Black Book Clubs Rock

Please view the video of Donna Joyner, Victory Christian Ministries International Dance Director, as she ministers to It Ain't Over by Maurette Clark Brown. This song has such a powerful anointing on it as it reminds us that God has the final say. It doesn't matter what else we've been told, GOD has the final say.

Thank you Donna for such a beautiful dance. We've received numerous compliments on how she charged the atmosphere with His presence. To learn more visit www.vcmi.org.

Enjoy!

Sisterhood Connection Book Club represented at the BBCR Awards with every member in attendance. Not only did they win 2 different sets of books (1st book club to register) for each member in their group, they also won the Excuse Me Miss category for best new book club. These ladies are certainly making a mark in the literary world that cannot be ignored. Thanks Shantae!

Ella Curry, Jeff Brooks, Ms. Black DC USA 2009 Breyuna Williams, and The Members of Sistah Confessions Book Club

BBCR would like to thank Sherrance Henderson for sending down over 100 copies of her book Sunshine Has Rain. Everyone left with a copy.

BBCR would like to thank Shida Carr of Simon and Shuster for sending down a box of books featuring titles from Victoria C. Murray, Jennifer Baszile, T.D. Jakes,and many others.

Thank you Cheryl Pullins, Editor-In-Chief, of LIVE Magazine for providing media coverage.

Angel Mechelle, author of Another Woman's Husband, was the first to post her pics of the event. She had such a wonderful time she even made a video. Check it out here.

Thanks Angel! The video is beautiful.

Photos of this event are being posted daily, but we need your help. If you attended the event and have photos please send them to us. We'd love to see BBCR from your perspective and share it with others.

We'd also like to thank Jeff Brooks for snapping over 300 photos of the event. Jeff is in the process of processing the pictures and promises to send them as soon as possible. Thanks also goes to authors Angel Mechelle and Monda Webb who supplied and posted pictures of the event. You all rock!

"It was a pleasure to join the sisters for this pleasant occassion. Many blessings." - Ramalla

"Tifany great job. Thank you so much for a wonderful event. People like you are an inspiration. You rock! - Go On Girl DC #2

"Great job! The conference exceeded my expectations." - Angela, Peace In Pages

"Very very excellent for a first time effort. It could have not been better. Keep up the good work." - Thomasina

"It was a very inspirational and enjoyable event. Thank you." - Stanelle

"I enjoyed this event. Great people, authors, and book clubs." - Varinsa

Again, we want to thank each and everyone who attended BBCR Awards! Drop us a line and tell us what you think. We'd love to hear from you.

We'd also like to thank Ella Curry of EDC Creations and The Black Authors Network for capturing this event for us. We appreciate you so much!

Weapon of the Pen
Written by: T.L. Tucker

Gird yourselves my friends, with the weapon of your pens
And understand that what you write
Can bring forth death, or bring forth life
Even though the words aren’t spoken
They have the power to leave one broken
Even though you may not hear them
They hold power when you read them
They plant a seed
Fulfill a need
Crush a dream
Or build esteem

When you write, What are your deeds?

We have the gift, the power to make a positive change
Lets us our gifts for that purpose
Not to keep our people enslaved and in chains
With a stinky leg, lollipop
How low to the ground can you drop
And a pimp, Hoe, gimmie that doe
How far are you willing to go?
No, I will not sale my soul
For any amount of money, or any measure of Gold

To totally understand what I’m saying to you
We have to acknowledge that these gifts are not our own
But bestowed to us from Him, who sits high and on His Throne
And should be used for Him alone

Our gifts from Him should be the gifts that keep on giving
That plant seeds, breathe life,
and encourage folks to keep on living

And so I say again
Gird yourselves my friends, with the weapon of your pens
And understand that what you write
Can bring forth death, or bring forth life

I choose Life………..

Lawyer, actress, community activist, Breyuna L. Williams is Miss Black District of Columbia USA 2009.This combination of brains and beauty is a force to be reckoned with.Breyuna is an entertainment attorney, specializing in trademarks, copyrights and contract law.

