Written by: Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
“The beginning is always today.” — Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
What are you rejoicing about this season? As the new year nears, I have been rejoicing about new opportunities and new beginnings.
In November, my children’s book about jazz music, Mama Got Rhythm, Daddy Got Rhyme, was published by Bristow Publishing (BP). The release celebration took place at the world-renowned Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History (CHWMAAH) in Detroit, Michigan. It was an evening filled with jazz music, an author conversation, and a book signing.
The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and Access Pass Media sponsored the program, Jazz Montage: A Conversation with Author Robin M. Wilson and Tisha Hammond. My friend and colleague Tisha Hammond, international bestselling author of Daily Devotional for Entrepreneurs: Your Season to Grow, moderated the conversation. Like a rhythmic blend, our conversation encompassed topics of representation in children’s literature, the importance of music education, and my writing journey and musical influences.
For more than 15 years, I have written feature articles, poetry, and children’s literature. In 2004, my first community newspaper feature article appeared in the New Citizens Press, a Black female-owned newspaper in Lansing, MI. The article focused on how early musicians used jazz music to break down racial barriers. The research for this article sparked my creativity and gave me the idea to write my first children’s book about jazz.
My motivation for writing Mama Got Rhythm, Daddy Got Rhyme was to help young people to understand that their music has a history, and that jazz music is still relevant today. If I can offer a young reader a window into the world of jazz music and they can find something of value, that is a great reward.
Before I signed my publishing contract with Bristow Publishing earlier this year, my book had been out of print for more than five years. As I came into this year, I set the intention to find a new publisher or literary agent to represent my new children’s manuscripts.
A conversation with Tisha Hammond led to my connection with Bristow Publishing and a new beginning for my writing career. Leslie Dangerfield, Creative Director of BP, met with me virtually. She expressed an interest in my newest children’s manuscript Jazz-A-Bet: An Original Jazz Alphabet, a jazz alphabet poem, and my previously published children’s book Mama Got Rhythm and Daddy Got Rhyme. With the recent release, there are new graphic features and the text has been modified. It is a new edition that offers rhythmic language and visual appeal.
When I sat down to speak with Tisha Hammond, I had an opportunity to read an excerpt from both of my current and forthcoming work before a live audience in the General Motors Theater at the CHWMAAH. However, the relaunch is only the beginning of many opportunities to share my work with a broader audience.
As the new year draws near, I look forward to virtual school visits, additional author conversations, and a host of speaking engagements to advance my message on literacy and music education. For these opportunities and more, I am thankful.
This year, I didn’t sleep on my dreams—I took action and watched my vision for my ‘year of promise’ unfold. Now, I’m jazzin’ into the new year. Can you say que sera, sera? What will be, will be. Rejoice.
For more information about Mama Got Rhythm, Daddy Got Rhyme, visit www.mamagotrhythmdaddygotrhyme.com. To listen to an excerpt of the recent author conversation at the CHWMAAH, visit Jazz Montage: Conversation Excerpt Part 2.
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Robin M. Wilson, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Robin M. Wilson is the founder and CEO of Robin Wilson Educational Consulting LLC, where she combines her research knowledge and professional experience to guide nonprofit organizations in developing effective strategies for serving youth, especially young girls and women.
With more than 10 years of experience working on literacy initiatives and in the nonprofit sector, Robin has worked directly with people from various cultural and ethnic backgrounds locally and abroad. She has trained youth and adults to become leaders and responsible citizens. Robin is a compassionate leader with a passion for uplifting and inspiring young people to lead and thrive.
