2008 Woodie Awards
Popular children's author, chef celebrates Black History Month
By Joyce Galinski
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Premiere
Originally published: 2/21/08 at 6:15 PM CSTLast update: 2/21/08 at 6:14 PM CST
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Angela Shelf Medearis, who calls herself the Kitchen Diva, is the award-winning author of more than 85 children's books and four best-selling cookbooks, which most recently include, "The African-American Kitchen."
"The Kwanzaa Celebration," "Ideas for Entertaining from the African-American Kitchen" and "The Ethnic Vegetarian" are other cookbooks written by Medearis that promote a healthy lifestyle.
This free event, which replaces the African-American Read-in that has been a part of Black History Month celebrations at this college for 17 years, is being sponsored by the Black History Month Committee along with the Office of Student Life and English department.
"In her cookbooks, she not only deals with the culture of African-Americans but also the entire United States," English Professor Janice Clayton said. "It's not easy to publish books, have a cooking show on the air, (or do what she did) without hard work and talent. I admire her a lot because of her commitment to children, a healthy lifestyle and the preservation of cultural heritage through cooking."
A reception will follow her talk. Clayton said attendees can bring copies of Medearis' books or purchase them for the author to sign.
Medearis pursued her dream of becoming a writer after she was fired from a job as a legal secretary and wanted to become a stay-at-home mother.
After a few years of being turned down by New York publishers, she chose to submit her work to a local publisher in her hometown of Austin.
With the help and support of her husband, Michael Medearis, she was able to accomplish her dreams of becoming a successful children's writer.
Her first children's book, "Picking Peas for a Penny," sold more than 10,000 copies at schools, autograph signings and literary conferences.
Her works can be found in schools, libraries, and bookstores across the U.S. and have been translated into Spanish, French, Dutch and Japanese.
Texas Monthly magazine called Medearis "one of the most influential writers of children's literature in Texas."
Medearis honed her storytelling skills by making appearances at schools and book signings, leading Storytelling World Magazine to name her one of the best storytellers in the world.
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