Ten Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness

You would want to read Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness. But first, let me say this: The civil rights movement did a lot for people of color, and through the years progress has been made for equality to take a stand with other gains to rebut vestiges of racism. And with those gains minorities in general and Blacks in particular can in most instances cross lines of resistance as long as confidence, self-esteem and the audacity to not only play the same game as those that are in control, but to excel and master it as well. Two erudite scholars and entrepreneurs has come up with strategies to keep the pursuit of excellence a lifetime goal with steely resolve to stay among the stars and shine brightly and often. Who are they? What are their claim to this process? They are extraordinary folk with one common goal -- to educate and empower their peers! Yes, folk that look like them. But those 10 strategies are REAL and ripe for applicable differences. Check them out and then check out the authors behind them:

Establish a strong identity and purpose - Your ethnic and cultural identity is a great asset. Amplify it as a competitive advantage. A strong identity reflects an appreciation of your uniqueness and its value. A strong identity grounds you; a well-defined purpose gives you the self-confidence to know you can choose your own path, rather than follow society. Start by asking yourself, "What does it mean to be Black or African American?"

Obtain broad exposure - Seek out different experiences, perspectives, places, and people that bring about a healthy level of discomfort. Moving beyond your comfort zone will expand your worldview and sense of possibilities, contribute to how you construct your identity and define your purpose, and enable you to develop and grow.

Demonstrate excellence - Being good at what you do is not enough. You must be excellent. Achieving excellence takes combining the gifts and passion you naturally possess with discipline (the time, effort, and hard work you are willing to put forth) and your beliefs (the translation of your thoughts into empowering actions and outcomes).

Build diverse and solid relationships - Historically, African Americans have had to adapt to the codes of the white majority. But in a global marketplace and a United States where minorities are the majority, code switching encompasses a wide array of standards and norms. Reach out and network with the aim of creating a culture where everyone sees the value in learning more about one another.

Seek the wisdom of others - There is always something you can learn from others, whether younger, older, less experienced, or more capable. Learn from others' mistakes as well as their successes. When you seek the wisdom of others, you develop your own. Learn from your peers. Find a mentor, and be one, too. The best way to learn is to teach.

Find strength in numbers - Surround yourself with people who share your perspective, affirm your values, and support your goals. Cultivate an inner circle whose members are all comfortable with each other, trust each other, and watch out for each other. (The key isn't necessarily ethnicity, but compatibility.) Get involved in collaborative organizations, which range from Black Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities to the NAACP.

Think and act intrapreneurially - Apply an entrepreneurial mindset within an established organization to effect institutional change. You must maintain a strong sense of self-determination and work within the system to make a big impact.

Think and act entrepreneurially - You must take control of your career; you must dare to be in the driver's seat of your destiny; and you must be in a position to pursue your economic prosperity. The entrepreneurial mindset of passion, creativity, resourcefulness, courage, and resilience is mandatory for success in the twenty-first century. Work outside the system to build wealth for yourself and the community as a whole.

Synergize and reach scale - To redefine the game you must create mutually beneficial connections between people and between organizations to fulfill their collective purpose -- and then amplify their collaborative actions to have the broadest or deepest possible impact in a way that levels the playing field for everyone.

Give back generously - Each and every one of us represents the continuation of a countless number of legacies and we can blaze trails for others to follow. Today, African-American giving is no longer only about survival or even helping each other; it is about empowerment and collective self-determination. To address the many challenges in our community, we must leverage our combined efforts through organizations and businesses to reach as many people as possible.

Does any of the aforementioned, and most importantly will you heed what's been given to make the game worthwhile? Meet if you will these two brilliant individuals who would love for you to give them a chance. Randal Pinkett, Ph.D., coauthor of Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness, was the winner of season four of The Apprentice and the show's first minority winner. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of BCT Partners, an information technology and management consulting firm. Dr. Pinkett is based in Somerset, New Jersey. For more information please visit www.randalpinkett.com and follow the author on Facebook (www.facebook.com/randalpinkett) and Twitter (twitter.com/#!/randalpinkett).

Jeffrey Robinson, Ph.D., coauthor of Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness, is a leading business scholar at Rutgers Business School and lives in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Gun Violence in Our Communities – When Will it Cease?

