Middle Grade
Reader Spotlight
Every month we'll highlight a reader in the Great Lakes Bay region and learn more about them, their work, and their reading life. We'll also discuss books and share a conversation about something close to their heart.
A force of nature. That's what I thought after spending an hour with Terricina. She's frank, optimistic, and real. She's also lived through some tough stuff but it's stuff that is important to share so it doesn't happen to others.
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Read on to learn more about Terricina and her inpsiring endeavors!
Did reading play a role in your childhood? If so, how?
I read to escape the violence in my home. I used to love hiding inside of a good book until I was in 9th grade. I started to give into the pressure of what it meant to be the cool kid. I just started back reading about 13 years ago.
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Have you carried on any reading traditions with your son? What is your son’s favorite book? We read at night. Maalik loves, “Hello Moon.”
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You recently moved back to Saginaw. What brought you back to the area? How long have you lived here? I have lived here since 1981 when my mother (Saginaw native) came back home from California where she gave birth to me. I came back due to having no family support with my disabled child along with the pressure Covid 19 placed upon our families.
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In addition to your books, what book do you think everyone should read? Why?
"The Four Agreements" is the perfect book for unlearning those things that didn’t quite sit well growing up in toxic childhood environments.
If our meeting was any indication, people who know or meet you for the first time can see and feel your passion. Where does that come from? How do you maintain that level of energy? That passion burns inside of me naturally. I am a Life Path #9 which is all about humanity and justice. I’ve been through hell a few times and ADHD helps me maintain that level of upward energy. I have so much of it to burn. I give it away to the community <3.
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You have created a couple of online communities to help others connect and succeed. What are they and what was the impetus to start them? As a Black, female business owner, why are these important to you? I own and operate TLJ Business Solutions & Services which is a virtual assistant agency. I started this business 12 years ago to feed my family when Corporate America became a thing of the past for my family. I needed to work from home after my son turned 13 years old. I needed him to have physical support systems at home instead of being a latch key kid.
Years later I wrote my own book titled, “The Code of Silence: Dirty Little Family Secrets” to share with the world about young black girls being molested in our communities like ME!
Also, I have SagiNOW? Social Networking which is an online community for business owners and residents to network. During Covid 19, I started Cannabis and Cardio Fit Club. We are a fitness club that educates the community on healthy ways to use marijuana as a healing modality.
Why is it important for you to create a sense of community? Because I loss my community due to crack cocaine. I grew up without one whole side of my family and the other side fell apart after my Father’s death tremendously. I have been alone my whole life. Community makes my heart beat.
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What’s your day job? I am a business consultant and wellness advocate.
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Given the personal and professional challenges you’ve faced, where do you get your positive outlook? God does nothing without rewarding you somehow! Everything that happens is a blessing!
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“Manifest Your Magic: Learn How to Daily Transcend Your Personal and Professional Life to Enter the Infinite, Unlimited Part of Your Being” and “Single in the City: The Single Mom’s Ultimate Guide to Entrepreneurship” both focus on helping other women. Why? Because I am WOMAN conquering life alone.
Your latest book is titled "The Code of Silence: Dirty Little Family Secrets." While this book also seeks to help women, it has a much heavier focus. Why was it important for you to write it and publish it when you did? I wrote it because 1 out of 4 African American girls will be molested by a family member and/or family friend by the age of 18 just like ME!
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When you think of the city of Saginaw, what do you see? What is your vision for the city? I think grit. I think grind. I think resiliency. I think rebirth. I think this city needs new energy and my vision is to shine a light on those doing the same thing as me!
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See Terricina's book cover below. You can purchase her book at the bookstore, at pop-up events, and by contacting me at andrea@leopardprintbooks.com.
