THE CATALYST 

During a middle-school history class, after having submitted a short, written essay in answer to a pop quiz question that was beyond the scope of the author's immediate knowledge, much to her astonishment, the instructor handed her the graded paper and commented verbally, "You're a good writer."  The author clearly remembers struggling with the question and using a common-sense approach and her love for the written word to craft the answer.  Unfortunately, she cannot remember the teacher's name.  His comment, however, made a lasting impression on her, and certainly she knows: 

Faith has brought her this far. 

Journaling, letter writing for self and others, and the pure love of the English language have all been tools of communication for the author.  Her passion for black dolls and the lack of written information about them influenced written documentation and publications on this subject. Her other published works include:

1998-1999, creator of "Spotlight on Black Doll Collectors" column of DOLL-E-GRAM (VELB Associates, Laverne E. Hall, publisher; a former bimonthly publication).  In 1998, the author received a complimentary copy of this publication, noticed its doll artist focus, and wrote the editor to request articles from a collector's perspective, "...especially since black doll collectors are the purchasers of black dolls that doll artists create..." The editor asked the author if she would pen the column.  Faith.

The Definitive Guide to Collecting Black Dolls, 2003 (Hobby House Press, Inc.)--the first FULL-COLOR, black-doll reference book ever published.  A fellow collector, Valerie Ward, contacted Hobby House Press, petitioned the publication of a black-doll reference book, and provided the author's name as the potential author.  Faith.

"Shattering the Black-Doll Myth," Doll Castle News September/October 2006 (Barry D. Mueller, publisher).  After having been approached by a collector seeking written information on black dolls, the insightful editor of this publication, Dorita Mortensen, commissioned the author to write an article on black dolls.  This has proven to be a long-lasting, fruitful relationship for all parties involved.  Faith.

Connecting People with Art Contemporary African-American Art, by Evelyn Redcross and Mercer Redcross, III, October Gallery, 2006, "Patron Profile," pages 130-131. 

"Black Members of the Ideal Crissy Grow Hair Family," Doll Castle News, November/December 2006.

"Having Fun Collecting Black Ginny," Doll Castle News January/February 2007.

"Black Barbie," Doll Castle News, March/April 2007.

"Black Madame Alexander Dolls," Doll Castle News, September/October 2007.

"Meeting the Man Behind the Dolls," The Official Journal of the United Federation of Doll Clubs DOLL NEWS, Winter 2008.  This article is a result of the author meeting Floyd Bell, renowned doll artist, at the 2006 UFDC Convention in Dallas, Texas.  She felt compelled to document their destined meeting to share with the doll collecting community at large.  After receiving the publication's writer's guidelines, the author submitted the article, which was accepted.  Faith.

"Jackie Ormes' Patty Jo," Doll Castle News, March/April 2008.

"Not Just Rag Dolls," Doll Castle News, November/December 2008.

"Vintage Doll Reproductions," Contemporary Doll Collector, January 2009 (Scott Publications).  This article was accepted and published after the author solicited, received, and complied with the publication's submission guidelines. Faith.

"Brooke Nicole’s Ethnic Transformations," Dolls magazine, February 2009 (Jones Publications).  The same measure of faith brought this article to fruition.

"The Many Faces in My 'Mirror',"  Dolls magazine, February 2009 (Jones Publications). 

Dolls in Black:  Chronicles and Perspectives - At-will blog for DOLLS Magazine commenced in July 2009, concluded May 2010. (Access all here.)

"Ideal's Black Crissy Family," Doll Showcase Magazine, Issue 22, December 2009 (a British publication).

"Fabulous Entertainers," Dolls Magazine February 2010, pages 38-39 (Jones Publications), co-authored with master doll artist, Floyd Bell.

"Sasha Morgenthaler's Dolls for Everyone," Doll Castle News, January-February 2010, pages 28-30.

"BLACK PAPER DOLLS Illustrative Perceptions Then and Now Part 1," Doll Castle News, March-April 2010, pages 29-32, and 41.

"BLACK PAPER DOLLS Illustrative Perceptions Then and Now Part 2," Doll Castle News, May-June 2010, pages 26-30.

Additional articles by the author are forthcoming in these and other publications because ... black dolls are her passion and she's come this far by faith.

You may also follow her constant doll musings on her personal blog here.