Today we’d like to introduce you to Adrienne Barr.
Hi Adrienne, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
As a product of an era where mental health was an extremely taboo topic, especially in the POC community, I wanted to create a children’s book to destigmatize mental health conversations with a simple grounding exercise. Children have big feelings and grow to adulthood with bigger feelings. Learning to have the open conversations with our trusted people while being geared with the tools to self-soothe is very important. Additionally, having the language to identify certain feelings in said safe space enables us to learn more about ourselves and become more emotionally advanced. I didn’t realize until I was an adult that I have always struggled with anxiety. Therapy has transformed my habit of bottling emotions to being able to express them once I’m ready.
The characters in my first book, “Dancing with Butterflies: Discovering Mindfulness,” are all intentionally people of color. Each character has a different hairstyle to highlight the diverse ways we can show up and to create more inclusive spaces far beyond simple acceptance of skin color but recognizing our coils are coincide with our identity. Growing up, I do not recall seeing diverse characters in my children’s books; if there were, they may be found in the background. I was stunned to learn that according to the School Library Journal in 2018, only 10% of books depict African American characters. This is third in comparison to White characters (50%) and Animals/others (27%).
At several points during and after the pandemic, I kept an eye on the literacy rates for children of color. These statistics ignited the desire to publish more books while supporting fellow authors of color, especially Indie Authors. The ability to read is a necessary skill to even complete a form for services. People have died to attain this skill. And literacy rates have been proven to be one of the pillars that aid in the cradle-to-prison pipeline. I became a more engaged reader after being exposed to Zora Neale Hurston. Her representation allowed me to know that I was included in the story and a main character. If we can see ourselves, then we become more engaged while learning about others in our shared world. Children and their literature are no different. This is the key reason to introduce children to diverse books.
“Dancing with Butterflies: Discovering Mindfulness Through Breathing” became an International Best-Seller on Amazon and is listed as a Teacher’s Pick.
In 2022, I self-published” My Uncle The Super Hero: An Uncle Celebration” as a way for readers to consider who their superheroes are and to initiate a conversation about what/who a good positive male role model is. I was raised by a single mother. She did a stellar job. I was fortunate to have uncles in my life who served as a positive male role model. I also had to recognize where other community members were constant reminders that there are good and safe male role models all around us. My hope is that shining a light on positivity and reminding people there are still good people on planet Earth will encourage us all to see more good as well as articulate what that looks like. Although this book didn’t reach best-seller status, it has reached as far as Australia.
I may not be at the point of being represented by a traditional publisher, but I remind myself the stories reaching those who need is most. This is more than I can even ask. Our stories are meant to be shared. They don’t actually belong to us. They come from a higher power and will deliver our stories to the right people at the right time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I have learned a ton of skills from the Indie Author Community, taken several workshops to understand different ways of marketing, etc. I am a solopreneur who is also a single mother working full-time as an HR professional. Learning to balance all the schedules, to use technology to help support when I can’t stretch any further, sourcing spots I can get my books more exposure OR to simply allow myself space to rest has been very challenging. I come from the school of doing too much and always exploring my curiosities to an exhaustive point. Allowing myself the guilt-free grace to rest while reminding myself that I don’t have to be good at everything or learn to do everything or even do everything has been the biggest lesson learned. I am grateful for the lesson.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been a Human Resource professional for nearly 2 decades. I have done everything from payroll to benefits and am now working in the talent development space. I am very much a Jill of all trades master of some. My HR career started in retail. This experience helped me transform from a complete introvert to an ambivert while recognizing that everyone’s experience with HR is important. Everyone is HR’s customer. Being a voice to advocate for employees and supporting the business in continuous improvement endeavors has made this profession incredibly fulfilling.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I am military kid. My parents met while serving, got married, and then had me! We lived in Germany for the first 3 years of my life. They may be responsible for my love of travel.
Contact Info:
- Website: AuthorAdrienneBarr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreanie_nicole
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAdrienneBarr
Image Credits
Morgan Blackwell
JBella Photography
Destiny Dalton
Kemet Sisters
