What My Father And My Blackness Taught Me About Respecting The Police

In third grade my father spoke to my class for career day. He walked into the classroom proudly donning his Virginia State Policeman uniform. The entire class was in awe, especially when they saw the gun in his holster. Nearly every question the class asked my father centered on whether or not he had shot anyone. After my father left, the entire class wrote letters thanking him for coming to speak. I was the cool kid for the week thanks to my dad, the police officer.

My father, who is also an ordained minister, worked in law enforcement my entire life. My aunt would jokingly say he carried a gun in one hand and a bible in the other. I grew up respecting him and other police officers in my community. My father taught me how to engage officers when I was pulled over. I realize now his lessons weren’t just about respect, but survival.

My father

Around the time DARE stopped coming to the school, I noticed police officers started treating me and my friends differently. I liked cops as a kid but as I grew older, it felt like they stopped liking me. It was like waking up from a good dream to a nasty reality, the reality of being a Black male in America.

My relationship with my father became strained. As a teenager I started seeing law enforcement through a different lens. Sure, my dad, his friend Ray, my cousin Button, were all great cops but what about the rest of them. What about the one who threatened to arrest me for loitering because I was walking through Walmart or the one who accused me of being in a gang because of the way I gestured to a friend. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani fired a shot at Black parents in the wake of the Dallas shootings. “You’ve got to teach your children to be respectful to the police,” said the former mayor. Mr. Giuliani, why should we keep teaching our children to respect the police when the police don’t respect our children?

More than 1,500 people attended the service for Philando Castile (AARON LAVINSKY / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE)

I cried while I listened to the scanner audio from the Philando Castile police shooting. Philando wasn’t pulled over because of a broken tail light, he was pulled over because the police officer racially profiled him. I was involved in a similar situation a few years ago. I was stopped in front of my apartment at 4 AM by a police officer without probable cause. When asked why I was pulled over his only response was there had been robberies in the area. I wanted to bring up the fact the stop violated my constitutional rights but I was afraid. I was a black male, alone in the middle of a hillbilly town at 4 AM. This officer could have shot and killed me in “self-defense” and got away with it. I gave the officer my license and sat furiously in front of my apartment until he returned twenty minutes later. I felt humiliated. I felt powerless. I felt like a second class citizen in my own country. My friends said I should have filed a police report and my answer was why? If a police officer can kill an unarmed man on camera and get away with it, what do you think would happen to the officer who racially profiled me? Nothing.

All I know is that I’m tired. I am tired of being targeted by police officers because of my hair, nose and complexion. I am tired of feeling like I’m about to have an anxiety attack every time I see a police car in my rear view mirror. I am tired of feeling like a suspect when I did nothing wrong. I am tired of having to be overtly nice to cops because anything deemed threatening will get me killed. I am tired of having my car searched without probable cause. I am tired of the media victimizing victims of police-involved shootings by making inferences that their criminal record somehow contributed to their death. I am tired of hearing people say they shouldn’t have resisted as if resisting arrest is grounds for being killed. I am tired of the good officers being silent while bad officers commit atrocities. I am tired of people screaming Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter without affirming the value of Black Lives. I am tired of individuals killing police officers and the media attributing it to Black Lives Matter. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!

My father and I

My father is a police officer and I respect police officer’s authority, however, I do not respect police officers who abuse their authority and explicitly discriminate against minorities. ‘Broken Window’ policing, Stop-and-Frisk, and armored personnel carriers are tools of an occupying force- those types of tactics command fear, not respect. It’s unfair to ask communities of color to respect police officers when police officers aren’t respecting their constitutional and human rights. Every American should have the privilege of feeling safe and protected when they are in the presence of police officers.

My heart goes out to the police officers who were killed in Dallas and Baton Rouge and their families. I condemn the attacks against the police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge while also condemning the officers who unjustly attacked Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Instead of just teaching our Black boys how not to get killed by police, we need to have a real conversation about how law enforcement agencies treatment of Blacks, Native Americans and Latinos contribute to feelings of marginalization and disenfranchisement. We need to find solutions that fully address racial injustice in the criminal justice system or we risk further division and violence.

