Blog Archives
Is It Time To Shift The Narrative?
The Black Foster Youth Handbook is written to help youth and young adults that have aged out of the system heal and thrive afterward. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was called both while awake and in my sleep through dreams to create a guide for young people in foster care back in 2016. The pandemic in March of 2020 made the call louder and it was revealed to me that I could not put it off any longer- that youth were aging out of foster care not only in stereotypical outcomes such as homelessness, sex trafficking, prison and suicide but to add to that— a whole world wide pandemic. The world is calling for us collectively to heal and youth and families touched by the child welfare system need support through the lens of holistic wellness not just coping skills and survival mechanisms. I need youth to know that they can create a joyous life in spite of their trauma and so I was willing to be vulnerable in sharing my story in order for others to feel empowered and uncover the purpose within their pain as I have. I created the R.E.A.L success model that takes youth and supportive adults through the 4 phases (Root, Envision, Ascension & Liberation) so that the reader can have a practical framework to self reflect, engage in self-exploration alone and with community as well as achieve a sense of inner freedom out of the bondage of one’s trauma.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Honestly, the whole book haha..
My first draft was very angry. I carried a lot of pain and writing, picking up running while I wrote and processing this information was extremely healing. After sending the draft off to my editor, I had a very clear and vivid dream on how the book was going to be formatted and the clarity of the R.E.A.L success model. I am grateful for my husband, divine connection to my ancestors, my book launch team, friends, and a few family members who helped me process this. I knew it would be rough but that it was necessary for such a resource to exist. It was time.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
To cherish the people in your life while they are still here and alive. You know, give them their flowers while they are still living and don’t wait until they have passed to show your appreciation, love and admiration for them. This is something I do daily and each chance I get to speak up and tell people how they are positively making a difference in my life, in others or the world.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story
The trauma you experienced is not something anyone should have to go through and yet you are here still living. And that says something profound, that you have a divine purpose that you may choose to fulfill in this life. You are not your trauma. You are whoever and whatever the hell you wish to be. You are powerful beyond what you give yourself credit for and in order to fully step into your gifts- You will need to challenge many aspects of yourself and circumstances that you grasped on to in order to survive. It was never your fault but now it is your responsibility to create a life worth living. Powerful soul, it is time to heal. It is time to be free. It is time to discover the real you-outside of the version of you created to endure the trauma. You do not have to do this alone. You are loved. And after everything, you matter to so many. Greatness is in your hands but it all starts with choices.
Do you choose to be what you have seen doesn’t work? Or is it time to shift the narrative?
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook OrginialSoulFlower | Facebook soulfulliberation | Website soulfulliberation | Website originalsoulflower
Less than 5% of young people with the experience of foster care graduate post-secondary education. There are many youth who become prey to sex-trafficking or suseptable to suicide due to homelessness, mental health challenges and no support system. Now, couple the child welfare system with the element of racial injustices and the history of white supremacy and the topic may even become taboo.
Ángela Quijada-Banks, a woman of African and Indigeneous descent has taken the liberty of giving back to these communities for a half a decade through advocacy, advisory and organizational training. Through her travels across the nation, speaking to congressional members, federal stakeholders and constituents of the foster care system she decided some sort of manual was needed to combat the shocking low success rates of young people with the background of foster care. This handbook is written to be supplemental to young people in foster care’s navigation through foster care and healing beyond it.
Supportive adults such as foster/resource parents, case managers, GALs, therapists and social workers will also find this to be helpful in their roles in young people’s lives. Success is possible regardless of where you come from, you just have to know where to look, who to trust and believe in the one person that can get you to the other side of pain and trauma, you.
