ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome to my website. Here, you'll find out about my writing, my heroes and dreams. You can check out One Million Men and Me, my new picture book with illustrator Peter Ambush; read an excerpt from my first book, NEATE: Eddie's Ordeal and get tips on discovering your own writing voice. Thank you for your support. Please sign my guest book before you leave.
Without God and the support of the following people, this book would not have been possible: Patrick Lyons, Jordan Lyons, Deborah Starling-Pollard, editorial team at Just Us Books, Basil Phillips, Tony Rose, Darren and Nicole Nichols, Ingrid Larkin, Bridgette Lacy, Kimberly Wilson, Shamara Ray, Jessica and Debra Boyette and Eileen Heyes. Thank you for your encouragement and belief in my dream.
These writers inspired me and still make me ache to do what they can -- create worlds with words:
Richard Wright
Ralph Ellison
Nikki Giovanni
Louise Meriwether
Virginia Hamilton
Eleanora E. Tate
Mildred D. Taylor
Walter Dean Myers
Jacqueline Woodson
Madeleine L'Engle
Eve Bunting
Toni Morrison
Angela Johnson
Did you know?
I was part of a rap crew in middle school.
I played synthesizer in the jazz band.
I was a fan of New Edition and Prince.
I wrote my first poem in elementary school.
I modeled for Chic clothing store.
I dug a humungous hole in my grandparents' backyard trying to find buried treasure.
Along with being a writer, I used to want to be a chemist (until my first chemistry class).
My high school jobs included working for a concession stand at a local movie theater, as a grocery store bagger and salesperson for a crystal kiosk in the mall.
I stunk at sports.
I have four brothers.
My nicknames were Kelly Kel, Lady K and Encyclopedia Brown.
Remember penny candy, games like Red Light, Green Light and Freeze Tag, 45-speed records, drive-in movies, sitting around the TV with your family and watching the evening shows? How about dances like the Smurf, Cabbage Patch dolls, butterfly clips and two-tone jeans?
Seems like only yesterday. 