“Please don’t let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better. I’m working in these streets so any protesters, officers, friends, family, or whoever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer I got you” #MontrellJackson #RestInPower #BatonRouge

We Need Diverse Books: African-American Social Worker Answers The Call

 

In less than twelve months, Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW has authored and self-published two children’s books. Sidney partnered with Imagine That! Design to help him illustrate Nelson Beats the Odds and Tameka’s New Dress. Nelson Beats the Odds, the author’s first book, is a semiautobiographical graphic novel about an African-American boy who struggles with the stigma of being placed in special education. The book is based on Sidney’s personal experience in special education.

“In 3rd grade I was referred to special education. My parents were told that I was too hyper and needed to be placed on medication,” says Sidney. The stigmatization of special education created a lack of interest in school for the author. Nevertheless, Sidney graduated from Essex High School in 2001, but with a 1.8 GPA. Sidney went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University and his Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

“Nothing was given, everything was earned through hard work,” explains Sidney, “After earning my MSW I wrote Nelson Beats the Odds to inspire special education students to overcome their challenges.”

Nelson Beats The Odds is currently #1 on the Amazon Best Seller Paid in Kindle Store list for books about learning disabilities. This past May, Sidney was featured on Fox and Friends Weekend and NBC 12 News. Sidney has been sharing his message across the state of Virginia, speaking at events hosted by the Virginia Department of Education, Virginia Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, National Foster Parent Association,  Richmond Public Library and National Association for Black Social Workers.

Sidney’s second book, Tameka’s New Dress, features a familiar character from his previous book. Tameka is one of Nelson’s best friends, however, unlike Nelson, she is a well-behaved straight A student. Tameka’s poor grades and behavior at her old school alerted her principal that something was going on at home. Child protective services intervenes after Tameka discloses that she was abused and neglected by her parents. Tameka is removed from her parents’ home and placed with her grandmother.

Here is what Sidney has to say about Tameka’s New Dress:

For me, it was important to tell the story of Tameka’s dress. It’s her cloak, an impenetrable force field that shields her from negativity. The dress gives Tameka the ability to love unconditionally without the fear of being hurt. Tameka’s New Dress celebrates the diversity of Black females and visually empowers Black girls.

The book teaches young people alternative ways to deal with conflict. Tameka uses writing as a way to cope with adverse childhood experiences. Through her new dress, Tameka learns how to deal with conflict assertively instead of aggressively. In the book Sidney also confronts colorism.

“In Nelson Beats the Odds, I introduce readers to the concept of ‘acting white’ because it adversely effects Black students academic achievement”, says Sidney, “In Tameka’s New Dress I introduce readers to the concept of colorism because it adversely effects Black student’s self-esteem”. In Tameka’s New Dress, Mesha the school bully, teases and taunts Tameka because of her skin complexion.

Sidney believes his book series can step in and fill a huge gap in literature. “I think it’s extremely important for children of color to have their truth reflected honestly in children’s books. Nelson Beats the Odds and Tameka’s New Dress features characters who overcome challenges such as learning disabilities, ADHD, trauma and bullying,” says Sidney.

Ellen Oh and Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW

There is a growing movement in America and abroad to promote diverse literature. We Need Diverse Books™ launched an international campaign to address this issue.  The grassroots organization’s mission is to put more books featuring diverse characters into the hands of all children. By advocating for essential changes in the publishing industry, the group hopes more books will be produced and promoted that “reflects and honors the lives of all young people.”

Since 1985 the Cooperative Children’s Book Center documented the numbers of books they received that were written and/or illustrated by African Americans. In 2015 they received 3,400 books, only 106 were written and/or illustrated by African-Americans while 269 were written about them.

Outside of writing and publishing books, Sidney released the Nelson Beats The Odds Comic Creator app for iOS mobile devices. The companion app allows users to customize photos and share them with friends on social media. Sidney also started #iBeatTheOdds, a popular Facebook social media campaign that gives individuals a platform to share stories about how they beat the odds.  The campaign also awarded scholarships to four high school seniors. For inquiries email us at ronnie@creative-medicine.com or visit http://www.creative-medicine.com.

In Wake of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling Police Shootings, Best-Selling Author Readies Third Book

To donate to Kickstarter Campaign R.I.P. RaShawn click here.

The nation’s latest victims of police-involved shootings were 37-year-old Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 32-year-old Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Castile, a beloved public school employee, was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop on Wednesday, July 7, 2016. Sterling, a father of five, was tackled to the ground before being shot and killed by officers a day earlier. Both incidents were captured on cell phone cameras and uploaded on social media.

Author-therapist Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW recalls feeling numb after watching the two videos. “I feel so numb thinking about the pain and anguish their families are experiencing right now,” says Sidney, “The pain pushes me to keep publishing children’s books that raise awareness about social justice issues.”

