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Local Authors on a Mission to Prove People Still Read

JACKSONVILLE FREE PRESS — Contrary to popular belief, Americans still consume books – they just do it differently now. According to Pew Research, Most (67 percent) have read a print book. Fewer have read an e-book (26 percent) and while readers of digital books have plateaued, audio book listeners have grown to an all-time high.

Published

5 years ago

September 9, 2019

Jacksonville Free Press

Shown l-r are authors: Dr. V. Brooks Dunbar (Diva Decisions: ‘How to get from smart to intelligent by claiming your power of choice), Ajeanna Greene (Girl Power – Uncensored), Rhonda Stansberry (Numbers 35&53: The Case of the Brown Paper Bag) and Patrice Ross, (Face of Uterine Fibroids).

By The Jacksonville Free Press

Contrary to popular belief, Americans still consume books – they just do it differently now.

According to Pew Research, Most (67 percent) have read a print book. Fewer have read an e-book (26 percent) and while readers of digital books have plateaued, audio book listeners have grown to an all-time high.

These statistics haven’t deterred local authors from bringing their love of literacy and art of storytelling to the mainstream.

Four authors recently shared their journey as writers at Breeezy’s interview series. Interviews authors included Patrice Ross, Ajeanna Greene, Dr. V. Dunbar and Rhonda Stansberry.

Stansberry’s book details the life of her father, Frank Price ‘Chico’ Baker, a well known Jacksonville numbers runner. Her motivation was to create a tribute to her father, “I always wanted to make my father proud. Writing this book has given me clarity on his business. I was a little girl absorbing his career with the Negro league and his quest to be the best father ever,”she said.

Today’s authors are are also privy to the options of self and/or group publishing. They find themselves with a story to tell and self publishing gives then that voice.

Author Patrice Ross’ book shares her experience with uterine fibroids and informs reader that,“life does go on.”

Guests were interviewed by Lynn & Friends TV host Lynn Jones and accepted questions from the audience. Author Dr. Brooks Dunbar shared that, “you have a choice to be a diva and a choice to be successful in all areas of your life.”

Overall, a quarter of Americans (24 percent) say they did not read a book in the past year.

Four in 10 Americans (39 percent) say they read only print books. Three in 10 (29 percent) read both print and digital, which includes both e-books and audio books. Fewer (7 percent) read only digital formats.

Perhaps not surprisingly, education played the biggest role in who was a reader and who was not. Among college graduates, 92 percent say they read a book in any format in the past 12 months.

As an author. it is up to you to determine how you profit from your book deal and distribution. The market is wide open with receptive readers. For some people, just publishing a book is enough to warrant them the title of author. Many authors would like to earn cash for their words, yet in today’s current literary world, there’s an author on every corner and the story you tell and how its marketed is up to you.

This article originally appeared in the Jacksonville Free Press.

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org