We were lucky to catch up with Aisha Rice recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aisha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Diverse Stories in a Bottle LLC was a company name my husband came up with. After my debut book “My Kinky Coily Hair” which focus on a child named Naomi who battles with individuality and acceptance of self. Realizing self-confidence is an ongoing issue in most children’s life. After the book debut in 2014 and company incorporation I started traveling to schools on the East Coast from Connecticut to North Carolina, giving presentations on the importance of acceptance of self and the power of literacy. During this self tour I was able to donated over a thousand books to different schools, with her biggest donation being 500 books to DC’s first all-girls Public Charter school Excel Academy in SE Washington. I was even featured on on News 12 BX after I traveled to do a presentation and book donation at Sacred Heart Elementary in the Bronx. My book is now also featured in the local book store and restaurant chain Bus Boys and Poets and is the top seller in the children’s section.

In 2022, only 10% of Childrens Books featured diverse characters. I felt By teaching children to take pride in their differences, it combats the narrative of bullying. Although the main character Naomi is a girl, I presented the book in a non-gender-specific way reminding us that it isn’t just young girls that are struggling with self-confidence.Allowing kids to flourish and become comfortable with the person staring back at them in the mirror. I also love sharing my passion of literacy and self-acceptance with young scholars. Reminding them of the importance of literacy, self-confidence, gratitude, acceptance, versatility and speaking positive affirmations to yourself every morning.

Diverse Stories in a Bottle, which promotes the importance of literacy and having diverse books for all children. I feels that it is extremely important for children’s confidence and growth to see characters that look like them. I believe in the promotion of literacy. It is Diverse Stories in a Bottle goal to partner with organizations that help promote literacy among the youth. We are excited to start new partnerships with any company/organization on their events that continue to push the literacy platform forward. Fewer than half (48%) of young children in the U.S. are read to daily. The percentage of children read to daily drops even lower (to 36%) among low-income families, whose children face the highest risk of literacy problems, according to a survey ran by Reach Out and Read, Reading Across the Nation: A Chartbook.

Aisha, 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?

Getting into the Childrens book industry wasn’t planned. I am under the believe that everyone has a book in them and after writing my first book I have kept writing for children and adults. I graduated from George Mason University and then continued with my education to obtain my Paralegal Certificate from Georgetown University. With an undergraduate degree in Journalism, I have always enjoyed writing. Coming from a family of three girls and being smack in the middle, hair trials and tribulations were a constant in my household. Diverse Books and Literacy education are a passion. I love to see a child see themselves in books. There is no better wonderment than being able to have confidence from a young age.

I would want potential clients to know that Diverse books reflect the rich tapestry of human experiences, cultures, and identities. When children see characters who look like them, come from similar backgrounds, or face similar challenges, they feel validated and represented. This representation fosters a sense of belonging and self-worth. Diverse books also challenge stereotypes and combat bias by presenting nuanced portrayals of individuals and communities. They help break down harmful stereotypes and encourage critical thinking about social issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and more.

By intentionally choosing diverse books, parents can contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. They support authors and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds and advocate for diverse voices to be heard in the publishing industry. Exposure to diverse literature enhances children’s language development and literacy skills. They encounter a variety of vocabulary, language structures, and storytelling techniques, which enriches their reading comprehension and communication abilities.

In today’s interconnected world, it’s essential for children to develop cultural competence and adaptability. Diverse books prepare them to navigate diverse social environments, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, and thrive in a multicultural society.Overall, buying diverse books is an investment in children’s education, social-emotional development, and ability to engage with the complexities of the world around them. It promotes empathy, understanding, and appreciation for the diversity of human experiences.

I hope readers/parents will follow me on this journey into diverse books

Have you ever had to pivot?

I had to pivot in my carer dealing with my first illustrator. We had a contract and goal layout for the whole project and then 75% of the way through she ghosted me. I was frustrated and to the point of quitting. Even with my paralegal background I went down the route of trying to sue. It took a lawyer sampling asking me what was more important in my life to sue the illustrator or finish my book. I realized at this point If I wanted to get my book out then it needed to become the priority. In business we all face challenges that push us to the point of wanting to give up and to me it is at that point it’s important to continue. What happened after that is me fining a couple new illustrators to help me wrap the project and getting the book published. That one experience showed me exactly what I was made of and the tenacity it would take to move forward as an entrepreneur.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients is word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients or customers can be one of the most effective ways to gain new clients. By encouraging your existing clients to refer others to your business by providing excellent service and offering incentives for referrals. When you give good service clients are likely to refer you and if you grow those relationships they will continue to refer you 10x over.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.diversestoriesinabottle.com
• Instagram: diversestoriesinabottlellc
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/aisha.williams.3367

Image Credits
Credit: Tatiana Williams