Africa First

Dr. Jordan B. Smith, Jr. became the first African-American to become the Color Company Commander at the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis or USNA) in 1976. The Class of 1976 African Americans set the pathway for changes, by demonstrating that Blacks and other minorities had earned the right to be in Annapolis. The incidents and events are authentic. This audiobook is about one of the Black men who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1976.

With gripping anecdotes, Levinson describes her adventures working in some of the most dangerous places on earth, from Somalia to Iraq. But it is her efforts on behalf of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf that form the heart of Choosing the Hero. Levinson chronicles her behind-the-scenes lobbying for the exiled Sirleaf in Washington, DC, as well as her on-the-ground work in Liberia. It took three tries for Sirleaf to finally win the presidency in 2005. President Sirleaf won the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize.

Embrace the spirit of Africa with NnaNna, the strong-willed child! Embark on a powerful adventure with NnaNna, a boy born in the heart of Africa. This collection of poems chronicles his childhood, exploring universal themes of resilience, self-discovery, and inner strength. Witness NnaNna confront challenges, experience the sting of betrayal and injustice, and celebrate the triumphs that ignite his potential. Through his journey, you'll discover the unwavering spirit that lies within us all. NnaNna's story is your invitation to explore your own heritage and the greatness that resides within...

Ayanna was so unlucky in love that she moved across the world to start over. She swore off relationships until she met Kai. Although Kai’s music career was booming, her love life was disastrous. After meeting Ayanna, she believed lady luck was finally on her side until Ayanna was presented with a life-changing opportunity Kai is forced to choose between love and opportunity.

~Blaze~ At one time in life, I killed to protect my country. I had medals to prove my bravery and was dubbed a hero. After being shot, I was given an honorable discharge. Nightmares still plague me from time to time, the Navy Seals had been my life. Now I’m a firefighter saving lives for the Tennessee Fire Department. My job was all I had until Sheena. Now I not only fight blazing fires, but I also fight the blazing flames of passion ever since Sheena walked into my life. All I can think of is making her mine. She has suffered loss, and so have I. She needs me, and I need her too. She can...

In part one, 'First Contact', we discover what happened to art in the great Age of Discovery, when civilisations encountered each other for the first time. Although undoubtedly a period of conquest and destruction, it was also one of mutual curiosity, global trade and the exchange of ideas.

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or not, it is hard to ignore the skill and passion with which he delivers his message; he possesses the ability to communicate powerfully and effectively. With a polished speaking style, a command of eloquent and uplifting rhetoric, the ability to inspire the enthusiasm of young voters, and the sophisticated use of the Internet as a campaign tool, Obama was very much a 21st-century candidate.

Dancing has always made her feel free, like she can do anything. But when Jennifer was a child, some people didn’t think that she had a future as a dancer because of the color of her skin. With the support of her family, especially her mother, she proved that anything is possible when you believe you belong. On the Line is a captivating true story about manifesting your dreams.

If, as Sherman once said, "War is hell," the Vietnam War was hell on steroids. Robert Toporek, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, after 56 years has begun telling his story. This first chapter is about the first African American to be awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War. This powerful book portrays the impact Milton Olive’s life and death made on Robert, his parents, and many people around the country. This is a unique look into the Vietnam War in ways never before told.

Documenting multiple challenges at every turn - as a target for racism from society at large and sexism both inside and outside of the Negro League - this is the unique story of the first woman to play professional baseball on a men's team, breaking barriers in sports while believing, "There's got to be a first in everything. Maybe it will be me." The text explains that as players began to leave the Negro League for major league teams, Toni Stone seized her only opportunity to play professional ball and replaced Henry Aaron on the Negro League's top team.

This first volume in the Sgt. Smith World War II Trilogy follows a squad of First Infantry Division soldiers to the rugged Tunisian desert of North Africa in their first experience of war. As members of the "Big Red One," the most famous division in the American Army, they do battle with the most famous units in the German Army; Rommel's Africa Corps, as well as the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions. Although this three-part series is told in novel format, it is a true story, based on documented accounts as well as stories my father told me. This is a vivid and unvarnished odyssey into the ...

When The Flip Wilson Show debuted in 1970, Black faces were still rare on television, Black hosts nonexistent. So how did Clerow “Flip” Wilson go from Jersey City grade-school dropout to national celebrity, heralded on the cover of Time as “TV’s first black superstar”? Flip is a candid, entertaining biography of a consummate comedian who changed the face of American popular culture.

As a proud son of a civil rights leader, Steven L. Reed grew up hearing stories about how his father integrated Montgomery lunch counters and took advice directly from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Ralph Abernathy. However, it wasn’t until Reed was in the fourth grade and received a death threat against his father that he began to understand more fully the importance of the lessons his father was trying to impart. At this pivotal moment, his father explained, “My job is to prepare you to be a cross-bearer and not just a crown-wearer.

Have you ever wonder what life is like for a First Lady behind the scenes? Pastor Nigel and First Lady Sandra Brooks have been together for almost a decade. After years of dedication to her husband, children, and ministry, First Lady Brooks is feeling a bit unappreciated and wishes to be seen as more than just a First Lady. She desires to again be the leading lady in her husband’s life. However, she soon discovers that her husband may be holding auditions for her position. After this revelation, something happens that shakes up the Brooks household which leads to secrets that may rock the...

From the time he became one of the first African American football players at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama, Ralph Stokes recognized a calling on his life for the cause of racial integration. This calling followed him everywhere he went. After becoming one of the first five Black football players at the University of Alabama and making many advances there, Ralph was a pioneer for integration in the business arena and later in the world of golf.

Once upon a time, children's music was just Mother Goose, nursery songs, and lullabies. And then came Ella Jenkins. Ella Jenkins is an American folk singer and living legend dubbed The First Lady of Children's Music. For nearly 70 years, she has been writing and performing music that has entertained and engaged generations of young listeners. In Make a Pretty Song, Ella's life and legacy are captured in vibrant sights, sounds, and stories that leap right out of the book.

Seventeen-year-old Odessa has a heavy burden placed upon her. As her father grows sicker each day, she must take on increasing responsibilities. With her mother's mysterious disappearance, it is up to Odessa to care for her younger sister and ailing father at the same time. However, he soon takes a turn for the worse, and Odessa learns she has little time to find a cure.

First Degree Sins What do you do when your back is against the wall? What happens when you see no way out? Many people believe they’ll do the right thing, however, what happens when things spiral out of control and the wrong things happen ... like murder? Welcome to First Degree Sins where Lisa loses her grip on living and snaps because life just has far too many jagged edges from her perspective, so before she bleeds out from every deep wound life gives her, she makes the fatal moves no one sees coming.

When Autumn Stiles lands the advertising job of her dreams, she feels it's the happiest day of her life. She doesn't count on the tall, handsome, dreamy-eyed Stuart Tanner doing his best to get her to quit. When Tanner learns that he has a new socialite employee at the advertising agency where he works, he is determined to get rid of her. She is obviously just trying out for a hard-working job that she thinks is glamorous. But soon the heat sizzles between them and he determines he will never give in to his desires.

Our True Mahogany Series features stories compiled with the African American woman in mind, but that will also appeal to women of all cultures interested in an intimate and often sensual account of the female experience. Women facing temptation, suffering heartbreak, finding their first true love or romance at long last are just a few of the fascinating themes of these collections. How do you know when you're falling in love? There's that warm, tingly feeling when you see him, the flying sparks, the sweaty palms and butterflies in your stomach to let you know it's true love. Relive the ...