BACKLIST SPEAKS: BOOK OUR FOUNDER FELICIA PRIDE

Current Initiatives

Need an engaging speaker? Looking for more than a keynote? Want an interactive workshop or presentation?

CONTACT:
For media bookings and speaking engagements, contact:
Mondella Jones
MJLA Media
mjlamedia@gmail.com

TOPICS INCLUDE:
Hip-Hop & The Hip-Hop Generation ● Popular Culture ● African-American Publishing ● Book Publishing ● Entrepreneurship ● Literacy ● Strategies for Success ● Creative Writing & The Writing Life

SAMPLE PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE:

+How Young Black Leaders are Redefining the Face of Leadership

+The Message: What We Can Learn from Hip-Hop

+Hip-Hop as a Tool of Engagement

+Harnessing the Power of Music in our Lives

+Black Literature: Past, Present, and Future

+Pursuing Passion: A Career Choice

TYPES OF APPEARANCES AND WORKSHOPS
Workshops and appearances are customized based on client's needs.
+Interactive, Customized Multimedia Appearance: 50-60 minute interactive (or up to 90 minutes), and fully customized discussion that features multimedia components video, audio, etc.

+Keynote: Featured speech for large event

+Quickie Author Visit: 45 minute book reading, discussion and Q&A

+Day-Long: Multiple appearances

SAMPLE WORKSHOPS INCLUDE:
+Soundtracks: Using music as the hook, SOUNDTRACKS is an interdisciplinary enrichment program designed for ages 13-21 that combines literature, multimedia formats, and creative writing to encourage young people to think critically about their worlds and to articulate those thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Sample sessions have included "Swagga Like Mine," "Black President," and "Why?"

+Hip-Hop Inspired: Workshops and presentations that focus on different aspects of hip-hop. Sample workshops include "Writing Lessons from Hip-Hop," "Images of Black Women in Hip-Hop," "The Audacity of Youth: Hip-Hop's History."

+Educator Training: Felicia provides training for educators looking for innovative ideas to engage young people. Sample workshops include "The Message: Using Hip-Hop in the Classroom," "The Bridge is Over: Connecting Youth with Engaging, Age-Appropriate Literature."

+ Teen and Adult Writing Workshops: Creative writing workshops that encourage attendees to use the power of the written word to uplift themselves and their communities.

PLACES SHE'S BEEN:
Art and Music Academy
Aspicomm Self-Publishing Symposium
Baltimore Book Festival
Baltimore County Public Library
Bennett College
Black Male Development Symposium
Bergen County Community College
Bronx Writer's Center
Capital Book Fest
Congressional Black Caucus Criminal Justice Forum
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Atlantic City Free Public Library
Friendship Public Charter Schools
Freedom Readers
George Mason University
Girls & Aggression Conference
Goucher College
Hebbville Elementary School
Hip-Hop Education Summit
Howard University
Matthew Henson Elementary School
Milford Mill Academy
New York University
Ocean County Public Library
Patterson High School
Penn State University
Philander Smith College
Robert E. Lee High School
United Nations Association
Viking High School
Waverly Elementary School
WBL Hip-Hop Teach-In
West Orange High School

TESTIMONIALS:

"I definitely enjoyed your presentation and the work you are doing." - Dr. Walter Kimbrough, President, Philander Smith College

I really enjoyed your presentation. I cannot express my gratitude for your words and inspiration that evening. I hope to be able to bring you back to campus." - Melissa Smith, Community Living Coordinator, Goucher College

"Felicia, I want to thank you again for a wonderful job that you did with the children. It was great and they have been all abuzz since." - Dr. Gary Rodwell, Faculty, Morgan State University, Community College Leadership Doctoral Program

"Felicia Pride not only wrote The Message, she has a message. She understands young people and enriches their understanding of Hip-Hop culture. She helps them appreciate the history and poetry of Hip-Hop. My students still ask me, "When is Felicia Pride coming back to our school?" She engages the audience and with her comforting demeanor invites everyone into her living room during her presentation." - Charles E. Wilson, Jr., Principal, Viking Academy Alternative High School, Atlantic City, NJ

"The halls were filled with kids talking about your visit; students who I don't even teach were talking about it! I can honestly say, hands down, today was one of my proudest moments in teaching. To see how engaged they were in what you had to say made every effort up to this point worth it. You have not only had an impact on my teaching, but have created a memory that these students will never forget."- Lauren Jensen, English Teacher, Robert E. Lee High School

"We were so thrilled about your visit. The boys were talking about you the next day and were so proud to have been a part of the event." - Nancy Kliot, Books for Boys

"I would like to share with anyone interested in having you come to their organization what a wonderful experience it would be for the teens that they might service. Your sessions were very professional in terms of meeting my objectives. Your ability to meet the teens where they are so to speak, is invaluable to being able to relate and share your message, experiences, and wisdom with them. You speak their language.The teenagers at my branch are no different from teenagers anywhere in that they are dealing with not only growing up, but also with the challenges that the here and now present to them.They constantly asked me about when you are scheduled to return because your presentations have been "keeping it real" for them and allows them the opportunity to express themselves while also allowing them to be themselves." - S. Butler, Branch Manager, Walbrook Branch, Enoch Pratt Free Library