Sidney is the author Tameka’s New Dress and Amazon best-seller Nelson Beats Odds. The transcript for his upcoming book, R.I.P. RaShawn, has been sitting on his laptop since January. R.I.P. RaShawn is tragic story about the extra-judicial killing of a Black teenager. Sidney believes the book is more relevant now than ever.

“The international response to the recent rash of police officer-involved shootings on social media has been overwhelming. People are standing in solidarity all over the country in protest to the extrajudicial killings of Black men in America,” says Sidney.

Celebrities Chris Brown, Beyonce and Jessie Williams publicly responded to the tragic deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling . President Obama said the fatal police shootings were “symptomatic of a broader set of racial disparities that exist in our criminal justice system.”

Sidney is well aware of the racial disparities that exist in the criminal justice system. In 2013, Sidney presented “Liberty and Justice for All? Examining the Untold Trayvon Martin Stories” at Virginia Commonwealth University. The presentation examined nearly a dozen African-American and Hispanic teenagers who died at the hands of vigilantes or police officers. Sidney wasn’t inspired to write R.I.P. RaShawn until the aftermath of Tamir Rice’s death. “I love children, to see one gunned down like that by police officers made me sick to my stomach. I wrote a story that illustrated the emotional pain families experience when their children are killed ” says Sidney.

R.I.P. RaShawn takes place in a fictional city called Bland- the city is named after the late Sandra Bland. A group of local boys who call themselves “Trill Squad” pick a fight with the book’s main character Jeremy. Jeremy is outnumbered and loses the fight. While Jeremy’s mother Mary is grocery shopping, Jeremy steals an airsoft gun. Jeremy carelessly shows off the weapon to Nelson and a shopkeeper calls the police. Meanwhile, Jeremy’s brother is sent to the park to pick up Jeremy and Nelson. RaShawn notices Jeremy has a toy gun and takes it from him. Two police officers pull up aggressively on the curb and things go from bad to worst…

Nelson and Jeremy

Sidney is an Outpatient Therapist and many of the characters in his book series struggle with a mental health disorders or learning disabilities. R.I.P. RaShawn explores PTSD, anger and grief because they are common reactions to traumatic experiences.

“This book will give teenagers a platform to process officer-involved shootings. It’s very important that we help our kids process these experiences because they can be traumatic,” explains Sidney.

A Kickstarter campaign  was recently launched by Sidney to finance  R.I.P. RaShawn. Kickstarter is a crowdfunding website that helps individuals fund creative projects. Sidney’s project goal for R.I.P. RaShawn is only $3,500 and the money will be used to cover illustrations, publishing and promotional costs. In exchange for pledging to the project, backers can gain access to rewards ranging from an autographed paperback copy of R.I.P. RaShawn to an appearance by the author at your community organization, school or corporate event.

Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW and Youth from the Westmoreland Children and Youth Association

Quotes from young African American and Hispanic teens will be littered throughout R.I.P. RaShawn. One of those quotes will be from a 14-year-old high school student from Portsmouth, VA named Lawrence. Below is an excerpt from an essay Lawrence wrote after reading the book’s transcript:

It’s a cold world. Where is the love and peace? It seems like life is on repeat. Dude had a toy gun and they still shot him. It seems like what Dr. King fought for doesn’t even matter, they still want to see our blood splattered. It seems like if we talk, we get a bullet. It makes me think about what to do in life. Do I need to carry a gun?

About: Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW is an author (Nelson Beats The Odds,Tameka’s New Dress), publisher, therapist, app developer (Nelson Beats The Odds Comic Creator), philanthropist and literary activist. Ronnie partnered with his illustrators Imagine That! Design to publish Nelson Beats the Odds and Tameka’s New Dress. For inquiries email us at ronnie@creative-medicine.com or visit http://www.creative-medicine.com.

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK EXPLORES GRANDFAMILIES AND COLORISM

Purchase a copy of Tameka’s New Dress by clicking here.

A 2012 United States Census Bureau survey found that 10 percent of all children in the United States lived with a grandparent. Of children living with their grandparent, aged 18 years and younger, an estimated 2.7 million grandparents were the primary caregivers for the children (Ellis & Simmons, 2014).Compared to other ethnic groups, African-American children are more often raised primarily by a grandparent. These children are also almost twice as likely to live below the poverty line compared to children whose grandparents are not primary caregivers (Livingston, 2013).

