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

Alright, Shonda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

My Omnilocks was born after a conversation between my then nine year old daughter, Zya and me. Zya wanted her hair straightened for an event and I told her that due to the humid weather and her high level of activity, it wouldn’t stay straight, therefore it wasn’t worth the effort. Zya had a moment of feeling insecure and defeated because her hair wouldn’t stay straight like most of her friends’ hair. I immediately noticed Zya’s disposition and began telling her why she is so blessed to have hair that has superpowers! Her hair can take so many different forms and that should be celebrated. Zya’s disposition went from a look of defeat to one of sincere pride! I then followed divine guidance and decided to share that same message with little brown girls everywhere! I immediately had the vision of a rhyming board book with a face cut out and changing hairstyles as the pages turn. I woke up in the middle of the night and wrote the whole thing. Although Zya was nine at the time, I knew I wanted the book to be for younger children. I knew that 90 percent of brain development happens between the ages of 0 and five years old and I wanted to positively impact the self esteem of girls long before the world told them how they should look. For many little brown girls, hair days can mean a long and even painful process, but the outcome can be gorgeous! From straight to curly to braids to locs, their locks are a gift that can do all things, thus the name My Omnilocks! I knew this was a strong message that would resonate with little brown girls, parents, teachers and beyond!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

A strategic communicator and veteran journalist of nearly two decades in television news, Shonda Knight’s experience includes behind the anchor desk and as part of senior newsroom management teams.

Named a Distinguished Alum of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical Univeristy in 2011, Knight also served as an adjunct professor at Florida State University for eight years. She has former students now working as anchors, sportscasters, reporters and producers in television markets across the country.

The award-winning journalist currently serves as the Executive Director of Community and Media Relations for the Leon County Sheriff’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida, working to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the community.

Knight is the mother of two beautiful children, Zya and Zekiah. Zya is the inspiration behind Knight’s inaugural publication.

Knight gives much of her time to non profit organizations, working to transform communities. She has a special passion for broadening the perspectives of children with limited scopes of the possibilities for their future. My Omnilocks is a true passion project for Knight. The self-esteem boosting, rhyming, board book targets girls infant through elementary school and now has the unique feature of a photo insert option, so little girls can literally see themselves with every page turn.

Knight initially knew nothing about the book publication process, only that this was part of her purpose. After watching endless YouTube videos of other authors talking about their experiences, she took the leap. Shonda knew that because her book was a board book concept, she would have to self publish. And she did!

After just a few months of hosting affirmation events with her book across north Florida, McDonald’s came knocking! The world-renowned restaurant brand came with an unsolicited offer to sponsor her events throughout the state and beyond. I just one year, with the help of McDonald’s, she has hosted book giveaway and affirmation events in Tallahassee, Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville and beyond, impacting the lives and self esteem of countless girls. This month, Shonda debuted the My Omnilocks guided journal for tweens and teens, now reaching girls of all ages! The journals will make their first official appearance at her event in Atlanta on September 20th.

Shonda is now working on a book for little boys that will debut in late fall.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

In learning that board books are usually self-published, due to the production element, I walked out on faith and self-published my book, including the illustrator fee, website and production costs. Thankfully, I was able to pay the largest fee (production) in two installments. It was a real investment but I knew that this was part of my purpose journey, so success would be inevitable.

How’d you meet your business partner?

The story of my book illustrator is interesting. I knew I wanted an illustrator also relatable to my audience. I learned that one of my staff members at the Leon County Sheriff’s Office did character sketch artwork and I asked her to bring samples of her work for me to look at. After seeing her talent, I challenged her to bring my vision to life, She had never illustrated a book or worked much in the design program- but I purchased the program as an investment into her talent and she delivered big time! I know I’m bias, but I think it’s Disney quality content.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://myomnilocks.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shondaalia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shonda.knight.5/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shonda-knight-203bbb9/