Harlem Book Fair Honors the Pioneers of Black Book Publishing (including my mom) (155 hits)
On Friday, July 19, 2008, I had the pleasure of presenting the Wheatley Book Award, given by the Harlem Book Fair, to my mom, author, publisher Cheryl Willis Hudson. She and my dad, Wade Hudson, were among 6 honorees at the annual award ceremony, which, this year, paid tribute to pioneers of Black book publishing. Following is my introduction:
Her mission is to create great children’s books that affirm our heritage and make our children want to soar. And that's what Cheryl Willis Hudson has been doing since she began her career in publishing more than 30 years ago.
Growing up in Portsmouth, VA, she shared her parents' love for reading, and honed her artistic skills through art projects. By the late 70s, she had graduated Oberlin College, earned a publishing certificate and met and married writer Wade Hudson. And whether she knew it or not, the foundation for her to make lasting contributions to the publishing world was laid.
When she became a mom (to me) she put her talents to use, creating artwork for my bedroom. Under her paintbrush, little African American characters came to life--twisting and turning to spell the letters of my name in a special nameplate that hung in my room. More than just decoration, these characters offered cultural affirmation. So at a very early age, I understood the letter "A" stood for Africa and Muhammad Ali as well as apple and alligator.
By the mid 80s, the playful characters had a name: the AFRO-BETS Kids and they took center stage in Cheryl's manuscript for a unique concept book that taught the alphabet using Afrocentric themes and images. When publisher after publisher passed on the idea, many doubting the viability of a market for Black-interest children's books, Cheryl and Wade decided to publish the AFRO-BETS ABC Book themselves. The book was a huge success and a follow-up, theAFRO-BETS 123 Book soon followed. What also followed was the 1988 launch of a new independent publishing company Cheryl and Wade founded called Just Us Books.
Leveraging her previous experience working for publishers like Houghton Mifflin and MacMillian, Cheryl took the helm as publisher of Just Us Books, overseeing the development of all the company's titles--from editorial to art direction. She worked with gifted artists including George Ford and talented writers such as Nikki Grimes and Angela Medearis, producing scores of positive, memorable Black-interest books for young people even helping to create a Ben Franklin Award winner, and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book along the way.
Cheryl also grew as an author, crafting nearly 20 vibrant and engaging books of her own, such as Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, Come By Here Lord: Everyday Prayers for Children; and Hands Can.
Though not one to toot her own horn, Cheryl has helped give many talented writers and artists their first break in the publishing industry. And she strongly believes in supporting fellow and aspiring book creators. She also stays active in her community and in publishing industry organizations, serving on the board of the Langston Hughes Library operated by the Children’s Defense Fund, and as a member of the Children's Book Council and PEN America. Her contributions have been recognized with several awards, including the YWCA Women of Influence Award, the Ida B. Wells Award for Institutional Leadership, given this year by the National Black Writers Conference, induction into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent, and of course her honor here tonight.
It's my pleasure to present the 2008 Wheatley Book Award to a woman who stands only 5 foot 4 , but whose work, talent and perseverance all inspire me (at 5 foot 10) to look up to her. Author, editor, publishing pioneer, and my mom, Cheryl Willis Hudson.
