No Longer Daddy's Little Girl by Aarica J. Blackett

New Inspirational Read for Young Girls: No Longer Daddy's Little Girl

Born in Memphis, TN, Aarica Jihan Blackett is a visual artist and the author of the book No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl.  The inspiration for writing No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl came to her while in the middle of rebuilding her relationship with her father while in college. She wanted to share her experience and lessons learned to other young girls who were going through similar experiences of growing up without a father. Aarica is also the founder and artist of her company Art Pieces of a Dream, which is the company that encompasses all of her visual artistic products.

Aarica earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with a minor in French from Spelman College in 2008. She is an active Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization of Atlanta, and she is a board member of the Express Yourself School of the Arts organization. 

Visit the author at her website for more information: http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/.  To contact the author, please email her at aarica.blackett@gmail.com


The new book, No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl, gives young girls who are growing up without a father in the household a new sense of perspective and responsibility for their own future.

In 2008, 51% of African-American households in the United States were fatherless. The odds are stacked against children in single mother households from the onset.  Children raised in these homes are:

• 63% more likely to commit suicide than their dual parent counterparts
• 71% more likely to drop out of high school than their dual parent counterparts
• 111% more likely to become pregnant as a teenager than their dual parent counterparts
• 164% more likely to be a single parent than their dual parent counterparts

 Is this the only future that fatherless daughters have to strive for?
This book, No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl, will encourage young girls to take responsibility for their future by respecting themselves, their bodies, and their family. With the growing number of fatherless African-American households in the United States the author, Aarica J. Blackett, sees it as her responsibility to reach out and help where possible.

 This book has three attributes that will make readers take notice:
 • written for young girls by a young woman
• shares the experiences of other young women in this situation
• reads like a conversation as opposed to a dissertation so that the intended audience can readily digest the information

The author’s father abandoned her and her brother for six years while he tended to the needs of his new wife and new son. No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl is the author’s opportunity to share the diverse lessons she has learned.  These lessons touch everything from forming healthy relationships with men to managing her emotions when her father made his reappearance. The combined experiences of the author and other young college women will empower all young readers to love themselves and triumph through adversity.
 

The book No Longer Daddy’s Little Girl is available for purchase on the book’s website, http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/.

BPM:  Who are your mentors? Where do you find your inspiration?
A:: I have been blessed to have a great number of mentors in my life. My mentors usually are strong individuals who have creative mindsets. I love to see people make their passion their purpose in life to help others. My inspiration from this book truly came from my grandparents. They taught me the importance of forgiveness and the impact that it will have on one’s life.

BPM:   A Legacy is something that is handed down from one period of time to another period of time. Finish this sentence- My writing offers the following legacy to future readers...
A:: …that you are certainly not alone in this world. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone is looking to hear someone’s story. Share your experiences with others in order to help them in their situation.


BPM:  What specific situation or revelation prompted you to write your book?
A:: After being fed up with being caught in the middle of trying to convince my mother of my loyalty to her and attempting to rebuild a relationship with my father, emotions just came out of me from every point of my body. As tears were rushing down my face and anger filled my veins, I started writing down everything that I was feeling. Every thought, every tear, every scream, every pain was written down in my journal that night. The next day, I returned to my journal in order to comprehend the thoughts that were running on my head. As I was reading, I realized that I had a story to tell. Too many young girls go through this, and no one is there to tell their story from one young girl to another.


BPM:  Ultimately, what do you want readers to gain from your book?A:: I want young girls in any and all situations to know that despite the negative statistics that face you, you have the strength inside you to fight it. Be the exception to the statistic! In addition to that, forgiveness is a very important lesson with this book. It is important to forgive people in life because it provides closure and builds your character. It takes too much energy to hold a grudge against someone, especially when you can forgive and move on.


BPM:  What do you think makes your book different from others on the same subject?
A:: This book has a very unique take on this prevalent topic of daughters growing up without fathers. This book has three attributes that will make readers stand up and take notice:
 · written for young girls by a young woman (written at the age of 20 years old)
· shares the experiences of other young women in this situation
· reads like a conversation as opposed to a dissertation so that the intended audience can readily digest the information


BPM:  The cover of the book is very bright and different. Where did you ever find this image?
A:: Well besides writing, I am also a visual artist. I paint positive images of African American women. The cover art was inspired by the art work of Picasso. I wanted to convey the feeling of change over time, as well multiple emotions being captured within one person. To see some other pieces of my artwork, visit my website at http://www.artpiecesofadream.com/.


BPM:  How can our readers reach you online?
A:: The book is available for purchase on the book’s website, http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/, as well as on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com. Readers can email me at Aarica.blackett@gmail.com.
 
Contact Info:
Aarica J. BlackettEmail: aarica.blackett@gmail.com
Book Website: http://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/
Art Website: http://www.artpiecesofadream.com/

No Longer Daddy's Little Girl, Authorhttp://www.nolongerdaddyslittlegirl.com/