Meet Ruth Naomi O’Bryant | Author & Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruth Naomi O’Bryant and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruth Naomi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Ever since my daughters were little I’ve loved to write. As they got older, I noticed there was very little representation of little black girls in Children’s Books. Thus, I wanted to change that narrative for my daughters and other little black girls and boys. I wanted black children to see themselves and learn to love themselves. In truth, I never wanted to start a business. I never even thought of writing children’s books as a business. Truthfully, I just wanted to write, I wanted to invite others into my happy place, and I wanted to solve a problem.

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.

Biography

Ruth Naomi O’Bryant is an author, speaker, and mother of four wonderful daughters! Her passion is inspiring children and adults to read, write, and thrive. Her mission is to encourage, motivate, and leave a legacy of God’s love.
Ruth is a proud graduate of Norfolk State University and currently resides in Norfolk, Virginia! She has loved writing, storytelling, and has been a non-stop talker for as long as she can remember. Her bubbly personality makes her contagious to all. Ruth is the author of two children’s books Beautiful Little Black Girl and Amazing Little Black Boy.
Growing up in the inner-city neighborhoods of Norfolk, Virginia was far from easy. It was through God, persistence, hard work, and determination she made it out. As her motto is, it is not where you start but your present and end journey that matters!

My Story:

One day my daughter Jamiah came home from school crying. When I asked her what was wrong. She said her classmates called her “blacky, darky, charco, ugly. ” As a mother I just wanted to fix it. But how do you fix something, someone that’s not broken? She is perfect just the way God made her. So, I asked God to help me, help her. He told me to put her in the mirror and ask this question “Beautiful, Little Black Girl, what do you see when you look in the mirror?”

It was at this point that I understood it wasn’t a black or white thing. At least not this time. Especially, since she went to a predominantly black school. No, it was a heart condition thing, issue.

Sometime later, I thought to myself I can’t be the only mother going through this. Thus, Beautiful, Little Black Girl was written & Amazing Little Black Boy followed. Therefore, my book business, Imagination & Me Press was started!

What sets us apart:

We believe that affirmations are good, but conversations are better. Conversation leads to effective communication.

Brand:

Our brand, company sets out to capture the hearts of children and adults through God’s love. If you capture the heart of others positive change occurs.

We are most excited about helping families come together. Spreading God’s love! The ability to change the narrative on how little brown/black girls and boys see, view themselves. And one of the most exciting opportunities is the ability to put our children in the mirror and speak life to them.

It wasn’t hard getting to where I am currently. I believe God will strategically place people in your life as you start the process, business, walk in your purpose. I am learning a lot as I go. I have had a lot of sleepless nights. Lots of self-doubt and self-sabotage, financial losses. But I’ve also had so much success, life changing moments, incredible networking opportunities, new friendships and financial gains. The biggest lesson for me is you have to push past your emotions and write, bake, design, speak, invent etc. . . At the right time people will come along to help you on your journey. I’m learning to show up. Show up afraid, cry if you must but push, show up. Do it afraid but do it. Someone is depending on you to show up. It is by Faith that I move and stand.

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?
Everyone in my life has had an important role in who I am today from my family and friends to the teachers in my life from elementary to high school (Mr. James, Mrs. Brown, Ms. Allen, Ms. Bynum, Mrs. Perminter-Russell). Those in my community like Mrs. Blondie Morris who believed that I was a writer. My mom Jennifer O’Bryant who is always by my side. To my Godmother, Prayer-partner Mini Smith-Cooper who constantly pouring into me.

Website: ruth.obryant@yahoo.com

Instagram: ruthnaomi22

Linkedin: Ruth O’Bryant

Twitter: ruth.obryant@yahoo.com

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Youtube: Ruth Naomi O’Bryant