Welcome dear readers to today’s edition of the Kreyolicious Author Q&A. Today’s conversation is with author Sully Grand-Jean, who is based in Jonesboro, Georgia. The academic and professional credentials that he holds could probably cover up the walls of that entire town. He’s the founder of Compassion Plus, a non-profit that provides assistance to orphans and the homeless. Grand-Jean is the author of two books Just Because I’m Black and Motivational and Inspirational Thoughts for all People.
Kreyolicious: Tell us more about yourself.
Well, I am from Limbe, Haiti. I come from a loving family who greatly values education. My grandmother loved reading, and therefore inspired me to also read. I am married and have four beautiful children who will outshine me in everything, by the grace of God. As I have always told them, “If the son does not surpass his father, there is no progress”. For my education and work, I studied communication and journalism at Institut Francais and I was appointed news reporter and columnist at the government newspaper Le Nouveau Monde for Carrefour. I have completed a duo degree in Theology and Education with a concentration in Social Science from Universite Adventiste D’Haiti. I taught for a while. Then I became secondary school principal at Gonaives Seventh Day Adventist School. I was chief district pastor of 17 churches at Anse Rouge. I studied law from Gonaives Law School and did my internship with Cabinet Sanchez in Cap Haitien. Coming to America, I did missionary work. I taught and pursued my studies where I obtained my MPA and Graduate Certificate in Health Services Management from Keller Graduate School of Management. Also, I am a Certified Natural Health Professional and a Holistic Iridologist. Then I started a PhD in Higher Education Leadership at Capella University. I worked as International Representative for Caribbean Affairs for Adam International University and I am currently Vice President for International Affairs for Universite Autonome De Port-Au-Prince. I’ve written poems, articles, drama, and a dissertation of 252 pages. I have published two books so far. One is a philosophical book to inspire mankind. The other one Just because I’m Black is a mixture of prose and poetry to elevate the Negritude movement, enhance self-esteem and pride of the blacks, and to promote social reformation. I am not a collector of degrees, but I do want to imitate this Haitian scientist-medical doctor-anthropologist-philosopher-poet-author-lawyer-economist-admnistrator-therorist-political scientist Dr. Louis Joseph Janvier. He was a living proof that the brain of a black individual has the same capacity as any other race.
Kreyolicious: You have an MPA, and so many credentials. You are obviously a very accomplished individual. Did you have to fight hard for the creative part of you to come out?
Thank you for the compliment. To God be the glory! I would be lying if I said, “No”—with a smile. It has been so difficult for me that sometimes I felt like giving up. But as a Christian, my faith sustains me despite life’s challenges. I remember when I was in Theology, I was about to fail Greek, so I just talked to Jesus while walking on campus and said, “Jesus, I can’t afford to fail Greek. Otherwise I will have to lose one year of college. Jesus, if you called me to be a Pastor, Please help me to pass this Greek course.” And he answered my prayer. The exam came and I miraculously passed. The professor was surprised! Later on, I even taught Greek for a semester. People soon realized that I was a great fighter—as life itself is a battlefield.
Kreyolicious: What made you write this book Just Because I’m Black?
Since primary school I fell in love with history, but I did not like the way the white masters treated their black slaves. I always said: if I were a slave I would have rebelled against not only my master, but the system also. I would have been an abolitionist like Mackandal, Boukman, Dr. Toussaint L’Ouverture, Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, President Alexandre Petion, King Henry Christophe, Simon Bolivar, Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, President Abraham Lincoln, and so on. I wanted the racist whites to recall that shameful past, to correct the present discrimination and to avoid racism in the future. I also want the black men and women to forgive the white race in order to be both a part of the civilization of love and unity.
Kreyolicious: Everybody wants to write a book, but very few start and finish. Were there times when you wanted to give up?
Sure. I recalled when I was writing my first book Motivational and Inspirational Thoughts for all People, I was also in a dual Master’s program. It was very challenging. Sometimes, I felt like giving up, but I kept going anyway. By the grace of God, I graduated in June 2008, and my book was released in December of that same year. Just Because I’m Black was supposed to come out since 2009, but because of difficulties, it was not ready. Sometimes, I got discouraged. A voice told me, “You can’t give up”. I was boosted up, and [got] motivated. Finally, it got published in 2014.
Kreyolicious: For those who are contemplating on writing a non-fiction book, what pointers do you have for them?
First of all, a nonfiction book is not a novel. The truth—or research—should guide you from start to finish. Second, editing is a must and a plus. A good book with grammatical and syntax errors is the worst of all. Third, since fiction books sell faster than nonfiction, one needs to invest even much more in book marketing to get known and read by a huge audience to promote your message. Fourth, participating in book contests are a good way to expose your book to a wider audience.
Kreyolicious: What’s the most refreshing thing about being an author?
Liberty of expression and opinion is the most invigorating part of being an author. The power of writing leads to changes, reforms, transforms—and revolutionizes. [This power is] the most effective and priceless royalty—one that brings joy, satisfaction and pride to the author—though he might get a few pennies [from quarterly royalties]. I don’t write to enrich myself, but to touch lives. [The fact that] I won a contest and my name is in the published book 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading is uplifting. Also, I am the top winner for nonfiction. It is revitalizing. Thank God!
Kreyolicious: You live in Georgia. How’s the Haitian community there?
Yes, I do. The Haitian community in Georgia is moving forward. We have about forty to fifty churches in total for all denominations…radios, TV [stations], businesses, professionals, political leaders, religious leaders, nonprofit organizations, entertainment places, etc. We have worked together to encourage Delta Airlines to come up with a direct flight to Port-Au-Prince. In the past, we had to pass by Miami or Fort Lauderdale or even New York. Also, we have an online community—Haitians Living in Atlanta or HLA—that helps our physical community to be stronger.
Kreyolicious: What should we expect from you next?
Next, I am working on the French version of the Just Because I’m Black to be on Livres en Folie in Port-au-Prince, Haiti by May 2015 and to make it easy for those who don’t speak English. Also this year or next year—God willing—I am coming with a new book on a religious point of view titled War on Words: The Ten Commandments of God vs. The Ten Commandments of Satan. Thank you for having me on Kreyolicious. I am humbled by this great opportunity. By the way, my books are available on Amazon.com, Sgjbooks.com, Authorhouse.com, Xlibris.com, BN.com and so on.
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