Gumbo For The Soul

Rejection. Loss. Confusion. Pain. Our past and our future are intertwined. Each distinct memory becomes one life. What once hurt, eventually heals, and the lesson (or lessons) to be learned becomes one with our soul and our spirit. Our experiences provide strength instead of destruction. Our great-grandmothers, grandmothers, mothers -- all women of power who came before us -- were great descendants of the coastal lands of West Africa. They arrived in strange lands with their Gumbo - -their memories, rhythms, ingenuity, creativity, strength, and compassion. Their lived stories and conversation were recipes mixed with unique combinations of ingredients, dropped into the cast iron pot -- stirred, dropped in, seasoned, dropped in, stirred again, and again, and again, until done. This Gumbo is savory like the soul, carefully prepared, recipes rich with what our foremothers brought with them from their homeland. They brought the best of what they had to offer. Gumbo or Gombo is a Bantu word meaning ‘okra’. Okra is a rich vegetable that serves as the base (or gravy) for a delicately prepared stew. (Today’s Gumbo cooks use a ‘roux’ as the base- see the recipe on page 3). Gumbo’s West African origins have been modified over the past two centuries by people of varied ancestry: Native American, German, Spanish, and French (Moss, 2014). It is essential to understand the manner in which Gumbo is prepared: each ingredient must be placed into the stew at its specified time so that it can cook in and savor its own flavor. When completed, Gumbo is usually served over grits or rice. Gumbo has become a cornerstone of life in African-descended communities across the south and southwest spanning from South Carolina to Louisiana and Texas. Gumbo is a treasure… a reminder of the greatness that lived in the village in a time of strength and abundance…a reminder of the resilience and richness of our people over generations. This book -- a collection of memoirs written by Women of Color is shared to inspire and motivate readers. The authors of these precious, soulful stories are from across the globe and represent various backgrounds and professions. What these women have in common, though, is their drive to tell their story. Stories of pain, discovery, strength, and stories of beginnings. Many of the experiences, as difficult as they may have been, made the women who they are today. Telling these stories to a new generation will empower and encourage them in their experiences no matter how troubling or challenging (Harris, 2015). These stories, like our foremothers offering their Gumbo, present the best these women have to offer. These authors want the world to know that deep inside of each of us is a rich, vibrant, purposeful beginning. As our lives develop and we are “stirred and stirred again”, like Gumbo, our experiences begin to shape who we are and who we become. When the stirring is complete, a comforting meal -- one that says no matter what has gone into the dish, it’s going to be amazingly magnificent!! The authors hope these stories will inspire and motivate girls and Women of Color to trust their experiences -- whether good or bad -- to help them become. Our becoming means that after all that life has thrown our way, we are strong, purposeful, and powerful people who are a great treasure to a world that sometimes rejects and ignores our existence. Embedded in this book are stories of abuse and triumph, sadness and victory, disappointment and resilience, discovery and victory. We are very proud to be the keepers of these rich recipes. They represent the first in what we hope will become a collection or series of inspirational memoirs that will be shared to help others live out their destiny and become the women they were born to be.

This book for, about, and by Males of Color, amplifies triumphs and successes while documenting trials and tribulations that are instructive, inspiring, and praiseworthy. This book will be a must-read for every Male of Color.

Parent/tutor Beverly Black Johnson, founder of the "Gumbo for the Soul Literacy Program", and compiler of Gumbo for the Soul: the Recipe for Literacy in the Black Community- an anthology intended to heighten awareness of the growing high school drop-out rate in the Black community. Gumbo is a compilation of delicious essays, poems, testimonials and gumbo recipes; inspirational accounts of educational, occupational and personal experiences in overcoming adversity and obstacles with perseverance and determination. Gumbo proceeds will fund "Gumbo for the Soul" Literacy Program Enjoy the writings of Heather Covington, TV host of Literary Living and author of Literary Divas Kyeisha D. Johnson, 6th grade student Rapper, Keyanna Bean Morehouse graduate, Michael Henderson Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor E. Joyce Moore Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor Jayme Washington Smalley BET Books, Emma Award winner Nathasha Brooks-Harris CBS' Survivor, Vecepia Towery Robinson Delores Thornton, Marguerite Press And many more talented and generous contributors "'Gumbo for the Soul' dares to call it like it is. This serving of Gumbo is a must-read for every parent, teacher, mentor and all who believe it is important that our children can read and comprehend the English language." -Tavis Smiley, Author, Television, Radio Host "'Gumbo for the Soul' tells African-Americans exactly what the recipe for a good life is. It is inspirational, uplifting, and recommended for people of all ages, colors and aspirations." Rated 5 of 5. -Alice Holman, RAWSISTAZ.com Literacy Support Ribbon available at www.gumboforthesoul.com

A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul is a collection of essays, stories, and narratives designed to inspire and empower women of color through the use of storytelling and narratives. This second edition is a sequel to the first Gumbo for the Soul and includes more...

"Here's Our Child, Where's The Village?" conveys that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish as happy, thriving and free spirited people regardless of race and the displacement factors governing their lives. The question isn't "Here's Our Child, Where's The Village?" The question is whose village will you be? "We must bear each others burdens. Though the village has been replaced by concrete and Roe v. Wade, there remains innocent children deserving of love and a safe haven. They may be parentless, but they are not Godless..." -Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam "Connecting kids to permanency is paramount." Stacia C. Hammond- Executive Director/Founder Adoption Support & Consultation Services of Florida, Inc. (ASCS) "It gives me great pleasure to pen the foreword for "Here's Our Child; Where's the Village?" and participate in the efforts of the Gumbo for the Soul project. The joy one gets from a child is indescribable, but something everyone can enjoy in one capacity or another; especially if we believe in the old African Proverb, it takes a village to raise a child". -Tee C Royal, founder of RAWSISTAZ Literary Group Gumbo for The Soul Publications and logo are registered trademarks of Beverly Black Johnson. All Right Reserved www.gumboforthesoul.com Proverbs 10:14 Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

This book for, about, and by Males of Color, amplifies triumphs and successes while documenting trials and tribulations that are instructive, inspiring, and praiseworthy. This book will be a must-read for every Male of Color.

GUMBO FOR THE SOUL: 10th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COLLECTOR'S EDITION LITERACY ADOPTION FOSTER CARE WOMEN OF HONOR MEN OF HONOR INSPIRATION POETRY ***4 Books in 1*** THIS BEAUTY IS THE CULMINATION OF SEVERAL HUNDRED CONTRIBUTORS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD, IN THE FORM OF THE COMBINED SAVORY AWARD-WINNING ANTHOLOGIES PUBLISHED THUS FAR BY GUMBO FOR THE SOUL PUBLICATIONS, CELEBRATING TEN YEARS SINCE CONCEPTION BY BEVERLY BLACK JOHNSON.

"A Second Helping of Gumbo for the Soul is a collection of essays, stories, and narratives designed to inspire and empower women of color through the use of storytelling and narratives. This second edition is a sequel to the first Gumbo for the Soul and includes more..."--