Where are you originally from?
I was born in Spokane, WA, and lived with my family in both Eastern and Western Washington until we moved to Idaho in 1997. I have lived in various locations since moving to Idaho, but settled in the Boise, Idaho area around 2008.
How did you and your partner Ronald meet?
We met through a mutual friend and have been together for 9 years.
We love your new book! What was your inspiration behind the story of Maddie’s Colors?
Thank you! I am glad you found Maddie’s Colors meaningful. My inspiration came after years of both engaging in and witnessing conversations regarding race and equality and realizing how the words and descriptions we use do matter. Personally, I found that even the term “person of color”, while certainly not bad, still seemed to “other” those from the assumed, “baseline” color of white. I found myself wanting to adjust my own thinking and also inspire others to consider thinking about this issue differently in that we are all people first and foremost – and that we all have color which reality I find has a refreshing and equalizing tone to it.
We see you do volunteer work with children in Tanzania also. Has your past experiences contributed to how Maddie’s Colors came about?
Yes, I am involved with the orphanage in Tanzania and love spending time with the children and supporting their healing, growth, and development. I think my collective experiences over the years of traveling and living and caring for others in different countries have certainly contributed to Maddie’s Colors.
What have you learned most about yourself as a new author after writing Maddie’s Colors?
I have learned the importance of perseverance and patience, and that publishing Maddie’s Colors is another way to care, which is a concept I find incredibly empowering and inspiring and I hope it does so for others as well.
How do you feel this children’s book can contribute to society? What do you hope that it teaches parents and children?
I believe Maddie’s Colors kindly suggests a different way to think and talk about race and equality and I am grateful if people find it inspiring, kind, and empowering. I respect the fact that not all will agree with this perspective, but hope that it brings empowerment and healing to many. My hope is that Maddie’s Colors will inspire parents to engage in gentle discussions with their children regarding this simple concept and perspective regarding skin tone outlined in Maddie’s Colors and I hope it inspires kindness, respect, and inclusion in both the parents and children.
What is your main goal to achieve over the next year with Maddie’s Colors?
My main goal over the next year is to work hard along with my team to maximize opportunities to “drop stones” of kindness, openness, humility and respect contained in the message in Maddie’s Colors into the consciousness of humanity and trust the “ripple effect” of good will go far and wide.
If you could give advice to any young authors wanting to pursue a career in this field, what would you tell them?
I would encourage young authors to focus on caring first and foremost-for others, for those forgotten and less fortunate, and for themselves, and then allow that caring to inspire their imagination and their voice in writing. It is a Call to Care at the end of the day.
Anything else you would like to add?
I am grateful for the opportunity to chat with JukeBox Culture regarding the message behind Maddie’s Colors. I truly hope this reaches more people in support of the ultimate goal to achieve inclusivity, acceptance and understanding.