Erica Gibson Is On A Mission To Empower Children, One Book At A Time
TODAY’S PURPOSE WOMAN is proud to celebrate and promote authors who are impacting the lives of others both on and off the paper. We highlight and chat with remarkable authors about their books in our series, Powerhouse Authors.
We recently spoke with Erica J. Gibson, a children’s book author and publishing consultant on a mission to diversify children’s literature by empowering, inspiring, and encouraging all children. Erika began her journey to writing and publishing to address the underrepresentation of children of color in books. As an author, Erika’s mission is to empower children, one book at a time. She challenges parents, educators, and community leaders to promote literacy in an inclusive way that is representative of all children. Erika believes that our collective responsibility is to ensure that children’s overall well-being is rooted in love, support, respect, and confidence in their ability to succeed.
Through her company, Black Diamond Publishing, Erika also helps aspiring authors publish diverse books of their own. She is also the founder of Leading Leaders Early Childhood Consulting, where she provides coaching, consulting, and training to early care educators to ensure quality and equitable care for young learners.
Below is our conversation with Erika about her children’s books and why she feels they are essential in today’s world.
Tell us a little about the books you will be highlighting today.
The books I am highlighting are titled “Because I Am Me: Positive Affirmations for Brown Boys,” and “Because I Am Me: Positive Affirmations for Brown Girls.” These books celebrate self, cultural, and social awareness. They are filled with positive affirmations designed to boost self-esteem and build confidence in children. They also affirm children’s uniqueness and ability to succeed. Furthermore, these books explore key concepts such as acceptance, authenticity, confidence, courage, perseverance, and respect. The powerful messages in these books can be impactful to any reader.
What inspired you to write a children’s book that celebrates self, cultural and social awareness?
I was initially inspired to write these books after our country faced numerous accounts of injustice against people of color, which sparked meaningful and important conversations with my son. It was critical that he understood that, as an African American male, he matters and his life is important, despite the beliefs and actions of others in our society. As an author, it is important to me that children of color are represented in books, can relate to inspirational messages, and more importantly, can see themselves in the characters.
There has been a lack of diversity in children’s books, and I am committed to changing the landscape and narrative through my writing. Children of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities should have access to books highlighting and recognizing their value.
What should children and parents take away from reading your books?
I wrote these books for all children, regardless of race, to understand, accept, and love their true, authentic selves. Additionally, I wrote these books to charge parents, educators, and communities to strengthen children’s self-regard and to build literacy by expanding diverse and inclusive materials, resources, and books for all children. Upon reading these books, children will recognize and believe that “I am enough, because I am me!”
To learn more about Erika’s books, visit her website at: www.erikajgibson.com or follow her on social media at @authorerikajg.
