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When then-senator Barack Obama spoke about traditional family values during his Chicago Church speech in June 2008, his observations resonated with this African-American author whose self-published work recently garnered a nomination at the 41st National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work-Debut Author category.
In his speech, the president lamented the fact “that too many fathers are missing from too many homes”, and that “the foundations of [our] families are weaker because of it.” This speech is widely regarded as a clarion call for Americans to respond to the challenge of defending and re-visiting traditional American values that eagerly await a renaissance.
A year later, debut author BeNeca Ward trains a new spotlight on the timely topic of how to instill great values into today’s children through her breakthrough book, 3rd Generation Country: A Practical Guide to Raising Children with Great Values, which she self-published through Xlibris in 2009.
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When not busying herself with the task of instilling great values into the lives of her two children, this proud mother also serves as Vice President of Operations at Simmons Lathan Entertainment and Media Group in Los Angeles. “I was raised with the same values that are in the book so it was very natural for me to talk about how these values have affected my outlook on life.”
3rd Generation Country essentially focuses on getting back to the basics of parenting, utilizing the lessons that were used for at least three generations of Americans, but for many reasons are no longer being taught.
Seen through the eyes of someone who grew up in a large blended family, the book offers subtle and informative lessons through humorous and witty anecdotes from a childhood where “[we] were not given the most but taught to appreciate the least”, and where, “‘being neighborly’ was...a bit like mandatory community service." These accounts redounded to making her book a welcome guide and reminder of how traditional family values, or the lack thereof, affected society.
BeNeca shares her vision of the need to re-implement traditional values into today’s society in chapters such as, "Hold My Hand", "The Patience of a Pomegranate", "The Makings of a Man" and “Family Ties". Reading the book proves to be a memorable, illuminating experience that underscores the key message that “it is never too late to mold America's children into kind, respectful and responsible adults.”
“The general public’s reaction to the book so far has been one of thanks. Those with and without children are excited that there is now, within this book, a guide and reminder that can be used to teach values and redefines how those values, or the lack thereof, effect our society. Many without children have described it as a self parenting book that they are able to apply to their lives as adults”, shares BeNeca.
Asked what she likes most about her publishing experience, BeNeca enthused, “I was most impressed with the fact that Xlibris understands that the author is the owner of their own brand and gives them the flexibility to move around if and when they please. The representatives in each department are on top of their jobs and have great follow through skills. All questions asked seemed to be a priority and that is a gem when going through an unknown process.”
On how she views the success she is currently enjoying and what projects are lined up in the immediate future, BeNeca reveals, “I am very much honored to have been nominated for this year’s 41st NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Literary Work-Debut Author. 3rd Generation Country is the introduction to a series. I am currently working on the books that will be released from the series as well as the children’s series that will coincide with the brand. This book is being pitched to a variety of universities & community colleges as a textbook tool guide for their Psychology and Child Psychology, American Studies, Child Development, African American Studies along with others. It is also being introduced to high schools, middle schools & elementary schools as an addition to their current curriculum as well as to community based programs to be added to their required reading lists.”
Though a first-time published author, BeNeca is no stranger to the Entertainment industry. She began her career in 1993 as an enterprising high school student, who sought out an opportunity to work on FOX’s hit show “ROC”. She has been navigating her way through ever since. BeNeca has made contributions to “Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry & Brave New Voices”, “Run’s House”, “Cedric the Entertainer’s Taking You Higher” and various other sitcoms and entertainment programs.
3rd Generation Country can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
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