Meet Dr. Cecille Bolton | Educator, Author, Sister in Service to All Mankind…Dr. Sunshine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Cecille Bolton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Cecille, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Like many others, being home and teaching virtually during the pandemic gave me the time to hone in on some action items I had been pushing aside. With my background in theatre, chorus, mass media arts, and education, it has been my dream to have a children’s television show. As an educator, I always treated my classroom as a stage, performing for my students each day as if they were my audience. Teaching special needs, well, teaching in general, one has to be captivating, entertaining, and motivating to grasp the students’ attention…performing and writing are my true passions and I aim to continue reaching high to obtain these goals. When the pandemic started, educators quickly transitioned to virtual life, inclusive of Zoom, Google Classroom, and other platforms. As I learned to maneuver these technologies, I also began developing ideas to start a virtual storytime for children Birth-7. And thus, Dr. Sunshine Presents: Books Before Bedtime (#BBB) was born (July 2020). The goal of BBB is to provide current and classic stories with a twist of Sunshine. Parents and children, even some adults, engaged in a personable storytime setting, providing a safe, interactive, and educational twist, inclusive of Spanish and French mini-lessons with my sister and aunt. Additionally, and as a future published children’s book author, my second idea was to showcase authors who look like me, perhaps desired a platform (like me), and needed a voice (like me) to have their stories heard. Like VoyageATL’s mission, I, too, wanted to provide a stage for hidden gems (like me). As a result, I created Dr. Sunshine Presents: Black Children’s Authors Showcase (#BCAS) in July 2020, as well. I provide live readings of stories with the goal of showcasing Black children’s authors in an effort to celebrate our culture through literature. Sharing so many stories by my fellow writers, encouraged me to move forward with my stories. Over the course of the past 18 years, I have written 12 children’s books. After Presidential Election 2020, and inspired by the impact Georgia had on the election, I finally had the opportunity to make one of my dreams a reality by writing (in one day) and publishing my first book, “Georgia Blue,” in March of 2021. As a result, I have been presented with many opportunities to speak, inspire, read, and so much more. I have a long way to go, but I am grateful for the journey. I find complete JOY in what I do and hope I have inspired someone in the way others have inspired me.

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 have been an educator for 18 years, but the funny thing is, education was not my chosen career. My plans were to become a lawyer, dentist, actress, and/or journalist. With my mother, aunt, and grandmothers proceeding me as educators, I was encouraged to transition into the classroom after graduating with a Mass Communications-Journalism degree to get my feet wet in the workforce. Little did I know, it would become part of my career. However, my passion for acting still lies within. I taught students with disabilities at the elementary level (PK-5) my entire career. As of this school year, I was promoted to an Assistive Technology Specialist in a new school district. I still work with SWD, but in a different capacity, supporting teachers in their effort to provide students with accessible tools. As an educator, this has been a goal since I began teaching and I LOVE IT! Assistive Technology can be as simple as a pencil grip or more high impact, like a prosthetic leg. The name of the game is to help individuals gain access, giving them an opportunity to participate or engage like everyone else. Ever been in a restaurant and noticed a sign for large print menus or braille options? Accessibility! Ever noticed how your phone provides word options for you while texting? Yep! That’s AT. We all use it. I waited years for the ATS position to surface and it was, indeed, a leap of faith. Further distance, new district, new colleagues, new career, but a friend of mine Dr. Tonisha, was the guiding light as she told me about the position. Let me explain something friends, this position is tough to come by because it’s awesome! Needless to say, I interviewed Tuesday morning and was offered the position that afternoon. I am still on Cloud nine and have been there for almost seven months. Since we are fresh off celebrating Dr. King, I’ll end with this, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” I understand Dr. King, for so many reasons, I understand…stay tuned for more to my story.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Again, where do I start?! Let’s say it’s the fall season because I LOVE fall football and sports in general. We are definitely going to plan for a Falcons, Hawks, Braves, United, and Dream game (perhaps a Clark Atlanta football game as well)…because we can do that in the fall now! In my story, they all have home games that week AND they all win! I’m going to use personal days to take the entire week off and perhaps a couple of sick days (hey, it’s my dream itinerary, right?). We will have breakfast at Rosie’s Cafe (Near the Atlanta University Center), Highland Bakery (Peachtree City), Flying Biscuit (either location), Breakfast at Barney’s, Anis (downtown), and Bistro Nikko…no particular order. We will alternate between lunch and dinner depending on game times. Definitely dining at a restaurant in The Battery during a Braves game, but we will also travel to Cypress Bar, The Vortex (Peachtree), Slim and Husky’s, No Mas! Cantina (near the Benz stadium) or Azul (Peachtree City). Grand China (Downtown ATL) is a must, and dare we not forget Mary Mac’s, Morton’s, and if they are not from here, Chick-Fil-A and Krispy Kreme. Oh, desserts you say? Let’s head over to Fairburn for The King’s Donuts and Coffee, Say Cheese Gourmet Cheesecakes downtown ATL, or Kupcakerie in East Point. There’s not enough time, but we will make it happen. After we leave the Hawks game, we will head over to The Varsity, but only once during my bestie’s trip, you know why! Sightseeing…of course the Atlanta University Center to see my alma mater, Clark Atlanta, as well as the other Historically Black Colleges and Universities within. The King Center, African-American History Center, Centennial Park, The High Museum, Alliance Theatre, Piedmont Park, The GA Aquarium, so many sights to see. For our final night, we will end the week with a movie and dining experience at my new fav theatre, IPIC. Oh, what fun!

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?
Oh my GOSH! Where do I begin?! Well, I must start with my family. My parents (Kay and RPB3) and siblings (Dr. Cami and RPB4) have been my everything through it all. Their encouraging words, wisdom, unconditional love, support (financially, mentally, physically), and so much more…honestly, words cannot truly express my gratitude for being in my corner. I am head over heels for my family…MY rays of sunshine on any day. My auntie Ann, is absolutely amazing, as she is the moonlight to my sunshine (inside joke). We share a bond of being the oldest of siblings (two girls, one boy sets). Her motivating mindset is a necessity as she pours her optimism into all she encounters. My cousin, Lance and Aunt Cheryl, where do I begin? Always checking on me, motivating me, and just being there for me. My Godparents (Thera and Chucky), with me since Day 1 (1980), literally…my DAH-LENS! My cousins-Bo, Jea, Larry…we are strong and we will get through all things, together! Our guardian angels, my late grandparents (Ephraim, Lucille, Frances, RPB2), baby cousin (Ziggy), and Uncles Chris, Sr., and Larry, Sr., we love you! I KNOW you are guiding our steps each day. I would be remiss if I did not include this list of individuals dear and near to my heart. Each has ALWAYS been in my corner (some are new to my corner) continuously pushing words I need to hear, reminding me, you’ve got this: Reggie, Deyanca, Dr. Evette, Simp, Tapp, Tesia, Ebony, Shelley, Qiana, Valerie W., Maisha, Dr. Beverly, Forrestella, Dr. Tonisha, Natoshia, Daphne…simply, Thank you! To the Black children’s authors who have trusted me to deliver your stories with a twist of Sunshine, I am grateful. I have by no means named everyone who has impacted my life, but no matter the encounter, I thank you for helping to shape Cecille, Dr. Sunshine.

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Other: notlobclassics6@gmail.com