Donna Y. Ford, Ph.D., Joy Lawson Davis, Ph.D., Michelle Trotman Scott, Ph.D., Yolanda Sealey-Ruiz Ph.D. 
Gumbo for the Soul Liberating Memoirs and Stories to Inspire Females of Color

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About the Book

This book -- a collection of memoirs written by Women of Color is shared to inspire and motivate readers. The authors of these precious, soulful stories are from across the globe and represent various backgrounds and professions. What these women have in common, though, is their drive to tell their story. Stories of pain, discovery, strength, and stories of beginnings. Many of the experiences, as difficult as they may have been, made the women who they are today. Telling these stories to a new generation will empower and encourage them in their experiences no matter how troubling or challenging (Harris, 2015). These stories, like our foremothers offering their Gumbo, present the best these women have to offer. These authors want the world to know that deep inside of each of us is a rich, vibrant, purposeful beginning. As our lives develop and we are “stirred and stirred again”, like Gumbo, our experiences begin to shape who we are and who we become. When the stirring is complete, a comforting meal -- one that says no matter what has gone into the dish, it’s going to be amazingly magnificent!!

The authors hope these stories will inspire and motivate girls and Women of Color to trust their experiences -- whether good or bad -- to help them become. Our becoming means that after all that life has thrown our way, we are strong, purposeful, and powerful people who are a great treasure to a world that sometimes rejects and ignores our existence. Embedded in this book are stories of abuse and triumph, sadness and victory, disappointment and resilience, discovery and victory.
Forest Of The Rain Productions Founder and CEO Michel Davis Robinson had the opportunity to interview Dr. Donna Y. Ford regarding her most recent project, a co-edited book entitled: Gumbo for the Soul Liberating Memoirs and Stories to Inspire Females of Color


Michel Davis Robinson:  Please share the names of the other editors?
Donna Y. Ford: Donna Ford, Joy Lawson Davis, Michelle Trotman Scott, Yolande Sealey-Ruiz
 
Michel Davis Robinson:   What is the name of your most recent book?
Donna Y. Ford: Gumbo for the Soul: Liberating Memoirs and Stories to Inspire Females of Color.

Michel Davis Robinson:  How did you come up with the name?  Does the name have a special meaning?
Dr. Ford: I have been a fan of such books as Chicken Soup for the Soul. This series is very inspirational, but I wanted something to speak to the soul of people of color, in this case females of all ages. But gumbo, not chicken soup, says more about our experiences as people color, mainly those who are Black.  When I shared the idea for the book with co-editors, we collectively agreed that ‘gumbo’ captured the essence of our intent and our essence when sharing stories of trials, tribulations as well as resilience and grit.

Michel Davis Robinson: Why did you write the book? What do you want readers to take away from your book?
Dr. Ford: All of the editors write extensively about the experiences of males of color. We wanted to take time to share the experiences of females of color - not based on research, but on our lived experiences. This is just as important as research. Our stories are often relegated to second class status to those of White females and to those of males of color. We - females of color - have been silenced and invisible in so much resource and discourse. This book of stories is one of liberation for the contributors; it is cathartic for the authors, and we hope readers of all ages are inspired and motivated to press on - to battle all odds in their journey toward success.

Michel Davis Robinson: Where can we purchase your book?
Donna Y. Ford: Gumbo for the Soul: Liberating Memoirs and Stories to Inspire Females of Color can be purchased at http://www.infoagepub.com/products/Gumbo-for-the-Soul

Michel Davis Robinson: ​  Will there be a follow-up to this book?
Dr. Ford: I expect this to be a series. We expect readers will also want to share their story and journey as females of color. It is also timely to have males of color share their lived experiences.