Frankie Lennon

Frankie Lennon

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Frankie, Lennon

Frankie Lennon is a creative woman who writes, teaches, gardens, designs and makes jewelry. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee where she graduated from Austin High School, Frankie did her undergraduate work at Indiana University where she received a B.A. in English, and an M.A. in Creative Writing. She has done a number of things in her life to keep a roof over her head, including, from 1989 to 1997, heading up programs and writing curriculums at Minority AIDS Project for HIV Education programs targeting women of color—both Lesbian and Heterosexual, men of color who do and do not identify as Gay, Transgendered women of color, and the incarcerated, homeless & immigrant populations. She has also worked as an advertising copywriter, public relations coordinator, and training facilitator. An “out” Lesbian of color, she currently teaches English composition and literature, and socio-cultural issues for Sociology at Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles at and at Los Angeles Trade Technical Community College. Several professors at both colleges have adopted her first book as a part of their required course work.

Frankie is a working writer who makes sure she nurtures her artist within, and she is a proud and long-time member of Unity Fellowship of Christ Church, Los Angeles. As an outreach program for Unity’s Creative and Performing Artists Division, she founded and facilitates the monthly Talking Drum Creative Writing Workshop, which is open to the public. Also, she is a member of the Soulful Salon, a sexually diverse gathering of artists of color in Los Angeles.

In 2005., Frankie was one of the winners of the highly competitive Hedgebrook Writers Residency for Women. Her other accomplishments include a Faculty of the Year Award at Mt. St. Mary’s College, inclusion in the 9th Edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and a cherished award from Minority AIDS Project for Outstanding Continuous Service. Among her previous writing credits, she counts her stints as a newsletter editor, feature article writer for BLK magazine and The Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper, training manual writer, and two soft cover books. The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight Up Stories of a Black Woman’s Life is her first published book. .

The Mee Street Chronicles: Straight Up Stories of a Black Woman's Life
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ISBN: 0978877748
Pub. Date: February 2007
Format: Paperback, 248pp
Publisher: Kerlak Enterprises, Inc.

The Mee St. Chronicles: Straight Up Stories of a Black Woman's Life is the extraordinarily candid memoir of Frankie Lennon's battle to claim her own life and sexual identity. Beginning with vivid stories of growing up in segregated Knoxville, Tennessee of the 1950's, we are propelled into her struggle to find freedom from the many prisons and conflicts that bind her. From Jim Crow segregation, to her hidden same sex attraction, to her eventual battle with alcoholism, we witness her turbulent life journey through page-turning stories that speak truth, no matter what, to everyone.

Written in a down-to-earth style and from an unvarnished point of view, Frankie Lennon shares stories that connect us to each other by reminding us that life is rarely simple, but full of conflicting pulls and expectations that we have to confront and resolve to live to the fullest. This book is a must read for those who are trying to make sense of their lives. And for those who just want to go along for a joyful ride.

Related Links

Frankie’s blog
http://frankielennon.blogspot.com/

Frankie’s websites
www.myspace.com/maryestelle
www.famnation.com/flennon
www.authorsden.com/frankielennon

MSMC Video clip (One of Frankie’s Book Signings)
http://www.msmc.la.edu/pages/1228.asp

Chronicles of a Storyteller - interview with Frankie Lennon (14 March 2007)
http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com/byot/byot70.html