Little Known Facet of American Civil Rights History Brought to Light in Children’s Picture Book
August 9, 2010
As Ruth and her family set off on a road trip to Alabama from Chicago to visit grandma, excitement is high! But in 1950s America, the highway can be a dangerous place for black travelers. Will Ruth and her family reach grandma’s house safely? In Ruth and the Green Book, published by Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, ride along with this fictional family and The Green Book—a factual guidebook that helped African American travelers navigate the Jim Crow South—as your guide.
Rude Buay … The Unstoppable Will Be Released on July 4, 2010
June 30, 2010
Author John A. Andrews, son of the Caribbean soil, penetrates inside the belly of the drug world. In an environment saturated with corruption, deception, duplicity, deceit, and inequities of all kinds, Andrews conceives a cross Atlantic, greed driven fiasco, embedded within the drug epidemic. Can Jamaican-born DEA “Rude Buay” save his country from the tyranny of the Dragon Drug Cartel?
Many stories have been written about the horrible threat that illegal drugs pose to our way of life. People involved can be as ruthless at spreading the evil as those whom are dedicated to stopping it. Here, the stakes are raised much higher, when innocent and malicious teenagers are caught up in this debacle and dying off like flies.
New Michael Jackson Book by Legendary Concert Promoter Leonard Rowe Published to eBook by FastPencil
June 30, 2010
FastPencil and Leonard Rowe today announced the availability of Rowe’s book, “What Really Happened to Michael Jackson, the King of Pop: The Evil Side of the Entertainment Industry.” Rowe, a legendary concert promoter and longtime friend of Michael Jackson and the Jackson family, selected FastPencil to publish the eBook version available for iPad, Kindle and all major eReaders.
“This is a story that must be told. It is a first hand account of the conspiracy and the power of the entertainment industry and I am so glad to be releasing the book on the anniversary of Michael’s death,” said Leonard Rowe. “It is a raw and eye-opening account of the perils of fame and about the man everyone knew as the ‘King of Pop,’ but whom I knew as a dear friend.”
Author John A. Andrews Embarks on Teen Success
June 24, 2010
Author John A. Andrews, once a struggling actor and writer, founder of Teen Success®, has rolled out more than five groundbreaking, revolutionary, and empowering projects for teens within the last year. These timely innovations include the Teen Success Magazine®, Teen Success Symposium®, Teaching Teachers How To Teach Success®, Teen Success Curriculum®, and Teen Success®. Teen Success is an empowerment movement whose mission is to empower teens to maximize their full potential to be successful and contributing citizens in the world. As the co-parent of his three sons, ages 11-14, Andrews has committed himself to the task of teen empowerment for the more than 22 million teens in America and worldwide.
While writing the introduction of his debut book for teens: Dare To Make A Difference – Success 101 for Teens, Andrews visited the local bookstore. He discovered only 5 books in the Personal Development genre for teens while seeing hundreds in the adult section. Sensing that there was a lack of personal growth resources, focusing on youth 13-21, he published his teen book and soon thereafter created Teen Success.
ESSENCE Kicks Off Its Summer Fiction Series With Terry McMillan’s ‘Waiting To Exhale’ Sequel
June 1, 2010
ESSENCE kicks off its Summer Fiction Series with an unprecedented exclusive. Nationally acclaimed author Terry McMillan will feature a four-part preview to Getting To Happy—her highly anticipated sequel to the best-selling book, Waiting to Exhale. The first excerpt will be featured in ESSENCE’s June 2010 issue and will continue through the September 2010 issue.
In Getting To Happy, McMillan fast-forwards 15 years and catches readers up on the lives of Exhale’s four beloved characters—Gloria, Robin, Bernadine, and Savannah. Getting to Happy will be released by Viking on September 7, 2010.
“This is the publishing event of the year,” said Patrik Henry Bass, ESSENCE senior editor. “ESSENCE is ecstatic that we are able to feature this preview from this highly anticipated sequel exclusively. This coup also speaks to ESSENCE’s literary legacy for the past 40 years, as well as the extraordinary strength of the brand. We also know that ESSENCE readers will be in for a treat as McMillan shares the latest on their favorite characters.”