This is a view of black-on-black crime as it pertain to the proliferation of gun violence and associated mayhem that permeates Black communities across the nation. Gang activity has never been higher. This essay focuses on what can be done to heighten awareness, and finding solutions to stem the tide (and ultimately eradicate the cancer) that plague our diaspora. Therein are incidents attributed to distinct situations in South Florida in recent years, with an opinionated view from the author. As you read this, I'm sure you can relate to the plethora of violence in African-American neighborhoods all across the nation.

If you’re reading this, know that another child, young adult or someone in the wrong place is being victim, or has been victimized by a shooting. Whether pre-meditated or as a result of drive-bys it’s a serious epidemic permeating our communities with no answers people are willing to discuss for fear of retaliatory measures. As a parent, educator and spiritually-discerned leader in my church and community, I’m no different from anybody else who may be concerned about the young folk of this generation and their fascination with guns. Gone are the days when the ‘village’ was prominent in making sure that there were strength in numbers and it took one to truly raise a child. Nowadays, I’m scratching my head trying to find out what went wrong and what is needed to turn the tables. If you’re like me, you too should be concerned and worried, and if you think that it has no bearing on you think again: whatever happens in any ethnic community ramifications and stigmas are often portrayed in a stereotypical fashion that tend to color the whole canvas with darker colors blacker and blue! If for no other reason than to band together and form coalitions, now is the time for us as a unified force to make a difference. How can you make a difference? By standing up, taking a stand and lending support to any grassroots effort to show that you care.

Recently, Koinonia Worship Center & Village in Pembroke Park, FL did that by hosting a venue entitled, ‘Enough is Enough’. How appropriate. Alas, there ARE a few that has taken this issue to heart. People like myself who plan to make a difference. But my eyes are wide open and my mind is quite active. Let me share this with you: I am walking up the main drag in my neighborhood and a stone’s throw from my front door here in Miami. It is a overcast day with rain threatening the horizon. Is this an omen relative to the concerns I have contributing to the subject of this correspondence? Nonetheless, it swirls the spirit and brings a pall to my fragile psyche right about now. Yet, just a few steps from my home, there are a few young boys no older than 17 manning the corner and appearing to be hawking something for sale. Street corner drug sales has been problematic for years and out of control. Conjecturally, Could it be drugs, and moreover, could any one of them if not all, packing a firearm? Your guess is as good as mine, but suffice it to say, an argument could be made that they shouldn’t be there to begin with. I’m struggling with emotions deep in my soul -- angst, disgust, displeasure, but certainly not sympathy. It’s my contention that our communities that have not address the issue of gun control, drug eradication and other measures to combat crime attributed to gang activity are suffering a prolonged illness and being held hostage to an inability to make streets safer.

As I close this piece, I have a passioned plea: if you are a parent and have a child that may be of age to carry a gun, please take control and allow parental fortitude to guide you in attempts to check your child; if you’re in the 16-25 age group, then you are statistically effected by this whole phenomena that’s targeting you generically...be instrumental in cajoling your peers to cease and desist; if you’re older than the latter, then you fall into a group just below midlife and should be mentoring or endeavoring to be role models; and like me, who can be considered a senior citizen I’m ranting and raving for SOMEONE if not all of you doing what needs to be done. What plan do you have to become involved? Will that plan compel you to move forward or step backward in a passive stance? The time is now and the future is in our hands! Are you with me?

21st Century Skills: Learning for Life in Our Times

Modern technology is cyclical and every generation should be poised to invent and reinvent themselves for neo-production and fundamental shifts to introduce new frameworks of learning. Authors Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel has produced a series of goods for designing 21st century educational prompts aimed at preparing the jet-set, eager wunderkinds and just aboout anybody who aspire to challenge a new order. their new book, 21st Century Skills: Learning For Life in Our Times is touted by them and others to be an innovative learning module for creativity to justify change. This essential resource introduces nine chaptters divided into three parts complete with a wealth of adjunct nuggets augmenting research methodology for thoroughness. The key I’m sure is to map out the expertise needed to survive and thrive in a complex core curriculum of subjects such as reading, writing, and arithmetic—but also emphasizes contemporary themes such as global awareness and financial/economic, health, and environmental literacies. Students in 21st century schools will apply their knowledge to understanding and solving real-world challenges using their 21st century skills and this needed to keep our students on top of new ideals.

