Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 11-15-19

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Oge Mora, An Award-Winning CSK Author, Visited Tampa
Award winning author, Oge Mora visited Tampa recently at the invitation of Cuddle and Read Every Day (CURED), Inc., an organiza- tion designed to encourage elementary children to read every day.
The group was celebrat- ing the 50th Anniversary of the Coretta Scott King (CSK) Book Awards and thought it befitting to invite Ms. Mora, a current winner. Her first book, Thank You, Omu!, a tribute to her grandmother, won the 2019 Coretha Scott King (CSK) John Steptoe New Talent Il- lustrator Award, the 2019 Ezra Jack Keats Foundation Illustrator Award, and a 2019 Caldecott Honor Award.
Ms. Mora is a multi-tal- ented author, illustrator and storyteller. She shared her amazing life story of being the youngest of eight chil-
Left to right, in front: Dr. Cora P. Dunkley, Founder and President of CURED; Oge Mora, Guest Artist; Gloria Young, Maxine Davis, Vice President of CURED. Rear, left to right: Paul Dunkley, Treas- urer of CURED; Maenell Means, Ashley Noel, Carrie Hurst, Administrative Librarian, Robert W. Saun- ders, Sr. Public Library; Virginia Bland, Kathy Mitchell, Secretary of CURED; Linda Gillon, Robbyn Hopewell, Rev. Janet Lee, Chaplain of CURED.
an activity that allowed them to help create a simu- lated pot of vegetable stew. Ms. Mora ended her pres- entation with the announce- ment of her second book, Saturday, and told of its equally compelling story.
This talented young woman is well on her way to a stellar career and is wished nothing but the best by the members of CURED, led by Dr. Cora P. Dunkley. Due to the generosity of CURED supporters, each family in attendance was presented a signed copy of Ms. Mora’s book. Other books were given as prizes, and past copies of CSK Book Award Winners, accompanied by photos of the authors and il- lustrators, were on display. Refreshments were pro- vided.
The program was held at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library.
dren born to Nigerian immi- grant parents. Her art talent was discovered and sup- ported early in her life and she was granted an all-inclu- sive scholarship to attend a prestigious art school, the
Rhode Island School of De- sign. Opportunities led her to using her art to become an author and illustrator of children’s picture books. She is now traveling the world talking about her experi-
ences.
Ms. Mora delighted the
audience with her stories about her grandmother Omu’s amazing stew and giving heart. The children in attendance participated in
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