189: Breaking Stereotypes: The Impact of 'Your Special Voice' with Temi Adamolekun
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In this conversation, we will discuss why representation matters especially for children, how you can expand the perspective of someone as a mom or in other ways by being the first person in any category to use your special voice and get a look at what asking for precisely what you want is a good thing and how that contributed to the children’s book Your Special Voice.
Temi Adamolekun is the author of Your Special Voice. This empowering board book inspires young readers to use their own special voices to make a difference in the world.
If you want to make a difference,
but you don’t know where to start
Begin by searching way deep down
to find what’s in your heart
Whether your voice shines through singing, drawing, or dancing—whether it’s soft or loud, kind or proud—everyone has a voice that can effect change. This empowering and heartfelt message is conveyed through a beautiful, lyrical rhyme that will encourage even the youngest readers to think about what’s important to them.
Temi is from Nigeria, grew up in England, and now lives in San Francisco with her husband and son. Temi runs her own communications agency and is an active and vocal member of her community. She has written essays on topics such as anti-racist parenting and the importance of Black protagonists in children’s books. She is an avid reader who has dreamed of writing books for children for a long time, and she is delighted to have made that dream come true.
This conversation not only provides a deeper understanding of the importance of representation in children's books but also encourages us to leverage the power of our unique voices to create a significant impact in our lives and those around us. Tune in to be part of this compelling conversation.
In this episode, you will hear these ideas expressed:
- The difference between those who achieve and who don’t is….
- Why done is better than perfect
- Do moms really not have time to read? How Temi - a voracious reader - keeps it up
- The reason why it’s sometimes easier to focus on other people’s wants
- How did she partner up with an illustrator who met her specific criteria…a black woman with Nigerian roots? And how to ask for what you really want.
- What Nigerian cultural nuances were at play whilst writing the book or partnering with a fellow Nigerian on the topic of using your voice as a woman
- The superpower of bringing cross-cultural perspectives, UK, US, and Nigeria
- Why representation matters in children’s board books
- The courage to use your voice: Does your special voice need to be loud? Is whispering impactful?
- Exactly how does Temi run a business and mother a son and still stop her workday in time for dinner?
- Inspiring courage to share, and teaching her son the publication process
- How did writing this book affect her son? What’s now possible and normal for him? A Simon & Schuster published mom is now his normal….
- Sharing unique voices takes courage and can have a positive impact.
- How Temi’s book, “Your Special Voice” encourages children to use their unique voices, emphasizing the importance of boundaries and structure
SHARE this episode with a mom founder, entrepreneur, or creator who is seeking a children’s book to read that celebrates the diverse and inclusive voices of many children.
Similar episodes:
David Roberts, New York Times Best-Selling Illustrator, Talks About Imagination, Following Our Children’s Lead, and the Importance of Constructive Feedback, Episode 18
https://www.melissallarena.com/david-roberts-talks-about-imagination-following-our-childrens-lead-and-feedback/
Jane Egerton-Idehen, Nigerian-based STEM Advocate & IT Executive, Speaks About Gender Equality in the Workplace and How to Discover and Use Your Voice, Episode 38
https://www.melissallarena.com/jane-egerton-idehen-speaks-about-gender-equality-in-the-workplace-and-how-to-discover-and-use-your-voice-episode-38/
Supporting Resources:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Your-Special-Voice/Temi-Adamolekun/9781665912280#:~:text=About%20The%20Book,a%20difference%20in%20the%20world.&text=Whether%20your%20voice%20shines%20through,voice%20that%20can%20effect%20change.
https://www.instagram.com/tigertemi/
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