Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Latoya Turner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Latoya, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Brown Hands is committed to empowering children to travel the world and learn about HBCUs through children’s books featuring African American characters. We celebrate diversity and encourage kids to build a love for literacy. We teach Black and Brown children that with their little Brown Hands, they can impact the world in positive ways. 

I am the author of 2 children’s books titled Brown Hands, White Sand and Brown Hands, Black Schools: HBCUS. In 2009, I graduated from Central State University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I was a classroom teacher for 13 years teaching grade K-3. While I was teaching I noticed the lack of Black Children’s books and I also developed a love for literacy. I was amazing at delivering literacy instruction in a fun, engaging and effective way. In 2020, I earned my masters degree in Reading and Literacy. I was teaching 1st grade while getting my masters and that took a lot of discipline. 

In 2020, I started my business Brown Hands with my 1st children’s book Brown Hands, White Sand. This book teaches children about the importance of traveling. I just wanted to be an author. I had no idea about the business part of it but I had to learn quickly. I self published my children’s book blind sided about the ins and outs of the work. I knew nothing about this process which was frustrating. However, I did it. 

In 2021, I published my 2nd children’s book Brown Hands, Black Schools: HBCUs. This book teaches kids about HBCUs at an early age. I honestly had a great feeling about the success of this book and I was right! I did not learn about HBCUs until I was almost in high school. I wanted to change that for children. I did not only want to publish a children’s book about this topic but I wanted to create HBCU Literacy events for families and communities and I have done and am doing just that.

Latoya, 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?

My name is Latoya Turner. I go by Toya. I am an educator by heart. As of now, I am coaching African American men between the ages of 18-23 years of age to provide literacy instruction in pre- school classrooms in Cincinnati Public Schools. I am a Leading Men Fellowship Coach for The Literacy Lab and the program is amazing! 

I also educate kids about HBCUs at an early age and about experiences and positive effects of traveling . I do this by writing books about these topics and hosting events where the books are brought to life. Recently, I received a grant from United Way in Cincinnati ( Black Empowerment Works). With this grant I will host community-wide 

literacy events in African American communities to educate kids at an early age about historically black colleges and universities, using Black children’s books, members of the Divine Nine, local authors, fun-filled HBCU activities and hands-on literacy interventions. 

For me it is more than just being a successful author. The question I ask myself often is, “How will I plant memorable seeds for children while exposing them to the world?”

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As I stated before, I just wanted to be an author. I was new to the business side of it. I remember my first goal was to sell 100 books. At that time I did not know that was such a small goal. Since I have published my 1st children’s book in 2020, I have sold thousands of copies of my books. I have been featured on the local news 3 times sharing my story and business and have tons of people who supports me. 

I receive support from friends, families, businesses, schools, churches, organizations, nonprofits and so much more. I am most proud that I took an idea and never gave up on it. The idea that I once had is now a successful business. I am also so thankful for Black

Empowerment Works for investing in my business. The exciting part about all of this is that we are just getting started.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

The power of social media and building a rapport with your audience is so important. Creating content on social media can take a lot of work and be time consuming. I create literacy content around my children’s books and connect with new people weekly. Through social media I have received so many new customers and supporters. I have also built a positive reputation in my community because of the work that I am doing. There are not a lot of people who are educating our youth about HBCU, I just happen to be one of them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brownhandsllc.com
• Instagram: @brownhandsllc
• Facebook: Brown Hands LLC
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-turner-a94957201
• Twitter: @brownhandsllc

Image Credits
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