Families headed by grandparents  who share their homes with their grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and/or other related children are commonly referred to as “grandfamilies”. In Tameka’s New Dress, Tameka and her two younger brothers move in with their grandmother after their mother is sent to a drug rehabilitation facility and their stepfather is sent to jail.

Tameka’s New Dress features the author’s sister, Cherlanda Sidney-Ross, who’s a social worker and Family Services Supervisor for the King William Department of Social Services. Mrs. Ross is contacted by Tameka’s guidance counselor and asked to investigate allegations of abuse and neglect. She rescues Tameka and her new brother from their chaotic home environment and places them in the care of their grandmother. She encourages Tameka to tell her story through writing.

“My sister has always been a role model of mine. I credit her with inspiring me to enroll in Virginia Commonwealth University’s MSW program and pursue my degree in Social Work,” said Sidney. He wanted to honor his sister and the thousands of other child welfare workers advocating for children everyday.

It actually probably saved my life. It is the reason why I am where I am today because my grandmother gave me the foundation for success that I was allowed to continue to build upon. My grandmother taught me to read, and that opened the door to all kinds of possibilities for me.

~ Oprah

Sidney, an Outpatient Therapist at the Middle Peninsula Northern Neck Community Services Board, believes grandfamilies are on the rise. “I’m seeing more and more grandparents raising their grandchildren,” says Sidney, “When grandfamilies read Tameka’s New Dress they will find characters and experiences they can relate to.”

“Mr. Sidney brings up the subjects of domestic abuse, drug use, relocation and bullying with a gentle touch suitable for even the youngest children. Tameka’s New Dress shines a light on these tough things and lays them out on the table to talk about,” says Essex Public Library Director Bess Haile.

I got teased my entire school life. What they were picking on I don’t even understand. It was my skin color [which was lighter than her classmates’]. Then when I got older, it was about my breasts. But I’m not victimized—I’m grateful. I think those experiences were strategically put together by God for the preparation of being in the music industry.

~ Rihanna

Throughout the book Tameka faces a variety of challenges- her most difficult challenge is standing up the school bully Mesha. The conflict between Tameka and Mesha introduces readers to the troubling concept of colorism. “Tameka’s New Dress resonated with me and I know it will for many others. Like Tameka, I have been persecuted for being a fair-complexioned, Black girl with ‘good hair’,” noted Rebecca Knight, “These stereotypes are but other means of dividing Black women.”

Tameka is a strong girl with a grandmother who loves and supports her. She uses creative ways to overcome past traumas and new ways to confront bullies without becoming a bully herself. A completely unexpected ending sets the stage for further adventures between Tameka and Mesha.

Tameka and her Grandmother

Tameka’s New Dress, the second installment of the Nelson Beats the Odds series is being released today. The graphic novel is illustrated by Imagine That! Design and published by Creative Medicine: Healing Through Words, LLC. Please visit our website for more information about Tameka’s New Dress. For inquires please contact Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW at ronnie@creative-medicine.com.

Children’s Book Offers Hope to Family Coping with Son’s Learning Disability

Click here to order a copy of  Nelson Beats the Odds

Eight-year-old Jayden Nasir Warren is a second grader at Woodmere Elementary School in Eatontown, New Jersey. He loves to dance, sing and play his Xbox One. One of Jayden’s dreams is to play in the NBA like his role model Stephen Curry. Jayden’s parents, LaDena Rawlings and Jeremiah Warren, describe him as a “very compassionate soul.” On Sundays Jayden loves to attend the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center in Freehold, New Jersey where he helps the women’s choir on and off stage and sets up water glasses for the ministerial staff.

In December I received a message from Jayden’s mother via Facebook. I learned that Jayden and I share a similar story. The message read:

I just want to simply say thank you for being you! I’m currently going through the process of having my 7 year old son who is in the 2nd grade tested for a learning disability. I am struggling with the fears of him being labeled, secluded from his classmates & him just being another statistic. I’ve seen him struggle with homework, classwork & especially math/word problems for the past year. I’ve tried what I thought was my best to help him on my own but something is still not clicking. I’m slowly finding myself sinking into depression worried about my baby boy passing the 2nd grade until I read your biography. I have yet to explain to my son that something could be wrong because I’m still not 100% sure of his disability but your book will most definitely help him cope with the situation & understand that he is not alone. I wish I had the money now to purchase it from Amazon but due to my unemployment status I will try my best next week. God bless you & thank you again. Your testimony has truly given me the strength & courage to fight until the battle is won for my son.

