4 Books Published by Collaborative Experience on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

People often say that black men do not talk. However that is not the case with this book anthology. The thirteen co-authors in Our Stories, Our Voices: Black Men Speak Their Truth open up and share their trials and tribulations in this journey called life. They share stories of love, pain, weakness and strength and how each of their unique journies helped to mold them into the men they are today. Their willingness to open up and share their hearts and in some cases writing words that have never been spoken to others is not only commendable, but will inspire deeper conversations within our communities.

The co-authors and their chapters are:

WHEN THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST YOU - TRUST GOD by Kevin Lamar Byrd

TALK ABOUT IT by Michael James

WAKE UP by Bernard McArthur

BETTER DAYS AHEAD by Malcolm Boyd

SUCCESS PRINCIPLES by Jason Murray

THE MAN BEHIND THE THREE-PIECE SUIT by Richard A. Celestin, Esq.

AN ODE TO AUNT PERZELLA by Dr. Terry Grant

ABUNDANT LIFE AFTER A HEART ATTACK by Rev. Dr. Phil Craig

STAGE 5 by Milton Shelton Jr.

THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION by Phil Andrews

DIVINE CONNECTION by Lee Scott Coleman

MY RECIPES FOR LIFE by Shawn D. Farnum

MY LIFE’S JOURNEY TO TRUTH by Dr. Samuel Gilmore

The one common thread that binds over forty-five aspiring writers is the Delayed But Not Denied Book Series. The contributors of all three books share a diverse tapestry of insight, which is woven together by the drive to define their own successes. They share their stories of tragedies and triumphs with the prayer that, a sentence, a paragraph or a chapter will empower others to push a bit harder and to be their authentic self. In Delayed But Not Denied Book 3: Real People Sharing Stories About Healing and Growth, each woman’s testimony lets readers know that regardless of what you have been through you are extraordinary too

Co-Authors and their chapters in Delayed But Not Denied Book 3 are:

LEMONADE, by Kristin Vaughan Robinson

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES, by Asia Maddrey

DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL, by Asia Williams

MISS TOOTSIE’S CONSTITUTION, by Julie Ann Fairley

MY AMAZING LIFE EVOLVING: PART II, by Maria Dowd

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?, by L. Renee

MY PLANS GOD’S PURPOSE, by Norma L. Brown

THE BISHOP’S WIFE, by Lady Walikqua M. Johnson

MY FAITH IS BIGGER THAN MY FEAR How I Survived Breast Cancer Three Times, by Deneen Cooper

LOSING MY WAY WHILE FINDING MY PURPOSE, by Dr. LaWana Richmond

MALWARE SCARE AND A PRAYER, by Toni Coleman Brown

THREE STRIKES AND I’M STILL NOT OUT, by Janelle Rollins-Johnson

SINGLE MOMS RISE , Overcoming the Emotional Challenges of Being a Single Parent, by Julia D. Shaw

THE HAPPY RETIREMENT, by Janette "Justice" Carter

SURVIVING GASLIGHTING: LIVING YOUR TRUTH, by Dionely Reyes

BROKEN CRAYONS STILL COLORING, by Kathleen Greely

Delayed But Not Denied Book 2 represents real stories about real people. Each diverse chapter exemplifies hope, faith and resiliency. Get ready because you will receive a mega dose of inspiration after reading each co-author’s unique experience. The stories compiled inside of this book will encourage you to persevere on your own journey and let you know that when life gives you lemons sometimes you have to do more than just make lemonade. You will be intrigued by the tenacity and courage of each contributor who poured their heart and soul into this special collection of true stories.

This book contains 21 stories written by a dynamic and diverse group of women. The stories will make you laugh and cry. You will be forever changed after reading each chapter. It is apparent that each author has poured their heart and souls into their stories to show us that having hope and faith prevails against adversity and pays off big time. If there is one thing that you will learn, it is that one should never breakdown before they breakthrough.

Compiled by Toni Coleman Brown and Julia D. Shaw

21 Co-Authors include: Charron Monaye, Deloris (DJ) Strahan, Deneen Cooper, Dr. LaWana Firyali Richmond, Elizabeth Bautista, Jennifer Halstead, Julia D. Shaw, Julia Ann Fairley, Kimberly Jenkins-Snodgrass, Kristin Vaughan Robinson, Margo Southwick, Maria Dowd, Natalie Bennett, Nikeisha Johnson, Portia Lockett, Queen Rev. Mutima Imani, Rev. Dr. Cheryl Y. James, Sony JM Thornton, Theresa Adair, Toni Coleman Brown, Yoland Billings.

Get ready to be uplifted and encouraged by stories of miracles, hope and answered prayers, as the co-authors of this book share their tragedies, triumphs and joy. These authors are the epitome of the biblical verse that all things are possible for those who trust and believe in the power of God and press towards their goals without ceasing.

Each of author poured their heart and souls into their stories to show us that having resilience against adversity pays off and that one should never breakdown before they breakthrough. While the co-authors in this book are from all walks of life, vary in age and are located all across the United States, they do have one thing in common and that is their success in life at some point may have been delayed, but certainly was not denied.

• Audrey L. Woodley
• Bweela Steptoe
• Cathleen Williams
• Crystal Melton
• Dana Rose
• Detrick Harper
• Dr. LaWana Firyali Richmond
• Elizabeth Johnson
• Ericka Johnson
• Jamee-Marie Edwards
• Jeselle Eli
• Julia Shaw
• Kristina Eaton
• Lucrece Augusma
• Maryam Smith
• Melanie Kirkland
• Rachel Lopez Evans
• Terryl Ebony
• Toni Coleman Brown
• Valerie Williams