Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My community and my children are the heartbeat behind my decision to become a Black author in today’s society. Growing up and living in the Midwest, I saw a lot of stories about us, but not enough stories told by us, from our real point of view. I wanted my kids to see characters who look like them, talk like them, and come from neighborhoods like ours—not just when something goes wrong, but when they dream, learn, and win. Watching my children grow showed me how powerful books can

How do you stay motivated?

What keeps me motivated as an author is remembering who I’m writing for and why I started. I think about my readers—especially the ones who don’t usually see themselves in books—and that alone pushes me to keep creating. On the days I feel tired or discouraged, I remind myself that every page I finish could be the exact story somebody needs to feel seen, encouraged, or less alone. I also stay motivated by treating writing like a calling, not just a hobby. I set small, re

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I receive the $25,000 prize, I would use it to expand both my reach as an author and my impact with youth in poverty‑stricken areas through reading. First, I would invest in printing and distributing free or low‑cost copies of my books directly to schools, community centers, barbershops, and churches in underserved neighborhoods. I would also create a series of interactive reading events—“author days” and storytelling sessions—where kids can meet a Black author in pers