Any book focusing on emphasizing the love of learning with a blueprint for direction to create a better and viable world is something that will always be par for the course. I love the premise of this book because it brings critical thinking up front with the objective goals and subjective topics for good operative skills tangent to education, learning and futuristic endeavors. Moreover, I was fascinated on how Trilling and Fadel posed questions apropos to giving readers scenarios to further illustrate points of contention. I considered all of the queries therein which gave me fodder to express in this review why children, astute students and educators should be willing to take risks for better teaching modules. The 21st century skills to be learned in this book covers essentials to prepare the next Einstein, or even ordinary folk for extraordinary goals. Things like critical thinking, information literacy, not how to deal with the media as we know it, but embracing the new digital depth and communications on a level that transcends anything that we have going today. If viable career and life skills are part of this process there has to be a modicum for leadership and responsive ennui for productivity to be accountable to initiate self-direction and flexibility.

I not only applaude the authors but as an educator myself, I adhere to all that has been espoused to teach my present and future students new curricula for a prepared state of awareness. Thank you Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel for a job well-done. This book is superlative to anything else out in the literary educational resource pool and should enhance bookshelves in homes and schools. As such, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend that you buy it where books are sold!

VERBATIM!: A Write Package Campbell Style!

http://www.wandabcampbell.net

A Write Package Campbell Style!

What will always amaze me and tickle me with unmitigating gratitude are authors who continue to dig deeper into their imagery for innovative ways to tell a good story. And there are many who fit this scenario. Not only is Wanda B. Campbell one of them, but her passion for the pen gives poignant prowess personified. It's this parallel awareness for the respect for each other that's par for the course we ply, and good color for the canvas we apply our paint. Reading and reviewing her latest effort has not diminished my opinion that the girl can WRITE! So I bring to you with unabashed glee the write package, with no wrong baggage to be a burden to page-turning delight:

Baggage no matter how heavy and how far it’s willing to be carried usually comes with a price and consequences in lieu of the truth. But when that baggage is unbargained and unexpected it sets the stage for author, Wanda B. Campbell to give her reading public yet another story from her imaginative literary mind! The tale this time is entitled, ‘Right Package, Wrong Baggage’. Pamela Roberts, who has great balance despite being a single mother and a devoted Christian wonders if the price is worth the goods she’s been given. In this case, she is put in a precarious position by her well-meaning son in his attempt to play matchmaker -- he thinks he has found the perfect husband for his mother. Time, temerity and turbulence plays a crucial point as the story unfolds. How does Pamela deal with this situation...is the past a picture perfect pardon for a man she hardly knows? The story starts out tediously and builds to an interesting crux when Pamela is put in position to finally make a decision.

Micah Stevenson on the other hand, feels like a man at the casino who has finally hit the jackpot! Excitement is an understated realization when he learns that the son of the woman he has admired for the longest wants him to be part of his family with his mother the prize. This is license for Micah to pursue her and gain her confidence. The one thing that would ruin it would be his past, and Micah knew this...but he feels confident enough that he’s on easy street and it wouldn’t matter. When unselfish needs are prevalent in places above her own, something has to give. Trust and integrity Pamela learns, are hard lessons to overcome when not enough emphasis is placed on caution above pleasing others. Micah shakes the foundation of rules incumbent for any stable relationship to thrive when brokenness is part of judgments fueling prejudices to deny or foment a destined arrival at a common bond for happiness.

The fact that Micah took a chance belies the point of not return once everything is on the table. Against all odds, Micah hopes that Pamela’s fondness for him would deter her from dismissing him. There’s a lot between here and there, and without giving away the story, reasons to read further will captivate and curry favor for both chartacters. Albeit, how will Pamela react to feelings tugging at her heart versus doing the right thing that would align herself with Christian resolve? Moreover, will the man that he was, prevent Pamela from loving Micah for the man he is now, or will become if and when he’s forgiven? Will Pamela have the strength to do what her heart or her mind says she should do?

Although I loved the premise of this book, I felt that it would have been enhanced with a few adjunct characterizations and a subplot for a supporting backstory for more contrast and conflict. There’s always room in Christian fiction for the former and the latter not to overshadow the main thoughts behind the objectivity of what the author wanted to project here; but giving the audience more colors for the canvas would’ve been apropos for hues that would brighten this picture more. However, Ms Campbell’s penchant for telling a good story cannot be ignored for the value that her fans have come to expect. Nonetheless, there’s a message therein and it shouldn’t stop readers from reading a story that will appeal to those that the shoe fits! I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it highly!

