Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 2, 1993 TAG: 9306020216
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARGO HARAKAS FORT LAUDERDALE SUN-SENTINEL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Or Daniel Hale Williams?
Or Garrett Morgan?
Attucks was martyred in the Boston Massacre of 1770. In 1893, Williams performed what is thought to be the first open-heart surgery - on a stabbing victim. The man lived for another 50 years. And Morgan is credited with inventing a gas mask and a traffic light.
They are all part of American history, but as blacks their names are not as widely known as those of white heroes.
Enter Sharon Berry-Vivian.
As a mother of two young children, Berry-Vivian was concerned by the difficulty of finding books that realistically portray blacks, their culture and history.
Doing a little research, she discovered all sorts of intriguing books being published that featured black characters, told of black history or recounted African folk tales. But they weren't always finding their way to local bookstore shelves.
Seeing an opportunity, the housewife and mother decided to provide for others what she desired for herself: a mail-order house specializing in books and toys that reflect the black experience. And portray "inspiring males, assertive females, family life and grandparents."
The result is "Hearts and Hands," a 24-page catalog of books, games and tapes.
Quality and sustaining power are the keys to her selections, Berry-Vivian says. "I look for books and playthings that have longevity. I'm not looking for fads. I'm looking for something that withstands the test of time. Classic items. High-quality items. And I'm looking for items that reaffirm black children's identity."
Berry-Vivian launched her mail-order business before Christmas, "by spreading the news word-of-mouth," and is just now mailing out catalogs.
"I got a mailing list from [Emerge] magazine," she says. "I'm targeting an upper-middle-class market."
It could take as long as three years before she sees a profit, but Berry-Vivian is a patient entrepreneur. Eventually, she would like to branch out into publishing original works, she says.
To receive a catalog or place an order, call (407) 272-8298 or write Monarch Publishers, 637 Bunting Drive, Delray Beach, Fla. 33444.
by CNB