Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

So, this happened the other day reading to the First Graders at ...

Me: Does anyone have any questions?
First Grade Boy: Are you in College?
Me: ☺️☺️☺️☺️blushing
Me: Baby, you think I'MMM in College? You just made my WHOLE day!! ☺️☺️

Don't you just love the babies?!?!

His innocent question did something for this, about to be 5️⃣0️⃣ year old in a little over a month woman - who struggles with MORE than smiles will ever hide! That love tap 🌻was JUST the UMPH I needed to push me towards some of the goals I'm currently working on!!

Thank you young Prince! 👑
You had NO idea!!

SN: this picture is NOT from that day. Not every class allows pictures. But, this image is FULL of the feeling from that moment!!!



Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

Finished the LAST of my "Read Across America" schools today. It was a reschedule, but it was right on time!! Stopped by a First Grade classroom and it was the sweetest discussion about our NAMES!! I read them book "My Name Is A Story" and had a ball learning the story behind their name as I shared about my own!!

Thank you Mrs. Williamson and Dr. for having me every year!! Got to take pictures with the books of other Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz Creatives who also had the opportunity to read at !! Thank you for having us ALL!!

If you are looking for an author for your classroom storytime, just send me a DM!! 📖

On to the next adventure!!
Sherricka ✍🏾

"Empowered Women Empower Women"

shirt said it best!! Today getting to be on the panel for the Forsyth Correctional Women's History Month program with some powerhouse women, was more than an honor for me! It was an opportunity to glean. To learn. To sharpen my iron!!

Myself, Wendy Hunt, former GPD turned entrepreneur and owner of and with her husband, my Boo, Big Rock from and the FIRST Black Female Captain for Greensboro Fire Department all were able to share our HER-story today!! It blessed me to be in the presence of these women doing the damn thing!!!

Thank you to my former parent, Chuki Martin for speaking my name in a room I was not in!! 🙏🏾Thank you Miss Horne for having us! You both are amazing!! The guest speaker was perfect and congratulations to the Woman of the Year!! 📚✍🏾

When women support women, PHENOMENAL things happen!! Looking forward to more opportunities to work with these ladies!!!



Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

The former Math teacher and geek in me will ALWAYS celebrate Pi Day!! 🎉 Thank you for the perfect picture to celebrate!!

Happy π Day, FAM!! 🥧🎂🔢 3.14

I listened to an interview yesterday with and .angelabassett on my car time yesterday evening. And in that interview, Oprah asked Angela if she had done what the last line of Derek Walcott's poem "Love After Love" says, "Sit. Feast on your life."

Now, I am in NO WAY proclaiming to have lived the career or life of my Soror THE Angela Bassett. HOWEVER, speaking with the women of the Beta Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma for Women's History Month Saturday morning, I was reminded of my OWN journey (no pun intended 🤗). I was able to walk them from ! I was able to sit and feast on my own life's journey from the McDougald Terrace Street of Wabash in Durham, NC to present day! How that little girl, raised by VILLAGE was able to go from educator to author to Bookstore Owner!!! It humbled me. But, it also helped me to do what another line of Derek's poem said and that's "... Love again the stranger who was yourself." There are times when I forget about HER!

The First Black Teacher to teach at a local school.
The Athletic Director who started a sports program.
The woman who has an award named after her.
The little girl whose name was mispronounced in Kindergarten who would write books.
The woman who owns a Bookstore with 90+ small businesses located inside.
The teenager who bet on herself by turning down a prestigious scholarship to be a Tar Heel to attend an HBCU ( ).
The mother who is raising three AMAZING human beings.
The woman making HER-story and is JUST GETTING STARTED!

Yeah. I took down the "love letters from the bookshelf" and greeted HER yesterday!! The audience was small, but the impact on ME was HUGE! And NEEDED!

So, thank you DKG (Judy) for choosing me to speak to your Chapter yesterday! It was the feast I needed in this of my journey!!!





Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley
Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz

Y'all go exercise that RIGHT if your state has primary elections today!! 🗳️

Have you voted?

