2024 Woman to Watch: Carylee Carrington- The Woman Empowering Young Minds Through Literature
Carylee Carrington is a woman to watch. She is an author, entrepreneur, and advocate for literacy. Her passion for children’s literature and her dedication to promoting diversity makes her a standout figure in the literary world.
Carrington’s journey into the world of children’s literature is a heartwarming tribute to her late mother, Dr. Norma McPherson, a lifelong educator and literacy champion. In an unexpected twist, Carrington embraced her role as an “accidental author.” Writing children’s books became her way of connecting with the young souls around her, inspired by her eldest son.
In an exclusive interview with Today’s Purpose Woman, Carrington shared her inspiration for her debut work, “Everyone, Just Like Me,” which carries the essence of her mission: encouraging children to cherish their uniqueness. “My son who was 5 years old and in Kindergarten at the time, came to me and told me a classmate stated that he should only be playing with children of the same skin color. This posed a unique situation and learning lesson. I got the inspiration for the book ‘Everyone, Just Like Me’ which I shared with my mother, who was a literacy coach. She insisted that I publish the book, as it would be beneficial to other children. The journey of getting my book published and then entering the children’s literature genre proved that this was a possible future for me,” Carrington said.
Carrington’s literary path extends to “Pretty Hair,” a book that empowers young girls to celebrate their diverse definitions of beauty. Her latest creation, “Maya Sings Country,” challenges stereotypes and encourages kids to explore beyond boundaries. “My aim is to empower community. I not only advocate for books for children of color, but for all children, regardless of background, abilities, family structure, etc. There should be a book that represents the good in everyone. I believe that if a child can see themselves in the pages of a book, that does something to their self-confidence. It gives them a sense of being worthy. If I can encourage that in at least one child with a book that I write, I have accomplished my mission,” Carrington explained.
Carrington’s dedication doesn’t stop at writing. She is a staunch supporter of the arts, making numerous author visits to schools nationwide, in person and virtually. Her goal is to ignite a lifelong love for reading, the art of writing, and self-publishing among students. “Reading is the foundation for everything. It expands our minds, builds our vocabulary, and opens doors to new worlds. The more we read, the more we learn, and the more we grow,” Carrington said.
Taking her passion to new heights, Carrington ventured into YouTube with “Read With Carylee.” On this engaging platform, she introduces children’s book authors who bring their stories to life in their own voice. Her mission remains crystal clear: to bring positivity and inspiration to young readers, fostering belief in their dreams and their best selves. “With Read With Carylee, I wanted to create a platform that not only encourages reading but also showcases the amazing authors who bring these stories to life. I want to give children the opportunity to hear from the authors themselves, to understand the inspiration behind the books, and to see that authors are real people who have a story to tell,” Carrington shared.
Carrington’s efforts in promoting diversity in children’s literature have led her to found RWC Publishing, dedicated to transforming children’s literature by promoting diversity. Her advocacy extends to her work as a board member with Reading Is Fundamental Northern Virginia and the Prince William County Arts Council. “I believe that books are a powerful tool for change. They have the power to inspire, educate, and transform the way we think and feel. That’s why I’m so passionate about promoting diversity in children’s literature. Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read,” Carrington said.
Carrington’s unwavering commitment to diversity and empowerment makes her a woman to watch in 2024. Her faith in God is a driving force behind her mission. “My faith assures me that all things will work out for good. As it says in Romans 8:28. My faith teaches me to serve and that is what I do first. I believe that is what has made me successful. It’s not about me, it’s about serving others,” Carrington shared.Join Carylee Carrington in this incredible journey of words, dreams, and boundless imagination. “I hope that my books and my work inspire children to believe in themselves, to dream big, and to see that anything is possible if they work hard and stay true to themselves,” Carrington said.
To learn more visit : www.readwithcarylee.org
