Lighthouse Spotlight
Abraham Lopez born March 11, 1984, in Hoboken, NJ, and raised in both Bronx, NY, and Puerto Rico, Abraham Lopez is an American US Army Veteran enlisted in the US Army from 2005–2016. He was deployed overseas between 2008–2009 during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Endurance Freedom (OEF). He received three army commendation medals and three achievement medals, among others. "An Hero" is his debut novel. He is currently working on his second novel. He is married to Mileny Crews for 15 years and they have three children: Abraham Jr., 12, and Aleny and Alany, both 7.
Cynthia L. Matlock grew up on a farm in Texas. Her debut novel is inspired by her Great-Grandmother, From Africa. To TEXAS. "HOME" She enjoys researching untold and often forgotten stories on African Dance, Customs, and Yoruba Language that Black Americans may have missed. She's a History Preservationist who encourages Survival skills in others. She has published several magazine articles. "Dancing In The White Sand" is her second novel.
Erin R. Joshua is a librarian with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education. She is a self proclaimed “blerd” (black nerd). She was born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and now resides in Dallas, Texas. "Things I Only Say in My Head" is her first book. She enjoys spending time with her family, writing and performing spoken word poetry, reading, volunteering at her church, curating educational resources for children and advocating for underserved students. She plans to continue writing, working with children, and becoming sexual health and wellness educator.
Social story books help children navigate everyday encounters. It gives a voice to children of all backgrounds and abilities while also supporting children with transitioning in different environments, social situations and everyday experiences. Owen
My name is Palmer Smith and I am a current English MA student at UVA and MFA student at Sewanee.
Marsha Talley has been a public education teacher for over a decade and has taught high school for the last six years with a Master's degree in Special Education. She teaches children with varying degrees of abilities and those who need specialized instruction, including autism, dyslexia, and intellectual disabilities. Currently completing her principal certification and maintaining her teaching certificates, her passion is to allow students to learn through a variety of ways that will enable them to tap into their potential.
Joel Livingston is an educator, author, mentor and motivational speaker. Joel began educating our youth while providing support and encouragement to live their best life. He has been educating and mentoring young men and women for the past 18 years. He credits his resiliency, work ethic and his strength as a man to his mother and father; George and Marian Livingston. They provided a strong spiritual foundation for Joel at an early age.The Author graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology.
Barbra Porter-Coleman has spent more than a decade writing fiction. her inspiration started when she began writing about resilience after her mother's fatal car/train collision while still in high school. but it quickly turned into a murder mystery. a native of Oklahoma, she now resides Dallas/Fort Worth.
Cecilia Okugo is a product developer, illustrator and writer from Dallas/ Fort Worth, Tx loves working with children for project inspiration. Lover of the galaxies and a solid education. Much time put in towards design and innovative development ideas for book writing, packaging and illustrations. Friends of women project leaders who inspire repositioning a strong influence in current skills and trade.