Today is the Day Changemakers

Everything Happens for a Reason

January 17, 2021 Jodi Season 1 Episode 4
Today is the Day Changemakers
Everything Happens for a Reason
Show Notes Chapter Markers

Welcome to episode 4 of Today is the Day Changemakers, Everything Happens for a Reason. On this week's Today is the Day Changemakers podcast, I interview my dear friend Rashad Malik Davis who is an award-winning author, illustrator, and storyteller who explores themes of spirituality and social justice in his work. I was introduced to Rashad a little over three years ago when he called the chamber of commerce office that I worked for at the time to see if our organization could help him network. At that time, he was on food stamps and did not have the money to join a networking group, but we figured out a way for him to become a member and our friendship blossomed from there.  You never know who you will meet along your journey, but every friendship or business relationship has the potential to become a powerful tool in your future. 

In college, Rashad studied anthropology and Chinese, but an inner voice told him he was supposed to be on another path. And so, he changed course and manifested a dream he had no idea even existed. Because he was open to listening to those signs, he knew he could have a greater impact on the world by doing something he was deeply connected to. As a Black gay man living in a culture where men are not encouraged to share and connect to their feelings, Rashad set out to create a safe space for children of color to see themselves in literature. In his award-winning series, Carefree Like Me, each book speaks to another emotional journey that the characters, Amir and Neena, have to work through. Rashad has been invited into many a classroom where he has read Carefree Like Me to a multitude of students. In his work as a freelance artist, Rashad does portraiture as well as art classes for young people where he engages in conversations with them as well as teaches them foundational elements of drawing. Please visit his website at  Diverse Books Author | RaMalik Illustrations | United States

Please email any questions to jodi@todayisthedayliveit.com. Thank you for taking the time to listen to episode 4. 

Please join me next week, when my guest is Jeremy Grunin, President, Grunin Foundation and Partner, Grunin Holdings, LLC. 

Welcome Rashad Malik Davis
A Leap of Faith
When a Challenging Relationship Changes Everything
Art Career & Working with Children
The Three Words That Started It All
Carefree Like Me Book Series
We Meet People for a Reason
Third Book in the Series?
Lifechanging Messages
How Can You Connect with Carefree Like Me
Special Message If You Are Feeling Stuck