About the Author

In my newest book, Black Officer, White Army: A Memoir of Forgiveness and Tolerance, I explore my father’s military service record and how the lessons he taught me helped shape my character. He was a humble man that never offered details about his job in the United States Army. But he should have known that I would not rest until I had a thorough understanding of his accomplishments. When I struggled with a subject in school, he always told me, “You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out.” I can see him now flashing his 75-watt smile because I did, in fact, figure it out.

My first memoir, That Quiet Voice: A Memoir of Hope was published in 2018. The story grew out of a revelation that though thankfully my sister did not die in 1997 and my life had moved on, I still harbored unresolved feelings of guilt, anxiety, and fear that she could become desperately ill again. I could not imagine continuing to live without my sister. In looking back on that traumatic period in time, I realized there had been a quiet voice inside me all along that said “You can cope. Don’t give up”. I just needed to listen to the voice.

I have earned two college degrees, two post-graduate certificates and a certificate each in creative writing and facilities management. In short, I am committed to lifelong learning not only to continue honing my skills as a writer, but as an artist, as well.

Over the years, I have learned oil painting, wire knitting, embroidery, crochet, origami, beading, quilting, kumihimo, and acrylic painting. I have made heirloom mohair Teddy bears, handbound books, stained glass, greeting cards, jewelry, and porcelain dolls, along with aromatherapy skin care products and medicinal tinctures.
I once made a Teddy bear for each of my parents. I made my mother’s from the mink collar of a coat she no longer wore and finished it with a lace collar, pearl necklace and earrings. I dressed my father’s in a sweater vest and pinned one of his army uniform insignias to its chest. He was thrilled.

My current passion is custom leather purses. Since I can never find a purse that I can say I am totally satisfied with – there is always some feature(s) I hate – I am designing my own.