Caravan of Pain
“A successful failure, and the honor of a lifetime.” The single line sums up the author Scott Alderman’s thoughts perfectly regarding his tour project for 2000, ‘Tattoo the Earth.’ In Caravan of Pain, Scott Alderman shares the many escapades that followed the catalyzing of his dream, ‘Tattoo the Earth’ tour, the first concert tour to combine tattoo and metal music worlds. As an initiative taken when tattooing was still underground and illegal in many parts of the U.S., this, however, wasn’t the only setback in the 2000 tour. The upfront memoir acquaints the reader with the behind-the-scenes resilience and determination involved in operating the unprecedented multi-day festival and tour.
A ten-chapter narrative, the book follows up Tattoo the Earth tour from its conception to completion, along with the many in-betweens of the challenges encountered along the way. From the unbosoming the seed of the concept to handling its various aspects, including the selection of bands and tattoo artists, and not to mention setting aside their skepticism and emotional weariness about being a part of something that’s practically a virgin idea, these chapters open the lid on stress, depression and the effects on those involved.
Caravan of Pain presents blatantly the stark image of musical bands and tattooing industries, and the genuine reaction from the audience in the late 1900s. It covers many prominent musical bands like Slipknot, Coal Chamber, Seven Dusts, and Slayer, along with the twenty metal brands of the time, and the eminent tattoo artists, all of which help to convey the pop culture of the time in a way that could not have been conveyed any more energetically. The images from the book, including those of the band artists as well as the tattooists, convey the colors and culture of the time while stirring readers’ interest in the various artists even more by letting them connect to them.
While depicting every aspect of his novel tour, the author has worn his heart on his sleeves. He has been open and sincere in his judgments on his associates, his corporate jobs, and even his questioning of the righteousness of his own conduct while putting the dream tour together. While bringing the reader closer to the reality behind the cool and hunky tattooists and band artists, as well as their lively and carefree lifestyle, the reader is also shown their true struggle to navigate life’s internal politics.
Caravan of Pain is a genuine story of perseverance, courage, resilience, and the harsh realities of the entertainment industry’s ruthless dealings. I recommend it for its candid narrative accompanied by witty comedy that covers a good deal of the history of music and tattooing. It’s a must-read for fans of 1990s pop culture and metal music.
Pages: 182 | ASIN: B09P5RJ9L5
Angels, of Course
Angels, of Course, is an inspirational book where author Win Tuck-Gleason provides a compelling account of several moments in her life, ranging from her early childhood to adulthood in the 1990s. First, she had encounters with ethereal creatures she recognized to be angels. Her first such experience was when she was surprised by mysterious music while her toddler self lays in her cradle. Then, there was an episode when an angel observed her playing the piano through a window in her house. Finally, she talks about the long road trip during which the angels kept her safe. This encounter is retold over several chapters and includes illustrative paintings made by Tuck-Gleason herself.
The author is a compelling storyteller, making the reading fluid and effortless. The chapters are short and not dependent on each other. This makes it perfect for the reader who wishes to pick up a book and read a chapter at a time. Readers looking for a religious outlook when dealing with hardship can receive some comfort from someone who has been in dark places but has always found help in her angel visitors.
Another aspect that deserves attention is the personal touch given by the author as she describes different classes of angels that she has witnessed and the fun names and situations related to them. The author has really opened herself up in this book, allowing readers into her personal thoughts and seeing the world as she does.
This thought-provoking book addresses the concept of angels from a Catholic doctrine. However, readers of other faiths can still take away the feeling of hope, comfort, and being watched over. These stories are entertaining and encourage self-reflection in the readers.
Angels, of Course, is Win Tuck-Gleason’s memoir, detailing her encounters with angels. This compelling collection of encounters gives readers a lot to think about and may open their minds to things that they can not see.
Pages: 74 | ASIN : B08BRCD872
Determination and Dedication
Brainwashed tells the story of your life from a young age in a small village to achieving the dreams of your father and becoming a doctor. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important for me to write this book as I wanted future generations of my family to learn about my life and my achievements and to understand how and why they have relatives in Australia considering most of them live elsewhere in the world.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest parts of my book to write were the loss of my father before he could see me graduate as a doctor and the chapters on my wife Debbi’s illness and eventual death.