Tyra Banks Signs Multi-Book Deal With Delacorte Press
May 12, 2010
Delacorte Press has acquired MODELLAND, the first novel in a three-book series written by international, entertainment, and media icon Tyra Banks, it was announced today by Beverly Horowitz, Vice-President and Publisher, Delacorte Press. Drawing from an area of expertise she is avidly passionate about, Tyra’s MODELLAND is the story of a teen girl in a make-believe society who finds herself competing for a way of life that’s both hotly desired and woefully out of reach at an academy for Intoxibellas, the most exceptional models known to humankind. As the plot unfolds, readers will uncover lessons that are buried beneath the surface of this magical world. The premise of the 3-part fantasy series is deeply rooted in Tyra’s core mission of expanding the definitions of beauty. In MODELLAND, Tyra’s innate ability to connect with women on issues ranging from relationships to body image finds a natural extension to the page. MODELLAND will launch in summer 2011 and will be supported by a major national marketing and publicity campaign. Read more
William Still and the Underground Railroad: Fugitive Slaves and Family Ties
May 12, 2010
Sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. Consider, for example, the life of business magnate and philanthropist, civil rights activist and effective director-general of the Philadelphia-based Underground, William Still (1821-1902). Still transformed (with some notable help from his wife, Letitia) his home into a “hotel,” whereby he/they fed, clothed and sheltered 95% of all the fugitive slaves who arrived at Philadelphia until trains were found to transport them northward. Imagine having a few houseguests over for the weekend, but they never leave. Strange as it may sound, Still believed passionately in “Mi casa es su casa.” But his reasoning was not so strange. And William Still and the Underground Railroad: Fugitive Slaves and Family Ties author Lurey Khan should know as her mother was the granddaughter of Still’s brother. Quoting from Still’s own remarkable records, Khan outlines her family’s contributions to not only the abolitionist movement during the 19th century, but the Women’s Rights cause as well.
Divanomics Interview with Michelle McKinney Hammond
April 20, 2010
Divanomics chronicles Michelle Hammond’s journey through debt, exposing her financial burdens and stressing the importance of money management. She uses her personal testimony as a guide for “divas” to follow in order to prevent financial pitfalls. Hammond also motivates her “divas” and assures them they can bounce back from being broke and return to a fabulous life with her help.
‘Passing’ Across The Color Line In The Jazz Age
April 14, 2010
There are novels that are enjoyable to read and others that say something about the world. And sometimes there are novels that are both. Passing by Nella Larsen is one of those books.
Passing is set at the height of the Jazz Age — when Harlem was in vogue. It’s the story of two light-skinned black women whose comfortable lives unravel when they are reacquainted in a whites-only restaurant: Irene, the wife of a prominent African-American doctor and the mother of two boys; and her childhood friend Clare, who is passing as white.
Holly Robinson-Peete Pens Book For Children With Autism
April 14, 2010
Actress Holly Robinson-Peete’s new picture book, ‘My Brother Charlie’ aims to educate children about the struggles of living with autism.
‘My Brother ’Charlie’ was inspired by Peete’s 12-year old twins, Ryan and RJ. RJ was diagnosed with autism at a young age, and when Peete saw her son bullied at school because other kids didn’t understand the developmental disorder, the book was born.
“My daughter Ryan inspired me to co-write My Brother Charlie with her,” said Robinson-Peete in a recent interview. “She wanted to advocate for her twin brother who has autism.”
Ryan told People magazine, “I want people to know what autism is so they don’t get a whole weird idea. Kids with autism are exceptional human beings.”
Pictured: Authors and husband and wife Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete (2nd R and R), their daughter and author Ryan Elizabeth Peete, and illustrator Shane Evans pose before a discussion about their new book ‘My Brother Charlie’ at Barnes & Noble, Lincoln Center on April 1, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images).
Michelle Obama’s brother writes a memoir
April 5, 2010
The news might have set off alarms in some past administrations: The president’s brother-in-law has written a book.
But you won’t find dirty laundry in a memoir from First Lady Michelle Obama’s brother, Oregon State basketball coach Craig Robinson.
The book, “A Game of Character,” which has a foreword by their mother, Marian Robinson, is due out April 20.
