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Literature Matters Authors
2026 Authors
San Antonio, TX
Dr. Yolanda Carter
Dr. Yolanda Carter
is a 20-year Special Needs educator and United States Air Force veteran from Pensacola, Florida.
Her passion for storytelling is rooted in the
lifelong bond she shares with her best friend, a
relationship that continues to inspire her
creativity, compassion, and dedication to
uplifting young readers. Through her work, Dr.
Carter celebrates friendship, resilience, and the unique strengths found in every child.
is a 20-year Special Needs educator and United States Air Force veteran from Pensacola, Florida.
Her passion for storytelling is rooted in the
lifelong bond she shares with her best friend, a
relationship that continues to inspire her
creativity, compassion, and dedication to
uplifting young readers. Through her work, Dr.
Carter celebrates friendship, resilience, and the unique strengths found in every child.
Denise Montgomery
Denise
Montgomery became an author to give voice
to the stories that live in her heart. Writing
allows her to express emotions and
experiences that words alone often cannot
capture. Through her books, Denise hopes to
inspire readers to reflect, heal, and continue
dreaming.
Montgomery became an author to give voice
to the stories that live in her heart. Writing
allows her to express emotions and
experiences that words alone often cannot
capture. Through her books, Denise hopes to
inspire readers to reflect, heal, and continue
dreaming.
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez
Dr. J. Desiree
Rodriguez is a self-published author whose
books celebrate imagination, culture, and family
storytelling. Her stories are written in both
English and Spanish, incorporating a Dominican
dialect that reflects her heritage and brings
cultural authenticity to young readers. Through
her writing, she hopes to inspire children to
dream big and see themselves represented in
the stories they read. She is also the founder of
Literature Matters, a nonprofit dedicated to
bringing diverse books and literacy experiences
to communities.
Rodriguez is a self-published author whose
books celebrate imagination, culture, and family
storytelling. Her stories are written in both
English and Spanish, incorporating a Dominican
dialect that reflects her heritage and brings
cultural authenticity to young readers. Through
her writing, she hopes to inspire children to
dream big and see themselves represented in
the stories they read. She is also the founder of
Literature Matters, a nonprofit dedicated to
bringing diverse books and literacy experiences
to communities.
Aunt Shelly
Aunt Shelly loves sharing
her crafty journey and teaching others along the
way. She is passionate about inspiring creativity
through every project she undertakes, from
hands-on craft creations to her one-of-a-kind
self-published children’s books. Through her
work, Aunt Shelly encourages children and
families to explore their imagination and
embrace the joy of creating.
her crafty journey and teaching others along the
way. She is passionate about inspiring creativity
through every project she undertakes, from
hands-on craft creations to her one-of-a-kind
self-published children’s books. Through her
work, Aunt Shelly encourages children and
families to explore their imagination and
embrace the joy of creating.
Hazell Thomas
Hazell Thomas
became an author to preserve the powerful
history of her hometown, Money,
Mississippi, and to share stories that are
often left out of children’s books. As a
lifelong educator, she is passionate about
teaching young readers the truth about civil
rights in a way that is honest, age-
appropriate, and meaningful. Through her
writing, Hazell transforms lived history into
lessons that inspire understanding,
empathy, and courage in the next
generation.
became an author to preserve the powerful
history of her hometown, Money,
Mississippi, and to share stories that are
often left out of children’s books. As a
lifelong educator, she is passionate about
teaching young readers the truth about civil
rights in a way that is honest, age-
appropriate, and meaningful. Through her
writing, Hazell transforms lived history into
lessons that inspire understanding,
empathy, and courage in the next
generation.
Kaylon Williams
Kaylon
Williams was inspired to become an author
by her nephew. She recognized the
importance of children seeing themselves
reflected in the stories they read, which led
her to write her first book. Today, her
mission centers on representation and
creating spaces where young readers feel
seen, valued, and celebrated through
storytelling.
Williams was inspired to become an author
by her nephew. She recognized the
importance of children seeing themselves
reflected in the stories they read, which led
her to write her first book. Today, her
mission centers on representation and
creating spaces where young readers feel
seen, valued, and celebrated through
storytelling.
