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Email us at: bookclub@dvercity.com
Send review copies to: Book Club c/o DverCITY, P.O. Box 0733, Niceville, FL 32588
St. Louis, MO June 2007 -- Author/ Freelance Writer Zekita Tucker brings you the new and more powerful revised edition of her highly controversial children’s book titled “Don’t Call Me N!gga”. This daring and critically honest book has kept both children and adults in amazement at the shockingly open display of emotions and the realistic language used by this books’ characters.
Already, “Don’t Call Me N!gga” has generated an enormous buzz across the country throughout many African American communities. Since its first publication in March 2006, “Don’t Call Me N!gga” has been featured by ABC World News on the very popular news site ABCnews.com, has made cover stories in African American newspapers and websites. Zekita Tucker has been interviewed by a Black Enterprise reporter for her courageous work on “Don’t Call Me N!gga” as well as the very popular The Ave. Magazine, and she has also been a guest on the Roland S. Martin Show, who is a CNN News commentator (Chicago) and The Intersection w/ Rebecca Roberts (DC).
Teaching your children about the affects of language is a great way to help them conquer some unforeseen battles in their lives. “Don’t Call Me Nigga” now published and reprinted by Zeniam Publications, written by Zekita and illustrated by Matthew Schultz, is a perfect tool for parents who want to combat the use of the ‘N’ word with their children but may not have other effective tools or resources. It is a perfect tool for children of all ages and is recommended for 8 years old and up.
The story focuses on the history of the so called ‘N’ word, its negative connotations, and its impact on the African American community. In this book the two main characters are faced with two very common dilemmas- conflict and self respect. This is the first children’s book that has ever addressed such a powerful issue in the African American community. Your children will be able to enjoy and learn from a story about children who look like them, use the same language codes, and may have similar viewpoints on the world. This book is a must read for all! It tackles responsibility for actions and the power of language. Zekita Tucker serves the community as an author and freelance writer. She is the Founder and CEO of Zeniam Publications, a company that offers literary services to both independent authors/ writers as well as businesses .
She has written many controversial articles about the problems in African American communities for newspapers across the country. Some of her many insightful works have appeared in the ABCnews.com Website, Award Winning St. Louis American Newspaper, Black Star News, Emerging Minds, Westside Gazette, The Indianapolis Recorder, The Black Suburban Journal (NJ Ed.), Gambia.net, The Jackson Advocate, Black Britain Magazine, and the very popular black British website Tytecurl.com and Timbooktu.
“Don’t Call Me N!gga” will be available for order in June 21, 2007 through publisher/ author, by call in order through Barnes& Noble (if it is not already on local shelf), and available at Amazon.com.
Don’t Call Me N!gga (Revised Edition) - ISBN# 978-1-60402-249-0
Washington, DC (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - There is a new rush to Africa with celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi, Chris Tucker and Isaiah Washington tracing their roots back to Africa. The Africa focused radio magazine, "Africa Meets Africa" on Pacifica Radio's WPFW 89.3 FM is taking its agenda up close and personal, extending its platform and mission beyond the airwaves. Host & Executive Producer, Angelique Shofar is bringing the spirit of Africa alive, inspiring closer ties between people of African descent and the continent, putting ideas into action, while expanding vision and hope for a new Africa.
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Angelique Shofar |
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On Sunday, November 19th people will gather at the entry of the door of no return. This month's theme is "BACK TO MY ROOTS". Shofar plans on taking her audience back to Africa and empowering them with words, resources, wisdom and the tools needed to trace their roots through DNA Genealogy.
According to DNA Tribes President, Lucas Martin, "Our DNA test kits include an African Panel which specifically measures a persons genetic conditions to individual ethnic and national populations." The question is, to what extent would one's life be transformed through the discovery of their past and place of origin in Africa. Priscilla's Homecoming reunited the Gullah people of South Carolina's Sea Islands and the people of Sierra Leone. Charlotte Maize of Tampa, Florida explains her journey as, "a spiritual awakening that brought an unexplainable sense of peace to me." Now she travels back and forth to what she now calls her real home. Many say it is a dream they can not afford. But for a few lucky individuals, on that evening they will leave with a DNA test kit that will make their roots and cultural identity a reality!
Each month Africa Meets Africa Live! will focus on a particular theme or topic that impacts the lives of Africans. It takes place at Bukom Cafe, 2442 18th Street NW, Washington, DC. The doors open at 7:30pm for meet and network, the program begins at 9:00pm.
The guest line up includes James E. White, Author of "Roots Recovered: The How to Guide for Tracing African American and West Indies Roots Back to Africa and Going There, For Free or On a Shoestring Budget," Gina Paige, President of African Ancestry. There will be live entertainment by Comedienne Freddi Vernell, Poetry by spoken word artist, Men Maa Aim Ra, Art décor by Iroko Gallery and live music from the new band "Rebel Vibes". The event is sponsored by Bukom Cafe, DNA Tribes, Roots Recovered and Iroko Gallery. Proceeds go to the "Explore Africa" cultural holistic project for school-aged children and WPFW.
**NOTE: Author James White & Liberian Talk Show Host, Angelique Shofar invite you to join them on a voyage to Africa in July 2007 for the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso. The trip will include other West African countries. Visit www.rootsrecoveredtravel.com for travel to Africa and all your travel needs.