The title Brainwashed is interesting, usually, this term has a negative connotation, you have turned it to a positive. What made you choose this title?
This title was chosen as I felt my life’s journey was predetermined by me being “Brainwashed” by my father at a very young age to become a doctor. His methods were simple but highly effective in that I was prepared to move heaven and earth to reach my goal.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
That with determination and dedication it is possible to overcome obstacles to attain certain objectives.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Nope. But I’ll walk you back.
Based on a True (Traumatic) Brain History tells your story of addiction and path to sobriety and how you dealt with life after receiving a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Why was this an important book for you to write?
It was important mainly because of how the TBI I experienced in 2015, and the recovery from it…was all too similar to my recovery from addiction and alcoholism. The two had so many obvious differences, yet the recovery and perspective I had when trying to heal were so similar. It just seemed like a book that had to be written. It morphed into the autobiography it is.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest part of the book? Reliving drunken nights, high out of my mind, and remembering how I felt about the pending next day. The dread and fear of trying to play a composed, well-put together 20-something year old, while everything was falling apart on the inside.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
When I told a friend that if I was on the edge of a cliff, and if he would push me off, he said to me, “Nope. But I’ll walk you back.” That comment and phrase saved my life that day. It’s a good way to calm someoneone down, if they’re feeling like they can’t handle stuff.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The obstacle is the way. Challenges in the journey of life…are simply just that. They amount to the journey itself.
Author Links: Facebook | Twitter | Website
Make Happy Family Memories
Living with Trisomy 18 / Edwards Syndrome tells the story of your daughter Melissa and the struggles you all faced. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I felt the need to share our amazing experience in caring for a daughter who had been given the diagnosis of Trisomy 18 and being told in the first week we would be lucky to make it out of hospital and she would be unlikely to reach her first birthday as this diagnosis was incompatible with life. For this reason every day counted and I wanted to make happy family memories.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about Trisomy 18?
That these children cannot/will not achieve milestones.
Their 24-hour care is too difficult.
Each child is different and therefore time is the real thing that identifies what is required to manage their needs.
In New Zealand these children would be unlikely to receive medical procedures to improve their quality of life.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
Being honest was necessary so people could have a better understanding of how difficult and scary providing 24-hour care can be with all the feeding issues and caring for the family’s needs as well. This sharing for me needed to be as it was so people could really understand. Having a non-verbal child able to indicate to me what was wrong was amazing and even her pediatrician was amazed how we learnt to manage Melissa’s needs.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from the story?
As a family we wanted Melissa to live life – she did. She rode her adapted bicycle in the house with assistance and enjoyed every minute of it. As her body slowly developed, she played ball while using a standing frame, she went horse riding with amazing support {the only morning of the week she would eat her breakfast without fuss}. The local swimming pool gave us a time we could go when there were not many people there and she loved that time there. For a short period, she spoke a few words but then stopped though still communicated with her carers and family non verbally. Melissa showed us who she trusted (she refused to eat if she did not trust them feeding her). Melissa taught me so much about life I treasure every minute we had with her in spite of the high toll it took on our lives.
I believe that the rainbow that appeared at her funeral confirmed her life was meant to be, I feel privileged to be her Mum and to be able to share our journey.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
The Black Foster Youth Handbook
The playwright George Bernard Shaw once said that youth is wasted on the young. Unfortunately, the meaning behind this world-famous quote becomes all the more tragic because most of us only realize what it truly means when it’s too late. Luckily, we have author Ángela Quijada-Banks to give the youth a wake-up call and a helping hand. Her book The Black Foster Youth Handbook can be categorized under Self-Help, and it embodies the best qualities of the genre. It’s a valuable collection of over 50 lessons sprinkled with a healthy dose of personal anecdotes, making it a surprisingly entertaining and fulfilling read.
