According to a National Endowment for the Arts survey released on July 8, 2004, "Literary reading is in dramatic decline with fewer then half of Americans now reading literature." Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America reports drops in all groups studied, with the steepest rate of decline. 28% - occurring in the youngest age groups. We are living in a knowledge-based economy. These are frightening reports.
Sixty years ago, at the age of 8, the book bug bit me. I'm happy to report that I've never recovered. For the past 30 plus years, both reading and writing have been critical to my leadership roles among writers and widows. I am determined to take my passion to another level in this knowledge-based economy. My goals are to motivate and encourage children not to just read and write, but to WRITE BOOKS.
In my third grade, the teacher gave the class a writing assignment: Write about a dog that got lost and found. We were to use our creative imaginations. I finished quickly. The teacher thought I was having trouble. She was surprised when I told her that I was finished. After reading my paper, she said these unforgettable words, "My, you have a creative imagination. And you write so fast."
Barely in my teens, I lost my virginity and became pregnant. Everyone was shocked. "What a shame. You are an honor roll student. Now, all you will be is just another negative welfare statistic," said the school officials. My thought was, "No. I'm better than that."
At that point, I began writing the script for my life - not the way it was, but the way I wanted it to be. I graduated with honors at the age of 16, with a three-year-old son.
Years went by. There were many detours, but I kept writing, editing the script along the way.
After a failed, 20-year first marriage, I was blessed in 1982 to marry the late Rev. Eddie K. Edwards, founder of Joy of Jesus Ministries on the east side of Detroit. The ministry was founded in 1976. Their mission was to reach out to help develop underprivileged youth into responsible citizens who could make a meaningful contribution to society.
The ministry was five years old when Rev. Edwards and I married. Joy of Jesus' growth escalated. I continued to write, but now it was to raise monies for the ministry as Development Director. Millions of dollars were raised to execute various programs throughout the Ravendale community where we lived and worked. We were honored with the 107th Point of Light Award from former President George W. Bush, Sr. for our youth and community development work.
In 1990, I wrote the proposal that gained us a $50,000 Family Approach to Crime and Treatment (F.A.C.T.) grant from United Community Services to start our family life center. UCS honored us as their most distinguished program out of 10 who were funded. Thus, we were awarded another $50,000 to carry out a second successful year. I served as the initial director of this program.
In 1998, I retired from Joy of Jesus. Since then, I've written three books and my autobiography, Born Grown, founded a writers' guild, and launched a widows' ministry.
In 2004, my story about being a teen mother, never being on welfare, and receiving numerous awards, appeared in the first Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. I was the only Detroiter in the book. So, where do I go from here?
As I look back over the years, I see how writing has had a powerful impact on my life. When I'm asked, "How did you manage to overcome the many obstacles associated with being a teen mother?" I share how I made a decision not to accept the doomsday prophecy about being a negative welfare statistic. Instead, I wrote a positive vision for my life, which helped build my self esteem and enabled me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Reading books from the library gave me the insight I needed to see an alternative lifestyle to the life I was living.
Understanding the importance of reading and writing, I want to work with schools and other youth organization. My attention would also be directed towards teen girls and teen mothers.
My eight-year-old granddaughter Angel has just finished her first book, Angel Food For Thought.
Recently, a door of opportunity has been opened for us to be involved in a reading project at numerous elementary schools in Southfield, Michigan. I strongly believe that after reading to these children, they will be inspired, motivated, and eager to write a book.
I welcome the opportunity to continue, as well as expand, this reading program, mentor these young writers, and encourage them to write books, thereby equipping them for more successful lives in the years to come.