Alice Faye Duncan Talks About Memphis, Martin and the Mountaintop

 

In her historical picture book, Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, Alice Faye Duncan reminds us that struggling for something worthwhile, no matter how steep the climb, is worth every hardship and challenge encountered along the way.  Alice Faye stopped by to talk about the book, her creative process, and the importance of writing about Southern history.

Your book, Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, is about the Memphis Sanitation Strike of 1968 and Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to the city. Describe the story.

MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP is a historical fiction picture book that presents the story of nine-year-old Lorraine Jackson. In 1968 she witnessed the sanitation strike, which was Dr. King’s last stand for justice before his assassination. The girl’s father, mother, and little Lorraine, sacrifice their comforts to march in the labor protest.

What did the settlement of the strike mean for Lorraine Jackson’s family?

Because her father is a Memphis sanitation worker, the strike settlement means that Mr. Jackson can return to work with the promise of a pay increase, safe work conditions, and fewer incidents of racial discrimination.

Why is it important for children to read books like Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop?

The reality of racism, injustice and unfair labor laws remain a constant in America. Children must read and be aware of the challenges they will face as adults. The struggle continues for all because economic injustice is not just a matter of racial identity. Unfair labor laws are about capitalists abusing American workers.

How important is research to you when writing a book?

Reading books for research is important. However, finding primary sources, who were a part of the history that interests me is the greatest research achievement. Almella Starks Umoja was a teacher, who marched with Dr. King during the sanitation strike. I was able to interview her on several occasions and this set a great foundation for my book.

How long did it take you to write Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop?

I started writing the story in 2005. My last draft was complete in 2015. I wrote about 8 different iterations of the story before I reached a final draft.

Did you ever have a rough patch in writing Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop where the story didn’t seem to come together? If so, how did you work through it?

The story came together finally, when I interviewed Almella in 2015. She told me a story about her sneaking out the house in the middle of a curfew to dry clothes at a laundromat, while National Guards patrolled the Memphis streets. This imagery and her daring spirit gave breath and bone to my story idea.

How important is it for authors to write books for children about events that occurred in the South?

The racist ideals that shaped the South—shaped all of America. Even now, only the landscape makes New York different from a Mississippi or Tennessee. And no matter the region, writers must share what happened in this country, so young readers can think critically and ultimately, eradicate egregious errors of the past.

Why was it important for you to write about the Memphis Sanitation Strike?

I grew up in South Memphis. My neighbors, family members, and church members participated in the strike. The strike is a part of my local history.   Providence chose me to write this story.

Your book is being well received in the children’s book industry. What accolades has Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop received?

My book has received a star review in Kirkus and Booklist. It was also chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection for 2018.

How do you feel when people appreciate your work?

I don’t know how or where the words are born, when they fit just right. The magic of words and the way they work to shape ideas and imagery leaves me dumbfounded—everyday.

What inspires you to write?

Ideas come to me during the process of living, traveling, listening to music or reading books. Last week I was driving and passed a shabby apartment building. An idea popped in my head. I’ve got more book ideas than I have time to write.

Do your books carry a message?

I start each book with a metaphor in mind. Every book that I write has a theme, a message or prominent symbol. In MEMPHIS the dominant imagery is struggle—a mountain climb.

How much of yourself do you put into your books?

Each book carries my voice, my DNA, my bearing and being. I can hear myself in every book. My thumbprint is there. It’s very much like parents and children. I am the parent and each book is my child. Because I created the book, I see my likeness in it. And yet, each book retains its own individual distinction beyond me.

Do you have a day job other than being a writer?

I serve the city of Memphis as a librarian.

Tell us about an interesting or memorable encounter you had with a fan?

Once while paying for a purchase at the cosmetic counter, the sales clerk noticed my name on my credit card. She proceeded to run around the counter shouting, “THIS IS Alice Faye Duncan! THIS IS Alice Faye Duncan!” When she settled down, the clerk explained that her mother had gifted her a signed copy of my book, WILLIE JEROME, when she was a kid. WILLIE JEROME was her favorite book in grade school.

What advice would you pass on to aspiring children’s book writers that is unconventional but true?

Make it a point to celebrate and elevate others. The Universe has a long memory. It remembers every act of kindness and pays in compound interest.

Tell us about your upcoming books?

I wrote the first picture book biography on the life and times of Gwendolyn Brooks. The title is A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS. The release date is January 2019.

I also wrote a book to celebrate the special bond between mothers and daughters. The title is JUST LIKE A MAMA. Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, who is Jerry Pinkney’s granddaughter, is the illustrator. The release date is Mother’s Day—2019.

What do you do in your free time?

I work full-time as a librarian and I write in my free time. You can find me writing every weekend and every holiday. During the summer months, I travel and write.

How can schools and event planners get in touch with you for school visits or speaking events?

My website is www.alicefayeduncan.com

Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop is available online and in book stores.

Alice Faye Duncan is a librarian and poet. She writes picture books for young readers and her favorite poem is “Things” by Eloise Greenfield

 

Children’s Books Can Teach Social Justice

Social justice is a concept of fair and just moral treatment between an individual and society.  This includes the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges. The right to vote is one of the privileges to which all Americans are entitled.

