I had a great discussion on HPATV’s Hartford Community Leaders show this week, highlighting my children’s book Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh’s Throne and the impact it’s making in the Greater Hartford community. Hartford Community Leaders began on May 1, 2014, as a community – based planning process bringing together residents, local organizations, police department and local politicians in a forum to come up with viable solutions to violence. Special thanks to hosts Donald Padgett and Lakia Shavon Lightner for spotlighting me in honor of Women’s History Month and recognizing my work with CT students. Watch my interview below!

Kicked off my morning with Hot 93.7‘s Morning Crew Today! Had an amazing time sharing the message of diversity found in Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh’s Throne, my journey as an indie author, the feedback I’ve been receiving from students and schools in Connecticut, and even my ultimate dream-supporter (Oprah!) with their listeners. Big thanks to the Morning Crew for the interview and their support: DJ Buck, Nancy Barrow, Stevey Newnez, and Genesis Robles! Watch the interview below!

I had an amazing day at Capital Prep Harbor School in Bridgeport, CT spreading the Niyah Zuri message of Diversity and Believing in one's self! This forward-thinking charter school is changing lives by providing historically disadvantaged students with the college and career readiness skills needed to become responsible and engaged citizens for social justice. I spent the morning speaking with parents about their child's interests and how my book Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne can further inspire their curiosity and love of reading and writing. After wrapping a book signing for select classes, I engaged with with 3rd and 4th grades to discuss their recent writing assignments and answer questions about the Niyah Zuri series. I was honored to autograph a copy of my book to a Kindergartener who stopped by the book signing and declared she had to go home with a copy; my youngest reader yet! Finally, the day concluded with an assembly of 3rd through 6th grades, 220 students in all! I loved sharing excerpts from my book, the origin stories for my characters, and reminding them of the importance of diversity in the books they read. Black History month also reminds us to leave our own mark in history, so I encouraged each student to "always believe in yourself, others will follow."

Very excited to announce that I have been selected as a Microsoft Education Community Guest Speaker! Schools and organizations can utilize Microsoft's Skype in the Classroom to book virtual guest speaking engagements with me. Skype in the Classroom bookings can…

Had a powerful Author Visit with the Pretty Brown Girls Club at Thirman Milner School in Hartford, CT. We spent a couple of hours discussing the importance of Sisterhood and creating a safe space for each girl to share some of the challenges they face daily. Pulling examples from my book "Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne" and the fearless heroine Niyah Zuri, we developed solutions to these challenges and committed ourselves to BEING CONQUERORS!

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In a world of superheroes and fairy tales, girls have been left in the background as the damsel in distress or victim in need of help. I wrote “Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh’s Throne” to show all girls regardless of their age that they can slay the dragons too, they can BE Conquerors! @prettybrowngirls #prettybrowngirl @hartford_public #ctcloseup #ChildrensBooks #Education

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Nov 15, 2018 at 8:39am PST

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Just wrapped my Authors visit with @prettybrowngirls Club Thirman Milner, discussing the importance of #Sisterhood Keep supporting one another girls 🙌🏽💪🏽✊🏽 #prettybrowngirl @hartford_public #ctcloseup #ChildrensBooks #Education

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Nov 15, 2018 at 8:36am PST

What an exciting day spent with the bright minded students over at Harbor Elementary in New London, CT! I had a wonderful Author Visit with Ms Sklar's 3rd grade class as I read chapter excerpts from my book "Niyah Zuri…

Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne has gained a new school district: New London, Connecticut! I am very excited to announce the 3rd grade students of Harbor Elementary will be studying my book this Winter, which will be followed by…

A big thank you to Hartford Public Library for hosting my exclusive signing on Indie Author Day 2017! The support from my community, state-wide, has been overwhelming! Thank you all for spreading the word of Niyah Zuri and all the series works to achieve. Coming to a school near you!

 

BIG THANKS to @hplct for featuring me on #IndieAuthorDay... @indieauthorday #Library #BookSigning #ChildrensBooks #MultiCultural #Education

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Oct 14, 2017 at 6:09pm PDT

 

Take action and inspire the next generation... @indieauthorday #IndieAuthorDay #Library #ShopLocal #BookSigning #ChildrensBooks #MultiCultural #Education

A post shared by Author: Anna Nyakana (@niyah_zuri) on Oct 14, 2017 at 6:11pm PDT

BLOOMFIELD, Connecticut - JUNE 26, 2017 ---

CARMEN ARACE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL PRESENTS:

THE PRINCIPAL’S SUMMER READING/MATH CHALLENGE

2017 – GRADE FIVE

June, 2017

Dear Carmen Arace Intermediate School Families,

Happy Summer!!!!

The purpose of Carmen Arace Intermediate School's summer assignment…

"Niyah Zuri & The Pharaoh's Throne" was selected as the exclusive year-end gift for Pretty Brown Girls Club #85! As a special thank you, I surprised this group of 70 bright-minded girls with a book signing at their school, Metacoment…

Thank you to Bank Square Books for hosting my book signing this past weekend in Mystic, CT. It was a successful event and I enjoyed inspiring new young readers of the Niyah Zuri series along with their parents and grandparents…

MEMPHIS, Tennessee - May 18, 2017 --- Read this month's guest feature by children's book author Anna Nyakana! “What’s Your Story?” is a new, guest post feature on BCBA web. Authors-traditional and self-published-are invited to…