Busy mom’s are kind-of our “thing” here at Bibs & Business Magazine. It’s in our DNA, and we’re constantly looking for ways to study, research, and build a strong community for working mom’s. So, when the opportunity arose to interview this leading woman, we jumped all over it!
Dr. Arian T. Moore, she’s actually the “Editor in Chief” here at Bibs & Business, and the magic behind the scenes. She’s also a mom of four, a professor, a wife, and a completely driven mompreneur. To say she’s “busy” is an understatement. Dr. Moore has been in the educational field for over 10-years, working as an adjunct professor and developing course curriculum. She has also worked more than 15-years in the world of communications and media, where she highly excelled due to her organized forethought, and creative insight. She’s kind of a rock-star to us!
Recently, this editor-professor-mom published her first children’s book, called “Fairy Cornbread,” and we wanted to know how she managed to find time to create a momentous book evolving an entire children’s genre for generations to come.
The Interview (Herstory):
Tarrah: What exactly moved you to write “Fairy Cornbread?”
Arian: I love telling this story. I like to buy my children books for their birthdays and decided I wanted to get my daughter a fairy book this year. I specifically wanted a book about a fairy who looked like my daughter and I was unable to find one. So I just decided to write one and read it to her as a birthday present. I never planned to publish the book, but the response from family and friends was overwhelming. The resounding feedback was that I needed to share this story with the world.
Tarrah: What do you want to accomplish with the overall message of “Fairy Cornbread?”
Arian: I published this book so that little black girls all over the world have access to a book about a little girl who looks like them. I imagine myself as a six year old girl and how empowered I would have felt if I had a book like “Fairy Cornbread” to read. We hear the term representation matters quite often these days and it does. I want black and brown girls to see themselves in this book and know that they have a place in this world and that they matter.
Tarrah: Tell us a little bit about the story.
Arian: “Fairy Cornbread” is about a little girl who gets fairy powers after eating her Nana’s cornbread. She uses her new found powers for good; surprising her best friend and making her birthday dreams come true. While Zoe hopes to keep her fairy powers a secret, her older brother sees it all. Readers get to find out if her brother keeps the secret or if he spill the beans.
The book incorporates black culture and tradition, like soul food and music. It also teaches children life skills like friendship, caring for others and self-esteem.
Tarrah: What was the most memorable moment you had while writing this book?
Arian: The most memorable moment for me came after the writing process. It was receiving the first copy of the book. When I held that book in my hand, tears rolled down my face. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain really but seeing the book, flipping through each page…that was an unforgettable experience.
Tarrah: Can we find any cute personal family stories hidden or intertwined in “Fairy Cornbread?”
Arian: The book is inspired by my own family. The family dynamics displayed in the book are exactly what you’d experience at my house. As a mom of elementary aged children, I read tons of children’s books and what I find most often is that they lack relatability. I wanted this to be a story that my children could relate to, so I made it about our family.
Tarrah: Will we be seeing any future children’s books from you? Maybe a series for “Fairy Cornbread?”
Arian: I do have plans to write another children’s book geared towards little black boys. It will feature the same characters and will be somewhat of a follow up to “Fairy Cornbread.” I have received such a positive response from parents and children about this book for little girls so I want to provide an option for boys too.
Tarrah: We just witnessed Vice Present Kamala Harris break a glass ceiling for women of color, inspiring females everywhere to aim high. How do you think your book will inspire black girls in this way?
Arian: Fun fact, Madam Vice President Kamala Harris and I both went to Howard University and are members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The mom of the main character in my book also went to Howard and is an AKA. She rocks an HU shirt and pink and green attire in the book. I wanted to highlight black colleges and Greek life as they too play a major role in black culture.
As far as inspiring black girls to aim high, it goes back to representation. I never saw a black female attorney until I watched the Cosby Show. I had ever heard of an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) until I watched A Different World. Some little girl somewhere is saying, I never read about a black fairy until I read “Fairy Cornbread.” When children see themselves in books and magazines, on TV shows and in media, they believe that they too can accomplish those things.
Tarrah: What successes are you hoping to see with “Fairy Cornbread?”
Arian: Success for me is years down the line having my grandchildren and great-grand children reading a book about their family. Success is getting emails and messages from little girls explaining how this book has impacted their lives. That’s success for me.
Tarrah: Let’s chat on motherhood. We know you’re a busy working mom of four. How do you make time for work, family and writing books?
Arian: Let’s see, bed time, nap time, when they’re playing outside…did I say bed time? Working around their schedule is key to getting things done. I also wake up at least two hours before they do everyday so that I have time alone. I use that time to work most days but on Sunday’s I indulge in self-care.
Tarrah: What would you say to another mom wanting to step out on a new venture?
Arian: I would say pray about it then do research on what it takes to get started. Research is the most important part of starting a business or publishing a book. More than anything I would say that you can do anything you put your mind to. When you push pass the challenges and accomplish your goals, you set an example for your children. You got this mom!
Leaving a Legacy
As you can see, Dr. Moore continually devotes her life to lifting others up. She truly is an inspiration, not only to her family, but also to her staff, and an entire community of working mothers. Dr. Moore is making waves and leaving a mark in history for her family, and for children everywhere. If you haven’t already, go to Amazon and purchase your own copy to share with a loved one.
For more information on “Fairy Cornbread” visit www.fairycornbread.com.
