The title across the top of the newspaper read "AUTHOR 'RETURNS' TO KING ELEMENTARY FOR VIRTUAL READING." The story in the Parenting/Schools section of my local newspaper told of a young woman who was sharing her first book with students at her alma mater. Latoya Dawkins grew up in the south end of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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| Latoya Dawkins, Lancaster native and author |
Her story tells about her deep appreciation for literature while growing up in the 7th Ward, or mostly poor section of the city of Lancaster. She also tells about her personal struggles when she and her late husband navigated infertility. Because of those struggles, she and her husband had created the Latoya and Joe Dawkins Miracle Child Foundation, also know as "Our Miracle Child," which worked to raise fertility awareness and secure grants for couples battling infertility without insurance or resources for treatment. Throughout all her busy times she still found the time to write her first book titled, "On My Way: Howie and the Light."  |
| Latoya Dawkins new book |
She released her new book this past January 7, the birth date of her late husband. She wanted to write the story for the young children of underrepresented communities like the 7th Ward of Lancaster that prepared her for a harrowing world. Her Black identity was the driving force behind her story's characters. She can still remember her mother insisting that for every white doll she received, she also would receive a black doll. She also remembers that she was the first person in her community to have a Black Cabbage Patch Doll, probably due to her mother's insistence. Latoya is now going to give a virtual reading of "On My Way: Howie and the Light" at her alma mater. She recently responded to a few questions from the Lancaster Newspaper where she was asked about her book as well as her life. She is hoping that those who read it will understand that even though storms will come, you are never alone. The light is always there, just like her late husband and she found their light in the midst of storms because of upbringing, community, family, courage and perseverance in spite of fear and insecurity. She said that they were taught to love their skin, the skin they were in. She told the newspaper that she was concerned about access to quality educational opportunities as well as access to health care and employment opportunities in a community such as the area from where she grew up. She told about how her mother told her as she headed out the door on her way to school every day to "Learn something." It was her mother's challenge to her every day and she still remembers that. She reports that 42 years later she still remembers that and she is still learning something new every day. She was also asked what it would have meant to her as an elementary student to see a Black female author who attended the same school as her. She responded "It would have made a huge difference." Had she been introduced to black authors in her formative years, she would have had a better bridge between the academy and canon and her black community. Perhaps her Zoom reading of her new book will have an influence on a few of those who witness her reading. I'm sure she would have remembered if someone such as herself had done the same thing when she was in elementary school. She receives my applause for taking the time and effort to return to her roots to try and promote the importance of education to those that feel they have been left behind. Who better to share their experiences than she? Maybe her success will influence a few of the students in the school where she attended years ago. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.
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