We had the good fortune of connecting with Beverly Armento and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beverly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Armento Consulting is the vehicle I’m using to prompt meaningful conversations and hopefully action on issues of concern not only to me but to many of you: topics like childhood trauma, adults living with untreated trauma, the importance of being resilient, the essential role of hope in survival, the critical role trusted adult mentors, especially teachers, play in the lives of all young people, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

Since Seeing Eye Girl: A Memoir of Madness, Resilience, and Hope launched in July of 2022, I’ve been in the center of many book club and other gatherings where readers of my particular, unique story are engaged in such meaningful discussions. Prompted by my story of growing up in a violent, dysfunctional home and being empowered by my many angel teachers, readers remind one another that this is the story of many young people. The facts. time, and place differ, but Adverse Childhood Experiences are the lived realities for many children and many adults who continue to experience the effects of their own untreated trauma. Readers are concerned and want to know: What can I do?

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.
I’m in Act IV of my life! After a long career as an educator, much of it as a Professor at Georgia State University, I’ve now turned my energies to writing and speaking. I’ve always loved to write, but when it came time to craft a memoir of my early life, I wanted to employ Creative Nonfiction techniques, that is, using the tools of the novelist to write a real, true story. So, I first had to study this form by taking classes, reading extensively, participating in critique groups, revising and rethinking my writing. This work has paid off as many readers praise not just the content of my writing but also the way the story has been told.

Two years ago, Seeing Eye Girl: A Memoir of Madness, Resilience, and Hope launched and since then I’ve been busy visiting with many book clubs whose members have read the book and are eager to discuss my life and its implications for today. I’ve recently published Life’s Turning Points: A Personal Reflection Journal and two more books are on my desk.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many great places to see and explore in Atlanta and out in the suburbs. I’ve been in Atlanta since 1975!!! and owned my first home in Grant Park, a charming Victorian cottage I renovated. Taught at GSU from ’75-2003 so of course, my friend and I would first spend some time exploring Grant Park and the zoo, hoping we’d get in one last visit to see the Pandas before their move to China. We’d drive around the GSU campus, park and enjoy the new green space where Kell Hall used to be, where I taught one of my first classes as a young college professor.
We’d visit the botanical gardens, have dinner at Nakato’s Japanese Restaurant and make sure we said hello to the friendly owner, my friend, Sachi Nakato Takahara.
Before we headed back into the city the next day, we’d walk the trails in Brook Run Park here in Dunwoody, grab lunch at Simply Thai nearby and give a hug to the owners and friends, Kristen Monta and Hana Han. During the week we’d also visit Tara Theatre, the great Atlanta Symphony, take in a play at Theatrical Outfit, dinner at Joey D’s and Seasons 52. Church at Ebenezer Baptist and Dunwoody United Methodist. A visit to the High Museum is also a must as well as a long day at the Aquarium and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. Then we’d plan a second visit so we could spend another fun-filled week exploring other great sites in Atlanta!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I shoutout to all educators, counselors, coaches who motivate, inspire, encourage, empower young people every day.
These trusted adult mentors play important roles in the lives of many–and we’re living in a time and space where many have forgotten how critical these mentors are!
Teachers essentially “saved” my life! No joke. I tell all about it in my memoir, Seeing Eye Girl: A Memoir of Madness, Resilience, and Hope.

To presume reading Seeing Eye Girl will bring an end to childhood trauma and reinstate respect for educators is fantasy. But, reading and thinking about these issues, engaging in meaningful conversations about childhood trauma, resilience, hope, and the role of mentors–just might lead to inspired action that will bring us closer to addressing these issues.

Website: https://www.beverlyarmentoauthor.com

Instagram: www.instagram.beverlyarmento

Linkedin: www.linkedin.beverlyarmento

Facebook: www.facebook.BeverlyJeanneArmento

Youtube: www.youtube.beverlyarmento

Other: TikTok: @beverlyarmentoauthor

Image Credits
Kai Smith of Eikonik Images, Atlanta, GA

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