Tune in to "Africa Meets Africa" with host, Angelique Shofar on Sundays at 9:00pm on 89.3 FM WPFW and live on the web at www.wpfw.org and inquire about the Voyage to Africa in 2007.
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 Janet Alston Jackson, author of award |
Los Angeles, CA (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - A Cry for Light: A Journey into Love, by author Janet Alston Jackson is the winner of the "Christian Inspiration" Award from USA Book News "2006 Best Books."
This powerful memoir follows a Hollywood publicist seeking help for her adopted son whose behavior tears her family apart. Surprisingly Jackson finds herself on an inner journey leading to her Spiritual Self, and finally regains her detached son. The true, inspirational story is a voice for frustrated parents who do everything they can to raise their children right, but still their kids go down the wrong path.
USA Book News calls A Cry for Light, "An amazing book filled with love, power, and mindfulness of how each and every one of us can make a difference in this world." A Cry for Light which is not just a book for parents, unveils how detached relationships in families can be healed through mindfulness and love.
"I had to learn how to live in the moment practicing Mindfulness to get out of God's way so that I could be directed how to connect with my son who was abused in foster care," says Jackson. "Most of us pray, but few of us listen to our inner wisdom that guides us. Living in the moment gives us that peace and direction especially in our darkest times."
Jeff Bowen, president and publisher of USABookNews.com, said this year's Best Books contest yielded an unprecedented number of over 1200 entries. "The 2006 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States," says Bowen. Winners and finalists traversed the publishing landscape: Simon & Schuster, Warner Books, New American Library a division of the Penguin Group, Red Wheel Weiser and Conari, New World Library, and hundreds of independent press titles contributed to this year's outstanding Best Books Award competition.
Janet Alston Jackson was a publicist for CBS and ABC Television Networks, and a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children. She was in the ministry for four years, and studied with three Zen masters, including Thich Nhat Hahn, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ms. Jackson, a Behavioral Consultant, is the co-owner of Self Awareness Trainings with her husband, Walter H. Jackson, author Sporting the Right Attitude: Lessons Learned in a Troubled Family. The couple facilitate effective communications and stress management workshops to a variety of audiences including parents, teachers, executives, health care workers, law enforcement, and entertainment professionals. For more information, contact them at (818) 899-8812 or info@SelfAwarenessTrainings.com
A Cry for Light is available on Amazon.com, or JanetaJackson.com
A surge in violence made St. Louis the most dangerous city in the country, where Kobalt Books was founded and its title “The Hoodlum Preacher” is centered. With all the discussion about the crime in the city, Kobalt Books has decided to show graphic visuals, so that people are 100% sure that their mid-west story is real, and that there is hope after all. Kobalt Books has released a video for one of its titles called “The Hoodlum Preacher”, in which over 50% of the book takes place in St. Louis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
St. Louis, MO (BlackNews.com 11/20/06) - In a time when people are more mindful of the violent negativity that has cast a dark shadow on St. Louis, Kobalt Books has decided to release one of many videos to come, where individuals can actually connect with the author of “The Hoodlum Preacher”, Burton Barr Jr., who has actually lived and survived that street-life that is so well reported in the news today.
“You can get the news from anywhere, but when you want the understanding, you have to listen to someone who has actually lived and survived the harsh realities of America’s Most Dangerous City”, says Cedric Mixon, founder of Kobalt Books.
“The Hoodlum Preacher” is A TRUE STORY about a minister on the run, from St. Louis to Chicago, fighting for his life as he struggles with the consequences of getting caught up in the drug-world and street-life. Wanted by the police in over a half-dozen jurisdictions, and arrested over 30 times – Burton Barr Jr., had done everything possible to ruin his life.
As the City of St. Louis spends millions of dollars on urban renewal, Kobalt Books takes a different approach since this is the city that it was founded. “The murder-rate may have cast a dark shadow on St. Louis, but Kobalt Books is going to show people the light -- Just as it was given to me, when my father was murdered in this very city”, says Mixon.
“I’ve heard people say that they wished the media didn’t promote the negativity of the city of St. Louis – Just as some people prematurely assumed that ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ promoted negativity, because of its title. However, ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ is a true story about someone who survived situations that claimed the lives of nearly everyone that he had come in contact with”, says Mixon.
“You can hear for yourself, directly from the author in the video to draw your own conclusions. The truth speaks for itself, and all of the things that are talked about in ‘The Hoodlum Preacher’ are verifiable. When Burton Barr Jr. talks about being in prison, he gives the dates, his inmate numbers, and the names of the institutions”, says Mixon
“When you have a testimony as strong as “The Hoodlum Preacher”, centered in the belly of a place like St. Louis, you have to visually take people to a place where they can see the truth. This story is unique and the world needs to hear it just as it happened. One thing’s for sure -- In a time when people can believe almost none of what they hear, eventually they will gravitate only towards the truth that is visually put before them”, says Mixon.
Kobalt Books released this video for “The Hoodlum Preacher” on YouTube to clarify the negative reservations that people have towards the title, and the city of St. Louis: www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
Kobalt Books publishes non-fiction books that are actually true stories. Even the fiction books are based on true stories, presenting real life stories real people.
New Video for The Hoodlum Preacher:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2N2ijI3420
Book Cover Picture:
www.kobaltbooks.com/THP_FrontCover.jpg
Founder of Kobalt Books Picture:
www.kobaltbooks.com/CedricHeadShot300dpi.jpg
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