Meeting Author Shaka Senghor on 8/27/11 - Posted September 24, 2011

I went to the Fame Shop grand opening and met author Shaka Senghor.  I already read his book Crack Volume 1, but I bought a signed copy.  I also bought a signed copy of Crack Volume 2 which I haven't read yet.

It was so awesome meeting Shaka and his fiancee' Ebony.  I had so much fun!  I told Shaka I would help out since they were giving away food.  I asked what I can do to help after I got there.  They said their face painter wasn't there yet and I could paint faces.  I have never done that before, but I said I could try!  I had so much fun painting the faces of children and some adults!  I'm not a real artist, but the kids had a lot of fun which was the main goal!

Me and Shaka!

He is such an inspiration to the City of Detroit!  He is trying to make such a difference in the lives of his community members!

I also met his fiancee Ebony.  She is such a sweet person and soon to be a new mother!

At this event, I also finally  got to meet my facebook/blogging friend Orsayor Simmons for the first time! She is such a sweet person.  When I saw and talked to her, I really felt like I had known her for a long time and didn't just meet her.  I mean, we've talked back and forth on facebook and chat and e-mail, but seeing her in person was awesome!

And look at the books that she gave me (and this cool tote!)

Black Friday by Ashley Antoinette Snell, JaQuavis Coleman

Dead Silver: A Novel (Hugh Davoren #2) by Neil McMahon

Nympho by Najee Jamerson

Black girl Love by Anondra Williams

5 Reasons to Leave a Lover - A Novella and Other Short Stories by Carolyn Moncel
Poison: A Novel by Susan Fromberg Schaeffer

Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter by Sidney Poitier
uncharted terriTORI by Tori Spelling

A Taste of Chicken Soup to Inspire a Women's Soul (Chicken Soup) by Mark Victor Hansen and Stephanie Marston Jack Canfield

A Taste of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul 2 by Carol Kline

Here are some more pictures from the event:


My girls and one of the children whose face I pained who is in the middle!




Me painting faces!


Fame Shop 1st Annual Joy Day
You Tube Video (done by a professional)



Here is the video that my 9 year old Meredith took. I just took clips from the videos and Flip Video did the rest! I had to cut out the parts where you could see the ground and the sky, etc. LOL!

© 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission

WEEK WITH AN AUTHOR - DELL BANKS! Who is Dell Banks? GIVEAWAY of Shady!

Dell Banks was born on the 13th day of November in Detroit,Michigan. He was raised in between Chicago and Detroit. Dell's way with words have captivated the hearts and minds of many. He began writing short stories as a kid. Reflecting back, Dell recalls coming up with one-of-a-kind story lines by using his vivid imagination, that his peers adored. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan where he majored in Journalism. After becoming the voice behind many powerful and meaningful poems, Dell decided to pen a novel. Stepping out completely on faith, he started his own publishing company, Heir To The Throne Publications,rightfully named after his daughter, not giving anyone the chance to accept or reject his work. Dell said, "I believed in myself first and I wanted totally control over my first project." He serves as the Publisher/CEO. His debut novel "Shady" is the first release for the company. Dell resides in Metropolitan Detroit where he is hard at work on his follow-up novel. For more information log on to dellbanks.com

GIVEAWAY

The only requirement for this is you need to connect in some way with Dell Banks.  

Here is where you can find him:

Twitter

Facebook

So either follow him on Twitter or Facebook (or both!) and either Facebook or tweet him to let him know that you stopped by Black Diamond's Book Reviews.  I would also appreciate if you would follow my blog!

Once you follow Dell, please post the link to your tweet or facebook message or let me know where I can find it.  Also, please give me your e-mail address.

At 10:00 p.m., I will check all of the comments and pick 1 winner for a copy of Shady.  I will enter all of the names on a piece of paper and draw from a hat and post the results.

Just in case you missed my post yesterday with my review of Shady, here is the LINK.

Also, please stop by tomorrow for another giveaway and something new about Dell Banks!

 © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond's Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Black Diamond's Book Reviews, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.