African American Authors, Black Authors Network, quality literature by EDC Creations

Events That Can Change Your Life

Listen to the actual interview with Karibu owner Simba Sana and Ella Curry the owner of EDC
Creations, founder of the Black Authors Network, and Director of the Sankofa Literary Society.

Download the 2-hour SLS Intimate Conversation here

A DAMN GOOD FAREWELL TO KARIBU BOOKS, BUT NOT SIMBA! ©

If you missed this grand opportunity to chat with Mr. Simba Sana, CEO of Karibu Books, you
missed one of the most exciting and enlightening chances of a life time! Mr. Simba is undoubtedly a
highly intelligent black man who leaves a legacy that just won’t ever be surpassed. As best I can, let
me share with you this wonderful event. I will give you time to slip into your most comfortable
classy clothing and pour a nice glass of red wine.

As owner of Karibu Books, Mr. Simba discussed without mincing any words the ultimate decision
to close all the Karibu Books stores. He explained poignantly that it was the internal immaturity of
staff, egos, personalities, and basically lack of commitment to the mission of Karibu that led to his
decision to close its doors. Mr. Simba emphasized that in no way did consumers or the lack
thereof, have a key role in that decision. In fact, Mr. Simba expressed nothing but gratitude for the
support from the African-American community of authors and readers and those aspiring to either.

I ran a little behind picking out the perfect silk lounging outfit so I missed the introduction.
However, I understand in summary that Mr. Simba was encouraging more male participation and
activity with book clubs. He was remarking about how most book clubs are made up of women. I
hope the brothers out there take heed!

Alright, the phone chat seemed to be quite crowded with mostly wonderful African-American
Authors such as Gwynne Forster, Pat G'Orge-Walker, Sherryle K. Jackson, Leroy McKenzie,
Deborah Slappey Pitts, T. Styles, Rosalynn Shropshire West, Julie Williamson (owner of A Good
Book in Gwynn Oak, Maryland), L.Martin Pratt of the Urban Literary Review and United Media
Network, Her royalty, Ella D. Curry, owner of EDC Creations, who also represented online chat
room participants and one or two e-mail queries, and yours truly ~ Swaggie Coleman. If I left
anybody out, please forgive me. Well, this phone chat was indeed crowded and overwhelming with
accolades for Mr. Simba and an out-pouring of affection and love fit for a King! Amen? Amen! I
tell you it was heart-warming being a part of such a high level of devotion as each one thanked Mr.
Simba for the opportunity to be a part of Karibu’s 15-year history in the African-American
community. Where is the NAACP Image Awards when you need it?

Alright, I want to just add that throughout the phone chat, Mr. Simba was very poised, humble,
gracious, eloquent, appreciative, conversational tone, and patient. There were a variety of questions
asked of Mr. Simba and it would be selfish of me not to share Mr. Simba’s wisdom. Because all of
the questions were very, very good and allowed everyone to gain an in-debt look at this great man
in the most awe-inspiring way, I am going to summarize the questions without singling out any
particular author or caller. Heretofore is the brilliance of an entrepreneur on African-American
literature and culture and history and politics.

First, Mr. Simba comforted all of us by stating that while Karibu Books was closing, his presence
and involvement in the African-American book business was not over. As we sometimes must
make tough decisions, those decisions are necessary for growth. Karibu had to close in order for
Mr. Simba to grow in accordance with his Universal Power’s will for him. Although Mr. Simba did
not disclose exactly what he will be doing in the future, it was a relief just knowing he plans to
return at some point in the future. I smiled when Mr. Simba said he was still on his journey. He
shared that he realized that he was not a whole person. He shared that his search for wholeness led
to changes that included closing Karibu Books in his decision-making process. With mixed
emotions of fear and anger, he explained how he embraced the need to change and let Karibu Books
go. That takes tremendous courage and I have nothing but love and the utmost respect for Mr.
Simba. Don’t you?

Needless to say, authors shared repeatedly how Karibu allowed many African-American authors to
realize their dreams. One caller shared how the multitude of genres by African-Americans kept her
and her friends patronizing Karibu Books. Amen? Amen!

When faced with another tough question: What did he feel was his biggest challenge in the
business? Surprisingly, Mr. Simba replied honestly, “Myself.” He went on to explain that every
problem he encountered was resolved internally with his African-American team and he never gave
the white people any power in making decisions for Karibu Books. That is truly admirable and
underscores Mr. Simba’s commitment to African-American community. Having said that, Mr.
Simba went further to urge callers not to be sad because closing Karibu is a blessing for him. Of
course, we know that blessings come with peace so we can relax knowing this great businessman,
community role model is only being prepared for a higher level of success. Amen? Amen!