In third grade I was referred to a special education program and Ms. Rawlings message deeply resonated with me. The feelings of stigmatization, resentment and disinterest in school inspired me to author and publish Nelson Beats The Odds. I immediately sent the family a free autographed copy of my book. After the family read the book, Ms. Rawlings thanked me and reported that she “cried tears of joy” when Jayden said he wanted to be like the book’s main character, Nelson, when he grew up. Ms. Rawlings admitted that her fiancé was also apprehensive about getting Jayden tested. Mr. Warren began to open up to the idea after several meetings and conferences with Jayden’s teachers. Nelson Beats the Odds also played a factor in the family’s decision to get their son tested for a learning disability. “We decided to proceed with the testing after reading your book. It really encouraged both of us”, said Ms. Rawlings.

Jayden’s test results indicated that he had a condition called Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). According to the SPD Foundation, “SPD is a condition that exists when sensory signals don’t get organized into appropriate responses”. One study found that at least 1 in 20 children are affected by SPD. Neuroscientist Dr. A. Jean Ayres likened the condition to a neurological “traffic jam” because certain parts of the brain are prevented from receiving the information required to interpret sensory information correctly. Mrs. Rawlings says, “We are now working on repeating information to him 3-4 times in different ways in order for it to “click” into his mind.” She says Jayden has a teacher’s aide that sits with him during class and assists him with instruction.

I’d like to thank Jayden and his parents for allowing me to share their story. Nelson Beats The Odds may have inspired you, but your story continuously inspires me. Your testimony has renewed my commitment to put Nelson Beats The Odds in the hands of as many struggling learners as I can. Jayden, I wish you well on your April 24, 2016 baptism at the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center.

For more inspirational stories visit our #iBeatTheOdds Facebook group page. Also please visit our website to purchase a copy of Nelson Beats The Odds and download our free app, mixtape and teacher’s guide.

Nelson Beats The Odds Illustrates Our Failure To Educate Black Boys

 

Purchase a copy of Nelson Beats The Odds by clicking here.

Nelson Beats The Odds is a semiautobiographical graphic novel about an African-American boy who struggles with the stigma of being placed in special education. The book is written and self-published by Ronnie Sidney, II, MSW and illustrated by Traci Van Wagoner.  Sidney struggled academically and behaviorally as juvenile, spending five years in special education after being diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Specific Learning Disability (SLD). Sidney shares his childhood experience in Nelson Beats The Odds to bring attention to the plight of students with disabilities.

Sidney’s story is not unique, in fact, millions of African-American boys and men across the country share a similar experience. Countering the Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys, Vol. 1 by  Jawanza Kunjufu and Psycho-Academic Holocaust: The Special Education & ADHD Wars Against Black Boys by Dr. Umar Johnson examine ADHD and disproportionality. Since publishing Nelson Beats The Odds, former special education students have reached out to Sidney to share their experiences. “On a daily basis people come up to me and tell me how much my book resonates with them. Being a black male with a learning disability makes you feel like a double minority,” explains Sidney, “there were no books available like Nelson Beats The Odds when I was a kid so I felt the need to create one.”

Sidney believes Nelson Beats The Odds can step in and fill a huge gap in literature. “I think it’s extremely important for children of color to have their truth reflected honestly in children’s books. My book series features five resilient African-American and Hispanic youth who overcome challenges such as learning disabilities, trauma, parental substance abuse and bullying,” says Sidney.

Since 1985 the Cooperative Children’s Book Center documented the numbers of books they received that were written and/or illustrated by African Americans. In 2015 they received 3,400 books, only 106 were written and/or illustrated by African-Americans while 269 were written about them.

There is a growing movement in America and abroad to promote diverse literature that reflects the experiences of everyone. We Need Diverse Books™ launched an international campaign to address this issue.  The grassroots organization’s mission is to put more books featuring diverse characters into the hands of all children. By advocating for essential changes in the publishing industry, the group hopes more books will be produced and promoted that, “reflects and honors the lives of all young people.”

It is essential that African-American males see positive images of themselves reflected because the achievement gap between them and their white counterparts is staggering. According to a report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation there is a correlation between early childhood literacy and dropout rates. Below are some highlights from the report:

– On average, African American twelfth-grade students read at the same level as white eighth-grade students.

