Jessica Alex is the author and illustrator of “What If the World Had No Colour?” (2012), which is a book that deals with issues of racism, bullying and prejudice. Her book has been well received by its readers and has sparked conversation on ‘race’ and ‘colourism.’

She has always had a passion for writing and the visual arts. At the age of 17, while still in high school she used her love of writing and started her own newspaper to try to combat the negative images and stereotypes of black youth. Alex had her hands in every aspect of the newspaper from writing, marketing, distribution, layout design, photography and much more. At the age of 20, she had to make the tough decision to put the newspaper aside and focus on completing her undergraduate degree. After completing her university studies she decided to take the route of book publishing.
As someone who also studied sociology and anthropology she understood the importance of the formative years, and decided to focus on publishing books that educate and inspire children and youth.

In September 2012, she launched her own publishing company, Upon A Star Books Inc. and published What If the World Had No Colour? in December 2012. In March 2013, she participated in Western Union and Grace Kennedy Money Services 1st Annual Celebrity Reading Week and Reading Race. Since then she has gone on to do library readings for the community, spreading the message for children to love themselves as they are, and to respect each other.

She has appeared in Montreal Community Contact and The Caribbean Camera newspapers. Alex was also featured on The Nikki Clarke Show, LizyT Radio, and CHRY Radio programs, Covered & Bound and Womyn’s Word.

Jessica Alex and Upon A Star Books Inc. has had a commitment to working with the community, and has worked with organizations such as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario.

She hopes to continue focusing on using her prowess to reach out to the community, as well as publishing books that will uplift others.

In February 2014, Jessica Alex will help to raise money and awareness for the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario by putting on a showcase, which will include singing, dancing and a community award for an outstanding youth. This cause is very important to her, as she lost a family member to complications related to the disease. In 2014, Jessica Alex and her company will also be teaming up with a celebrity chef to raise funds for the Daily Bread Food Bank. In the summer of 2014, Upon A Star Books Inc will be sponsoring a networking event for the Toronto Argonauts (CFL team, 100th Grey Cup Champions).

She hopes to use that platform and other ones to help in her quest to become a premier Canadian children’s book publisher.

In an ever-changing industry such as publishing, Jessica Alex does not just want to run with the trends, but create her own. Most importantly, she wants her company to be known for its efforts to work with the community.

During our conversation, Jessica talks about:

– Some of her background including how she started a newspaper at seventeen years old
– How she wrote and self published her first bok
– Why did she write her book about bullying and racism
– the positive reaction about the book from people of different ethnic backgrounds
– What are young people telling her about racism and bullying
– How are people finding out about the book
– The fundraiser for the Sickle Cell Association Of Ontario “Know Your History Celebration” that she is doing on February 23rd
– How she came up with the name Upon A Star Books
– Her next step
– Nuggets for someone writing their first book
– Her thoughts on racism and bullying

You can contact Jessica via:

Jessica Alex – Twitter
Upon A Star Books
Upon A Star Books – Facebook
Upon A Star Books – Twitter
Email

Please feel free to email us at info@blackcanadianman.com

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God bless, peace, be well and keep the faith,
Dr. Vibe
info@blackcanadianman.com
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