There are times when I wish I didn't have to hide their faces, but MINE sure does tell you of the JOY shared between author and audience!! 😄😄 📚

This morning's playground was Kindergarten and Fourth Grade classes! For the babies I read my own book "I Fit IN Just Right" and book "I AM... Possibility " For the fourth grade babies it was my book "Through Our Eyes - Poetic Tribute to on Inauguration Day" (go VOTE NC!) and book "My Name Is A Story" We had a ball in BOTH classes! Great dialogue and attentive students!! Way to SOAR 🦅!!

Thank you to my Hornet/Aggie Classmate 💙🐝 Miss Witherspoon 🥄 for inviting me every year!!

What a way to start off !
📚📚📚📚



Guilford County Schools

Reading Across America in some of my favorite spaces this week!! 📚 From the Triad to the Triangle!

📍 - Tuesday
📍Casa Esperanza Montessori - Wednesday
📍 - Thursday

And even though Black Children's Book Week was LAST week, I'm taking that energy with me this week!! ❤️🖤



Guilford County Schools Guilford Parent Academy

Swipe to see TODAY'S playground!!
🤰🏿🤰🏾🤰🏽🤰🏻
We are out in the Community!!

But, you can STILL get you some lunch at Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort and shop at Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz !!! 🍽️🛍️

It's Black Children's Book Week!!! 🖤❤️💛📚 Black Children's Book Week

Getting it in this morning with a Morning Lit Virtual Reading time with !! Celebrating ALL week at Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz with events and sponsorships in the Community!!

Check out the fliers to see where you can find us!! Stop by to shop for your favorite readers and grab Black children's books on sale ALL week!!!

Happy Black Children's Book Week!!
🖤❤️💛📚

It's that time of year where I hit these streets!!

This year and ALWAYS I'm taking Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz with me!! Swipe to see Events, Sponsorships and Partnerships that we have formed with our Triad Community and beyond!!

Refer to EACH flier for important details about each event! SHARE with someone!!

1. &
2. Black Women Educators of NC with .renita . Panelist and vendor
3."They Look Like Me" A National Project Book Fair with the Sorors of ! We are sponsors of this event celebrating Feb 25 - Mar 2 !
4. Pregnant in the Piedmont by We are vending for this FREE event!
5. A Requiem for Four Little Girls presented by and Elise Jonell! Get your tix TODAY ! Please be sure to put Skylar Stanley as the dancer you are supporting!!
6. March 2-6 is Read Across America Week. Visiting some of my FAVORITE schools again this year!
7. March is Women's History Month. I have two speaking engagements in the Community!
8. Voices For Change: Dismantling Racism One Policy At A Time ! We are the proud booksellers of this four part event series! 📚

We are Booked, Busy and Blessed!! Join us when you can. Pray with us when you can't! We are in service to our Community!!!

Thank you FAM!! 🙏🏾
Sherricka & Next Chapter Bookstore and Gift Shop



Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

PLEASE SHARE AND VOTE!
THANK YOU 🙏🏾

We are FINALISTS!!
Head over and begin voting!
Voting ends February 22nd.

https://triadmomsonmain.com/choice-awards/

Here are suggestions! You MUST vote for 🖐🏾 categories. GSO - Greensboro, WS - Winston-Salem, HP- High Point

#3 GSO
#4 WS
#6 GS
🚨 #19 Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz GSO 🚨
#19 WS
#26 GSO
#26 HP
#26 WS




Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley
Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort
Triad Moms On Main

Her: Are you still doing the book giveaway from the radio?

: Yes ma'am. Look around for whatever book you want!

Her: Actually, I want YOUR book! You said on the radio, YOU had a book!

: 🥺🥺🥺

She was book #19 !!! 📚

This is just ONE of the many stories from yesterday's 5️⃣0️⃣📚 Giveaway sponsored by our FAVORITE nonprofit Chase's Chance,Inc. !! I can't wait to share MORE!! What a GREAT time of Community it was!!



📻

I am ALWAYS proud to be an Aggie! 💙💛

But, on February 1, that pride is GREATER!! Thank you Mr. Franklin McCain, Sr., Mr. Joseph McNeil, Mr. David Richmond, Jr. and Mr. Jibreel Khazan (formerly Ezell Blair, Jr.) for sitting down 64 years ago TODAY! Your courage, tenacity and will created a legacy that we celebrate and share with the world! Four Freshman sat down so that we may stand, run, and soar!

