Reesa Shayne

From an early age, reading books have always held a special place in my heart. As a child, you could often find me tucked away in a corner, immersed in a good book, while others played outside. After pursuing a career in corporate marketing and earning a degree in Journalism, I still felt a deep yearning to write stories that spoke to my soul. That's when I began writing romance novels on my daily commute. Eventually, I found my true passion in writing children's books.​​

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As an author, I find immense joy in creating stories that inspire and empower children, and celebrate Black joy. I've been recognized by Stamford, CT Public Schools, where my children's book, "My Day With Grandma," has been included in every      K-3rd grade classroom in the district beginning in March 2023.

To anyone who shares my love for writing, I encourage you to pursue your passion with confidence. There's nothing more fulfilling than following your dreams and seeing where the journey takes you.

Fabian Ferguson

Growing up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York, I was self-aware of race and its role in society. As a little boy, it was one of those places where young Black children were often made aware of their race and the disadvantages it brings. I didn't care much for reading traditional storybooks, but I loved creating my own stories with me as the lead character. However, I found it difficult to relate to the lead characters because none of them were children of color.

My favorite book was "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." I clearly remember reading the book and trying to apply it to my life. As I read every page, I would make mental edits to make it more relatable. It wasn't the book itself I was drawn to, but what it represented. Alexander was a young boy like myself, but I had nothing in common with him and his life aside from having my share of bad days. He had various options of cereal to complain about. I only had one–the "no frills" store brand. He complained about the lunch his mother packed. I only had the free school lunch to eat. He complained about the white sneakers he had to settle for, whereas I celebrated every pair my mother ever purchased for me. Even the knockoff ones. Just wear baggy enough jeans to cover the tongue and it was all good.

I may not have realized it fully then, but I was definitely looking to see myself in the stories I read.

Tameka Mitchell

Tameka Mitchell is a motivator, entrepreneur, author, slayer of imposter syndrome, and most importantly, a mom. Her love of storytelling and dedication to children’s literacy inspired her to build a legacy of writing books that encourage children to be fearless and believe in themselves. This passion led to the creation of Mini Motivator Books, the children's book division of Maternity Motivation Publishing, LLC. Mini Motivator Books aims to inspire a generation of confident readers. Through Mini Motivator Books, she hopes to motivate mothers and create stories and visuals that would have connected with her as a child and will inspire her own children. Her focus is to produce content that is a tribute to people of color with vibrant, simple messages that encourage family and community conversations.

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​When Tameka isn’t writing for children and motivating moms, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two beautiful children.

Dr. Charnetta Williams

I'm Dr. Charnetta Williams (aka Dr. Netta), a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over a decade of experience in the medical field. Although my journey as a healthcare professional has been incredibly fulfilling, it's just one facet of my life. I'm also a wife, a mother of two children, and a new children’s book author!

In 2019, I couldn't help but notice a glaring gap in the children’s book market—a lack of diversity. This realization prompted me to establish my company, Picture Perfect Reads, an Atlanta-based business driven by my passion for children's literature featuring diverse characters. My books feature children of color as central characters, filling a crucial gap in today’s literary world. With vibrant illustrations and empowering stories, I aim to entertain, educate, and inspire young readers.

Dr. Charnetta Colton-Poole

Highly esteemed physician, Dr. Charnetta Colton-Poole is a Board-certified Pediatrician, Teen Parenting and Communication Strategist, author, speaker, and creator of Paint The Town Pediatrics,  a publishing and media company dedicated to the health of all children. As a pediatrician for almost 2 decades and a mom of teens, Dr. Colton knows firsthand that navigating this phase of life can be tough for the child and the parent.
 

Through her journal, speaking, collaborations, resources, and workshops, Dr. Charnetta equips tweens/teens and families with the guidance, creative resources, and strategies to nurture meaningful dialogue, build confidence, and enhance mental and physical wellness so families can thrive, not just survive the tween/teen years.

Jameson Mason

Jameson D. Mason is a native of Georgia who spent his early years residing along the east coast as the son of a Navy veteran. During this time, he developed a love for exploration and adventure. This passion materialized at a young age with his indulgence in writing short stories and poetry.

During his secondary education experience, his exploration continued with his first literary submission, which landed his poem in the 2002 Edition of The Anthology of Poetry for Young Americans. In 2012 he was recognized by collegiate scholars with the Stanley Cyrus Award, a unique academic distinction, and recognition for his poetry writing.

Throughout his study, education has also been a driving force in his literary development, motivated by his aspirations to strengthen his crafts. After college Jameson continued his story by working in regular education, then becoming a certified Montessori teacher. His career in teaching allowed him the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience through teaching abroad.

Jameson combines his understanding of children with his love of poetry writing to create the foundation for his children's book series. He is excited to share this gift with the world with his first Youth Publication book, I Don't Want To Go To School!, the first publication under his art and literature media company, The JDM Collection.