First-Look Preview At PBS' 6-Part Series Chronicling 'Full Sweep Of African American History' | Shadow and Act

The African American: Many Rivers to Cross airs tonight on PBS at 8pm ET. This six-part series continues through November 26th and covers the following topics: The Black Atlantic, The Age of Slavery, Into the Fire, Making a Way Out of No Way, Rise!, and It's Nation Time. Please view the link for more details. #PBS #ManyRiverstoCross #AVisualHistoryLesson First-Look Preview At PBS' 6-Part Series Chronicling 'Full Sweep Of African American History' | Shadow and Act

My Unique Fingerprint: Writing and Inspiring Others to Read

"I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint--and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the the universe to lead you." Oprah Winfrey In combing through my last journal, an entry that I wrote earlier in the year stands out, "Lord, I ask that you present opportunities before me. Allow doors to open and windows to crack. Enable my writings, children's stories, and presentations to be valued and appreciated by others." Well, I'm humbled to say that that is happening... Since my calling is writing and inspiring others to read, I have joined the board of the Charlotte Writer's Club, an organization that creates a supportive writing environment and promotes writing opportunities within the Charlotte community, and I've joined the the board for the Literacy Council of Union County, a non-profit organization that focuses on adult literacy. In addition, I have been asked to support a reading initiative and cause to spur the excitement of reading for the community of Morven, North Carolina with the HOLLA! Community Development Corporation, a United Way organization. And of course, I am continuing my freelance writing assignments and my promotional efforts of my third book, My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey. While embracing these unique opportunities, lately I find myself humming the Civil Rights Classic, Keep Your Eyes on the Prize, Hold On!, partly because I've been immersed in the anniversary events relating to the March on Washington, but also because I am experiencing the results of why it is important to honor my instincts and to wait for the right time. Humming and singing this song and others like it reminds me to reflect, focus, and center myself on the nature and force of my personal journey and how it can serve others. Thankfully, I am in a space where I can appreciate my purpose, my journey, and my unique fingerprint for this present age. Think about your unique fingerprint and how it can favorably impact others as well.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child

On a recent episode of Fix My Life, Iyanla Vanzant was trying to repair the relationship of a mother and daughter torn by years of alcohol abuse and neglect. The mother was trying to regain the daughter’s trust, and the daughter was trying to feel and trust again. Before delving into a painful and dysfunctional history that troubled the both of them, Iyanla Vanzant begins to sing the words of an African American Spiritual, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child…A Long Way from Home”. In times of slavery, Frederick Douglass describes his motherless experience with this expression, “My mother and I were separated when I was but an infant-- before I knew her as my mother.” He knew the implications of being a Motherless Child like so many of his era. Not having this special and developmental relationship tore at his heart and soul. This old spiritual resonates at the core because there were children and adults in this world who felt motherless then, and even today, there are children and adults who still feel motherless now. Long live African American Spirituals…these soulful songs will transcend time forever. Helen H. Kimbrough Author of My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey AK Classics PO Box 77203 Charlotte, NC 28271 www.akclassicstories.com

Lee Daniels' The Butler

OMG!Lee Daniels' The Butler is a phenomenal film! It takes you on a journey from slavery to Obama's presidency through the eyes & experiences of a butler and his family. The film is also a reminder to take time to think about the sacrifices and roles of our ancestors! They really did rock this nation and this land in spite of turbulent times and circumstances. Thus, My Soul rejoices in their will and spirit knowing that they still reign in you and me!

Helen H. Kimbrough Author of My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey AK Classics PO Box 77203 Charlotte, NC 28271 www.akclassicstories.com

Purpose: Listening to My Heart and Soul

When I started writing books several years ago, it was important for me to display images of African American boys on the cover (especially since these books were difficult to find). I have two sons, and I wanted them (and others who looked like them) to know that they were (and are) worthy of a book cover.


In switching gears for my third book, My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey, my goal is for families to discuss the relevance and importance of African American History through the spirituals. Therefore, this book shows powerful collages of African American families in the past and in the present.

While researching and writing this book, I heard expressions from many who supported this idea, but there were also naysayers who thought the past was too painful to talk about. Even marketing experts suggested that I write what I know and continue with my multicultural children’s book series.

However, as a writer, my gut, soul, and creative spirit wouldn’t rest. I had to write this book. It was imperative for children to get a glimpse of the strength, fortitude, dignity, and contribution of the slave man, woman, and child under dire conditions and to learn their roots and journey through the slave songs also known as spirituals. Why? Because their stories are our stories...their songs are our songs. These magnificent individuals passed down these intricate and musical details from generation to generation for a reason. Not that we would forget, but so that we would remember.

In this modern day time, hold onto the brilliant teachings of our ancestors. Since history repeats itself, it is necessary that we read the biographies, the literature, the “good book”, the blueprint, the examples, and the signs! We must continue to learn from them, hold them in high regard, and implement their historical wonders with a modern day twist.

This is my purpose for this present age. Are you available to realizing what your purpose should be?

Coming Soon: New Book, My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey

Author Helen H. Kimbrough and Illustrator J. Stacy Utley are delighted to present My Soul/African American Spirituals: Embracing the Journey. My Soul honors the legacy of African American Spirituals which symbolizes struggle, perseverance, strength, faith, hope, and freedom. Influential songs like Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, There is a Balm in Gilead, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Wade in the Water, and Go Down Moses captivate the essence of this book with notable quotes and breathtaking artwork from the past and present.


Stay tuned for future updates on pre-ordering copies of this family-oriented book. My Soul will be released in June 2013.

"Long live African American Spirituals...they were pertinent then and are still relevant now. They will transcend time forever."

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave

A few years ago, I purchased the book, the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave, which was published in 1845. But as life would have it, I got a chance to finally read it this month. The first thing I loved about this book was something peculiar on the cover. In place of where the author’s name is normally printed, it stated, “Written by Himself”. In my lifetime, I have never seen that on a book cover before. So I smiled and thought of the brilliance of this move. Personally, I found it to be bold, daring, and audacious in a time where self-awareness from a person looking and sounding like Frederick Douglass was unpopular in the United States. After viewing the cover and absorbing it for a while, I knew with certainty that there were moments in his life that encapsulated these words and more to form a powerful existence in his being.


In this narrative, there were several elements that I found intriguing such as Mr. Douglass’ questioning the basis of slavery and stating “what man can make…man can unmake”, how he learned at an early age that being literate--reading and writing-- would grant him the opportunity to live a life that he wanted to lead, understanding the mental anguish and impairments of being enslaved (because the physical abuse was so apparent), and the worth of Mr. Douglass writing his own pass to places that he and others could eventually benefit from.

There is a saying, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” The narrative in this book which again was published in 1845 has some similarities to our platforms today in 2013 which I found compelling:

· Understanding the Existence of Varying Systems and Navigating Through Them

· The Importance of Learning and the Pursuit of Education

· Coping and Living with Mental Illness (considered Mental Slavery in the book)

· Forging Ahead and Seeking Opportunities for Our Families

· Working Together to Serve and Benefit Others

In reading this book and excerpts from it again and again, I have been enlightened to see the evidence of this truth. The philosopher, George Santayana stated, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” I agree, and I highly recommend reading of this book for ages 15 and above. Knowing this land’s history is powerful and can be magnified every day if we are open to embracing it.



Helen H. Kimbrough
Proud mom of a voracious reader and an interested reader
AK Classics
PO Box 77203
Charlotte, NC 28271
www.akclassicstories.com