genius ink Archives - Rolling Out

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. Alzheimer’s advocate Brandon Burke has firsthand experience with the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease through the diagnoses of his grandmother and his father, Gary. In his first book, Rediscovering Dad & Discovering Myself: A Journey Through the Impact of Alzheimer’s, Burke, who is his…

L. Michelle Smith

L. Michelle Smith is the founder and CEO of no silos communications LLC in Cedar Hill, Texas, where her focus is speaking, writing and providing female leaders with culturally nuanced, accessible executive coaching to reach their highest potential. She is also the creator, executive producer and host of “The Culture Soup” podcast. Rolling out recently…

Michelle Smalls is known as the “Queen of Harlem” to many in New York City familiar with the influencer, serial entrepreneur and philanthropist. The issues confronting the nation’s youth became the basis for her new book, The Queen of Harlem Commandments. The book tells the story of growing up in Harlem and her transition from…

Dr. Kimberly Gilbert, a board-certified Atlanta-based physician has penned a new book, So … When Do I See the Doctor? The book is about her journey to becoming a physician and the challenges she faced as a result of her race and gender and how she found the strength to complete medical school, residency, and…

Bestselling authors Ashley and JaQuavis are known for urban fiction, or street lit, based on inner-city living. The married writing duo has released the first of its latest cartel series, Money Devils 1. Four beautiful Haitian-American sisters, the LaCroixs, run long cons on the most wealthy under the guise of their venture capital company, the…

Gregory “Gee” Smalls is an author, restaurateur and co-creator of “The Gentlemen’s Ball,” an annual black-tie fundraising gala that celebrates Black LGBTQ people. Along with his husband Juan, Smalls owns and operates Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar, a restaurant in College Park, Georgia. They are known for serving up cultural cuisine and popular menu items…

For Let Me Hear a Rhyme, author Tiffany D. Jackson teamed up with lyricist Malik “Malik-16” Sharif to share a story about youth coming of age during the golden era of hip-hop. The novel tells the tale of two friends seeking to keep the legacy of their best friend alive by sharing his music after…

A conversation with 19-year-old Author, Haile Thomas. Activist, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and America’s youngest Certified Integrated Health Coach talks about her new book Living Lively. CEO Munson Steed talks about Healthy foods that taste good.

From teenage activist to a community leader, mother and author, Kim Johnson has always strived to make an impact. She received degrees from the University of Oregon and the University of Maryland, College Park. Johnson is a proud college administrator and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. She is now releasing her debut novel…

Retired Sgt. Maj. Craig Keith is a decorated U.S. Army veteran and entertainment executive for Walt Disney Studios. During his time in the military, he served his country for three decades in six combat tours and under six presidents, which prepared him for any obstacle life may bring. Rolling out spoke with Keith about his…

Tara Jenkins, Ed.D., is a dedicated wife, mother, and faith leader. Along with her husband Pastor Charles Jenkins, they lead the congregation at the historic Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago. Jenkins is the head of the Daughters of Royalty Women’s Ministry. She is the founder of the Ministry Mates Institute for online learning which…

Audrey Todd is a mentor, minister and writer. The Chicago native has parlayed her life experience into to something that adds value to the lives of young people nationwide. Issues with abandonment, drug use and foster care could have easily led Todd down a different path. A car accident changed her trajectory. Rolling out spoke…

In his new book, Straight Up: Honest, Unfiltered, As-Real-As-I-Can-Put-It Advice for Life’s Biggest Challenges, former NFL player and the founder of non-profit RehabTime, Trent Shelton, offers advice and insights to guide young adults with establishing healthy relationships. Shelton is now considered one of the most significant speakers of his generation. During a recent interview on…

Journalist turned best selling romance author Kennedy Ryan, is a literary force to be reckoned with. Ryan writes stories rooted in feminism that all women can relate to, while often challenging the boundaries of tradition. Her authenticity and talent have won her prestigious honors like the RITA Award, USA Today Bestseller, and Top 25 Amazon…

Teresa Caldwell has been a mover and shaker in the entertainment industry for years, although the public is much more familiar with her famous son, rapper Bow Wow, than they are with her. She just happens to be the mother who managed his career. Born in Ohio, Caldwell learned to mask the dysfunction from her…

Crystal Senter-Brown is a writer and poet who lives out her passion — empowering women and children through her stories. The Morristown, Tennessee, native has been writing and performing since she was 9 years old which prepared her for her future to pen seven books. She is also a first-generation college student and a two-time…

Doug E. Doug is an actor and comedian who has been in the industry for three decades. During his career, the Brooklyn native, whose real name is Douglas Bourne, has also established himself as writer and producer with a flair for both comedy and drama. His acting career began with his debut role in the…

Marc Lacy is a speaker, writer and producer for AVO Publishing LLC. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, and a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University, he has performed across the country at many national literary events and spoken word venues. Rolling out spoke with the award-winning poet for our “Creative Class” series about his career…

Elizabeth Acevedo is a Dominican American author and poet. Her debut novel, The Poet X, won the 2018 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. Her other books include Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths and With The Fire On High. She holds a bachelor’s in performing arts from George Washington University and an MFA in…

K Love the Poet is a spoken word artist, motivational speaker. She made her poetry debut in 2003 in the heart of Chicago. Since 2015 she has had more than three videos to go viral. She is well known for empowering people of color with her signature poem “Million Dollar Melanin.” As poetry month comes…