Participanting Authors

Ivan Wright was born and raised in Trenton, NJ where he attended Trenton’s public school system. Interests in healthcare led him to Indiana University of PA where he received his B. S. in Respiratory Therapy.

His first book is the fiction novel, Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only, a suspenseful story that also speaks to the awesome power of perception.

Indentured Scholars – The Inner City Scandal is Ivan’s latest release. It is a thriller that ignites discussions regarding the community’s de facto tolerance of its public education system.

Ivan’s books deal dramatically and humorously with the many threads of the African American experience. His characters are rich in content and speak to the interests of the seasoned and introspective readers. Woven within the pages is the appreciation of human values that were once common pillars in all communities. Through “ancestral whisperings,” we are reminded that love, family and acceptance name us all.

Stephanie L. Jones, author of The Enemy Between My Legs, is a highly sought after speaker for schools, churches, and organizations. After spending several years working for Fortune 500 companies and as a successful book publicist, she opted out of the corporate world to become a sexual abuse advocate. Having experienced sexual abuse for over seven years beginning at age five, she understands how it affects victims long-term and is committed to helping others heal from the pain of their past. Stephanie is known for her honest approach in dealing with sexual abuse, a subject that few people will openly discuss. She’s been featured in several newspapers and magazines and has been a guest on many shows, including The Michael Baisden Show, Rev. Al Sharpton: Keeping it Real, and the Open Line on KISS FM.

Michelle Larks, author of the following books, A Myriad of Emotions, released in March 2003, by Ebony Energy Publishing, Crisis Mode was originally released in March 2004 with Author House. re-released Crisis Mode in May of 2005 under her own publishing company F&M Enterprises. Mirrored Images, an e-book published by Ocean Mist Press was released February 6th, 2006 and Who's Your Daddy was released on May 3, 2006 with Book Surge. Her latest novel Keeping Misery Company will be released by Urban Christian books in the fall of 2007.

By day she is a Systems Programmer, employed by one of the largest outsourcing firms in the USA native of the Windy City. She is happily married and the mother of two adult daughters. She has been writing since the fifth grade. Her teacher submitted an essay, which I read in a citywide competition. A graduate of South Shore High School, and the University of Illinois, Chicago Campus.

During her successful six years in broadcast, Hopkins wrote and produced several short historical documentaries, including “The Battle of Fort Henry”, Ohio Valley http://www.authorsandartist.kreationsart.com/hopkins.htm2000 (a yearlong series) and news inserts for CBS News Magazine “48 hours” Class of 2000. She also produced in-depth reports on the Foreign steel import crisis, Ohio’s unconstitutional school funding and labor-management issues, such as the yearlong Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel strike, and Kroger Supermarket meat packers’ labor dispute.

In addition to writing and producing special news projects that earned the television station more than $100K in sales revenue, Ms. Hopkins also served as principal news anchor and managing editor for the station’s #1 rated Weekend Newscast.

Today, Hopkins is telling stories without video and she is a frequent contributor of opinion editorials to local newspapers such as the Citizen Newspaper in Chicago.

Pamela Murphy was born in a small city near Memphis, TN. At an early age her family moved to a city about 80 miles west of Chicago, IL, where she was raised and currently resides with her family. Growing up she had a great love for written expression and began writing poetry at the age of 12. In order to express herself and her views of the world Pamela began to write about the behavior of those around her, the rights and wrongs of the people in her life and how their issues affected her. Her works are intended to inspire and to motivate her readers as she has the ability to both empathize and sympathize. Through this she has gained a life full of lessons and experiences. "Dangerous Conversations" is the first of a ten book project she is working on that deals with everyday life situations. The next book "The Thrill Is Gone" is to be released in Spring 2007. Pamela is a member of The International Society of Poets and has had several poems published throughout the years in different books of poetry.

