Big Body Broadcasting

Claudette Parchment recently separated from her husband of thirteen years. She is a mother of four with one grandson. Parchment is a spiritual person, and a poet. Her skills range from organizational and risk management to legal and people management. She believes in life, living, and love.

She suffered psychological, physical and emotional decline from both personal and professional pressures, but still found the power to persevere.

Today we will hear her story, and how she found Empowerment from Within.

Doris H. Dancy is an accomplished and award-winning educator, writer, speaker, playwright, novelist, and member of the Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.   She received her BA degree in English and Spanish Education at North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina, and her MA degree in English Education from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.  Throughout her career, Dancy served as an English teacher, high school English Department chairperson, English Teacher Specialist, and Supervisor of English K-12 for Hampton City Public Schools.

After retirement, Dancy started her own writing consulting business, Pen To Paper Writing Consulting, LLC, which provides a consulting and editing service for school district staff development and other freelance writers.  In 2013, Dancy devoted a year to penning her first novel, Jagged Edges, a Christian Romance and has recently placed as finalist in the International Book Awards contest. She has released the sequel in this “Redemptive Love Series,” titled Shattered Pieces. 

Michelle Cuttino is the “Queen of Plus-Size Fiction,” and serves as a freelance writer, talk radio host, and motivational speaker. She is the President of Big Body Publishing and Big Body Broadcasting. Cuttino is a plus-size blogger, covering topics that affect full-figured women, and also blogs about publishing advice and industry events.  Cuttino is the author of “Love & Happiness” and “Me & Mrs. Jones,” an eBook series adaptation of her screenplay once optioned with Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Films. Cuttino is part of an erotica anthology under Zane’s Strebor/Simon & Schuster imprint releasing late 2015. Cuttino’s personal mission is to embrace, enlighten, and empower women—principally plus-size women, but her message is for everyone.

If you read one gay fiction novel this summer, make it Batty Bwoy by Max-Arthur Mantle.  This novel has a universal message for anyone who feels different and longs to find themself and love.  Join us for a fascinating discussion on same-sex desires from a Jamaican lens.

At the age of 21, Tamika Newhouse founded Delphine Publications and has since become a self-published, bestselling author. She has appeared on various bestseller lists and won Self Published Author of the Year at the 2009 African American Literary Awards only nine months after her debut novel. In 2010, she was inducted into Who’s who in Black San Antonio and she landed a major publishing deal without an agent and still continues to write independent projects. Along with Delphine Publications, Tamika is the founder and President of African Americans on the Move Book Club (AAMBC) – an online book club and radio show catering to avid readers across the nation. She is also CEO of Obsessive Soul Media. With future projects in the works from short films, stage plays and much more, Tamika is a young woman on a mission. She has been featured in Uptown Magazine, Essence, Hello Beautiful, Juicy Magazine, and in Vibe Vixen Magazine. Tamika presently tours the country speaking about overcoming her teen pregnancy to fulfill her dream, as well as teaching aspiring writers the publishing ropes. A former radio host, she hosted her own internet radio show (AAMBC) for over three years and continues to expand her brand. She is currently living in Atlanta with her son and daughter and is currently working on her next novel.

Benita Tyler grew up in San Diego, California where she attended San Diego State University. Throughout her life she realized there was a common denominator between the love she had for children and her desire to help others. She raised six children, and has helped many fallen angels throughout her life’s journey. When she turned fifty she had an epiphany! She realized she was a broken woman who spent the better part of her life wandering aimlessly around trying to find the root cause of her despair. She began to place her thoughts on paper and was able to face her demons. Out of that self-analysis her memoir Addicted to Dysfunction: Released to Live Life Out Loud was born. This led to a passionate writing career and desire to become a life coach. Her second book Put Up or Get Shut Down tells the epic tale of “Salty Dog” her husband’s alter ego who takes you on a journey into the urban motorcycle world.

After finding a comfortable place among her peer as a writer she took the next step and penned her first novel Wayward Sisters, an intriguing story about three women whose lives are intertwined by their good and bad choices. They confront their demons by trial and error and eventually live the victorious lives they dreamt about. She has been featured on many internet radio shows and is available for public speaking events. She currently lives in Kokomo, Indiana with her husband and young daughter. 

****We will also host @BrendaEatsLV and learn more about Brenda. See the book blog for yourself at www.eatinglasvegas.me.

There have been quite a few incidents in the news over the last few weeks that have sparked intense debate and public outcry.  Whether it’s the recent death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, the appointment of Loretta Lynch as Attorney General of the United States, Hilary’s Clinton announcement that she’ll run for President in 2016, or Bruce’s Jenner’s revelation that he is transgender, the news has kept us in constant dialogue.  Tonight I have the pleasure of hosting a few of our listening family in a roundtable of sorts.  We’re going to talk about some of today’s hot topics and we’re also going to offer some suggestions on how to move forward. My co-host for this evening’s broadcast is the Executive Producer of A Different Kind Of Love, Michelle Cuttino.

Johnna Brown currently lives in St. Louis Missouri. She writes erotic love stories with a crazy twist, and has created her own genre - Psycho Erotica. She currently has four titles under her name, and is also signed under K’wan Foye’s Write2Eat Concepts with her latest novella Wicked Deceptions. Johnna B is hard at work on her next novel, and we have the pleasure to have her here with us tonight.

J.L. King is a national bestselling author, philanthropist, publisher, and producer. One of the most sought-after experts on men living on the down low, he established the Lillie Mae King Foundation to provide financial support to African American families impacted by HIV and AIDS. He has two adult children and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. His website is www.AuthorJLKing.com.

He will be discussing the 10-year anniversary of his novel, On The Down Low, his current release, Full Circle, and many other projects he has in the works.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Khari first began writing poetry as a young child while living in foster homes. He transitioned from poet to spoken word artist in 2006, and won several poetry slams for his performances. In 2006, he went on to publish a poetry book, release a spoken word mixtape, and performed at some of the top spoken word venues in the country, including Spoken Soul Sessions in New Orleans during the Essence Music Festival, Nuyorican Poets Café in New York, Soul Cypher in Oakland and Cafe Nuba in Denver. In 2010, Khari released his first official album, Victory, fusing spoken word, neo-soul, jazz, gospel and hip hop. In 2014, Khari released his sophomore spoken word album, Through Thick and Thin, as well as his book, Curvy and Confident, which is a self-empowerment guide for women to help them overcome low self-confidence, negative body image, and insecurities. Khari is also the creator of the "Curvy and Confident" page on Facebook which has over half a million followers.

J.L. King is a national bestselling author, philanthropist, publisher, and producer. One of the most sought-after experts on men living on the down low, he established the Lillie Mae King Foundation to provide financial support to African American families impacted by HIV and AIDS. He has two adult children and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. His website is www.AuthorJLKing.com.

Check out his Amazon Page: Author J.L. King.