For more on this dynamic author, check out her website: http://www.wandabcampbell.net

Straight Out of Africa!

Some of the most poignant stories ever told emanated from the Mother Country -- Africa! Tales abound of tribal intrigue, struggles for independence, Lost Boys finding their way, various stories of girls coming of age, from slavery to freedom...you name it, stories proliferate that has to be told. Such is the case with the three books I’m introducing in this latest installment of VERBATIM! They all have something in common -- journeys and pathways to empowerment. Look no further than here for three courageous people baring their souls from one continent to another.

Long Walk Up: Childhood Journey from Tragedy to Triumph by Denise Turney

First up is author, Denise Turney. Her story, LONG WALK UP is a young girl’s childhood journey from tragedy to triumph...albeit, about an orphan girl on her journey toward legitimacy from meager beginnings to that of the first Black president of an African nation! Though simplistic and short, it’s long on linguistic latitude with a remarkable sense of place, as well as profound knowledge of the ways and customs of the people that are adjuncts to the setting of the story. Reading the story it was hard to put down, and after embracing Mulukan and her ordeals traversing the countryside searching for identity you knew that destiny would draw her to her calling -- due diligence is like this when you’re persistant and your election and calling is made surest by being in the right place at the right time!

The book starts out moderately slow with emphasis on life among the village(s) throughout her nomadic life. Ironically, the travels only served to strengthen her resolve in allowing survival tactics to give insight to what it means to take advantage of time and place. She does this remarkedly at every turn, especially during her young adult years as a writer honing skills to become a distaff leader, which in my opinion was the turning point of the story. I loved this book, but like others I’m siure, they will want more of Mulukan.

This book is a winner, though! Read it, but get to know the author and her previous works. Denise is a mother and a founding member of Bucks County Pennsylvania's first African American owned and operated drug and alcohol intervention program - No Longer Bound. She is a former volunteer in Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is an entrepreneur, a businesswoman and a civic and community volunteer. Her memberships include: The National Women's Executive Association, Black Women Entrepreneurs, The Philadelphia Writer's Organization, The International Black Writer's Organization, and The International Women's Writing Guild.

The Only Way Is Up by Folake Taylor, MD

Now comes Folake Taylor, MD in her true story about the journey of an immigrant, and she surmises by naming it THE ONLY WAY IS UP. I guess the best way to gauge her unique situation is from her viewpoint after being down if you can look up, you can get up! With only $300.00 dollars to embark on an ardous journey she parlayed it into a provocative success story. But what makes this story so prominent is the fact that there’s a message therein that the author adamantly conveyed throughout the book. The overriding theme in my opinion lent more to perseverance than any thing else. The author’s voice reverberated vociferously with it. To wit: “I would not have had much of a story to tell if I did not go through the hard times. Hard times makes us stronger and they make us the person we ultimately become. It also help in preparing us to be sensitive to other people who are going through similar situations, and to know exactly how to comfort and encourage them through it.” This, the author feels is the purpose of her book. As I read the book I was able to see intrinsically more profound homilies that all cn benefit from. There’s many other issues broached, self-esteem (and lack thereof), family values, inspirational fortitude where maintaining a relationship with God is all-important, and last but not least of all is the fact that principles are the only things that determine self-worth to garner success. Ms Taylor’s take on what it takes to succeed shouldn’t fall on deaf ears -- especially for women who may be beset with similar problematic issues she struggled with coming to America looking for a brighter sunrise and a more fullfilling sunset. The message to be gotten is -- it matters not whether you are from hither to yon there are directionals to your journey, with footsteps even, for you to follow!