– The twelfth-grade reading scores of African American males were significantly lower than those for men and women across every other racial and ethnic group.

– Only 14% of African American eighth graders score at or above the proficient level. These results reveal that millions of young people cannot understand or evaluate text, provide relevant details, or support inferences about the written documents they read.

School psychologist, Dr. Kinette Richards talks about the risk factors African Americans in poverty face and how it may cause ADHD. African Americans generally have high rates of blood pressure, diabetes, pre-natural exposure to smoking and premature birth. Studies have found a correlation between those conditions and ADHD. Dr. Richard’s assessment of ADHD includes asking questions about hearing, vision, life changes and sleeping patterns. She said that any disruption in any of those areas can cause a client to be misdiagnosed.

Dr. Richards mentioned a Kaiser Permanente study that examined the health records of 850,000 kids. The study found that ADHD diagnoses were on the rise. The study found that there was a 70% increase in newly diagnosed African Americans with ADHD. The study found that boys were 3 times as likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls, however, during the nine year period there was a 90% increase for newly diagnosed African American females. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ADHD is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood. Between 4 percent and 12 percent of school-aged children reportedly have the disorder. Researchers found that children with ADHD are more likely to miss school, experience learning problems and experience troublesome relationships with family members and peers.

Virginia’s largest children law program, JustChildren Program, published a report on May 1, 2016 entitled “Suspended Progress”. The report found that Virginia schools disproportionately suspend African-American students and students with disabilities. African-American students make up roughly 23 percent of the student population, but were subjected to 60 percent of long-term suspensions, 58 percent of short-term suspensions, and 55 percent of expulsions. African-American students were 3.6 times more likely than their white counterparts to be suspended.

Students with disabilities represent 12.3% of the student population in Virginia, but received 22% percent of long-term suspensions, 27.6 percent of short-term suspensions, and 21% of expulsions. Students with disabilities were 2.4 times more likely than students without disabilities to be suspended. According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Black and Hispanic students with disabilities face much higher rates of school disciplinary actions, drop-out rates and experience lower rates of graduation.

According to researchers, poor training and racial bias have contributed to children of color being assigned to “slow-moving special-education classes.” Virginia Commonwealth University researcher  Donald Oswald and others found that special education only contributed to unequal opportunities for minority students who are already inadequately served,  misclassified and segregated.  Studies have shown that students with learning disabilities face lower teacher expectations; carry around stigmatizing labels; develop lower self-esteem; and experience poorer academic outcomes than students without learning disabilities.

The Civil Rights Project’s papers concluded that black children were 3 times more likely than whites to be labeled as Mentally Retarded (MR) and outnumbered all other students labeled Emotionally Disabled (ED). They are also one and a half times likely to be diagnosed as Learning Disabled (LD) and twice as likely as whites to be labeled as ED.

Although African-Americans are overrepresented in Special Education, they are underrepresented in gifted and advanced programs. The U.S. Department of Education 2011-12 “State and National Estimations” report found that Hispanic and Black students make up 40 percent of public school students but only 26 percent of students enrolled in gifted programs.

Public education has become a gateway for youth to be placed in juvenile justice facilities due to “zero tolerance” discipline policies. This trend has been described by many as the “School-To-Prison Pipeline“. Many students are being referred to the school security officers instead of the having their issues addressed by counselors. While African-American students represented 16% of student enrollment, they represented  31% of students subjected to a school-related arrests and 27% of students referred to law enforcement, according to a 2014 report by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

A new report by The 74 found that many of America’s biggest school districts have more security officers than counselors. School counselors are outnumbered by security officers in four out of the 10 largest public school districts in the country according to the report.

Social Justice organizations like The Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC) are calling for school’s across the country to end discriminatory discipline policies that fuel the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Last August, several members of the DSC launched the Virginia “Pushout Tour” to highlight racial discipline disparities in Henrico and Chesterfield County. Although black students only made up about 37 percent of Henrico’s student body, they compromised nearly 70% of students receiving out-of-school suspensions. The organization also called for local lawmakers to address the state’s discriminatory discipline policies and the governor’s office responded.

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced his Classrooms not Courtrooms initiative on November 13, 2015. The initiative’s goal is to reduce and address the following:

– Reduce student referrals to law enforcement.

– Reduce suspensions and expulsions.

– Address the disparate impact these practices have on African-Americans and students with disabilities.

– Address the emphasis on subjective offenses like disorderly conduct.

