Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrice McLaurin.
Hi Patrice, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Patrice McLaurin. I’m an Amazon Best Selling, Microsoft Acclaimed Children’s Book Author and an Image Activist.
My story begins with a fervent, independent study of Black History while in college. I found so much power in knowledge of self that I became impassioned about sharing it with others. This led to my volunteer efforts at Girls Inc. in Birmingham, AL. There, I developed a Black History Mentorship Program called Afrocentric. I volunteered there for three years. That work gave birth to another passion, a longing to empower children.
Fast forward a few years later, a colleague and I created the framework for a media manipulation workshop that I facilitated across the state. The goal of the workshop was to help black children recognize the covert conditioning of their psyche via the media, and then counteract it with knowledge of self.
I was also a Character Education Coordinator, where I taught character education curriculum in multiple school districts. Not to mention, I would also volunteer at my son’s school, sharing black history facts and reading books to his class weekly.
After the violent deaths of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Michael Brown, and Tamir Rice, my desire to uplift our children amplified. I recognized that my work shouldn’t only be about fostering self-determination in black children. It had to transition into humanizing black existence in the eyes of all children. As such, my first children’s book, Have You Thanked an Inventor Today, was born and my journey as an authorpreneur began. Firmly rooted in Image Activism and the proud offspring of decades of encouraging black children to think higher of themselves.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I suppose that depends on how you look at it. My journey, like most people, requires resilience. One must be capable of weathering disappointments and setbacks and believe me, I’ve had my share. For example, I recall creating different nonprofits that all fell through. I remember shopping my media manipulation program to different schools and community organizations, only to either get turned down or completely ignored. I remember writing my first manuscript nine years ago. It was horrible! I also remember thinking that these setbacks were all a sign that I’d likely never see my dreams fulfilled.
But now I know better. Now I know those disappointments helped to make up the beautifully wrapped cocoon I was emerging from. I had to punch my way through those obstacles to strengthen my wings. I was about to take flight and I had no clue! One thing I know for sure is that when you’re walking in purpose, all things work together for good; and in every let down there is a lesson to be learned and valuable insight to be gained. So I maintain an attitude of gratitude in all things, as triumph often follows the tragedy. There’s beauty in the struggle.
We’ve been impressed with Khemrah Publishing, LLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Gladly! Khemrah Publishing, LLC is a boutique publishing house that specializes in multicultural children’s books. We recognize that parents and educators are looking for high-quality literature about people of color that isn’t always rooted in trauma. They’re hoping to find books that offer an element of counter-storytelling. Our solution to this problem is simple. We provide books that highlight untold stories and showcase positive imagery. In other words, we practice image activism and disrupt racism through picture books.
What sets our company apart from others is that all of our books align with Common Core Standards and can supplement either STEM or Social Emotional Learning curriculum. Our books also come complete with additional resources to include glossaries, brief biographies, even science experiments! We also provide grade level lesson plans to heighten the lessons learned from each book.
We’re most proud of the fact that women of color write and illustrate all of our books!
Through our wholesale discount program, we’ve been able to establish positive working relationships with bookstores, school and public libraries, educational providers such as Follett, community programs, even museums! We look forward to connecting with community book fairs and other distributors of children’s books. Our goal is to reach as many budding scholars as possible, all while supporting school librarians, teachers and parents.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There is no way that I could have managed this journey as successfully and as seamlessly as I did without the support of my husband and business partner, Darren McLaurin. As creative director (one of the many hats that he wears), he’s the vision behind the brand. He’s responsible for my online presence, logo designs and he does all the book layouts. He gave me the nudge I needed to write my first book. His contribution has been invaluable.
Then there’s my family. You know my babies, sisters, mama, daddy, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles. There’s my Bessemer, Birmingham and Alabama A&M family who have always supported me and held me down. And now, I have my new ATL family! I’ve established some phenomenal networks since I’ve been here, and they all advocate for me!
Long story short, I owe my success to the people. Everybody who’s ever purchased a book liked a post, hopped on a live, told someone about my books, posted about my books, shared a video, invited me to speak, prayed for me, sent me high vibrations and good vibes, etc., I give thanks! They all deserve credit!
Pricing:
- Have You Thanked an Inventor Today – $14.95 Paperback $18.95 Hardcover
- Have You Thanked a Kidventor Today – $14.95 Paperback $19.95 Hardcover
- I Am Because I Choose – $13.85 Paperback $17.99 Hardcover
Contact Info:
- Email: pmclaurin@khemrahpublishing.com
- Website: khemrahpublishing.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/khemrahpub
- Facebook: facebook.com/thankaninventor
- Twitter: twitter.com/mclaurinwrites
- Other: patricemclaurin.com, https://www.amazon.com/Patrice-McLaurin/e/B071XTPYSN?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1632363656&sr=8-2
Image Credits
Khemi McLaurin
