Maria Nhambu has made sharing her love of Africa and its culture and rhythms the focus of her life. Her memoir series, Dancing Soul Trilogy, begins with Maria's childhood in a German orphanage, and her arrival in the United States. The story continues with Maria's adjustment to a new culture, the creation of family she longed for, and dramatic discoveries about her past.

Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Maria was raised by German missionary nuns at an orphanage for mixed-race children. Throughout the hardship and mixed blessings of her childhood, Nhambu (as she is called) sustained her spirit through dance and kept alive her dream of further education. She was able to fulfill that dream in the United States, where she attended college, became a teacher and eventually married and raised two children.

The first book of the trilogy, Africa’s Child, was released in 2016. America’s Daughter was published in 2017. The final book of her memoir series, Drum Beats, Heart Beats, was released in 2018.

Maria’s passion for African dance, art, and culture inspired her to create and teach the African dance workout Aerobics With Soul® and fuels her work as an unofficial cultural ambassador. In that role, she gives African dance presentations and speaks about Africa nationally and internationally.

Join award-winning author Maria Nhambu and me on Tuesday, October 15, 10-11 A.M. CT US. We will be discussing her incredible life's journey, and the third book in her dancing soul trilogy, Drum Beats, Heart Beats.