We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Belinda Mays a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Belinda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission as an author is to promote literacy and positive Black family images.

I often call myself an accidental author because my original goal was to become a speaker not an author. In fact, speaking is what led me to publish my first book.

I participated in a Toasmasters tall tale contest with a speech called My Amazing Dad and won all the way up to the District level. A co-worker suggested that I turn the speech into a book. Initially, I shrugged off the idea. But after my father passed away the next year, I decided to publish “My Amazing Dad” as a children’s book in honor of my father, Berkins Booker Jr.

Through my father’s death, I found my purpose. I love sharing the funny exaggerated tale with adults and kids alike. Years later it is still an audience favorite.

In addition, to promoting literacy, I decided to expand my mission to include promoting positive Black family images. I noticed there was a lack of books with characters of color that represented my children and my family.

Today, I have six children’s books and they are all inspired by my family. I will continue to encourage kids to not only read, but also write their own stories. In fact, I am working with my two daughters on my next realese. Storytelling is AMAZING and I am excited to make it a family affair.

Belinda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Author, Speaker, and Woman in Tech. My first book “My Amazing Dad” started off as a speech in a tall tales contest. That first book helped me discover my mission of promoting literacy and positive Black family images.

Today I am most proud of receiving the Christian Indie Book Award and the Purple Dragonfly Award for I Am, God’s Affirmations For Little Girls and I Am, God’s Affirmations For Little Boys respectively.

In addition to the books, I am aslo a professional speaker. I can facilitate writing workshops, deliver keynotes, and conference presentations on subjects from leadership to health and wealth.

I am most proud of facilitating a workshop with the State of Texas Women’s Health initiative about the correlation of wealth and health.

I was recently accepted into my company’s Advanced Technical Leadership (ATLP) program and I am excited about expanding my network and skill set.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an Author is hearing from readers who connected with the story or book concept.

For example, I have several books that honor fathers and many dads appreciate having stories that focus on their connection with their children. They enjoy having the father-daughter and or father-son relationship prominently highlighted.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I got ready to publish my third book, I had a fellow author peer review it. She knows that I typically self publish but suggested I go through a traditional Christian publishing house because the book had potential.

I sent out over 25 queries but no one picked up the book. They said they liked the concept but didn’t see a way to market it or it just wasn’t what they were looking for. But I believed in the book and so I decided to self-publish it anyway.

During the self-publishing process things went South. I lost my editor and my illustrator. After weeks of throwing myself a pity party, I hired a new editor and illustrator. They said the hardest mountains come before the best view and I am so glad I stuck to the project.

I published my third book, I Am, God’s Affirmations For Little Girls in 2018. The book is an international seller and both won a Christian Indie Award and Book Excellence Award.

Contact Info:

• Website: belindamays.com
• Instagram: @belindanechelle
• Facebook: @belindanechelle
• Twitter: @belindanechelle