FOUNDER
From teen mom to CEO by the age of twenty, Tamika Newhouse, the author of 16 novels, has landed on numerous best sellers’ lists and is the winner of 8 African American Literary Awards. Only nine months after debuting her first novel in 2009, she landed a major publishing contract without an agent and went on to become the CEO of Delphine Publications. To date, she has published nearly 200 titles, launched the careers of hundreds of writers, and produces the only entertainment award show for African American writers, called the AAMBC Literary Awards.
Communications Coordinator
Valerie Twyman was born and raised in Joliet, Ill, a thriving town outside Chicago. Valerie began her career in the corporate world as an expert in Business Administration, Training, Coaching / Mentoring, Account Management, Vendor Relations, Workforce Management, and Human Resources. Although she enjoyed success in business, her passion for writing kept calling her. She suffered trauma at the young age of 9 and found comfort in writing. This childhood trauma was the basis of her 2022 Hurston Wright Foundation’s Crossover Award Winning memoir Blue Butterfly: Explorations of Innocence. The judge of the 2022 Crossover Award, writer Ron Nixon described her submission as "a wonderfully written and moving story about childhood trauma. She also established NHerself Expressions in 2019 to focus on helping others heal from childhood trauma. An excerpt from her memoir was subsequently published in Text Power Telling Magazine. She found community at Lit Diaries, a book lounge and event space that curates literary and cultural events, where she serves as the Communications Coordinator. With so many stories to tell, Valerie has only just begun
Video Editor
Growing up in Decatur, GA, Ashley Teagle realized that not much media reflecting her life and her community. From there, she quickly developed a passion for film, Black representation, and her community. Ashley is currently an aspiring editor eager to work with new and exciting stories centering African Americans. She is continuing to learn and grow as a creative to help these narratives reach audiences that can finally relate.
Event Coordinator
As an event Curator for AAMBC Shannon produces film and literary events. You can find her drafting book lists or planning unique experiences for filmmakers and authors. This year she works in Cinema as a Business Operations Analyst at Screenvision Media where she leverages analytics to ensure SVM is on track to meet their revenue goal. She also conducts competitive market research and supports the National Sales team in pipeline tracking and reporting. Last year she honed the art of impactful storytelling during her time at TED. Her experience as a Digital Campaign Manager allowed her to curate online ads and engage with diverse audiences worldwide via social media. She activated and optimized digital sponsorships for the Partnerships team. Shannon is an advocate for Black culture believing in transformative narratives, uplifting underrepresented voices, and she’s committed to promoting diversity. Former global explorations inspired her perspective on life and she’s always in pursuit of knowledge and opportunities to be a creative.
Graphic Designer
Sha'Quiel Smith is a Graphic Designer from Chicago, Illinois. Recently is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design at Purdue Northwest University in Hammond, Indiana. She also has an Associate in Applied Science for Multimedia Arts. She specializes in Branding, Advertising, and Illustrations. In her spare time, she loves a good book or two and also is an avid horror movie watcher. When not busy with work and schooling, she is a wife and also a mother to a beautiful little girl. Sha'Quiel loves creating art that inspires awe in the mind and is continuing to craft her skills in hopes of one day starting her own business.
Grant Coordinator & Researcher
An aspiring historian, Ayann’ah Batiste is a lover of the arts and history. A bachelor’s in history and minor in religious studies she graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown Fall 2021. Ayann’ah is currently a grant writer fellow interested in the museum field and exploring other nonprofits. At the AAMBC, she hopes to redevelop professional writing, research, and communication skills. Her spare time is spent researching, writing, and creating art.
Web Designer
Known as Chanel Renee on the socials and founder of WPD Media, Chanel is a self-taught web developer who later went on to get a degree in web design and marketing. Coding caught her attention in 1998 while initially navigating the web trying to make money as a SAHM. "In 2004, Chanel was already proficient in coding and graphics. Those skills, combined with her knowledge of Photoshop, were a game-changer. She then began to craft beautiful and impactful websites for her clients. Her goal encompasses the company's slogan "Creatively Designing Your Web Presence," which allows her to continue to pursue her love of creating beauty for the web and bringing visual branding to life.
Social Media Manager
Brianna “Breezy” Green, hailing from Dayton, Ohio, earned her B.A. in Mass Communications and Journalism from Kentucky State University. With broadcast as her field of study, Brianna has the ultimate goal of dominating the entertainment industry with her creativity and passion, whether it’s through music, radio, or television. There are no limits to her desires. While hosting her podcast, Unpredictable Conversations, and working on content for her social media platforms on YouTube (STARINTHEMAKING TV) & Instagram, she’s a mother to a toddler boy with autism. Brianna is a growing advocate for Autism Awareness and hopes to break the stigma associated with autism.