Written in a conversational and often-times humorous tone, it can be read and enjoyed by anyone from any background. Sure, its primary target audience is young people of color who have gone through foster care, but those who haven’t can still pick up lessons that could be beneficial. It also features brief poetic pieces by Quijada-Banks. Her unique style is undeniably charming and has a calming quality to them.
This book tackles heavy topics like suicide, sex trafficking, and other traumas. But because it handles those topics with so much hope and understanding, the darkness of it all becomes easier to take on. With no judgment whatsoever, the pages become a safe space for anyone who has ever experienced any of the situations mentioned.
If you’re going to read this book, the best way to do it is through a physical copy. After all, it is a handbook, so it includes questions and activities for readers to engage with. Write notes in the margins and highlight your favorite lines and pieces of advice. It’s clear that Quijada-Banks poured her soul into this book, and it’s only appropriate for you to do the same.
Whether you’ve been through the foster care system or not, chances are you won’t be entirely healed by the end of this book. Self-healing takes plenty of time and work, something you have to do mainly on your own. But don’t let that intimidate you. With a roadmap like The Black Foster Youth Handbook and a guide like Ángela Quijada-Banks, you’re getting a good head start for a brighter future.
The Black Foster Youth Handbook: 50+ Lessons I learned to successfully Age-Out of Foster Care and Holistically Heal is a memoir, self-help book, and handbook all wrapped into one. Written for those in and aged out of foster care, this book is also helpful for supportive adults such as foster and resource parents, case managers, Guardians ad litem, therapists, and social workers.
Pages: 396 | ASIN : B08CJB8CM9
The Role of Music in Storytelling
Gotham City Sounds: The Music of Batman Villains is a case study on the psychological and emotional impact of the music used in the Batman franchise. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I’ve always been fascinated with the role of music in storytelling. Whether it’s on a stage or a screen, music can absolutely affect an audience on a primal level. A great score can inform how you connect with a specific character or story. I also think pop culture entertainment is a great window into deeper conversations about important things. It’s why I’m a professor who consistently use pop culture references and examples in my college courses I teach. And if I want to navigate readers through the psychology of music for tormented characters, I figured analyzing Batman villain scores would be a fascinating way to go about it!
What villain’s theme music is your favorite and why?
I personally have a deep love for Danny Elfman’s Batman Returns score. The way he aurally connects the three main characters (Batman, Catwoman, Penguin) with complementary yet individualized music themes is masterful and emotionally powerful. In my opinion, that score is perfection.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
I wanted to make sure my second full-length book met the bar I had set for myself with my first full-length book Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse: A History of Jazz and Disney. I was so honored and humbled by the reception Cool Cats and a Hot Mouse received (including it earning half a dozen national award recognitions). Just like my Disney Jazz book, I wanted my Batman villain book to educate readers about our history of entertainment in a captivating way.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have several upcoming chapters in scholarly books being published in the next year. I’m also excited to be launching a new pop culture hub called POP PROFESSOR, which will be a website where I’ll offer blogs and videos covering bite-size presentations of fascinating pop culture things (similarly to my books). That can be found at http://www.popprofessor.com, and my professional website is http://www.matthodge.com. I’m also still a full-time university professor, and enjoy spending my days in classrooms with students.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Website
Move aside, Batman. It’s time for Gotham City’s infamous villains to take center stage! Whether through film, television, or video games, members of the Dark Knight’s notorious rogues gallery consistently come to life on screen with the help of creative scores constructed by masterful composers — the true unsung superheroes of Hollywood.
Award-winning composer, professor, and author Matthew Hodge shines a fascinating spotlight on the psychological and emotional musical representations constructed by composers for numerous portrayals of Batman’s iconic villains. These pages discuss dozens of Gotham City characters, including well-known villains and lesser-known troublemakers. From flamboyant tricksters and monstrous brutes to seductive femme fatales and complicated antiheroes, the musical possibilities are endless.
Gotham citizens, beware! Evil doesn’t just have a name and a face — it has a sound.
LITERARY TITAN 