Powder Neckace by Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond gets to the hub of an enduring coming of age tale relative to the unusual title, POWDER NECKLACE and of her gripping narrative about a young girl’s survival amid the backdrop of crafting vivid portraits of dislocation and discovery. This is the story of 15 year-old Lila and her quest for identity and belonging. There have been quite a few poignant stories from the heartland written by people who felt a need to escape the dismal life stemming from years of colonial angst, abjack poverty, discrimination and various aspects of genocidal ill-will, health or otherwise. Albeit, this story is written with a different twist but with no less poigancy to illustrate an identity conveying alternatives and the austere diversity of a multicultural heritage on three geographical fronts. To wit: Lilia is shuttled amid trials and testimonies where vivid portrayals of a child’s untimely familial dislocations breeds ‘discovery’ at every interval -- from London, to Ghana, then on to New York and back to Ghana again! Her ordeal is one where she gives us graphic detail of how a young girl triumphs despite the odds against success written in the first person voice in an omniscient way. It’s a moderately moving pieces that gains momentum at each stage of the journey. The book explores the theory that “it takes time to live life.” In the beginning life in London is fast-paced with all the ills that an urban setting would give colors to paint with. Lila falls victim to bad influences and her mother sends her to Ghana at a boarding school. No less ideal with being a foreigner in the land of her mother’s birth, Lila is forced to adapt to the reality of a third world existence. If we don’t nothing else about this book we get the sense early that Lila is searching for ‘home’ and her mother with her quirky attitude seems to need help most. But where is home for Lila? Does she want to be the upstanding English girl or the exotic native girl from Ghana? The author clearly draws on her own American Ghanaian identity to dramatize the adverse conditions of the stereotypical African landscape and the rich diversity of a multicultural legacy.

I read this book with mixed emotions, and felt that it’s brilliant in parts, though not consistently outstanding in having a lasting impression of the heroine finally finding what is being sought. It gave the notion of being an unsettling drama clamoring for an encore in a subsequent book to come. With no clear ‘coming home’ the snapshopt get’s lost inthe bigger picture. To the author’s credit though, this open and honest first-person narrative had more memorable moments despite the less than superlative opinion given in the latter stages of this review.

The beauty of the prose and the resilience of the heroine make this a winning debut. I will close by saying that this is a compelling read that should garner quite a bit of attention for the author.

Bridging the Gaps for Different Strokes

The Todd Bridges story is one that everyone has heard enough of, including bouts with drugs, insecurity, and other maladies that contributed to problems that were not unusual for Hollywood. Time takes its toll, but when the bell rings for better times, maturity has a way of allowing worth to matter most. Todd is ready to tell it all! I requested the latest book written about his saga and felt that this story needed to have higher visibility on my blogs and elsewhere online. There's a rich legacy and a message to the drama that has defined him over the years. I feel that if he can make it past trial and tribulation, the next person can and will learn form him. Such is the enigma of his storied past to what has evolved into a different stroke for bridges to manifest change. Yes, you know the story. But check out his BIO below taken from original published accounts.

Todd has lived and worked amongst some of the most famous and influential individuals in the world. For over twenty-five years, he has victoriously survived a rapidly changing business. He is currently experiencing his second rise to fame, as Juice on "The Young and the Restless" (1973). Todd's career began and rocketed when he was only six years of age, forcing his family to relocate from a quiet, friendly neighborhood in San Francisco to the fast-paced stardom of Los Angeles, California in the early 70s. His mother, actress Betty A. Bridges and father, the late James Bridges, Sr., came to Hollywood in search of the American dream. Betty went on to work quite a bit as an actress while James Sr. became one of the first prominent black Hollywood agents. Betty later became one of Hollywood's greatest managers and acting coaches, whose list of clients (soon to become stars) included her oldest child, Jimmy Bridges, her daughter Verda Bridges, Todd (of course), Nia Long ("The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990), Love Jones (1997)), Regina King (Jerry Maguire (1996), Lamont Bentley ("Moesha" (1996)), and Aaron Meeks ("Soul Food" (2000)).

It all began one day while watching Redd Foxx display his comic genius on "Sanford and Son" (1972). Todd, then six, realized his dream of becoming an actor. He exclaimed excitedly to his mother, "I want to do that," pointing to the television set. He had asked on his own to enter a business which, during that time, was very limited for black artists. Nevertheless, Todd went on to make some remarkable strides in the industry, pioneering the way for other young, black actors. His first job was a Jell-O commercial, which starred the entire Bridges family. He later accomplished over 60 national commercials.

