Today we’d like to introduce you to Irene Smalls.
Irene, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
As the award-winning author of 15 books for children and three storytelling CDs, I consider myself an activist, author, artist. As the founder of the first Black Women’s residence on an ivy league college campus, Wari House at Cornell University and the founder and first President of the Cornell Black Alumni Association I became an author because I was concerned about the lack of diversity in children’s book publishing. Having been a student activist and growing up in the 60’s I was acutely aware of the impact of negative imagery on and for Black children. Issues concerning children and women of color are integral to the art I produce.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth (not). It was very much a matter of creating a road sometimes. I wanted to incorporate marketing, ideology and art. Being an artist is boom and bust economically. Maintaining a family as a single parent and an artist was challenging.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My business is marketing and promotional concepts that benefit the whole child while promoting a business or brand. Writing is one aspect of my business. Performance art and installations are other aspects.
Examples are:
1. “Doin the Dutch Down Dudley” with the “Do Diggity Double Dutch Divas” A Literacy+Exercise=Literacise Event
2. Literacy+Exercise=Literacise The Literacise Exhibit at the BPL included Literacise Fashions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7LAzH2KBTo
Literacise is book-based book-related exercise and movement from my book “Jonathan and His Mommy” based on walks in Titus Sparrow Park in the Southend.
I wanted books that contributed to the physical health and academic achievement.
Exercise encourages the formation of new brain cells and connections between brain cells. Exercise also fights childhood obesity. Also, to encourage more girls to study science and math, lucrative STEM I created
3. HairMath – A Stylish Math introduces advanced Fractal Geometry through African-American hair braiding to early elementary school girls.
My two Black grandparent books, My Nana and Me and Pop Pop and Me tie in with
4. Reading is Grand, a Black Caucus of the American Library Association program, celebrated for three years at the Dudley Library in Roxbury recognizing the importance of Black grandparents in the Black Family.
What were you like growing up?
As the oldest of four, I was the responsible one always taking care of my brothers and sisters. I was shy and it took me many years to find my voice.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hairmath.com www.irenesmalls.com
- Phone: 617 504-3050
- Email: irene@hairmath.com
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
