Today we’d like to introduce you to Gwen Richardson.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
Black Authors Matter TV will host its annual awards show on May 16th at 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST. The show’s viewers and supporters engaged in two rounds of voting for their favorite interviews in fifteen categories. The winners will be announced on the awards show.
Black Authors Matter TV is a program where we interview people within the book industry every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. CST. Gwen Richardson, a long-time entrepreneur, multi-published author, and two-time NAACP Image Award nominee, is creator, producer and co-host of the show. She is joined by author and marketing expert Dr. Rhonda Lawson.
Our audience averages about 1K viewers every week. The program is done via Zoom and live-streamed on the National Black Book Festival Facebook page which has 88,000+ followers. The show celebrates its third anniversary in July and, to date, we have interviewed nearly 500 guests, including including talk show host Tamron Hall, CNN analyst Bakari Sellers, and NBA mom Sonya Curry. The show is also available on the top six podcast platforms.
Sponsors of the awards show include the BET drama based on Carl Weber’s series “The Family Business” and “The Black Hamptons”; Speakers magazine, the monthly, award-winning publication that FEATURES speakers; S.H.E. Publishing LLC, the unique publishing house that helps authors share their stories with the world; Meet the World Image Solutions, Dr. Rhonda Lawson’s marketing and P/R firm; and Gwen Richardson’s five-part book series, Kidz Biz, that teaches children how to be entrepreneurs
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
My challenges have been reining in my optimism and balancing it with realism; ensuring that all projects contribute to the bottom line and are revenue positive; building the absolute best team based on my budget.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
Gwen Richardson has been an author, writer, entrepreneur, and book industry innovator for decades. As an author, she has 14 published books, two of which were nominated for NAACP Image Awards. Her latest children’s book, Boss Women: Seven African-American Women Who Built Their Businesses From the Ground Up, features seven African-American women who started their businesses by themselves or as co-founders with family members.
Richardson is co-founder of Cushcity.com, which was launched in December 1998 as the world’s largest African-American online retailer. Since then, the company has evolved into a world-class marketer/promoter for authors and publishers. Our company’s longevity speaks volumes. Many companies in the book industry have come and gone; ours has withstood the test of time.
Richardson is national coordinator for the National Black Book Festival (NBBF), an annual event established by Cushcity.com that celebrates its 16th anniversary in 2023. NBBF is the largest African-American book event in the South.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Success is a journey. It takes years to build a solid reputation and a client base. Your integrity is one of the most important things about you. Guard it at all costs.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success means achieving the goals you established, and not quitting when the going gets tough.
What’s next for you?
I’m building on what has already been started. Black Authors Matter TV and the National Black Book Festival are well-established successes and we want to continuing making them both bigger and better. I also plan to write four or five books within the next two years, adding to my existing total of 14.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
For Black Authors Matter TV, visit www.blackauthorsmattertv.com and view the show live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nationalblackbookfestival.
The National Black Book Festival’s website is www.nationalblackbookfestival.com.
FB: https://www.facebook.com/nationalblackbookfestival
IG: https://www.instagram.com/nationalblackbookfest/
Personal website: www.gwenrichardson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gwen.richardson.50/