Todd was the first black child actor to become a reoccurring regular on the hit series, _The Waltons_ and "Little House on the Prairie" (1974) with the late great Michael Landon. He went on to guest star on _Barney Miller_, which eventually gained a spin-off show starring Abe Vigoda. The spin-off was titled "Fish" (1977) and Todd became a series regular for four years. Norman Lear, who spearheaded the success of Tandem Productions, with such shows under his belt as "The Jeffersons" (1975), "Good Times" (1974), "All in the Family" (1971), and "The Facts of Life" (1979), sought to create a new type of show that would cross the racial boundaries set in Hollywood in the early years of television. He began with the new kid in town, Gary Coleman, and a TV veteran, Conrad Bain from the hit show "Maude" (1972). The wheels were spinning and "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978) was born. The show originated with a wealthy white businessman who adopted his housekeeper's black child after she passed away. There was only one problem. Who would the creators find to match wits with the sassy Gary Coleman? Conrad Bain then suggested the creation of an older brother character to keep up with "Arnold's" wisecracks, a strong young actor capable of bouncing the ball back in his court. No one portrayed such qualities as Todd Bridges.

"Diff'rent Strokes" (1978) was introduced to American audience in the fall of 1978. With the new concept of a racially mixed cast, the producers and creators were unsure how the viewers would react. To their surprise, the show was a complete success and ran strong for eight years. Todd Bridges became an international celebrity and household name by the age of 15. During his success with Diff'rent Strokes, Todd guest starred on such shows as "The Love Boat" (1977), Facts of Life, "Hello, Larry" (1979), Battle of the Network Stars VI (1979) (TV), Circus of the Stars #6 (1981) (TV), and many, many more. An even bigger opportunity came when he was chosen to portray the role of Chicken George's grandson in the historical television miniseries "Roots" (1977), where his performance is still applauded until this day. After Diff'rent Strokes ended its long run in 1986, things became difficult for Todd. All of a sudden, no one would hire him due to his being typecast as "Willis Drummond". He began to experience turbulent times, which would later lead to drug addiction and trouble with the authorities. There would be a pause in his career and his life for nearly ten years.

Todd Bridges has been clean and sober for nine years. He is a working actor, director, and producer and is well on his way to the rebirth of a promising television and motion picture career. Together, Todd and his brother James Jr., have partnered to establish their own production company, Little Bridge Productions. His recent film credits (as an actor) include _1210 Camille Street_ with Faizon Love (Friday (1995), The Replacements (2000)), Frat, _Hollywood Horror (2000)_ with Tia Mowry and 'Tamara Mowry' (_Sister Sister_) and A Testimony. He also recently completed a feature film in Utah called The Climb (2002) for Billy Graham's production company. He directed, produced and starred in the short film about his life, _Building Bridges (1999)_ for TBN. He also directed, along with his brother, a full-length feature film titled _Full Circle_ starring Lisa Sweat (wife of R&B singer Keith Sweat), Stoney Jackson, 'Deaundre Bonds', his wife Dori Bridges, and a host of other great names. His directorial credits also include the feature film, Flossin (2001), the life story of his pastor and childhood friend, Pastor Ernest Johnson.

On a more personal note, Todd is a proud husband and father. He has been married for five years to his wife, Dori and they have a three-year-old son, Spencer. He has traveled the nation speaking to over 6,000 kids per day in high schools, middle schools, and churches warning the dangers of drug use, negative peer pressure, and proclaiming Christ Jesus!

Read the review of his new book, 'Killing Willis: From Different Strokes to the Mean Streets I Always Wanted' with Sarah Tomlinson -- http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A2MEJ7O8FEJ485?ie=UTF8&ref_=sv_ys_4

The Romer Review's LITERARY SHOWCASE Presents Authors, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant

It's not often that you find two writers joined at the hip writing in tandem for as long as the subjects of this interview session, but Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant are cause celebres with a twist! They are successful and have an enormous fan base. I had a chance to talk to these venerable writers and this is what they shared with me:

WOW! You guys have been friends for 25 years and have been writing long enough to forge two different personalities in one...how have you done this, and why the need to write as such when you could have done it individually?

VDB: It's not so much that we've forged two personalities as one. It's that we have left room for each of us to be ourselves, and for as much as we're alike, we're really very different. The differences keep both our writing and our friendship fresh.

DG: ...And we absolutely could write as individuals, but together we get a kind of beneficial chemical reaction. I like to say we inspire each other--maybe we incite each other, but the combo works for us, and hopefully for our readers.

Over the years you’ve written well enough to elicit an outstanding fan base with 7 books under your belt ...what is the formula used individually or collectively on content contribution for the average book? There HAS to be a method to the madness!

