Book is written by pastor and activist Michael W. Waters
Flyaway Books Press Release
LOUISVILLE – Flyaway Books is proud to announce their partnership with the Muhammad Ali Center on a powerful upcoming children’s book called For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World by pastor, scholar and activist the Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters.
The Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters
The book, which celebrates African-American boys and focuses on the importance of working together to create a better world, will tell the story of a young black boy named Jeremiah who is exposed to gun violence both personally and through the media. As Jeremiah reflects on the stories of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, the Charleston Nine, the five Dallas police officers and other victims of gun violence, he discovers that he can help improve our world by participating in hopeful forms of activism and advocacy. The Muhammad Ali Center will provide educational material for the book around the topic of anti-racism.
“The moment we saw Dr. Waters’ manuscript we knew that it would fit with our mission at Flyaway Books — to create books for children that celebrate diversity and encourage compassion,” said David Dobson, associate publisher. “And we immediately thought that our Louisville neighbors at the Ali Center could help us spread this message even further. Their contribution in the form of educational material for teachers and parents will help this book find its way into classrooms and living rooms, encouraging dialogue and helping children understand that they can create a better world and, even more important, that they have the ability to do so.”
“The opportunity to collaborate with Flyaway Books and Reverend Dr. Michael Waters is in direct correlation with our mission of promoting respect, hope, and understanding,” said Muhammad Ali Center President and CEO Donald Lassere. “Muhammad Ali, who experienced racism and social and civil injustices during his early life, believed in a better world for all people. By conquering adversities and through hard work, Muhammad succeeded in his career and in life. Our goal in creating the educational material to accompany this new book will be in line with what Muhammad wanted from the Ali Center; to be the place that helped others — especially young people — achieve greatness.”
“Across the globe, the name Muhammad Ali bespeaks brilliance, fearlessness, integrity and an unwavering commitment towards championing the common good,” Waters said. “That For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World will bear Ali’s name is a humbling gift and a tremendous affirmation because of the courageous life that he lived. It will provide a unique opportunity to reach young people across the globe and encourage them to embrace their own brilliance, fearlessness, and integrity, and, in so doing, create a better world.”
For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World is currently scheduled to be released in late 2019.
About the Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center, a 501(c)3 corporation, was co-founded by Muhammad Ali and his wife, Lonnie, in their hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The international cultural center promotes the Six Core Principles of Muhammad Ali (Confidence, Conviction, Dedication, Giving, Respect and Spirituality) in ways that inspire personal and global greatness and provides programming and events around the focus areas of education, gender equity and global citizenship. Its newest initiative, Generation Ali, fosters a new generation of leaders to contribute positively to their communities and to change the world for the better. The center’s headquarters also contains an award-winning museum experience. For more information, visit www.alicenter.org.
About Flyaway Books
Flyaway Books is a new children’s book program dedicated to creating books that will inspire the next generation to fly. Books featured in the program carry themes of diversity, inclusion, self-esteem, kindness, compassion and care for our world, and the titles are intentionally multicultural in their artwork and characters. Visit www.flyawaybooks.com for more information.
About The Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters
The Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters is the founder and senior pastor of Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Dallas. He is also a professor, activist, award-winning author and sought-after speaker. For more information, visit www.michaelwwaters.com.
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