2024 Authors
San Antonio, TX
Dr. Shambra Mulder
We wrote the book to help adults discuss, connect, and apply mental health information. The coloring book aims to decrease misconceptions about difficulties with mental health challenges for children in underserved communities of color. The book is written in a child-friendly manner and provides exercises and resources to improve their mental health. The coloring book is sold through a non-profit organization; therefore, proceeds for the book allow us to give the book away at community events.
Charity Reid
I’ve had a passion for writing since I was young. My time as a teacher and being a mom motivated me to pursue this passion even further. I write to inspire, entertain, and motivate.
Michelle "Aunt Shelly" Kolo
Aunt Shelly is a special education teacher in Texas. She has been writing poems or singing made-up tunes to her students since she began working with children in 2009. She wrote her first children’s book in 2010, "These White Feathers." Over the past 5 years, she has self-published 6 more books! She was born and raised in Texas and loves to help children learn through play, creativity, and imagination!
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez is an Afro-Latina, four-time self-published award-winning author, former Mrs. All-Star Southeast 2021 title holder. Dr. Rodriguez has over 10 years of strategic communication and community outreach experience. She became a buisness owner at the age of 23, with a goal to impact youth through literacy and mentorship. For the past several years, Dr. Rodriguez founded a nonprofit Literature Matters. A literacy outreach festival, that creates a space for diverse books and authors.
2022 Authors
Tampa, FL
Jorrel Brinkley
Beginning in high school, I worked in after-school programs in elementary schools, and I loved making up stories to tell the children. As I interact with more students now as a school psychologist, I look for different ways to help families dealing with various challenges. Writing stories that touch on issues I see every day at my schools is one way I hope to make an impact.
Tyrone "TJ" Void
My inspiration as an author comes from my love of literacy and my son. Both have played an integral role in who I am as a person, and I believe that every has a story to tell that can help someone else.
Matthew Hale
In 2020 Matthew developed an interactive website, www.wegonnalearntoday, to provide access to Black History through games, music and videos. The website grew into the Black Historical Figures workbook series as a way to supplement the black history curricula taught in the school systems.
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez is an Afro-Latina, four-time self-published award-winning author, former Mrs. All-Star Southeast 2021 title holder. Dr. Rodriguez has over 10 years of strategic communication and community outreach experience. She became a buisness owner at the age of 23, with a goal to impact youth through literacy and mentorship. For the past several years, Dr. Rodriguez founded a nonprofit Literature Matters. A literacy outreach festival, that creates a space for diverse books and authors.
Leroy Toliver
I have always love telling stories and sharing experiences with world. Writing was a natural God given gift which provided an avenue to bring those stories and experiences to a larger audience.
Annette Eberhart
As parents we are our children’s first teachers in life. I have been an Early childhood educator for over 14 years. I am very passionate about interacting with children. I enjoy observing those special moments when a child has explored their environment and learned something new. Teaching children is a motivational inspiration for me. I believe in true family values. Those values will definably differ when we think about the diversity in each family dynamics.
2021 Authors
Virtual Conference
Keira Fana-Ruz
Rukia Kufakunoga
Tyrone "TJ" Void Jr.
2021 Authors
Ruskin, FL
Sunny Royal-Boyd
Author Sunny Royal-Boyd is was born in Detroit, Michigan. She was raised in Houston, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, and Cocoa, Fl where she graduated from high school. Sunny attended the University of South Florida, where she earned her BA, in Exceptional Student Education with an emphasis on Behavioral Disorders, she then earned two Master’s Degrees in Educational Leadership and Varying Exceptionalities. Sunny has been an educator for more than two decades and is a mother of two children and wife. She enjoys writing and working with real life situations to empower others.
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez
Dr. J. Desiree Rodriguez is an Afro-Latina, four-time self-published award-winning author, former Mrs. All-Star Southeast 2021 title holder. Dr. Rodriguez has over 10 years of strategic communication and community outreach experience. She became a buisness owner at the age of 23, with a goal to impact youth through literacy and mentorship. For the past several years, Dr. Rodriguez founded a nonprofit Literature Matters. A literacy outreach festival, that creates a space for diverse books and authors.
Dr. Madonna Higgs
I wanted my nephews and nieces to know the true meaning of Christmas. I want children to have a love for reading and learning! Additionally, I love want to see kids connect and identify with the characters of my book!
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