Faith AME Zion Church is responding to the recent tragedy in Haiti by joining with AME Zion churches worldwide in giving financial contributions to the denomination’s Haiti Crisis Relief Fund.  Faith will dedicate its Ministry of Kindness offerings for the next 30 days to the Fund. To learn more about this giving opportunity and to join us in our efforts online please visit the link here.

Faith’s contribution efforts to Haiti extend also through its Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (WHOMS). The WHOMS will host a week long drive to support emergency relief and recovery efforts to help those people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Please bring DISINFECTANT WIPES, WET BODY WIPES, WET WIPES and PAPER GOODS to the church Sunday, January 17 – Sunday, January 24. Items will be delivered to Hosea Feed the Hungry to be included in their shipment to Haiti.

(Associated Press photo)

First-time children’s author, Margina Graham Parker, shares, “This book started out as a poem. I was on my way to work one morning when the words hit me. I was so overwhelmed I had to pull the car over to write the words down. Each stanza is a glimpse of the accomplished life of our First Lady, presented in a rhythm that keeps the attention of a child.” Margina adds, “First Lady Michelle Obama has broken the mold of doing it all – she started with humble beginnings; excelled in her education; and shines as a wife, mother, and career woman. She has done it all well. I had to tell that part of her story.”

Taryl Nugent, president of Tumaini Publishing, states, “The book is an encouraging message that if she (First Lady Michelle Obama) can do it, I can do it. The book highlights Obama’s accomplishments from a young girl to being a young woman, to becoming a wife, then a mother, and ultimately becoming the First Lady of the United States of America.”  Taryl adds, “The book is an excellent example of our company’s commitment to telling the stories of African-American heroes and history-makers. It is a must-have for your children’s library and for the coffee table.” This is the company’s first published children’s book.

Margina Graham Parker, author of I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady, resides in Romulus, Michigan. She graduated with an Art degree from Jackson State University. Margina is an eighth grade paraprofessional and a mother of three.  She is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education with an anticipated graduation of May 2010. Margina is looking forward to writing her second children’s book.

Marco Birge, illustrator, resides in Como, Mississippi. He graduated with a Visual Arts degree from Jackson State University.

The word tumaini in Tumaini Publishing is derived from the Swahili word for “hope”. The company’s purpose is to help increase the literacy rate of African Americans, bring families together through reading, and to instill hope in their customers by making a positive impact in and among the African American community. Tumaini’s published work includes a 2010 Barack Obama Presidential Calendar. It highlights some never before seen pictures of President Obama, along with important historic dates. The calendar is available at www.tumainipublishing.com.

I Am Michelle Obama: The First Lady is available at http://tumainipublishing.com, www.amazon.com, and bookstores across the country.