Salutations Everyone!
On April 7th, 2018 thanks to Danielle Murrell Cox (“DMC”) and Caribbean Paradise Restaurant, The SHO had the privilege of hosting an amazing book signing! DMC produced two beautiful colouring books (“Black Queens” and “Black Kings”) which celebrate black beauty and include positive affirmations.
Some months back I had seen the Black Queens coloring book, and I was certain that the creator of this coloring book was American…In February 2018 she had a book signing in a Montreal bookstore (Pointe-Claire’s Chapters), but unfortunately, I was unable to attend…
The craze with the Black Panther movie had just started and to see the black youths so proud to see themselves represented in a superhero movie was priceless; representation is so important… I thought to myself “Imagine how empowering it will be for the youths in my community if they could get their hands on a Black Queens coloring book and actually meet the creator behind it?” You see, for the black youths, seeing themselves represented on the big screen in a superhero movie is magical! But to meet someone, who is the same ethnicity them, who did something amazing, like create a colouring book just for them, is empowering, inspiring and motivating… All of a sudden, these kids begin to realize that dreams can come true, and their skin color isn’t a limitation…
I was thinking that we could do a book signing in Lasalle and sponsor 25 coloring books for children who come from single-parent homes…So I reached out to Danielle and asked her if she would be interested in doing a book singing in MY community (LASALLE, QC), but it it turned out that Lasalle is OUR community (Danielle grew up in Lasalle and still lives here)! Danielle was immediately on board with the idea and she was just as enthusiastic about it as me…I then reached out to the Caribbean Paradise Restaurant (because the owners have always been so supportive of my ideas, and I eat from there all of the time) and asked if we could have the book signing there and they were immediately on board as well (Babita thank you for always supporting me!).
I wanted the kids to be able to spend time in Danielle’s presence, so I didn’t want them to just purchase coloring books and leave…So I figured that if we had coloring stations, and encouraged the families to stay and color, it would be a beautiful thing to witness.
Finally, I knew these moments would be priceless, so I wanted them to be captured by photographers… Our budget didn’t permit having funds to pay photographers, so I took to my social media to find volunteer photographers and we were blessed with two amazing volunteers: Sonia Primerano and Aaron of “No Limit Deuce Photography”…
Together with our community, we were able to sponsor 40 coloring books for children who come from single-parent homes!
The event was everything I hoped for and more…For me, it was magical…As I was handing out the sponsored coloring books to the children, I would ask them “Do you like this coloring book?” Of course they answered “Yes!” But the look on their faces when I told them that the woman that made this coloring book was here and that they would get to meet her was priceless. There were so many magical moments… For instance, one little girl came in with her mom and sister, and she was crying… She was just having a bad day, and she was saying that her little sister “always gets everything” (I’m the little sister too, and I know my older sister couldn’t stand me at this age…We all know how that goes…) However, after getting her coloring book, and meeting Danielle and her mother, her spirits were lifted! She was happily coloring and was so excited to show Danielle what she had colored! Tears came to my eyes when she came to say bye to me, thanked me and gave me a hug…At one point during the event, I was talking to Danielle and her mother, and one of the balloons popped… It appeared as though sparkles came out of the balloon… Danielle said “Oh wow, that was cool… Did you put sparkles in the balloons?” I proceeded to tell her I didn’t and how it was probably the “high-float” solution…Then I said “No girl, that’s black girl magic…” We laughed… But honestly, after this event, I understood the true essence of “black girl magic.“ As I looked around the room and saw an overflow of joy and love, I felt this magical feeling in my core, and I thought to myself “Danielle and I did this…This is black girl magic…”
The event came to an end but the energy and the memories from that day will forever run through my soul; for me, it was a life-changing experience…Then, I got the photos from the event; these made me uber-emotional (I actually tear up when I look at them)..The pictures managed to capture the magic that circulated throughout that event…
Not to mention, the weeks leading up to the book signing were unforgettable…Danielle and I went on the radio station together (thanks for having us Pat Dillon-Moore)…We were on Breakfast Television (on the same day but for separate reasons)…We lost trust our trust in Google Maps (inside joke LOL)…The journey was amazing, and it is a blessing to say that I have gained a new friend.
Honestly, I will never forget any aspect of this experience…
On behalf of THE SHO, I would like to thank:
DANIELLE MURRELL COX
Babita (one of the owners of Caribbean Paradise Restaurant)
“Sonia Primerano Photography”
“No Limit Deuce Photography”
Coniah’s Sweet Creations (for the wonderful personalized cookies)
Catherine Verdon-Diamond of Breakfast Television
Pat Dillon-Moore (Host of “Bhum Bhum Time”: a show on the CKUT radio station)
Wendy L. McKenzie (one of our sponsors)
The colouring book sponsors
Selvena Walters (she volunteered her entire day to help before, during and after the event)
And all of the families who attended the event!
Without you all, the success of this event wouldn’t have been possible!
