I was born in Savannah, Georgia, and educated at schools throughout the United States, including Savannah State University, Eckerd College (St. Petersburg, Fla.), Macalester College (St. Paul, Minn.), Temple University (Philadelphia), and The New College of California (San Francisco). I served my literary apprenticeship for eight years as an editor, public affairs specialist, and human relations counselor for the U.S. Air Force in Alaska, Great Britain, and Charleston, S.C.

I've been fortunate enough to win a few awards and am particularly honored to have recently joined the AUTHORS GUILD. I'm also a recipient of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title of 2004 and the MBWC Best History Book of 2005 Awards for ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE.

Also the Freedom Foundation Essay Award, the Thomas Jefferson Journalism Award, the Irene Tromble McAlister Literary Prize, and selection as the "Critic's Pick" in the CREATIVE LOAFING Entertainment Magazine's "Best of Savannah Year 2000" poll.