Debra is a no nonsense, street savvy, independent woman whose personality clashes with her reserved, smart, young daughter, Bernadette. Despite that challenge, Bernadette's beginning childhood consists of adventures with her siblings and the neighborhood children. They create fun, yet mischievous games in Roosevelt, New York. It is 1980's. The mother of this generation, is love birthed out of Hip Hop, until the wicked stepmother of the crack epidemic surfaces. The latter increases the wedge between Bernadette & Debra. Their lives are forever changed as a result. Despite the adversity of neglect, abuse, poverty and homelessness, Bernadette perseveres by exercising her faith and utilizing help from community members, social workers, and childhood friends. How do those circumstances affect the mother- daughter relationship of Bernadette & Debra? What will prevail, bitterness and resentment or forgiveness and love? Read this true inspirational memoir to discover the answers.
About the Author: Bernadette's leadership career began while she was pursuing her higher education. She was President of the Black & Latino Student Alliance (BALSA) and a member of Allies (a social justice and inclusion group). With the help of The Sage Colleges, BALSA was the first to host sober dances for the alcoholism/addiction recovery community in Albany on their campus. While attending school, Bernadette was recognized as Outstanding Student Government Senator and given numerous awards. Her senior internship was at the Whitney Young Health Center CHEER department as an HIV/AIDS educator performing street outreach. Also, during those years, Bernadette was a contributing writer to college and community newspapers (The Quill, Urban Voices, etc.). That experience led to her first professional job as a Program Officer for the consortium, Hudson Mohawk Association of Colleges and Universities. Shortly after, life re-assigned her to human service work, community activism and volunteerism. She began to volunteer at Capital District African American Coalition on AIDS (CDAACA), at FREE TRACY GRADY CAMPAIGN, at Jubilee Concert Series and for local politicians, including Carolyn McLaughlin. Bernadette continues to volunteer as a board member of the Maternity & Early Childhood Foundation. Bernadette has an AA degree in human service and a BA in sociology, both from the Sage Colleges. After graduation, Bernadette began public speaking for MOMMA'S HOUSE and other non-profits. Bernadette has worked at the Capital District Psychiatric Center, Hope House, Addiction Care Center of Albany (ACCA), Eleanor Young Outpatient Clinic, Tryon Center for Youth, and Saint Catherine's Center for Children. Bernadette's administrative employment included Direct Care Supervisor at Vanderheyden Hall and Residential Alcohol & Substance Abuse Treatment Supervisor (RSAT) at Greene Correctional Facility (L1, L2 & M1) under the leadership of New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. It was while working at Tryon, the female residents affectionately nicknamed Bernadette, Ms. B as a sign of respect. (Other staff members were addressed by their first names or profanity.) 2018, Bernadette (Ms. B) is now an entrepreneur. She has taken her twenty years of human service and non-profit management skills and has crafted her own small business.