Craig Robinson writes that he and his parents didn’t think Barack Obama stood much of a chance with his sister when they met him.
He and his parents were out on their porch on a hot summer night in Chicago when the couple stopped by to say hello on their way to a movie.
Pictured: Craig Robinson, the older brother of US Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Barack Obama’s wife Michelle Obama, introduces his sister at the Democratic National Convention 2008 at the Pepsi Center in Denver on August 25, 2008. The Democrats formally opened their convention to crown Barack Obama as the first black presidential nominee in US history. AFP PHOTO/Paul J. RICHARDS (Photo credit should read PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images).
Todd Bridges at book signing in Los Angeles for his new book “Killing Willis”
March 26, 2010
Todd Bridges attended a book signing Tuesday, March 23 in the Barnes and Noble at The Grove at Farmers Market for his new book “Killing Willis”.
The book tells of his struggle to change from the man he was to the man he is today. Since the cancellation of his show “Diff’rent Strokes” he had struggled with drugs, alcohol and had many bouts with the law.
“I’m not trying to look good, I’m trying to tell the truth and be responsible and accept reality” Todd told audience members in opening comments, “… a lot of stuff happened that I’m not proud of …But the
good part about it”, he continued, “… I accept the responsibility for it.”
He made it clear to fans that the book was not an excuse for his actions, just the truth about what happened during those troubled years.
New Book Advises Brands on How to Tap into the Affluent African Americans’ $87 Billion in Spending Power
March 26, 2010
Black is the New Green, the exciting new book by Leonard E. Burnett Jr. and Andrea Hoffman teaches readers how to best target the $87.3 billion buying power of the affluent African American community, a segment that can no longer be overlooked.
While blue chip brands including Gucci, Sony Electronics and Aston Martin have embraced this rich buying segment, other brands neglect to target this under-appreciated and overlooked demographic, leaving money on the table. Black is the New Green illustrates how to embrace this market, boost bottom line and accomplish this lucrative goal in an affordable, measurable way.
“This is an exciting time for Luxury brands. With research to support that they can reach affluent African Americans on and offline, affordably and measurably, the book helps readers avoid missteps, mistakes and misperceptions so that marketing efforts can translate into sales,” said Co-Author Andrea Hoffman, founder and CEO of Diversity Affluence, a research, marketing communications and business development consultancy that helps executives market to affluent ethnic consumers.
“Current economic challenges have led smart marketers to focus on new consumers with untapped spending power,” said Co-Author Len Burnett, co-CEO and Group Publisher of Uptown Media Group and VIBE Lifestyle Network. ”The affluent African American community has been a well kept secret for too long.”
NBA couple Doug and Jackie Christie Set to Release Highly Anticipated Couples Book ‘Luv-Pons’
March 22, 2010
NBA power couple and the most talked about couple in professional sports history, Doug and Jackie Christie, as seen on Tyra Banks, Access Hollywood, and in People Magazine, are back with their new, much anticipated book, Luv-Pons! A fun, variety, love, and romance guide for couples, the book offers real solutions for couples in today’s fast-paced lifestyle in the twenty-first century. Using the innovative and fun ideas in this book you will learn how you can re-ignite the fire in your relationship and keep it burning!
“Doug is fond of leaving notes for his wife in the sink or on the mirror. Jackie, knowing that her husband fancies classic sporting events, hunts for DVDs on the Web and puts them under his pillow as gifts.” – Scott Soshnick, Bloomberg News.
Danity Kane is set to make a comic book comeback
March 22, 2010
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ defunct girl band Danity Kane is set to make a comic book comeback – former member Dawn Richard has signed a deal to put their story into print.
The pop group was formed on the rap mogul’s TV series Making The Band, but after a turbulent four years together the group was dismantled in 2009 and the singers released from their contracts.
Richard was subsequently placed into Combs’ latest music venture, new band Dirty Money, and now she’s looking to capitalise on her time in Danity Kane by agreeing a deal with comic book company eigoMANGA.
Pictured: Shannon Bex, Aundrea Fimbres, Dawn Richard, Wanita ‘D. Woods’ Woodgette and Aubrey O’Day of the music group Danity Kane visits MTV’s ‘TRL’ at the MTV on August 19, 2008. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images).
