*Barnes and Noble in The Grove at Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles observed Black History Month by hosting local authors in panel discussions all month long.
Among them were EURweb’s LaRita Shelby, author of The Brand Beside The Brand: 10 Reasons To Step From Behind and Stand Beside The Brand; Lance Oliver Keeble, author of Globes Disease; and Clint & Shawntrice Johnson, authors of The Faith Walker series.
LaRita Shelby cited her new book as an opportunity to enshrine her accomplishments under SB Media in the business arena, whereas her work as Jazzy Rita, or as an actress and entertainer is a matter of public record. Shelby likens herself as a hidden figure in many regards.
For seven years she was a military broadcaster, on air in 57 countries, while contracted by The Department of Defense. She has consulted numerous authors, entrepreneurs and small businesses on marketing, media relations, digital media and product development.
As a long time affiliate with EURweb, LaRita serves as Director of Digital Strategy and she has helped launch campaigns for AT&T, Northrop Grumman, McDonalds, Wingstop and many more. Shelby renders a motivational message to others to recognize their true value as an integral part of the brand itself because you can no longer afford to stand behind a product or service, you must stand beside it.
The Brand Beside The Brand gives valuable insight and strategies on how to market and promote with a newly aligned approach that brings credence to the product and to the person.
Also on the panel was Lance Oliver Keeble, author of Globes Disease. Lance led a spirited conversation about his thrilling action packed novel about seven souls who suffer from Globes Disease, and why he is so enthralled with werewolves and the genre of his book. Clint and Shawntrice Johnson informed the crowd about their team effort of writing, illustrating and publishing Christian themed comic books. The Johnsons are on a mission to bring their animated heroes into the mainstream by telling their stories in books, on stage and on screen. Each author seeks to make their own history and they thanked Barnes and Noble store manager Gwendolyn Wilkerson Jones and her team (Lennie & Natalie) for extending a welcome mat to small and independent publishers. Ms. Wilkerson Jones affirmed Barnes and Nobles’ high regard for diversity and the wealth of literary talent in all cultures. Miss Shelby payed homage to those who inspired her journey in business; the late John H. Johnson, founder of Johnson Publishing and the author of Succeeding Against The Odds, as well as the late Reginald Lewis, author of Why Should White Guys Have All The Fun. Lewis was the owner of the first African American company to reach a billion dollars in sales via TLC Beatrice Holdings in 1987.
The Barnes & Noble Black History Month event was attended by writer/director/producer Matty Rich; who also appeared at Barnes & Noble in The Grove earlier in the week promoting the book that he co-authored with Meredith Kopald and Andrea Williams titled “Bev,” about a White civil rights worker.
Actors Reginald T. Dorsey(Kings of the Evening), Derek Thompson (Young & the Restless), Vickilyn Reynalds (Hattie McDaniels: What I Need You To Know), T’Keyah Crystal Keymah (That’s So Raven, In Living Color), Kimberly Bailey, Gail Q. Gibson, Denny Mendez, Michael Henderson, Meme Kelly, producer Oscar Generale and many others were also in attendance. Kudos to Barnes and Noble nationwide for pristine service in the book selling industry and for being a hub of art, history and culture. Official Event Photography by Curtis Sabir: [email protected]
Barnes and Noble hosts special events all year long. For more on future events at The Grove’s Barnes and Noble: Follow on Twitter @BNEventsGrove and on Instagram @bneventsgrove or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BNEventsGrove/
We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!