of many races and cultures into various musical forms: soul, rhythm and blues, pop, and techno, funk, country-western, and rap. I Am The Blues provides a way to educate and bring joy. I Am The Blues can be read as a catalyst for positive change, and the story encourages curiosity, excites the imagination, assists with self confidence, and teaches respect for oneself and others. This is a book for ages 8-108.

Lessons from the Heart: Navigating Life

About the Author

As a life-long learner, Hyacinth Foster holds a Doctorate in Education and continues to instill the importance of learning in her children, Trudy, and Gregg. As a voracious reader, she continues to hone her writing skills. Her future projects include a novel, The Enigma of Independent Schools, and a cookbook of her favorite Jamaican recipes.

About the Book

Dr. Hyacinth C. Foster uses a compelling story of the defining moments in her life to introduce readers to the twenty important lessons she learned in her journey through life. They serve as her guide to attain success and happiness. She believes that if she can do it, others can. Dr. Foster is convinced that anyone is capable of turning dreams into reality as they remember the importance of maintaining A MORAL COMPASS! The book is entitled “Lessons from the Heart: Navigating Life”. The book captures the author’s early life in Jamaica, the unique circumstances surrounding her introduction to science teaching which is not only her profession, but also her passion. The lessons outline her navigation of life through New York, New York, and Atlanta, Georgia.

More about Dr. Hyacinth C. Foster:
www.hyacinthfoster.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Hyacinth-C-Foster-Author
www.twitter.com/hyacinthfoster
www.linkedin.com/pub/dr-hyacinth-foster/b/981/b61

I Can't Get Next To You

About the Author

Contemporary women’s fiction/romance author Chicki Brown has published five Kindle novels, four of which have made different Kindle bestseller lists.

An avid reader, her favorite authors are Beverly Jenkins, Eric Jerome Dickey, Lisa Kleypas, J.R. Ward and Suzanne Brockmann.

A New Jersey native, Brown and her family relocated to suburban Atlanta, Georgia in 1994, and she now proudly calls herself a “Georgia peach.”

About the Book

Rick Gardner never intended to visit one of Atlanta’s premiere strip clubs, but his fellow attorneys choose that venue to celebrate his latest courtroom victory. A born again believer, Rick knows Dreamland is the last place he belongs. Still, he’s confident he can withstand the temptation. Until the beautiful woman sent to entertain them walks in …

He is every Christian woman’s idea of the perfect catch. He was raised in a Christian home and recently rededicated his life to the Lord. He owns an impressive house and attends one of the best churches in the city. So why is he about to throw all of this away for a woman who is totally wrong for him?


More about Chicki Brown:
Website: www.chicki663.webs.com
Personal Blog: www.sisterscribbler.blogspot.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@Chicki663
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chicki.brown

Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done?

About the Author

Denise Jones was born in Chicago, IL on November 10, 1960. As the oldest of seven, Denise’s mother would often leave her to care for her siblings, while she went on drug binges that ended only when she returned to their home in Rockwell Garden Housing Projects to throw wild sex and drug parties. Her mother’s lifestyle eventually lured her, and at the age of twelve Denise found her self dropping out of school and quickly becoming a heroine addict. Driven partly by her mother’s lifestyle, and partly by her own dark past which included molestation by her grandfather, uncle, cousin and several other men by the age of six; Denise led a lesbian lifestyle laced with drugs and crime for over fifteen years. Today she is redeemed.

At the age of 26, Denise gave her life to the Lord Jesus Christ and the rest, as they say, is history. She returned to school and earned her GED from Olive-Harvey College in 1993. She went on to graduate from National Louis University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavior and in 2009 she graduated from Spertus College with a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and a concentration in Human Services Administration.

Today, Denise is a certified HIV/AIDS counselor with specialized training in strategic planning, grant writing development, consulting and board develop-ment for non-profit organizations. Denise is also a deliverance minister, author and inspirational speaker. She has over 10 years experience inspiring small business owners, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leadership groups and individuals in a career or life transition to use their gifts and abilities to master their goals, obtain their destines and achieve success beyond their wildest dreams.

Denise has an innate ability to develop managers and counselors at all levels into powerful leaders and innovative thinkers. She believes strongly in applying a holistic approach to success and works hard to promote balance in all areas of her client’s lives. Whether it is business, career, family, relationships or personal satisfaction, Denise is an expert at motivating clients to see the big picture, create a vision, overcome obstacles and define a realistic plan to begin living a life they love.

After defying all odds and conquering her own demons, today, Denise has great compassion and love for helping others. This love and compassion has inspired her to tell her story in her first book, “Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done?”. This candid, true-life account is a heartwarming and inspirational story about a little girl whose mother failed her. It is also about choices – good ones as well as bad ones. It pains Denise to remember the hurt she caused in her community and in her family. As a result, she has made it her life commitment to help change the lives of other individuals who are presently coming up on the rough side of the mountain.

About the book

Who Said It Couldn’t Be Done? candidly chronicles one woman’s jour-ney from life on Chicago’s Westside involving poverty, incest, drug addiction , incarceration and lesbianism to sobriety, spiritual redemption and inner peace. In Denise’s words, “ Deep insecurity, drug addiction and role confusion tormented me for years. Often I wondered if I were a boy or a girl; if I were human or an animal. Who am I? What am I? Why am I?” Do not miss your opportunity to be touched by her powerful story. Her message to the masses is, “ Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature; old things are passed away and behold, all things are new ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).”

To book Denise Jones for an engagement, book signing or special guest appearance, please send an e-mail to T.Jones PR, Marketing and Writing Boutique at tee-jones@hotmail.com

ISBN: Paperback: 978-1-4520-0354-2; Hardcover: 978-4520-0353-5
Retail Price: Paperback: $19.99; Hardcover: $24.99