Today we’d like to introduce you to Shariece Williams.
Hi Shariece, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born in Vallejo, California, and received a M.A. in Education at a HBCU (college) Norfolk State University, in Norfolk Virginia. I have worked with the youth all over the globe in places such as China, Germany, France, Italy and of course the United States of America. I am a licensed educator. I have an amazing husband and two amazing children, my son Pendarvis ll and daughter Paris. I love and enjoy singing, Dancing, exploring, and traveling around the world with my family.
I started off in a classroom, always passionate about working with the youth and making a positive impact in as many children’s lives as I can by any means necessary, such as coaching sports, music, dancing, cheerleading, gymnastics, mentoring and more. This stemmed from being told and discouraged that I wouldn’t be capable of achieving such big dreams at a young age, which made my drive to accomplishing my dreams through hard work, dedication, determination, never giving up and more importantly having God. I began to do a lot of research on how to make it happen and make a dream reality.
I ventured off in so many different avenues, but I always geared back to my passion, the youth. One dream and goal I have always had was to write a children’s book one day. A children’s book that inspires motivates and encourages children. Letting them know that no matter how hard it gets, I want them never to give up, to work hard and be great at it. A children’s book that could give children a chance to learn different skills right from home, with demonstration pictures and a checklist. Once I had children and a family of my own, I decided to make it happen for them and based the characters in the books off my family.
When I became a self-published author I wanted to find more books like mine, with diverse characters. I ended up finding a diverse children’s book Facebook group and saw soooo many amazing unique diverse children’s books. I was so amazed and said, “Why aren’t these books being seen!” They need to be seen all over the world. God Gave me this vision during the pandemic to shine a light on other diverse Children’s book authors and help them to expand their books all over. I decided to post in that Facebook group to see if any authors would be interested in doing a tour. I ended up receiving 83 interested authors. It gave me the motivation to do it for them and shine a light on what they are doing. It was so amazing to see all of the different books. No book was the same and I would do whatever it is to help expose them to share these empowering children’s books in coast-to-coast cities. I wanted us as self-published authors to work together and network together to help expose our books together all over. As I shared earlier, I am a self-published author myself and figured if we worked together and shared our books we could help positively impact local communities. I decided to put together a coast-to-coast expo and tour. The book expo and Tour provides youth, family and community literacy, book readings and learning engagement activities.
During the expo, the self-published authors engage youth, families, and community members with an opportunity of social interaction, engagement for fitness and health, and an interactive experience with literature that reflects and highlights the diverse communities across the country. From the east coast ending in the west coast, I had a lot of people thinking I was crazy. Only because it was still during the pandemic and NOTHING was lifted. Hahaha, all i heard God saying KEEP GOING. I’ve had so many people tell me to wait until the following year… God placed so many amazing people and authors in my life who believed in my vision and because of them my vision became reality. I thank them so much for believing in my vision and because I kept going. We had eight successful touring cities, 53 authors, and 116 participants in 2021. All I could say after all of this is LORD, I THANK YOU. It was all because of him and he gets the glory for it all. Now We are going again, cutting it in half, touring 4 cities and I am so thankful and excited to impact the local communities.
Get Ready For Our 2022 Coast To Coast Children’s Book Expo and Tour!!
Read Coast To Coast With Us… One State… Many Books At A Time!
FREE EVENT!
Download your tickets on Eventbrite today for one of these states June 18 Philadelphia, June 25 Atlanta, July 2 Houston, and July 16 Las Vegas!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being a self-published author and entrepreneur there were so many challenges, it honestly takes determination to overcome it all. I was trying hard to build the right team and trust the right people to make the goal set a reality. As an entrepreneur, there are always highs and lows and that can be discouraging. I always walk in faith and allow God to lead and behind every challenge, there’s a blessing waiting. My favorite Scripture in Psalms: We have two choices when faced with hardship – trust in God and keep our vision on Him or quit and abandon hope. God has so much more in store for us and His plan for us that struggles and hardship become blessings and rewards if we persevere!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Coast To Coast Children’s Book Expo and Tour?
I have always had a vision and passion to help youth and Families. Making a positive impact in as many families lives as i can in any positive way. This business gave another way to help make a difference through so many dynamic, diverse children’s books across the nation. What sets me apart
I specialize in shining light on self-published children’s book authors from east coast to west coast. Giving authors a chance to showcase and shine a light on their amazing children’s books positively impacting as many youths as we can possible. I would like to tell all my readers to work hard, never give up, stay confident, and be beyond great in everything that they do. I also would like to thank you so much for this great interview and giving me the opportunity to share my story and journey with you all. I hope my story and my books inspire people of all ages to make their dreams become a reality! You can contact us to connect about becoming a self-published children’s book author or being a part of the 2023 children’s book expo and tour.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can email me at Childrensbookexpo2021@gmail.com
Follow us on social media and stay up to date with me and all that is happening @ Shariecewi11iams, @ princessheart_pennydbooks, @Childrensbookexpo.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I am truly honored and thankful for this blessing.
Image Credits
Shariece Williams