VDB: In spite of what DG said about a chemical reaction, there is no formula, per se. Neither of us has specified duties. It's not like Donna plots and I do characters. We each contribute to every part of the process. We do what we call "what iffing," as we work through the plot, and we plot in detail. We get to know our characters in detail as well--what they like, the way they speak, their strengths and weaknesses. We aim to make them feel real, so the readers get to know them well too.

DG: Our writing is collaborative as well--like VDB can start a sentence that I finish. We have both touched every word we write, which is why we call ourselves the author, not the authors. Our separate voices come together to form the one voice that tells the story. It has always been important that the work be seamless. We think it works because we respect each others abilities and we don't bring egos in the room. Whatever creative decisions we make are for the good of the story, not because there is a competition.

Not all things are peaches and cream when collaborating with anything without a sense of communication and understanding...what would you do if you weren’t writing?

VDB: I have been involved with language and communication for most of my working life, so it's difficult to imagine what I would do that didn't involve writing. Hmmm. I'm pretty social so maybe I'd own a jazz club or restaurant--don't think I'd want to be the chef although I'm a really good cook and enjoy the process of creating a meal, but I think I might enjoy the "front of the house" hospitality part of the job.

DG: I cannot imagine not working with words in some way. Since I can remember they have been a part of who I am and how I navigate the world--I'm the one who started a class newspaper in the fifth grade. So, if I wasn't writing fiction, I'd like to be writing non-fiction. And in my alternate reality, I'd be a cellist. Music is the most universal language.

Is there anything you’d like to see changed in the industry in general, and with African-American authors specifically?

VDB: I would like to see African American authors not locked into the category of "African American Lit." Most of us write about life, fiction with characters that happen to be black--stories of struggle and triumph, loss, coping, love, and life, learning--just like all writers. But our sales are limited because our exposure is restricted by marketing strategies that separate and segregate our books.

DG: I'm tired of the rush to sameness. If one type of book has sold well, publishers want us all to write variations of the same book. That pressure to replicate what has already been done stifles creativity and leads to stereotypes which don't fully represent our richness and diversity.

What are your major concerns about what aspiring (and veteran) writers should be doing to honor, uphold and enhance the craft of writing to further their careers?

VDB: One of my concerns is tied to the word you used in the question--craft. Caring about the quality of the writing doesn't always carry the importance that I think it should. This doesn't mean that a writer has to be high-brow (which could take us into another discussion about what is literary and what is commercial fiction but we won't go there now...) but it does mean that paying attention, respecting the long, honorable history of being a storyteller AND respecting your reader's intelligence is too often overlooked. Publishing's need for writers to produce books so often--at least one a year, may generate the sales they're afraid to lose if a reader has to wait 2 years, but it can contribute to the diminishing quality of the work--and readers know it.

DG: I heard Eric Jerome Dickey express this well--do you want to be a writer, or do you want to be published? It's the difference between studying to be an actor or wanting to be a reality star. Being famous has become a job description and writers are not immune. Publicity is important in order to help readers find your work, but it is a tool, not a goal.

How important do you feel book clubs and reading/writing groups are to all things literary pertaining to you as authors and the books you write?

VDB: We love book clubs. Some days as a writer I feel like, "What difference does it make?" For book clubs, reading does make a difference and we writers appreciate their enthusiasm and support. They also have an important voice in letting publishers know what they like.

DG: Writers and readers participate in a conversation that takes place at different moments in time. Book clubs actively participate in that exchange and we appreciate their comments and their points of view. We also enjoy it when they invite us to participate with them, either in person or by phone.

Let’s talk about ‘Uptown’...tell us how you came about writing the theme for the story, and why was it so poignant for you to illustrate the storyline as you did...were there alternative plot twists, and perhaps a different setting that could have been used?

VDB: In the 2000's real estate was like the gold rush or the oil boom. It was sexy, it was wildly profitable, and everybody had to have some. Luxury homes and condos sprouted like mushrooms, with no end in sight. Sections of cities morphed from undesirable to the next hip neighborhood. We wanted to examine the phenomenon on a personal level. We chose Harlem, because it is an iconic neighborhood that has changed rapidly, not without controversy. And it is a place we both knew. As a matter of fact, I lived in one of those buildings "owned" by Dwight Dixon and his father, King Dixon. We first visited those buildings--and met Dwight and King, in our book Better Than I Know Myself. Both those characters and the place were perfect for this story.

