Here Wee Read Charnaie Gordon

Award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko now spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia with a Turkish Jewish father who spoke seven languages and taught painting, and a Jewish mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling business, she was surrounded by the melody of words and stories from different places and varied visual possibilities.
When Selina was in elementary school her entire family would attend her father’s painting class where they learned about 19th Century Impressionists and German Expressionists and were asked to choose paintings and copy them using acrylics. Not only was this a fascinating art history lesson, but it also taught her about the emotional use of color and instilled in her a deep appreciation for painting.
Aside from art, Selina’s childhood was also filled with books; Richard Scarry, Curious George, and anything by Judy Blume were a few of her favorites, and summers were spent at a Jewish sleep-away camp where her social activist spirit was ignited—as well as a love of folk music.
The skills her parents imparted to her as a child, the creative environment that supported them, and the diverse world view she was privy to, have inspired and fueled her ever since and are evident in her many children's books. Some of her award-winning books include: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, B is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, and Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell. 
When she’s not working on a new project, Selina enjoys reading, traveling, running art-making workshops, collaging in her sketchbook, and dance-walking in Prospect Park.

Purchase Selina’s latest book I is for Immigrants!

Visit Selina’s website: https://www.selinaalko.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.  

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Patric Richardson is a longtime lover of beautiful textiles, developing as a child both an appreciation for wonderful clothes and amazing, service-focused department stores like Parson’s and Stone & Thomas in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. He was voted best dressed in eighth grade and again in high school, and his obsession with clothes continued.
In college, there was only one choice, a degree in fashion merchandising, apparel and textiles. His time at the University of Kentucky allowed Patric to hone his skills with textiles, becoming an expert in their use and care. While attending UK, he worked at the legendary store McAlpin’s and then transitioned to Embrys, the finest furrier in the South. It was then that Patric developed his outstanding customer service skills.
Eventually, he took positions at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, where he sold beautiful clothes in exceptional environments, worked with high-fashion leaders, and learned the significance of the runway. These opportunities gave life to his Mall of America store and destination, Mona Williams, and his legions of loyal customers.



Along the way, his knowledge and dedication have given Patric the opportunity to write a case study for a nationally recognized collegiate textbook, The Meaning of Dress; to participate in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Italian style exhibit; to create his Laundry Camps, sharing his love of clothing care and laundry expertise; and much more. Now he plans a series of books—on laundry care, home care, entertaining, and holidays.

Purchase Patric’s book Laundry Love!
Purchase The Proudest Color!

Visit Patric’s website: https://laundryevangelist.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  Thanks for listening!

Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness advocate, TV host, home chef, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two.
The daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a four-time undefeated boxing world champion, whose stellar record includes 24 wins (21 of which were “knockouts”) and zero losses.
Laila is heralded as the most successful female in the history of women’s boxing.  In 2012 when women’s boxing was included in the Olympics, Laila was the first woman in history to provide expert commentary for NBC Sports.

Always eager to encourage others to live an active lifestyle, Laila Ali was the 2012 “Mombassador” for the Aquaphor New York City Triathlon, a competition she actually participated in and completed impressively in a little more than 3 hours.
Also because of her passion for an active lifestyle and wanting to share this with all her followers, she started her own lifestyle blog “Laila Ali Lifestyle,” where she regularly posts workouts tips, recipes, DIY ideas, marriage, and family tips, and so much more!
Laila Ali is a sought after inspirational speaker and author of her life’s story in a dynamic book for young women entitled “Reach!”
Laila studied business management at Santa Monica College.
She and her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, live in Georgia, with their two children, son Curtis Jr., and daughter Sydney.

Visit Laila’s website: http://lailaali.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  Thanks for listening!

In her former career, Nikkia McClain worked as a successful real estate agent in which she managed million-dollar properties. After several years of helping clients realize their real estate dreams, Nikkia wanted to explore other opportunities aligned to her personal goals to pursue a career in marketing and public relations - a very bold decision given Nikkia had no background in the two fields. She established her marketing and public relations firm, TENÉ NÍCOLE, and she put her knowledge and creative skills to work immediately, carving out her path to becoming successful. 

Nikkia raised the level of conversation and opportunities for clients and garnered key relationships to enhance their publicity via television, magazine, and radio. Her efforts continue to maximize the level of exposure clients receive on a national and international level. Since pursuing her dream of building her very own well-known, recognized brand, she has experienced tremendous success. Black Enterprise Magazine touted her as a PR maven. Her firm has represented a roster of past and current clients including Fortune 500 and Inc 5000 companies and notable multi-million-dollar brands.

Nikkia has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as a PR Maven and is the recipient of several awards for her outstanding work in public relations.  From her book DIY PR, readers will obtain a roadmap for success and the confidence to embark on their own journeys into PR.
Visit Nikkia’s website: http://www.authornikkiamcclain.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  
Thanks for listening!

Nadia Odunayo is the founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, the new website that helps you to track your reading and choose which book to read next. She previously worked at Pivotal Labs as a software engineer and originally learned to code at Makers Academy in London. In her spare time she loves to take dance class and, naturally, read!
Follow The StoryGraph on Twitter @thestorygraph and Instagram @the.storygraph.
Visit Nadia’s website: https://www.nadiaodunayo.com/

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  
Thanks for listening!

Traci lives with her family in the Cherokee Nation, out in the country like she did as a child. Back then, she had geese, chickens, horses, dogs and cats. Her mother’s Cherokee family has been in the area since the removal of most Cherokee people from their southeastern homelands in 1838. Traci grew up hearing stories about her ancestors and looking at their photographs with her elisi (eh-lee-see), grandma. Now her son does that with his elisi in addition to fishing in the nearby lake and learning their Cherokee culture.

Before she began writing for children, Traci’s work focused on helping Native American tribes and their citizens. She wrote legal codes, testimony for Congressional hearings, federal budget requests, grants and reports. She continues that work by writing stories for young people and encouraging other Native writers and illustrators to share theirs. When Traci was a child, she never read culturally accurate books about the Cherokee or any other Indigenous people. The stories and poems she writes now reflect her mission to add to the canon of literature showing that Native Nations and their citizens still exist and thrive today.

Visit Traci’s website: https://www.tracisorell.com/

Books mentioned in this episode:
We’re Still Here: Native American Truths



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Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com



Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  
Thanks for listening!