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Xpress Yourself Publishing, February 1, 2010
ISBN-10: 0-9799757-0-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-9799757-0-7
5½ x 8½ inches, 198 pages
Trade Paperback
$14.95

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Tinisha Nicole Johnson resides in Denver, Colorado with her family. Besides a career in writing, she also hosts political teleconferences. She began writing as a hobby at the age of eleven; mostly poetry, which in later years turned into short stories and then novels.

Her debut novel, Searchable Whereabouts was released February 2008 by Xpress Yourself Publishing.  Tinisha also collaborated in the poetry anthology, Step Up To The Mic: A Poetic Explosion, which included some of HBO's Def Poets and in the inspirational anthology Somebody Prayed For Me released December 2008, Xpress Yourself Publishing.   In addition, her short story, "Mother and Son Moment," was published in the Chicken Soup for the African American Soul. Her non-fiction, self-help title, Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman will be released in February 2010.

Learn more about Tinisha and her books at her official web site. While you're there, you can also sign up for her free newsletter: www.tinishanicolejohnson.com.

(Taken from Advance Reader's Copy — Unedited Version)

FROM THE AUTHOR

PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman is not meant to demean or belittle another race. It is meant to inspire, express feelings, uplift black women, and remind others of the beauty and birth of the black woman. As a black woman, I can relate. I have learned my lessons, found my path in life and stuck to it, which is why I want black women to rise to a higher level. My lessons have had a great impact on my personal and professional life. Once you have recognized your lessons learned, they will greatly affect your life as well.

Years ago, at the conception of this book, I was in my early twenties, a single mother, alone, scared, and working hard at my 9 to 5 job, while trying to get my writing career off the ground. I was in and out of relationships, taking a self-study class, and on the verge of committing suicide. I was lost, confused out of my mind, and very unhappy. Life was a passing train, moving so fast, that I did not know how to jump onboard.

My turning point, amongst a few others, was on a nice summer day in 2003. As I sat on my bed, looking out of the window as cars passed by, I was contemplating my life and all the misery that consumed it. Living inside my twisted mind, I perceived the world as vicious and overwhelming, and my life was like a movie playing out before me. I felt helpless and out of control. That wasn’t the first time. Yet, out of my bedroom window, I saw a homeless woman digging in the garbage. Of course, who hasn’t seen a homeless person digging in the trash before? However, at that very moment, as pathetic as she appeared, it made me realize that my life was equally pathetic, but on a different level. She was a representation of me, and my future flashed before me: a lonely young woman, cold-hearted, and filled with emotional garbage. In essence, I had become damaged goods.

I had to get my life back on track; if not for me, then for my son. I read every motivational book, listened to and watched every motivational tape, CD and DVD I could get my hands on. I learned that I was so busy dwelling in my own misery, I did not stop to smell the roses. I did not know my worth as a woman. I did not stop to appreciate the beauty that consumed my life. Because there are so many wonderful elements of life to feel good about, having low self-esteem is a selfish trait to possess. I also discovered that there was so much to be thankful for; unless I took the time to stop, look, listen, and seek them out, my life would not be fulfilled. Seeing the homeless woman gave me a greater appreciation for life and I stopped indulging my time thinking about how pathetic my life had become.

Sometimes, witnessing another person’s life will make you contemplate your own. Therefore, I made a conscious decision to get out of the negative and bury myself deep into the positive. It was a rude awakening to learn that I did not know myself. After my revelation, it dawned on me that other women might benefit from my experiences. It soon became apparent that my self-healing journal would be written and shared with all who wanted to read it. Black women experience situations and obstacles that only other black women can relate to and understand.

As I became emotionally involved and connected with what once was a journal,  I felt I had to share my lessons learned with other women, but I needed to speak specifically to my sisters from the heart, regardless of how it might be perceived. It was a consuming dedication to reveal my deepest emotions, worries, and thoughts. I had to remind myself that I am unique, special, and loved, representing something wonderful to this earth, and I must remind my sisters of that as well.

Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman took passion and courage to write, and is a labor of love. It is not about me. I’m not interested in writing a memoir. It is a compilation of years of experiences that turned into valuable lessons. Maybe you learned similar lessons, but did not know how to apply them to your life. Possibly, you need a little reiteration, or maybe you forgot about the lessons you have learned in life and need a Black Woman 101 survival session. It never hurts to be reminded of your worth. I’m hopeful you will relate and pull value from my lessons and somehow make a positive step forward.

I still struggle with practicing what I preach. However, every day I try to live a life that I’m proud of and happy to live. I continue to learn from others and myself. I review, study, and remind myself daily of my worth. Because of the lessons I’ve learned, I am a better person, woman, mother, daughter, and friend. It brings me great delight to share my lessons with you, because I want to see more women succeeding, whether it’s financially, spiritually, mentally, through education, in their family life, or in their relationships.

In Lessons Learned: Loving Yourself as a Black Woman, I share statistics and relatable experiences. I respect all women of all ethnicities, especially those who are achieving and overcoming obstacles that make them a better person and their lives worthwhile. As previously pointed out, this book does touch on many issues that affect women in general. However, this book tends to explore issues relating directly to black women. I love being a black woman and wish to touch more in depth on that love. It’s not about selfish or prideful love, but the love that is necessary to encounter and acknowledge in order to give and receive sincere love, and to make better choices in our lives, while facing challenges that many black women face.

It saddens me to hear my sisters speak or react as though their blackness, and everything associated with being black, is a curse of some sort. 

In this book, I explore the inspiration, motivation, and determination in the lifestyles and attitudes we desire and live. Devotedly, I want to announce our struggles and issues, never to put us down, but to make us realize how beautiful we truly are. There is inspiration in all of us, if we only recognize that power.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the lessons learned, while loving yourself as a black woman.