Governor McAuliffe is calling on school superintendents, school board members and school leaders to push to make reducing the number their highest priority.

Despite the statistics and stigma, our boys and girls can beat the odds. Like Nelson, our youth need supportive parents and teachers who encourage them to reach their potential. Nelson Beats The Odds reflects the African-American male educational experience like no other book you’ve ever read. Purchase a copy of Nelson Beats The Odds by clicking here.  For information about the Nelson Beats The Odds Comic Creator, Teacher’s Guide or mixtape, visit the author’s website at http://www.creative-medicine.com.

10 Tips from a Self-Published Black Author

I self-published “Nelson Beats The Odds” on August 21, 2015 through Creative Medicine: Healing Through Words, LLC. I used Createspace to distribute my book. The experience taught me many valuable lessons that I share in my workshop “Self-Publishing and Social Justice“. I created the workshop to help prospective self-publishers create stories with social justice themes. During the workshop I share self-publishing “do’s and don’ts” and share how I self-published my book. I also include these 10 self-publishing tips.

1. Find your Voice and Speak to your Target Audience

Speak your truth. Your story needs to reflect your values, opinions and experiences. I was intentional in creating a story that featured predominantly African-American characters because it reflected my experience growing up. My biggest goal was to create a story that resonated with African-American boys and encouraged them to read. We need diverse books that address social justice issues.

2. Hire/Recruit Free Lancers and Friends with Desired Skill Sets

When I realized that I was going to do a children’s book, I reached out to my friends on Facebook to see if I could find an illustrator. I had over a dozen referrals, but none really caught my eye. I’m a perfectionist and I wanted my book to be done right. I joined Hire An Illustrator and eLance. I found the illustrator for my book on eLance. What sold me wasn’t their spectacular portfolio, but the fact that one of them was diagnosed with Dyslexia. I felt safe leaving my story in his hands because I knew he could relate.

I reached out to a good high school friend named Tiffany  and a member of a Facebook group I joined to edit my book. Tiffany was the lead editor and she did a phenomenal job. She had a great eye for detail and helped me frame my story.

3. Build a Following

Unfortunately, my following for the book wasn’t built until after I decided to write it. The first things that I did was start a Nelson Beats The Odds Facebook, Twitter and Instagram page. I also started this blog because the “experts” said so. It was overwhelming trying to keep up with both my business and personal social media accounts. Not to mention I was also running a website.

Currently, my Facebook page has a little over 800 followers. I’ve found success with Facebook’s Boost feature. I’ve also joined Black Educators Rock, an online group with over 145,000 African American educators. Sharing posts in the group helped my book become an Amazon Best Seller in the Kindle Store Learning Disability category. The group also helped me sell 56 paperback books in December, giving me my best sales month thus far.

I also asked friends to share photos of their children reading “Nelson Beats The Odds”. This has been extremely effective in exposing my book to a larger audience. I believe it brings out the competitiveness in parents when others post photos of their child reading my book.

4.  Don’t Stress Over Money & Be Fearless

You’ll never have enough money. Get use to overdraft fees, maxed out credit cards and empty pockets. I’ve had a lot of success the past few months but there is always something to pay for. I purchased “The Alchemist” and “The Secret” audio books and they’ve helped me stay grounded. I’m in search of my personal legend and once I decided to jump, I became  fearless.

5.  Set a Modest Kickstarter Goal or Use Sites like Indiegogo

The biggest mistake that I made was setting my Kickstarter goal at $10,000. I was really ambitious and thought that I could raise that much money in 45 days. I only managed to raise about $1,800. Since I didn’t reach my goal I was unable to receive any money. When I began working on my second book, “Nelson Beats The Odds: Tameka’s New Dress“, I set my goal for $700. I raised a little over a grand this time around but hit my goal. Kickstarter is a great platform, but I’d encourage you to research other crowdfunding sites like Indiegogo before you make your decision.

6.  Start with Createspace and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing

I encourage everyone to go through Createspace and Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. “Nelson Beats The Odds” is my first book and I didn’t know anything about publishing. Every website that I searched recommended using Createspace and I see why. The site is free, easy to use and has great customer service. In less than a day my book was available on Amazon and Kindle.

Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing service is best thing since sliced bread! They have a feature where you can offer your eBook for free five times over the span of 90 days. The feature allowed my Facebook and Twitter followers to sample my book and helped drive my paperback and Kindle book sales.

