BEYOND 39th STREET

by Jeffrey J. Davis (Compiler), Kwame Jai, Tasha Smith (Illustrator)

Overview

life in the valley is a daily depiction of
life's' ups and downs, whatever our emotions may be,
that guide or control us. much of this work
was stimulated by Black History Month, as seen by the
Afrocentric tone in many of the poems. this is a time where
our Black Heritage is only celebrated for 28 days.
celebrating our heritage should be a daily, year round
overtaking. we must tell our children, so they can tell
their children, and so on; so, they all know from whence
and where they came. a daily battle of mental
versus physical, only the strong make it out of...
LIFE IN THE VALLEY

Product Details

BN ID:	2940162695691
Publisher:	Davis, Hardin, Mitchem, & Byers Inc.
Publication date:	04/14/2020
Series:	BEYOND 39th STREET... , #4
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	660 KB

About the Author

Kwame Jai, born Jeffrey J. Davis, is an African American author born and bred in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri. He was raised by both parents, Charles and Dortha, who hailed from two small communities in rural Arkansas located on the outskirts of Morrilton, Arkansas.
Growing up as an only child was often difficult for him. His parents, born and raised in rural Arkansas, could not relate to the challenges of growing up in the city. With no siblings to talk to, Kwame internalized most things. Generally quiet and reserved, he was always curious. In the fourth grade, neighborhood kids ostracized him. Unbeknownst to him, he scored high on a test administered to all kids at school. Kwame was placed in a new program called “Gifted and Talented” and the neighborhood kids thought someone other than him was smarter and should have been selected. Those feelings led to fights and trying to defend what he did not understand. On top of that, his teacher treated him as though he had done something wrong. She abruptly told him to get out of her class and he did not belong there anymore. Upset and confused, Kwame was taken to another room where his new journey began in the “Gifted and Talented Program” that included fourth, fifth, and sixth graders in one room.
After graduating from Lincoln College Preparatory Academy in three years, off to college he went. He graduated from the University of Missouri, B.S. Mathematics; Kansas City Metropolitan Community Colleges, A.S. Biology; and Park University, B.S. Fitness & Wellness.
Kwame is somewhat of a unicorn and referred to as a renaissance man. Although he grew up in the middle of the city surrounded by crime and drugs along 39th street, he was able to navigate and avoid many pitfalls that trap others. He attributes much of his success to living with both his parents.