Detroit Native, Sylvia Hubbard, is a romance/suspense author. In 2005, Sylvia Hubbard was the recipient of The Detroit City Council's Spirit of Detroit Award for her efforts in Detroit's literary community, voted Romance Book Cafe favorite author and her book Stone's Revenge was voted best African-American Mystery by Mojolist.com. The Author is also founder of Motown Writers Network, which offers literary education and events in Detroit, Editor In Chief of The Essence of Motown Literary Magazine and speaks on Internet Marketing and Promotions for Writers and Authors. She will be releasing her newest novel, Mistaken Identity in paperback in 2006.

In most recent events, Ms. Hubbard has started her own publishing company

An author whose published works include The Ups and Downs of Being Round and Taste My Soul. She is also a contributing author in Chicken Soup for the Girls Soul, New Directions for Youth Development and several publications and youth development training materials for the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. She has worked as a columnist and freelance writer for the Michigan Front Page Newspaper and does consulting, editing and content development for businesses and non-profit organizations. She is also a member of the Motown Writer's Network, Business Women Attaining Millionaire Mindsets (B.A.M.M), Elysian Business Group, and Fully Figured Out.

Monica received her Bachelors Degree and teaching certificate in Elementary Education from Eastern Michigan University. She also received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan.

In addition to writing Monica is a professional dancer, dance teacher, and aerobics instructor.

Brenda loves people. She states her purpose is to take her gifts and skills to help others. She is very transparent and has no problem sharing her victories overcoming rough times in her life. Brenda is well-versed in problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills. She is the mother to four adult children and the proud grandmother to thirteen grandchildren.

With the ministry gift of the apostle (within the church) and the strong motivational gifts of exhorter and compassion God has called her to start new ministries (laying the foundation) and training leaders. At her church she started the Biblical Counseling, Parenting, and Angel Food Ministries.

Brenda has a Masters degree from Eastern Michigan University, her major is in technology with a minor in communication. She has her Certification as a Biblical Counselor from Christian Research and Development and her Board Certification as Biblical Counselor from the International Board of Christian Counselors.

Dr. Loretta J. Martin is a retired Chicago Public School teacher, counselor and administrator who successfully ran the largest Driver Education Program in the nation. She has also taught part time at Northeastern Illinois University and Northwestern University. She has taught parenting classes and has been a state certified addictions counselor for the past ten years.

In addition to her national speaking engagements in schools, conferences, churches and retreats, she has traveled to five countries in Africa, as well as to Europe, South America and various islands in Central America. In her travels she visits schools and homes in order to assess the differences and commonalities of educational practices and the culture of the people.

In her spare time, she teaches line dancing and Chicago Style Stepping to adults and children. She is the Founder and President of the Hall-Martin Foundation, Inc. that has awarded scholarships to graduating high school seniors for the past 23 years.

Linda Padgurskis' forthcoming motivational book, P.H.I.S.H, scheduled for a September 2008 release.

P.H.I.SH, which stands for Padgurskis daily intentions--Prosperity, Harmony, Inner peace, Safety and Health-is a spiritual and motivational book that explains the 10 steps to feeling personal joy at all times.

"My life made a dramatic turn about six years ago. I began questioning what my life purpose was, why I was here and what it was that I was supposed to do," shares Padgurskis. "It is now my goal to change the lives of others by showing how it is possible to feel joy everyday of their life," she adds.

Padgurskis is the latest addition to a talented roster of 220 Communications clients

President of TGrace, is an author and motivational speaker who promotes personal empowerment and self-improvement. With her engaging and inspirational style, she challenges audiences to reach their full potential and achieve their personal and professional goals. She uses the spoken and written word to inspire people to embrace their God-given abilities and increase their life satisfaction.

Talayah is a native and current resident of Chicago , Illinois . She also has an eBook entitled, 150 Important Questions You Should Ask Before You Say “I Do.” The eBook is available on her website. Her next book, Light Bulb Moments: Seeing God in Everyday Circumstances, a compilation of inspirational vignettes, will be available later this year.

Ivan Wright

His first book is the fiction novel, Black People: For Entertainment Purposes Only, a suspenseful story that also speaks to the awesome power of perception.

Indentured Scholars – The Inner City Scandal is Ivan’s latest release. It is a thriller that ignites discussions regarding the community’s de facto tolerance of its public education system.