It’s been nearly a month since Juneteenth was celebrated, but the positive impact of this holiday is still being felt throughout the nation.
On June 19, 1865, enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. From that day emerged the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration to the end of slavery in the United States, but 2021 is the first year it was recognized as a federal holiday.
People of all ages, genders, and colors celebrated this historic decision made by President Joe Biden.
Biden signed a bill creating Juneteenth National Independence Day, but since June 19 fell on a Saturday, the government observed the holiday Friday. At least nine states have designated it an official paid state holiday, all but one acting after Floyd, a Black man was killed last year in Minneapolis.
A new holiday was “really awesome. It’s starting to recognize the African American experience,” said Detroit artist Hubert Massey, 63. “But we still have a long way to go.” Excerpt from ArkansasOnline.org
My family is among the celebrating and during our excitement of this holiday, I encountered a beautiful little brown girl who reminded me why I love being the author of diverse books for kids.
More About My Princess
The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess series is inspired by real-life budding Broadway Star, Kayla Pecchioni: a young Black woman who has always lived her life by believing in herself while letting nothing get in the way of her dreams. You can read the interview with this beautiful, triple-threat entertainer here.
“The world is filled with gifts sent directly to you. Staying open to finding them is the key.” ~Deedee Cummings
About The Author
As a therapist, attorney, CEO of Make A Way Media, and author of fifteen children’s books, Deedee Cummings has a passion for ensuring equality, inclusion, and social justice for the next generation. Since her first book published in 2014, Cummings has been on a mission to help young dreamers and doers “see themselves” in the pages of the books they read.
Cummings has spent more than two decades working within the family therapy and support field, and much of her writing shares her experiences of working with kids in therapeutic foster care.
By the end of 2021, this #OWNVOICES author will have fifteen diverse children’s books to her credit, including the Rapid Release of her Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess five-book series. All fifteen of Cummings’ diverse picture, poetry, and workbooks for kids reflect her professional knowledge and love of life.
Cummings is also the founder and creator of the Louisville Book Festival, a literacy-based celebration in Louisville, KY, celebrated on October 23rd and 24th, 2021.
The Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Series
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess Series Book One is HERE!
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: is a heartwarming story about family, role models, dreams, and discovering a determination for growth. This five-part diverse picture book series shines the spotlight on a little brown girl who loves musical theatre and never lets anything get in the way of her dreams. It seems that everyone else has an idea for who she should be, but in the end, she discovers that she is the one who gets to decide.
Grab your copy of Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess (Book One) in the Make A Way Media Bookstore or on Amazon in paperback form or for Kindle.
GO HERE to order your copy of Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: Dishes, Dancing, and Dreams (Book Two in the Kayla: Modern-Day Princess series).
Available on Amazon and Kindle.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: Tough as Tulle is available! Order your copy HERE.
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: These Shoes Are Made For Dancing will be available on August 1, 2021!
Kayla: A Modern-Day Princess: A Little Magic will be available in October of 2021!
