We had the good fortune of connecting with Alicia and Morgan Adamson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alicia and Morgan, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My initial idea of writing books began with my 7-year-old daughter’s desire to write her own book. As an ambitious, creative, grown adult, I still learn from our future leaders of tomorrow. Our book series was birth at the start of COVID when we were confined to the 4 corners of our houses. On the last week before the world was shut down, my daughter attended a book fair. She returned home empty-handed and disappointed. Out of pure surprise and concern, I inquired about why she didn’t spend any of the money we sent to school with her. At 7 years old, her simply reply was, “I didn’t see any books that looked my me, nothing looked like my family.” Later that evening, she came to her dad and I and asked, “Can I write my own book?” With the motivation In her heart and determination in her eyes, we had no choice but to foster her idea and put just as much effort into her dream as she had. She used her own African American family as the muse and her own life experiences as the stories. After the first book was published, we decided to write 3 more. She and I are waiting for the day that our ultimate dream comes true, where our books are created into an animated series. We have more lessons to learn, experiences to teach and stories to make. The Adamson Crew is nowhere near finished, stay tuned for more family chronicles.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Initially, writing books was a bit scary, particularly writing children books with so much competition and even more so during COVID. The unknown is always risky, however, I have always taken risks so I’m not stuck with the “what ifs”. When an idea is presented to me, I immediately recognize it’s from God. He knows just how to tap into my gifts; in this case, the idea came in the form of my daughter. Professionally, I am a licensed professional counselor specializing in children and adolescent mental health. In my profession, there are so many lessons I teach throughout the day, and I use a variety of books to convey the message. What better way to help a child find their way than through our own books? My daughter has found a way to use her milestone lessons to help others overcome difficulties they may face, but from a child’s perspective. Our books focus on milestones that most children experience such as becoming a big sister or brother and learning how to share their parents’ love and to realize, just because another child is added to the family, does not take any love from them. In writing books, you must have the right team. The most challenging task was finding the team that was meant for us. We encountered a few individuals before landing the right editor, the perfect illustrator, learning the basics of self-publishing, and the strategies of marketing. Once we found “our team,” the team that “gets us,” the team that burns the midnight oil with us to meet deadlines, the team that travels to our state to help us market; once we found that team, we were unstoppable. The biggest reward in becoming an author for the first time was becoming an author for the first time with our daughter. I enjoy watching her grow in this endeavor, finetune her craft, tell her stories and engage with her supporters and peers. That is what makes my heart smile daily!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, my best friend, Kenya Freeman ( A-Mazing woman), lives in the thick of downtown Atlanta. She is a fashion designer who I would like to say is renowned and stays busy. She is constantly in the spotlight, so a lowkey week would probably be music to her ears. A perfect week would likely involve lounging, making videos, watching movies, creating “raw vegan” delectables, and laughing. I am certainly fond of the simple ways of life and would love to take some time to be in the moment of simplicity. If, we had to do something, I would enjoy a live performance or concert at the Fox theater or listen to some blues at Blind Willie’s. Some of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta are Chops and Lobster Bar, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Houston’s, Bon Ton and Mary Mac’s Tearoom. I love Loews and the Four Seasons Hotels when I can find some time. Just being in the presence of those who love on me would be more than enough.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to Shout Out “The Adamson Crew Village”, which includes our family, friends, and supporters who demonstrate their unwavering support through love and encouragement every day! Our work through our books is dedicated to you. I will forever love you all!

Website: www.theadamsoncrewfamilychronicles.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theadamsoncrew/

Facebook: facebook.com/adamsoncrew

Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/theadamsoncrew

Other: https://www.facebook.com/alicia.ogletree

Image Credits
Alicia Adamson (most are from me) Tonya Riddick (picture of Morgan) Billie Durham ( logo) Hatice Bayramoglu (illustration of books)

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