She is also an actress, model and talk show host ready to take the world by storm!As Miss Black DC 2009, Breyuna will work with young women to build confidence, self-esteem and empower them to be their best self possible through her platform: F.O.C.U.S.F.O.C.U.S. stands for Finding Out that I am Created and designed with a purpose, Unique and Special.

Breyuna will also work to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC which has the largest prevalence rates in the country. As an AIDS advocate, she has spoken to youth in partnership with Metro Teen AIDS and hosted several discussions on the effect of HIV/AIDS in youth.

Breyuna presented an award for the Computer Love category.

Visit her online at http://www.missblackdcusa.com/.

Linda Pate is the owner of the Essence and New York times reporting bookstore Precious Memories. Precious Memories was birthed on July 24, 2004. As we approach our two year anniversary we find ourselves reflecting on the journey thus far. It has been a blessed event. One filled with great moments of surprise and awe as we’ve felt the community embrace us one workshop, poetry reading, and retreat at a time. Our dream has been to “build the community by connecting with books” but have found that it’s been about so much more; something that forged the foundation of the neighborhoods surrounding our store – good, old-fashioned caring, kindness and friendship.

Linda presented the award for Best Blogger.

Visit her online at http://www.preciousmemoriesreading.com/.

Nikkea Smithers is an Essence Magazine Best Selling Author of five titles both poetry and novels. For more information please visit her website at http://www.nikkeasmithers.com/.

MaRita Teague, an English Instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, earned a master’s degree from The University of Alabama in Huntsville and her bachelor’s from The Ohio State University. She lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her husband and three sons. The Taste of Good Fruit is her first novel.

To contact Marita, send email to MaRitaTeague@gmail.com or visit http://www.maritateague.net/.

MaRita presented the award for Outstanding Community Service.

Angel Mechelle was raised a military brat and has lived in many states and several countries. She attended Neu-Ulm High School in Germany and graduated from Southeast High school in Bradenton Florida. She called Bradenton home for several years before relocating to Virginia where she resides with her two children. Blessed with an active imagination and many “life experiences” to draw from, Angel was finally able to share her love for story telling with the world when she accepted as a contributing author in the Shannon Holmes Anthology “Hood2Hood”. Angel is currently working on several projects including the follow up to her debut novel and a short story for the Anthology “Flirt” where she will be featured along with three “very well known” authors.

Angel presented the award for the Excuse Me Miss category.

Visit Angel online at www.myspace.com/writeordiechic.

I'm a self-proclaimed "Southern Girl". I grew up on the eastern coast of North Carolina; the middle child of two of the best parents on earth! I was a precocious kid, the one who always asked, “Why?” As a teenager I loved reading books because it was the perfect escape from my small hometown. I’d meet interesting people and travel to exciting places, all without leaving the Michael Jackson (don't laugh, he was "IT" back in the day) covered walls of my bedroom. So it's no wonder that I eventually became a writer. After many "stops" and "goes", I finally did it...I'm a published author! I love what I do, and there's no greater feeling than that! I'm living life and lovin' it!

Check me out on my website at http://www.tricehickman,com/, and get your copy of, Unexpected Interruptions, today!....And while you're at it, don't forget to pre-order your copy of my much aniticpated sequel, Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies, available June 23, 2009!

Trice was the keynote speaker for The Black Book Clubs Rock Awards and she presented the award for Best Blog Talk Radio Host.

Who is Tifany Jones? Some say she’s a fresh new talent making her mark on the literary world! Many believe she founded Sistah Confessions, a book club and radio show for the purpose of healing, inspiring, and eliciting change to transform the lives of her audience. There has been speculation that Tifany’s literary works include the forthcoming titles The Powder Room and The Secrets Within. Both books are rumored for release in 2010. Sources also state Tifany is a contributing author to two anthologies, Bended Knees and The Breakthrough: A Triumph of My Soul also to be released in 2009 and 2010.

