Today we’d like to introduce you to Latoya Turner.
Hi Latoya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2009, I graduated from an HBCU Central State University with a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I began my teaching career in 2010. As of today, I am still a teacher, teaching 1st grade in Cincinnati, OH. Throughout my years of teaching, I became inspired to write a children’s book featuring African American characters. In 2020, I published my first children’s book Brown Hands, White Sand, and started my business Brown Hands LLC that allows children to travel the world through books and adventures. Brown Hands, White Sand was inspired by my love for the beach and traveling as a young child. In 2021, I published my second children’s book Brown Hands, Black Schools HBCUs. Going to an HBCU is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I want children to learn about HBCUs at a young age. I self-published my children’s books and it was not an easy process. I watched YouTube videos to help me through the process. I am not only an author who wants to sell books, I am bringing my children’s books to life by having events where kids can really travel the world through books and adventures!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, not easy at all, but since I am in love with what I do it makes it easy and worth some of the struggles. Not having anybody to sit down with me and show me the steps of how to self-publish a book was a big struggle. Writing the book was the easy part, it came natural! I had to find an illustrator, edit, format and so much more. When I published my first book, I really wasn’t thinking about the business part of it. All of it just fell in my lap. Marketing and promoting my book was another job itself. Being a mother, teacher, living life, and running Brown Hands LLC can be overwhelming at times. I am finding ways to manage my time as Brown Hands is taking off in such a positive direction.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Latoya Turner is an educator and children’s book author of the Brown Hands series! I write book specifically for African American children so they can see themselves represented in books in a positive way. However, my books are for ALL children. I write books about topics where kids can learn about the world around them and become inspired to learn and do more. Little Brown Hands WILL change the world. I am most proud of the impact my books has had on kids. The seeds that I have planted will forever sprout!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is when my father took me to the Bahamas along with my family. I remember learning so much about another culture and it was so beautiful! Also, my mother always threw my sister and I the best birthday parties! I get my creativity and artistic ways from her!
Contact Info:
- Email: Brownhandsllc@gmail.com
- Website: www.brownhandsllc.com
- Instagram: @brownhandsllc
- Facebook: @brownhandsllc