7. Use Multiple Publishing Platforms & Distributors

Publish your book in paperback, hardcover and eBook. It’s very difficult as a self-publisher to get your book in stores. I’ve been able to get my book into two comic book stores on consignment.  In terms of distributors, I use IngramSpark, iBookstore, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. I have plans on publishing a “Nelson Beats The Odds” audiobook and translating the book into Spanish in 2016.

8.  Promote Your S@#t Like it’s a New York Best Seller

I know that I have the best children’s book out right now. I was so confident that I knew I would win an ALA award this year for “Nelson Beats The Odds” (still keeping hope alive, lol). When you exude that type of confidence people buy into you and your product. I worked hard to create a solid product with educational value. Every day I’m online promoting my book. Every weekend I’m at a church, school or event vending or speaking. I’m starting to yield big results. I’ve had 5 school’s purchase fifteen or more books from me. Hamilton-Holmes Middle School in King William purchased 75 copies this month.

9. Network & Cross-Promote

I send at least 15 emails a day to special education administrators, teachers, professors or staff. I’m working my way through Virginia’s public school systems, colleges and special education organizations. I’m meeting people at churches, farmer’s markets, conferences, practically anywhere. Networking is key for self-publishers.

I’ve also developed the Nelson Beats The Odds Comic Creator on iOS. The self-esteem app allows users to upload photos of themselves and add characters from the book. The app gives the brand an additional platform to promote on. The app will be available on Android March 2016.

Since writing “Nelson Beats The Odds”, I’ve had an opportunity to meet authors, musicians, poets, clothing designers and artists. I’ve realized that I needed to cross promote because everyone that follows me knows about my book. It is a great way to share great products with a wider audience.

10. Expect Nothing and Appreciate Everything

Don’t expect your family and friends to buy into your dream. Expect disappointments. Expect things not to go right but appreciate those experiences. I’ve learned more from my failures than my successes. When you’re putting your own money up you learn quickly.

I’ve had black people buy my book without even looking at it just because I’m black or they like that I’m doing something positive. I’m not mad because it’s money in my pocket but I feel like my product is slightly cheapened.  I’ve also had tons of white people walk by my book and dismiss it after looking at the cover. At the end of the day, it’s all love! Appreciate everything and expect nothing.

 

Back Cover

One of the first things kids do when they pick up “Nelson Beats The Odds” is look at the back cover. Some kids immediately shout, “that’s you!”, once they see my photo. Others read my bio and ask, “Were in Special Ed. too?” To me, that connection essential. I use my challenges and story to inspire young people to overcome adversity and beat the odds. By being present and sharing my story at events I introduce them to an author, publisher, social worker, professional speaker and entrepreneur. Now that kid can go home and know they can be more than a football player or basketball player #nelsonbeatstheodds
  

Thank You Rob!

Essex County therapist Ronnie Sidney used his own struggles as a student to help others

It is extremely difficult being an author and a publisher. Not only do you have the burden or writing books, but also the burden of selling them. In a world where self-publishing is taking off, it’s as difficult as ever to the promote on your book. This is why I entitled this post “Thank You Rob”.

Rob Hedelt is a writer for the Free Lance Star. He’s been doing his job for over 30 years. He interviewed me over lunch at Tappahannock’s most famous restaurant, Lowery’s. I found out that Rob is from a neighboring town called Warsaw and that he has a brother who is a former Special Education student. I spoke at length about my book, professional life, work life and family life. He jotted notes down like a mad man while also being very attentive to me. Thank You Rob.

It’s people like Rob who help the little guy. The Rob’s of the world use their platform to give visibility to the people and stories that often go unnoticed. It’s the most depressing thing ever to have a great product or idea that no one knows about. We need more Robs in the world. 

Finding The Right Platform

  Find the right platform to launch your brand. I’ve had a lot of great ideas over the years but I didn’t have the platform to launch them. Writing a children’s book gave me a platform to launch my ideas and attract like minded people to create new possibilities for our youth.”Nelson Beats The Odds” is giving me the opportunity to network with special education students and their parents, teachers, administrators and advocates. The book has also given me opportunities to launch Creative Medicine: Healing a Through Words, a therapeutic writing and dialogue group that I developed.

Success in one platform will allow you to branch off into new platforms and increase your visibility. Kanye West is a great example of that, he used his production talents to attract Jay-Z and then got on as an emcee. Find the right platform to launch your brand and then expand.