Wow!!! I can’t believe that I have been so blessed as to reach the point where I am writing the acknowledgments to Up at the College. Readers, you all have been so sweet and supportive, and patient. I am so thankful for you, your love, and your prayers.
With any book, there are a lot of people to thank. And while I can’t put everybody in this acknowledgment, know that I appreciate and love you all.
First, thank you Grand Central Publishing. Karen Thomas, my editor, Latoya Smith, and Linda Duggins—thank you for your help and support. To the gentleman who so graciously creates my beautiful book jacket artwork—thank you one more time. I love this cover!
Thank you, S. B. Kleinman. Your copyediting was “on the money” and enhanced the quality of this book. Plus, shout-outs to the publicity team—Tanisha Christie and Nick Small. I appreciate all of your help.
Pamela Harty, my agent. Girl … we’ve been through what some folks would refer to as “trills and trybulayshons.” Thank you, from my heart.
I want to give a shout out to my “big brother,” Coach Joe Taylor, head coach of Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) football team, and play cousin, FAMU’s former head basketball coach, Mickey Clayton. Your input helped with the construction and development of the characters Head Coach Curtis Parker and his assistant coach, Maurice Fountain. Plus, Beverly Taylor, my good friend of over fifteen years, really schooled me on life as a coach’s wife. Whew—never knew that it was so akin to being the first lady of a church. My hat goes off to both you and Mrs. Clayton.
Thank you, Elaine Cardin, owner of Lakewood Hairquarters in Durham. It was so much fun writing you in as the character who gave Yvonne her fabulous makeover.
To my girls—Jacquelin Thomas and Victoria Christopher Murray—almost a decade that we have been in this business together. And God ain’t thru’ with us yet.
My church, St. Joseph’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Durham, North Carolina, along with my choir, The Inspirational Singers. Love you much.
My pastor, Reverend Philip R. Cousin Jr., and First Lady Angela M. Cousin. You two are mighty people of God and a blessing to the AME Church.
Ken and Ava Brownlee—y’all know I cannot write an acknowledgment and not put you all in it.
And my family. My mommy, Minnie Bowen, is always there for me and my babies, Laura and Janina. What would we do without MaMa? My grandmother, DaDa, my Uncle James (Bishop Nelson) and my Aunt Bessie (Mother Nelson), along with my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Love to all of you.
But most importantly, I thank and praise the Lord in the name of Jesus. None of this would have been possible without the Lord, who is my everything.
I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
Psalm 34:1–3 (NKJV)
Michele Andrea Bowen
June 4, 2008