Today we’d like to introduce you to Da’Vion Tatum.
Da’Vion, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began writing this book in the 7th grade and completed it the summer of my 8th-grade year. During this time, I was struggling to understand why people only viewed black boys as either an athlete or a criminal. I saw everyday, in my own life, and on TV, the repercussions of racial stereotypes and how it affects the black community.
This motivated me to write a book about how I experienced it through one aspect, but to also show how this issue of prejudicial stereotyping against black people is multidimensional and it negatively affects our people at a disproportionately higher rate. We as black people are judged and stereotyped in society and confined to marginalized stigmas and generalizations that can often hinder our success. This book seeks to stop that. I wrote this book to not only draw attention to these issues of racism but to also show how to overcome it and thrive in your own lane as a powerful black individual! I am just now publishing this book at 17 years old, but it’s message remains the same and it’s words are that of my 8th-grade self because that is the moment I began to realize the issues of our society! I wrote this book to help others understand the issues of our society and how to overcome them by understanding their own worth, value and power!
Has it been a smooth road?
The ride was not smooth…Me taking three years to publish my book was much more than just an extensive self-publishing process. Now granted, the self-publishing process was not easy and I was really under the impression that after I wrote my book, I was done! Lol! But I had to create a cover, create my own publishing account, write a dedication page, summarize my book on more platforms than I can count and I’ve never published a book before so this was all new territory for me! However, I had a very patient and supportive publishing team! Melanie Stiles is the amazing lady that helped me through this process as she was my direct line of communication and support in publishing my book! She took special care of me because this was my first book and I was so young, and pair that with my extremely supportive and motivational mom, this process and this book would not be possible without them.
But throughout the process, I had many emotional and mental relapses about my book and it’s publication. I went through a phase where I felt that my book and its message wouldn’t be impactful because I was afraid that people would misinterpret or misunderstand my message. If it wasn’t for my mom’s support and how she pushed me to finish the publication of my book, it would not be published today! It is literally because of my mom’s motivation and her constantly pushing me to achieve my very best that I was able to achieve and fulfill this great accomplishment! And it is because of Publisher Melanie Stiles that I was able to self publish my book on Amazon at such a young age! Special thanks to Melanie and my mom for being my biggest supports and helping this goal become a reality! The process was not easy and I’m glad I had these two incredible women to help me get through it!
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Written when I was a 13 years old young black boy in the eighth grade, this book addresses the ongoing and perpetuating issues of racial generalizations and social stereotypes while conveying the message of accepting one’s own gifts. In this novel, I express my experiences as a black boy in America and the pressure placed on me to confine to certain generalizations. I mention how Black people are ridiculed for excelling past societal stereotypes and racial roles. I use this book to share my story and talk about the lessons that I have learned in embracing the power of my own gifts rather than confining to what society deems us to be. My message is simple: “Black people are POWERFUL! Black people are INTELLIGENT! And my Black brothers and sisters are much MORE THAN JUST A STEREOTYPE! It’s about changing the narrative and changing how we’re seen by showing who we truly are. We are greater and more powerful than the labels slapped on the backs of black people!” This message NEEDS to be heard and I am currently working on book number 2 of this three part series!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I was born and raised in the diverse city of Houston, TX and I feel this is a great place to spread a positive message. It was actual many of my experiences here that led me to write this novel and the ones to come! Houston is the birthplace of immense talent!
Pricing:
- Paperback is $6.99
- Kindle is $4.99
Contact Info:
- Address: 12615 Silverglen Estates Dr
- Website: https://www.amazon.com/Thriving-Own-Lane-DaVion-Tatum/dp/B089M44152/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=thriving+in+my+own+lane&qid=1594776464&sr=8-1
- Phone: 2817364706
- Email: davionvtatum@gmail.com
- Instagram: @iamdtatum
- Twitter: @Iamdaviontatum
Image Credit:
Some of the images are from reviews, descriptions and photos of my book on Amazon.com
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