DG: We also wanted to examine home--both as a physical place and as a state of mind. Can you go home again? What happens when the physical place no longer exists as you know it? What happens when you move away, but still have unfinished business at home? Can any place ever be home if you don't resolve it? Harlem is our setting, but this story could have taken place in many cities and towns. In New London, CT a case of developers versus residents went all the way to the Supreme Court. But aside from the buildings, we wanted to get at the personal stories behind the shiny glass or limestone facades and take a look at what success means. Is success just about the money, no matter what you have to do to get it?

I’ve read all of your books, and found that ‘Uptown’ strayed a bit from what you’ve written about in the past, yet in many ways the writing style is the same, especially how you crafted your characters...was it deliberate in your decision to change, or were there underlying reasons for giving us something different?

VDB: We are always looking for the next creative challenge. Nothing stays the same. Starting with our last book, What Doesn't Kill You, which was about a woman who is out-placed from her job of 25 years, we have been looking to current situations that affect all of us. Our aim is to personalize them--take them off the front page and put them in somebody's family.

DG: In Uptown, in addition to the real estate, money and influence, we wanted to look at the personal side of scandal. Lately, we have seen lots of politically and corporately powerful people standing at a podium and apologizing for their transgressions. How did they get there? We wanted to look at how they got there, and how the scandal affects their personal lives.

People whose lives are connected seem to be one of the mantras you use to fuel dramatic interludes, are any of the characters in the books you’ve written related, or have issues that would justify fodder to be used in subsequent books?

VDB: Because we tend to write about the same general geographical areas and our stories have mostly been set in a time period between the 80's and now, we decided that some of our characters lives might intersect quite naturally. So in almost every book, to a greater or lesser extent, we will have at least a mention of a character or reference to a situation from another one of our novels. Sometimes readers recognize them, other times they don't and it's just our little way of catching people up on what else is going in a characters "life."

DG: In Uptown, we did that quite deliberately. When we realized we were going to do a book about real estate in Manhattan and in Harlem in particular, we knew we had already created Dwight Dixon and his overbearing father, King for Better Than I Know Myself. We saw no point in creating new characters when we knew these two men. The Dixons created quite a stir among the readers of BTIKM, folks loved to hate them, but we didn't get to fully explore how or why they were such difficult men. Uptown gave us a chance to do that.

If someone were to ask you, “Who is Virginia DeBerry, or who is Donna Grant”, why you write as you do, and why they should buy your books, what would you tell them?

VDB: Who I am as a person is far too complex a question to attempt to answer here, but I can respond as a writer. Donna and I have found a formula that works for us. We fuel each other creatively, we trust each other implicitly, we care about the language as much as we care about the story, and our collective goal is to draw the reader in, and keep them engaged right til the end.

DG: I am curious. I want to know why, and how. I think in specific details rather than broad strokes. I am empathetic. I bring all of those qualities to my writing. I am always trying to get at the truth, especially for characters who are most unlike me. And I want to keep readers guessing. Just when you think you have the story figured out, it takes a turn--just like life. So if people want a read that takes them on a journey, and won't let them go until the very end, that gets them to really care about the characters and that leaves you with a little incite, we are your author.

Are there any suggestions, tidbits of information or good advice that you could give my granddaughter about becoming an accomplished writer?

VDB: She should become and remain a dedicated reader. Reading is the best way to learn, not only about writing, but also about what you like and don't like and why. She should read widely across genres. She needs to be familiar with classic literature, Greek and Roman myths and legends as well as contemporary writers.

DG: And if you want to write, do it! Writing doesn't require expensive equipment. It doesn't require a team. You can do it anywhere, any time. Many people talk about writing, but don't get to putting the words on the page. All stories are genius while they remain in your head. It is confronting the blank page and beginning to move the pieces around that allows you to find your story. Don't be afraid. Begin wherever you are, but do begin. And when you're ready, begin to share your work. Writer's groups can be great for that. They provide both feedback and camaraderie.

What’s can we look forward to from the both of you individually or together in the very near future?

VDB: We are working on another novel, also concerning a subject that affects us daily. After book tour, we look forward to getting back to the computer to create more controversy in the lives of our characters.

DG: ...And because we are always looking for new challenges, we have formed a production company and are working to produce our novel, Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made as a novel. We'll keep you posted.

For more information on these two outstanding authors, please visit their website: http://www.deberryandgrant.com/DGBios.html