About The Author

I grew up in Richmond Heights, Mo. I attended Lincoln Elementary School and Maplewood-Richmond Heights Junior and High School, and I graduated from MRH High School in 1967. I then attended the University of Missouri, Columbia. MO. I graduated in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Later, I attend Lesley University Cambridge, Massachusetts and received a Master of Education in 1990.

I married in 1972 to Gary Skinner. From that marriage we had two lovely daughters, Waila Jameelah and Ayanna. They both attended elementary , middle school and high school in Webster Groves School district. Waila, like her mom attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer design in 2000. Waila has her own trademark, W Creative and she does Design, illustration, User Research, UX  consulting as her profession. She is the designer of this website.

Ayanna attended Indiana University but graduated from University of Missouri. St, Louis in 2002. with a bachelor’s degree in social work and psychology. She is now employed as a corporate manager for a Brant Works furniture manufacturing company.

I taught vocal music to all grade levels, kindergarten through college, while employed by St. Louis Public Schools and I retired from that district in 2007. I then worked for the Hazelwood School District for five years as a middle school teacher retiring permanently in 2012.

My choirs traveled and competed in many festivals receiving honor awards and recognition. I was the Arts and Education Teacher of the Year in 1999 and received recognition from Bravo and Charter Communications. I worked with the St. Louis African Chorus performing a musical selection for Robert DeNiro’s film “The Good Shepard”.

But what I loved most was the interaction between my students and I during the learning process. I have many fond memories of being not only a “music” teacher but enjoying and learning from each other. We often talk about their problems, challenges and their accomplishments. I miss those days and my students.

I am hopeful that this book will inspire Afro-Americans to explore their glorious past with this book being a catalyst and guidance in learning about our ancestors, our gods and goddesses, our kings and queens and our leaders of Ancient Egypt and all of Africa. I encourage all to sing these songs and read the poems. Hopefully, this will be a tool that will promote the learning of our African, Ethiopian, Egyptian history and ancestors.