One of the highlights about this particular phone chat was that Mr. Simba talked very truthfully
about other areas which gave a glimpse into which this man really is. There was no pretentiousness
or arrogance. He is certainly a pillar of strength. For instance, this man had no problems sharing
who his heroes were. We learned that Malcolm X, James Baldwin, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
were major influences on him. Mr. Simba described these gentlemen as great African-Americans
having a strong, positive impact on him through their life stories and ideologies. He offered that
these great leaders among others influenced his grass roots approach to have his own impact on the
African-American community. He was inspired by the fact that these men were avid learners and he
tried to emulate their commitment. His creed became: “Be good at what you do.”

Also, Mr. Simba opened-up and told one caller that “competition” was necessary to keep a business
on its toes. Wow! As such, Mr. Simba believed that Karibu Books, which is Swahili traders
language meaning “welcome” or “come in” should be an excellent top-performing business. The
fact that the store was a black business was only the “icing on the cake.” Thus, as to be expected,
customers kept patronizing Karibu Books. Making sure that Karibu maintained its level of excellence
was extremely important to Mr. Simba. There was no room for slackers. Thank you, Mr. Simba,
for demonstrating and proving for 15 years strong that an African-American business can provide
quality service to its own patrons. I know I have personally dealt with Ms. Lee McDonald, Mrs.
Cynthia ( Security Square ), and Mr. Aaron ( Bowie ) and received nothing but supreme and
professional assistance.

In widening the view of his inner-most ideals, Mr. Simba spoke with wisdom about racism and he
explained that as long as racism exists, there will be a need for African-American books. He
identified that it is the “teaching” of self-hatred and hating other African-Americans due to skin
color, that Karibu Books strived to alleviate racist and intra-hate social flaw. In freely giving his
time, Mr. Simba allowed callers to understand the internal conflicts of black organizations such as
the Nation of Islam, the Black Panthers, the political suicide of our founding father, George
Washington, and the impact that Presidential Candidate Obama Barack will have on world and
domestic. We even saw a little humorous side of Mr. Simba from time to time. For instance, Mr.
Simba confirmed that he has “boxed” since age 12. He also manages other boxers and loves it. That
drives him to never be a quitter!

Did you know that Frankie Beverly is to Mr. Simba what Zora Neale Hurston is to me? (Y’all knew
it was coming! Anyway…). That’s right, several times in this unique Black History Month Event,
Mr. Simba used Frankie Beverly as an example to illustrate his points on the current status of the
publishing industry today. Very insightfully, Mr. Simba described how the whites tease artist with
money. It happened with hip-hop and the problem is that artists become lost in the process. Thus, a
change occurs in our community culturally. In a very elemental way, Mr. Simba describes how the
monetary influence of the white stakeholders in the economy dictate the end product we get in our
communities (this sounds dangerously close to what is happening in African-American literature
today). For example, Frankie Beverly has his own unique sound and influence. If Frankie is
offered…say…$20 million dollars to record with a white band and he (of course) takes it, then the
music or words we hear will be different than if Frankie performed solo. In the latter case, we get
what we love already from Frankie. In the fore case, we get a sound not his own and thus a change
occurs. The reality becomes that white America has influenced or changed our music and this is
symbolic of what occurs in the publishing literature according to Mr. Simba. I agree. What do you
think?

Another time, Mr. Simba quotes Frankie Beverly as singing, “To survive changing times, one must
change ” (or close to it). Mr. Simba reminds us that it is politically necessary to dialogue with a
community as we are human beings and it is ultimately our culture that matters most importantly.
Thus, using his example, it is money that allows you to dialogue with a community and whites
ultimately take over that dialogue by teasing (luring) artists (authors) with money. Hmmm….

One of the best questions asked of Mr. Simba was a recommendation of what core books an
African-American should have? Mr. Simba briefly listed works by George Young, Louis Meshaw,
past politics, Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, The Willie Lynch Letter, and other books that made
you angry with white folks. In addition, Mr. Simba recommended that African-Americans should
also have books that are uplifting. He quotes the great legendary James Baldwin as saying that,
“American government does not understand us.” I wonder if they are even trying to. Do you?

As this exceptional evening draws to a close, Mr. Simba leaves us with some profound words of
wisdom: (1) Stop hating ourselves and others because we are black and that blocks us from losing
dialogue with our African-American community over money and (2) Reading to our children sets
the foundation for their futures. (3) Whatever the “thing” was that brought you joy as a child, is
what you should be doing with your life! That covers me, smile. Amen? Amen!

Thank you, EDC Creations and Karibu Books (sniff)

Article written by Swaggie Coleman
"http://swaggiecoleman.blogspot.com"
"http://www.blackplanet.com/SwaggieC"
2008 © All Rights Reserved

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