Currently, reports state that Tifany owns and operates “Zoe Life Designs” and has personally developed branding campaigns for notable authors, churches, and entertainers.

Her alleged accomplishments include: Media coverage at the 2008 Congressional Black Caucus Author Pavilion, keynote speaker at Divas of Excellence, and author celebrity interviews on her syndicated radio show, Sistah Confessions. June 2009 she added the high successful Black Book Clubs Rock Awards to her repertoire. However, sources close to her say her proudest accomplishments are being a wife and mother of three beautiful children.

When she is not writing, designing, or producing her radio show, paparazzi photos confirm Tifany enjoys spending time with her family and attending church. We've heard she believes in the Holy Trinity and continually allows the Word of God to transform and reveal her true beauty.

This just in! Closely guarded sources state Tifany Jones is not her real name, but an alias given to her by her late grandmother, Geraldine Blue. Stay tuned in as this story develops.

The Black Book Clubs Rock Awards is an event designed to honor book clubs and literary supporters that have made a positive impact on the African-American community through their service. Honorees exemplify community spirit, leadership, volunteerism, and have made a difference in the lives of authors and readers.

The vision of Black Book Clubs Rock is to show the world how much we can accomplish when we come together in unity. Each month, all around the world, book clubs come together to fellowship and discuss their passion for reading and everything in between. Friendships are formed and lifelong bonds are created. Now, imagine if we took these principles into our homes. Not only would our communities be changed, but the world as well. Global impact can only be accomplished through the successful changes we make as individuals within our own families. So in short, one person CAN make a difference!

Plans for the second annual Black Book Clubs Rock Awards are already underway, so mark your calendar for June 19, 2010 and don’t forget to view the pictures and videos of this event. Be sure to let us know you visited the site by leaving a comment.

Have you told a book club how much they rock today?

Book Club of the Year - This award is given to a select group of extraordinarily talented individuals whose contributions and accomplishments have enriched and advanced our literary culture. Their work and dedication have withstood the test of time.

Computer Love - Granted to exemplary websites and designers that are on the cutting edge in website design & Internet communications. Not only are there websites informative and pleasing to the eye, but original and sets the tone for other developers.

Community Service - This award recognizes those individuals who epitomize unselfishness bravery, and compassion, voluntarily giving to the community and addressing the emotional, physical and material needs of people in crisis, hardship and impoverished conditions.

Best Book Reviewer - This award is given to those that keep us literary lovers aware of the best reads with their consistent, thought provoking, and soulful output.

Best Blogger - Outstandingly skilled in their field, being the best of the best is what drives the recipient of this award. Through talent, discipline, determination, focus, and drive these winners have risen to greatness by keeping literary lovers in the know with their timely posts and up to date topics.

Excuse Me Miss - This award recognizes ultimate talent straight 'out the gate'. These fire-starters have already created a buzz and are proving themselves as a force to be reckoned with. The recipient of this award has the potential to be one of the Great Ones'. Only book clubs established less than a year are eligible for for this award.

Best BTR Personality - This award recognizes those individuals who go above and beyond with their informative author interviews and edgy Blog Talk Radio format.

Sistah of Excellence - This award goes to that very forward thinking, visionary woman who has courageously revolutionized her industry's territory. This forerunner has shaken up tradition and overcome challenges creating new opportunities within a viable market where little or none existed. She is our woman of the year.

Full Name
Street Address
City and State
Email
Phone
Number of guests?	1234567891011121314151617181920More than 20
Accomadations (Room Selection)	SingleDoubleNot Required
Name of book club?
Role?	President/Founder Member Other
Are you an author?	Yes No Aspiring
Are you interested in an author/vendor table?	YesNoUndecided
Would you like info on advertising with us?	YesNoUndecided
Would you like info on sponsorship/donating?	YesNoUndecided
Additional comments?
Did you attend BBCR 2009?	Yes, it rockedNo, but I look forward to 2010

Thank you for registering for the 2nd Annual Black Book Clubs Rock Awards. Someone will be in contact with you shortly.

BBCR STAFF