CUNY TV Interview
I had the immense honor of being interviewed by Carole Jenkins at CUNY TV’s Black America. We talked all things HBCU bands! Check it out!
shadrieka
3 Stars for HERE COMES THE BAND
My second authored book comes out next week. It has received three starred reviews so far! I try not to get too excited about reviews because chasing stars isn’t the most worthwhile endeavor. It is very nice to be reviewed and the stars are a lovely bit of encouragement along the way! Thank you to … Read more
GIFTS FROM CROWS is a JLG Gold Standard Selection
More great book news! Junior Library Guild has also selected GIFTS FROM CROWS as a Gold Standard Selection prior to publication. I had so much fun illustrating this book. It is an honor to have it recognized prior to publication! You can pre-order your copy now!
HERE COMES THE BAND is a JLG Gold Standard Selection
I am elated to share that the expert editors over at Junior Library Guild has selected HERE COMES THE BAND as a Gold Standard Selection prior to publication. This is fantastic news as it shines a light on the book for librarians to add it to shelves! It also means that favorable reviews are to … Read more
Coming this Fall!
Everyone has their favorite part of a football game, but at a historically Black college or university, halftime is game time when the band takes the field in this glorious celebration of the tradition and pageantry of an HBCU band. Illustrated by fine artist, and Howard University alumnus, John Holyfield, this book will be an instant … Read more
The 2025 recap
2025 has been a doozy! Last month, I won the 2025 Etsy Design Award in the Art Category! It was a complete surprise, and I’m so thrilled that Etsy invited me to submit my work! The shop has seen a nice boost in sales this month, and I am sure that I would have been … Read more
Here Comes the Collaboration!
“Rejoice” by John Holyfield My mom was a high school English teacher and also served as the sponsor of the high school cheerleading squad. I was their mascot – not a “giant anthropomorphic animal costume wearing” type of mascot, but a smaller “that’s Ms. Strickland’s daughter” cheerleader skirt and pom-poms mascot, even though I was … Read more
Farewell, YOU
For the past three years, I have been contributing artwork to one of my favorite television shows, YOU. One of Joe’s love interests, Marienne (played by Tati Gabrielle), was a children’s book illustrator and artist. I don’t know how they found me, but the producers called me up several years ago to ask if I would … Read more
Happy Bookiversary!
On January 31, my first author/illustrated book Jump In! will have been in the world for an entire year and what a year it has been! If you follow me on social media you will see all of the places that I got to travel to this year to celebrate the book. Jump In! also … Read more
Co-curating a show with the Brandywine Museum of Art
I co-curated a show this year with The Brandywine Museum of Art