Granddaddy’s Gift is used widely to teach the importance of voting. It is included on the Social Justice Book List which is compiled by the National Network of  State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).

When her granddaddy becomes the first black registered voter in their small Mississippi town, Little Joe learns about determination and courage in the face of prejudice.

Excerpts from Book Reviews:

“A sensitive effort from Mitchell, about a courageous man in the segregated South who steadfastly pursued a goal, creating a legacy of pride and hope for the young girl who tells his story.” -Kirkus Reviews

“Johnson’s strong, realistic paintings personalize the familiar scenes of the civil rights movement.” -Booklist

Granddaddy’s Gift is available from Scholastic Books

Happy Birthday Dr. King

Today is the federal holiday set aside to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s contributions to society. This year the holiday falls on the day of his birth – January 15. As we spend this day in service in honor of Dr. King’s life of service, we pause to remember his fight for social justice, his commitment to the civil rights struggle, and his efforts to address economic and unemployment problems of disadvantaged people.

Dr. King was  a man of peace.  Even though people denigrated him and called him names, he never publicly responded by name-calling those who opposed him.  He used his gift of words to get his point across. He also used his words to inspire. We, too, dreamed right along with Dr. King for a better world.

We have to keep Dr. King’s legacy alive. Keep the books coming about his life. The following story happened today. A boy was asked, “Do you know who Martin Luther King is?” He replied, “I think he freed the slaves.” There is still work to be done.  We have to continue to educate children and adults about the importance of Dr. King’s life and his accomplishments.

And as we educate, let’s continue to dream and fight for everything Dr. King stood for.

Give The Book That Inspired An Award-Winning Musical This Christmas

Sarah Jean’s Uncle Jed was the only black barber in the county. He had a kind heart and a warm smile. And he had a dream.
Living in the segregated South of the 1920’s, where most people were sharecroppers. Uncle Jed had to travel all over the county to cut his customers’ hair. He lived for the day when he could open his very own barbershop. But it was a long time, and many setbacks, from five-year-old Sarah Jean’s emergency operation to the bank failures of the Great Depression, before the joyful day when Uncle Jed opened his shiny new shop — and twirled a now grown-up Sarah Jean around in the barber chair.
With James Ransome’s richly colored paintings brimming with life, this is a stirring story of dreams long deferred and finally realized.

Click to learn more about Uncle Jed’s Barbershop

Granddaddy’s Gift Recognized For Social Justice By NNSTOY

I’m super excited that my book, Granddaddy’s Gift, has been recognized by the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) as a valuable classroom addition on Social Justice. #TeachSocJustice

Granddaddy’s Gift is a tribute to my grandfather – Joe King, Jr.

Having the right to vote was very important to him. One of my most treasured memories is when I turned 18 my grandfather took me to the courthouse to register to vote. He would be beyond thrilled to learn that his actions all those years ago inspired Granddaddy’s Gift.

Granddaddy’s Gift has stood the test of time. It is included in the Social Justice Book List which is available here: Social Justice Book List

Granddaddy’s Gift is available through Scholastic

An Exciting New Museum On The Horizon

African American Music Appreciation Month is the perfect opportunity to talk about the new museum that is on the horizon.

 

The National Museum of African American Music is scheduled to open in 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. It will be the only museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the different types of music that was created, influenced, and inspired by African-Americans.

Proposed in 2002 by members of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, a task force was organized to determine the feasibility of such a project. The task force concluded that Nashville needed a place that could attract more African American conventions, as well as visitors from all backgrounds.

The museum will cover 50 genres of music, including Southern religious, blues, hip-hop, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, call-and-response spirituals, work songs, gospel, etc.

Black Music Month began in 1979 and was organized by Kenny Gamble, Ed Wright, and Dyana Williams. They convinced President Jimmy Carter to host a reception to formally recognize the cultural and financial contributions of black music. Since then, Black Music Month is celebrated with events across the country. In 2009, President Barack Obama designated June as African American Music Appreciation Month.

The National Museum of African American Music will definitely be a welcome addition, not only to Nashville residents, but to visitors throughout the United States and the world.  Even though there is not a physical building in existence, the National Museum of African American Music has developed programs that served over 8,000 people in 2016.

Although the opening of the National Museum of African American Music is two years away, I am excited about the prospect of having over 50 genres of music, which African-Americans influenced, in one place.

My contribution to the history of jazz music is When Grandmama Sings. When I visit with students I talk to them about the origins of jazz and the various types of jazz artists. They eagerly listen to the excerpts of songs and discuss the story that is being told through the words.

The National Museum of African American Music will further open students minds to the contributions made by black Americans to the musical tapestry of the world.

For information: When Grandmama Sings

 

 

Great News – Inspire Me Today Feature

I’m so excited to share some great news with you. Today (April 29, 2017) I am the featured Inspirational Luminary on the international website InspireMeToday sharing my wisdom with the world.

Inspire Me Today features the inspiration of a new Luminary every day. I am delighted to be included in the company of Richard Branson, Seth Godin, and others.

Please visit InspireMeToday and help me inspire the world. If my traffic and comments break records, my essay Decide To Shine Wherever You Are will be shared with millions of additional people too! This is the 3rd time I have been featured.

I hope you’ll check it out, leave a comment and share it with your friends.

Decide To Shine Wherever You Are