Alumni Author Book Talk: Dr. Jacqueline 'Jaky' Banks, Ed '10

Alumni Author Book Talk: The Black Mermaid: Topaz's First Integration

Sponsored by the Office of Alumni Relations Lifelong Learning and Identity & Shared Interest

Celebrate Juneteenth with the virtual presentation of The Black Mermaid: Topaz's First Integration with Jacqueline Banks, Ed '10 (Ed.D), and Kendra Banks. The book serves as a guide on the nuance of change for parents, children and teachers, and is a celebration of diversity and belonging. Follow Topaz's journey as she transitions to Land School and navigates the challenges of her first day! Participate in an engaging Q&A segment following the presentation with the authors.

The Black Mermaid: Topaz's First Integration is more than just a children's book. It is equipped with activities and conversations starters. The book even includes a coloring book! 

For more information about the book, visit Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and other book sellers.

Disclaimer: The perspectives and opinions expressed by the speaker(s) during this program are those of the speaker(s) and not, necessarily, those of Johns Hopkins University and the scheduling of any speaker at an alumni event or program does not constitute the University’s endorsement of the speaker’s perspectives and opinions.

Learn about JHAA Event Cancellation and Refund Policy

ABOUT Dr. Jacqueline & Kendra Banks
Authors and Consultants

Dr. Jacqueline 'Jaky' Banks hails from a rural small village called Allen, located on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. Dr. Banks is an advocate, avid reader and author with published romance short stories, articles and books. Dr. Banks is a graduate of Towson University, Salisbury University, Johns Hopkins University and Drexel University. 

Over the years she has worked and had professional titles include college professor, K-12 advanced certified teacher, retail store manager, executive director, project director, consultant, director, chief, publisher, editor, columnist. Jaky has enjoyed a professional career that includes being a state level political appointee. Her books and writings all serve as tools to bring awareness, improve lives, spark dialogue, bring change. 

Kendra D. Banks is a resident of Baltimore City, Maryland. Kendra is a graduate of Morgan State University with a Bachelor of Science in communications. Kendra is currently President of Royalty iS Black (R.I.B) and life-long artist with a scholarship of community activism spanning other 20 years is finding ways to intermingle business with the arts and learning. Kendra uses her background as a mechanism to raise the self-esteem of Black girls by offering them an opportunity to see themselves in Black-fantasy stories and situations while teaching important life lessons. 

The arts have been entrenched in Kendra’s blood for a long time. Kendra has appeared on HBO's The Wire, the movie Step Up to performing at New York City's The Apollo Theatre. Kendra received two music video awards for her artistry; An Official Selection at the Five Continents International Film Festival and a Quarter Finalist Selection at the Social World Film festival for a collaborative house music venture called “Seeing Without Eyes.” Kendra’s new children’s music single, produced by Baltimore’s own Mighty Mark, is called “Flow Those ABC’s” by The Black Mermaid.

 Event Date
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Start Time: 6:30pm EDT
End Time: 7:30pm EDT

 Location
Online via Zoom

Virtual
Baltimore

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