Thank you!
Proud Aggie!!

&TFour

Second Slide: Images By Brandon
Third Slide: Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz

Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

https://youtu.be/bNBGvaSHWbY?si=6vQYi_fMwX5cm2P_

Hey Fam!

I Challenged my family to listen to Dr. King's FULL speech! Told them it would be great car time listening or whenever! We need to know more than just the IMPROMPTU "I Have A Dream" part of the speech!! Thanks Mahalia Jackson for that nudge!! A Black woman will help you walk into greatness won't she?!?! 🤗🖤

Will you join us?!?


SN: I am also currently listening to his "The Other America" speech, too.

https://youtu.be/dOWDtDUKz-U?si=wfGqwr83FEg0R1K6

This morning, I had to stop scrolling when I saw this first picture. Photojournalist J.J. McQueen was recognizing the efforts of a volunteer group who feeds families for Thanksgiving yearly in Baltimore (see his post for the accompanying commentary). I came across it shortly after I had seen the Guilford County Schools Nutrition Staff on the morning news live, bundled up in the cold for the second day of their walk out to protest wages. This image caught my attention, especially after reading his perspective of the event. I couldn't help but draw parallels between those volunteers and the GCS Nutrition Staff. They both have a SPIRIT of Hope! The volunteers, with a spirit that provides "hope for future generations". And those workers with a Spirit of hope that they will be heard!

My prayer in this moment, is that the nourishment through serving that the Bea Gaddy Legacy provides for so many in Baltimore be multiplied for generations to come. And the nourishment through food that those GCS workers provide our students, is a blessing to our babies every day.🙏🏽

I don't know what the outcome will be for the Nutrition Staff of GCS. I know they are headed back tomorrow and there have been conversations. But, know that you have people covering you as you continue to stand up to be heard! Thank you for being the people who serve our children DAILY the sustenance they need to carry out their academic duties. We ALL know for SOME it's the ONLY meal they may get. 😞 I pray for resolve and know you are appreciated.

Thank you.🙏🏽
A GCS Parent.

My Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort Fam shared this with me this morning, so I'm paying it forward!

That exhortation at the end!! 🙌🏾😭
Thank you, Lord!! 🙏🏽
May this Thanksgiving be blessed for you, FB FAM!! Grateful. You are LOVED!

♾️

https://youtu.be/nJosWuosbEE?si=2AwCzKJExRXSg6OB

Tune in TODAY, Friday 11/10 as I talk with Author, Publisher, & Lawyer Tiffany Obeng of about THE BACK STORY on IG Live!

🕐1:00 - 1:10pm EST

See you in a few, FAM!
Happy Friday!
Sherricka ✍🏾



Tiffany Obeng-Esq Inspiring Kids - Sugar Cookie Books

Happy Homecoming Week to my two favorite High Schools!! If you have ever attended an or an you understand how soul filling and memorable this time of year can be!! Hornets 💙🤍🐝... Panthers💙💛🐾
Wishing you added memories and happy times to you!!!🎉🎉🎉

Hillside High School Hornets
James B. Dudley High School

We Ready!! We Ready!! We Ready... For the FALL!! 🍂🍁🌼

We are about to be outside, FAM!!

First stop is The Black Alumni Network Family Reunion on Sat. Oct. 21st from 12-3pm!! Come see us in the Quad as we help the celebrate their Homecoming!!

Next stop is the Bull 🐂 City!! Participating in the Acceler8 8th Grade Career Exploration Day for ALL Durham Public Schools 8th graders!!

And then y'all know what's next...
💙💛!!!

Pull up on us!! We would love to see you!!



Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz

There are moments on my Author Journey that have become Core Memories! Yesterday was one of those days!! The STORY behind these pictures are forever etched IN my mind and ON my heart! 🥰

It was a JOY-FILLED moment, which made it a Jim Valvano kinda day. I laughed. I thought. I cried. 🤣🤔😭

Thank you Mrs. Joan, Mr. Joseph, Camden, Mrs. Bynum, !!! 🥰🙏🏽

Rest well, Uncle Syl🕊️



Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz

Who knew when I started this journey of living my dreams WIDE AWAKE, that it would be strangers rooting me on SO LOUDLY!!!

Thank you Temoura Jefferies The Buy Black Guide for featuring myself and three other local authors ( Tara Hill-Starks Salina Barksdale-Clark ) on your "Buy Black Triad" Segment for the !!! As well as letting the Triad know we ALL have our books in Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz !!

Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley
Link below and in our bio! 🔗
👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾👇🏾Watch!!

http://www.wxii12.com/article/four-triad-children-authors-have-on-your-bookshelves/45358254

Standing in my Black Owned Business Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz rocking another Black Owned business Tees of Life !! 👕

You better do it, Sis!! Out here supporting each other!!🤝🏾

After hooked a Sista up and had her feeling all CUTE😉, went to stop by Peace Of Her By Lou and grabbed a Smoothie Bowl for brunch!! It is DELICIOUS!! This one is called the Mindfulness Bowl!! 🍓🫐🥝🥣

Y'all come through and support this Black Owned Smoothie Shop! Her beautiful daughter .hannahart has her artwork up in Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz !! So we support one another!! Once we learn how to REALLY keep that dollar circulating in our communities, you aren't going to be able to tell us nothing!!! 🤎🖤

And yep, I'm ready for Aggie-Eagle Classic! 💙💛 and yep, I'm wearing white AFTER Labor Day! And yep, my toes are 🔵🟡! Because that's my bizness!!! 🙃😄

Happy Friday, FAM!!

🎉 Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz is an exhibitor at the Black Luxe Expo on Saturday, September 9th! We are SO excited for our second year of Black Luxe & Co. EXPO!!! 🖤💜

💜 4th Annual Black Luxe Expo
🛍️ Shop with Black-Owned Businesses
🗓 9.9.2023
🏢 High Point Theater
📍High Point, NC
⌚️ 2 pm-8 pm
🎟️ FREE TO THE PUBLIC
🍔 Food Trucks
🎶 Live Entertainment
🎉 2 DJ’s
🎨 Live Painting
🤳🏾 Free Interactive Photo booth
🎁 Raffles + Giveaways
🤝🏽 Networking & more!

✨ Host by
🎧 Vibes by
🎸 Performance by
🎤 Special guest:
💃🏽 Dancers
📸

✅ APPLY TO FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS: http://bit.ly/41enZ2d
➡️ Registration ends on Aug 26th
ℹ️ https://www.blackluxeco.com/expo
💌 Subscribe for updates: https://bit.ly/3te2uQj



Ben’s Boyz Premium Comfort

Hey FAM, Share this post!!!

Join me this Saturday in my Hometown, Durham, NC for the Back To School 🎒 Edition of !!! I'm bringing Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz to the Bull City!! 🐂

supports and showcases Black Owned Women Businesses!! 🤎🖤 This is my second event with these ladies!! Come out and support these vendors!!

AND support Durham Public Schools teachers with donations to the Crayons2Calculators: The Durham Teacher Warehouse Corporation (C2C) !! Bring supplies and be entered into a raffle for a $50 gift card!! 🖍️📒✏️📓🖇️

We will see you Saturday!! 12-3pm!!

Author Sherricka Carpenter Stanley

Summer's not over!! 🌞
We still have places to go!! Me and Next Chapter Bookstore/Gift Shop - Ben's Boyz will be on the road! Swipe to see where we are going!!

August 26th we're heading home to the Bull City with The Coco Drip Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 26th (Durham,NC) !! 🐂

September 9th we are up the road to High Point with Black Luxe & Co. !! 🖤💜

Follow ALL to stay in the KNOW!

This AGGIE is excited to be going HOME!💙💛This is a FREE Family event!! We will see you there!!

Happy Earth Day, FAM! It's the ONE place we all have in common! Let's do OUR part to conserve it! 🌎🌱🤲🏾

Today's Lab - Career Day at Sedalia Elementary!!