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Suffolk author celebrates heritage and perseverance through new children's book

Sierrah Chavis is honoring her culture through the power of storytelling. Her children's book "Dance of Colors" aims to inspire people to embrace diversity.

SUFFOLK, Va. — Sierrah Chavis is sharing a message of celebrating heritage and embracing individuality. 

She released her children’s book Dance of Colors in July 2024, which explores Caribbean traditions and culture as well as the importance of embracing your roots.

Chavis, who is of Guyanese and Bajan descent, shares her cultural pride through the pages of her book. Dance of Colors highlights the sense of unity she said she found in Caribbean culture. It also describes the music, food, and family that define her background.

“My family is Guyanese and Bajan-- from Barbados,” Chavis said. “My background and where I come from, I am very proud of, and it’s filled with a lot of love, and a lot of rhythm, and a lot of flavor.” 

The story also dives into the diversity within Guyanese and Bajan traditions, focusing on the various languages and customs that define both cultures.

While the book places a spotlight on Chavis’ personal heritage, it also reflects on the challenges she overcame while growing up. She struggled with reading in elementary school, but she said she was guided by the support of her family. The journey inspired her to write a story that would help children facing similar issues.

“Through my culture, where I come from, how I was raised, [it] was something that we pushed through. And I was able to eventually get... back on reading level," she said. “I became a teacher. I gave back to my community. And that is what really pushed me to want to start writing books... I thought it was important for my first children’s book to not only capture my own culture, experiences… but also to help other readers and other people, kids who may struggle with reading, may struggle with just, you know, challenges from their academics, to let them know that that doesn’t have to define you, that doesn’t have to be you, and that you can overcome things and be resilient."

Perseverance is a key theme in Chavis’ writings. Dance of Colors is her third book, following Dear World... What I Haven’t Told You and No Shame in My Pain. In her previous works, Chavis opened up about her experiences as a survivor of domestic violence, hoping to use her platform to encourage young women to use their voices.

"My going forward has allowed me to really help other young women to believe in themselves, to have the courage to speak up when something isn’t right, and to empower them that they do have a voice, and that they are beautiful, and that they can do anything, and that they don’t have to be limited to their circumstances or where they’ve come from or what their background is," she said. “I want to just encourage, with all my books, to encourage the young reader, the older readers, wherever you are, to let you know that there is power in your voice, and there’s power in our words."

As a mother of four-- three daughters and a son-- Chavis said she also saw her books, especially Dance of Colors, as chances to model self-esteem for the next generation.

"It was really an opportunity for me to not only honor my heritage and where I come from, but also to ignite young readers to explore their own culture and an opportunity for them to dive deep into what makes them... unique," she said. " I wanted to have other young readers to be able to... envision themselves, but. also to ask questions about their own culture and where they come from to create their own story someday."

She also hopes to push young, aspiring writers to share their perspectives and contribute to a more inclusive literary world.

"They do want to learn more about how can they explore their writing, how it can help them to help other people. And so, writing can be an outlet," she said. "So, just to continue to write, continue to grow, continue to learn, and continue to unite."

Dance of Colors is now available for purchase. Click here to order a copy.

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