Sunday Morning Magazine With Rodney Lear

Sharon M. Draper is a professional educator as well as an accomplished writer. She has been honored as the National Teacher of the Year, is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Awards, and is a New York Times bestselling author, with Out of my Mind staying on the list for almost two years.

Yvette Simpson--Former Cincinnati City Council President Pro Tem (2013-2017) and DFA endorsed candidate for Mayor (2017), Yvette Simpson becomes the first woman to serve as the Chief Executive at DFA and the first woman of color in an executive leadership role.

New York Times best-selling author Carole Boston Weatherford recently released Beauty Mark: A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe and R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her 50-plus books include the Caldecott Honor winners Freedom in Congo Square, Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement, and Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom.

Like today and always, women’s stories and accomplishments continue to fall out of historical record. While people have long associated prominent writers such as Langston Hughes and W.E.B. Du Bois with the Harlem Renaissance, many have not heard of Anne Spencer, Effie Lee Newsom, or Esther Popel. Creating wholly original poems using the "Golden Shovel" method, Nikki brings the struggles, victories, pain, and joy experienced by these women poets of the Harlem Renaissance, whose contributions have been long overlooked, to the forefront. Each poem is paired with unique illustrations from African-American women illustrators working today.

Shani King on Why He Wrote This Book: “I wrote this book for my children and for all children who need an inspirational voice grounded in their own history. Think of any field of endeavor and Black innovators have made vital contributions. The Black women and men introduced in this book are but a small handful of those innovators. They were all kids once. They all overcame obstacles because they all believed in themselves. My goal is for all kids to see themselves in these pages. And, I hope this book contributes to the understanding that all kids, and all people, are central to the American narrative and the human experience.”

• Deb Haas, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati (BBBSGC). Big Brothers Big Sisters is requesting donations of $20 or $25 gift cards from area businesses to help raise funds and awareness for BBBSGC. The gift cards will be part of an online campaign in January—National Mentoring Month. Visitors to the BBBSGC website will choose the gift card/s they want to purchase, and will pay face value, with those funds going to BBBSGC. The more gift cards, the more impact! The hope is that this campaign is a win for everyone involved: funds are raised for BBBSGC, participating businesses see more customers, and those buying the gift cards are helping the community! BBBSGC serves children in 13 counties in Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Businesses in all of those communities are invited to participate.

Kenya Hunt, Author, GIRL GURL GRRRL: On Womanhood & Belonging in the Age of Black Girl Magic. In the new book, Gurl Gurl Grrl, Kenya Hunt (an American who moved to London and has called it home for the last decade) - unpacks what it means to be a black woman and girl. It's a timeless celebration of what it means to be a Black woman in today’s world.

• Miles and Christina Davis, Davis Cookie Collection. The business launched in May of 2014. The business idea started when owner Christina Davis utilized baking as an outlet during stressful times in graduate school. Christina had a passion for baking, as she learned how to make delicious handmade dessert at an early age. Christina and her husband Miles decided to step out on faith and start a business doing something that Christina enjoyed. The Davis's have opened their first brick and mortar location at 4926 Reading Rd. Cincinnati, Ohio 45237

The first person to survive Alzheimer's disease is out there -- but we can't get there without you! Help the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Cincinnati achieve its 2020 year-end $1.5 million dollar Walk to End Alzheimer’s goal. This money is used to fund vital support for Alzheimer's families and research efforts to find a cure. There is still time to donate. Call (513) 721-4284 today, or visit alz.org/walkhttps://www.alz.org/cincinnati

Rodney and his mom talk about new family holiday traditions during the pandemic.

Andrew Salzbrun, Nation Kitchen and Bar (Westwood). http://www.nationkitchenandbar.com/westwood

Ray Anderson, Cincinnati Animal Care. • Cortney, PetSuites. This holiday season PetSuites Erlanger is partnering with Cincinnati Animal Care. They are the dog warden in Cincinnati, and recently took over the SPCA Cincinnati building. For the holiday season, if guests donate a bag of unopened dog food, cat food, or litter they will receive a free day of daycare or boarding at PetSuites (Erlanger or Sharonville locations). If pet parents donate their remaining food from boarding, they will receive a $5 off coupon for their following visit. In addition, they will have a giving tree in the lobby with ornaments that have Amazon wish lists from the dogs at Cincinnati Animal Care. Cincinnati Animal Care has over 180 dogs that need to be adopted right now, and 200 cats trying to find their furever home.

Paul Ruditis, Author of the Adapted book, It’s A Wonderful Life. Paul Ruditis is a New York Times best-selling author and pop culture addict who has written companion books for numerous TV shows and films. His diverse resume also includes original young adult novels, comic books, and novelty books for all ages.

• Ada Grey, Illustrator, The Twelve Unicorns of Christmas. Ada Grey studied illustration and later took a role in design. Moving back into illustration, Ada set about designing her own unique picture book style. Characterized by an energetic palate, adorable, lively characters, and a delicate use of texture, Ada’s work has a whimsical, boutique feel. She is the illustrator behind Shhh! Don’t Wake the Royal Baby! and I Love You Just the Way You Are, among others.

Denise Brennan-Nelson, Author, Santa’s Secret. Denise Brennan-Nelson "is also the author of Buzzy the bumblebee, My Momma Likes to Say "and My Teacher Likes to Say

Frederick Glasser, Author, Is It Christmas Yet? Frederick Glasser is the author of Monsters Come Out Tonight! He has worked in editorial for Viking Penguin children's books, and in publicity, advertising, and marketing for the Random House juvenile division. He is currently sales director at Fox Chapel Publishing.

Herman Parish, Author, Amelia Bedelia Wraps It Up. Herman Parish was in the fourth grade when his aunt, Peggy Parish, wrote the first book about Amelia Bedelia.

• Tara Knudson, Author, Christmas Cookie Day. Tara Knudson is a former teacher who has been writing poetry and stories since she was a young girl growing up in Chicago. Her published work can be found in children's magazines, greeting cards, calendars, and a poetry anthology for teens. Christmas Cookie Day, Easter Egg Day, and Valentine’s Day Treats are all part of Tara’s collected works celebrating a childlike approach to beloved holiday celebrations.

• Jim Benton, Author, Comet the Unstoppable Reindeer. Jim Benton is the New York Times bestselling writer of the Dear Dumb Diary series and a cartoonist whose unique brand of humor has been seen on toys, television, T-shirts, greeting cards, and even underwear. Franny K. Stein is the first character he’s created especially for young children. A husband and father of two, he lives in Michigan, where he works in a studio that really and truly does have creepy stuff in it.

Suzanne Nelson, Author, Over in a Stable. Suzanne has written several children's books, including Cake Pop Crush, You're Bacon Me Crazy!, Macarons at Midnight, Dead in the Water, The Sound of Munich, and Heart and Salsa. She lives with her family in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she can also be found experimenting with all kinds of cooking