ABOUT OUR DIAMONDS
Black Diamonds was established in September of 2010 by Courtney, the president and founder, and a group of other positive women whom all share a common passion for reading. The key purpose of the book club is to bring women together at least once a month to engage in a fun and exciting environment as well as establishing life long friendships in the process. We are not only members of this book club, but we are sisters who have a strong passion for literature & spiritual growth.
If you are curious about the members of our book club, and want to know about them, glance below , as our diamonds are on display.
President & Founder: Courtney
Personal Info: Growing up reading was something that I never really found interesting or exciting. To me it was more of chore than entertaining, but as I matured I found the idea of curling up to good book to be therapeutic and fulfilling to my imagination. Who would have that I would one day grow to love reading a good book?
Hobbies: My hobbies consist of me cooking, traveling, spending time with family and love ones & of course reading a good book.
Most Proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! The birth of my two beautiful angels, theirs is never a dull moment in my life with those two and knowing that I will and I quote (from Mark Twain 1835-1910) “Always do right. That will gratify some of the people, and astonish the rest.” That is what I live by.
Favorite Book(s): Between Lovers, Riding Dirty on I-95, Up to No Good and plectra of others I could go on and on.
Favorite Author(s): Eric Jerome Dickey, Nikki Turner and Carl Weber.
What have you gained or like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? The idea of doing something positive that brings uplifting and inspiring women together that are mature enough to know that its okay for us to be different because that is what makes us special inside and out and I strongly believe the group of ladies we have amongst us know and realize that in every rock there is a diamond waiting to SHINE!
Vice-President & Event Coordinator: Quitta
Personal Info: I am a proud mother of a very smart and energetic 7 year old; he brings so much joy and fulfillment to my world. Now far as reading goes I started enjoying the idea of reading at an early age. You could always find me hiding with a good book in my bath tub in my home. That was the most relaxing place in my house for me kick back and let my imagination go to work.
Hobbies: Spending time with my son helping him with homework, playing poker with friends and of course reading a worthy book.
Most proud of/ Greatest Accomplishments! My son is his the light that brightens my LIFE!
Favorite Book(s): Coldest Winter Ever, Big Girls do Cry and Sleeping with Strangers
Favorite Author(s): Zane, Carl Weber and Eric Jerome Dickey
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to gain new friendships as well as establishing a loving bond and some knowledge among women who enjoy reading like me.
Diamonds member & Secretary: Shawnda
Personal Info: I first began reading back in high school; the book was the Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Soulja. It was given to me by a friend who suggested that I would enjoy this particular type of literature and you know what she was Right!!! This book was the truth, with the characters and the story line I felt as if I was right in the middle of it ALL. Reading takes my mind to whole new place that is why I just love to sit down to a good book.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading, babysitting, going out with friends and spending time especially on Sundays at my sister house to be with my family and enjoy her cooking.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! Changing my life around for the better and understanding in order to SUCCEED in life, I must take control of my LIFE first.
Favorite Book(s): The Coldest Winter Ever, Riding Dirty on I-95 & a Hustlers Wife.
Favorite Author(s): Terri Woods, Nikki Turner
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would love to learn how to be team player and change my thoughts and views about people and to remember to Not Judge a Book by it cover because that is how people tend to precede me.
Diamonds members & Secretary: Tiffany H.
Personal Info: I am a 29 year old mother of a 3 year who uplifts and brightens my world in way. I could not even explain, because she is the reason I am the women I am today. I work for a government contractor as administrator assistance. So, reading a good book is one way for me to let loose and take it easy. I have always enjoyed kicking off my shoes picking up a good book to read. I have a vast variety of books in my own personal library.
Hobbies: My hobbies consist of me reading, taking pictures and SCRAPBOOKING. I love to place pictures in a book that may one day tell a story of what might have or could have happened.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! Traveling away from home alone and gaining government clearance on my own; being a mother is my sunshine
Favorite Book(s): The Coldest Winter Ever is the first one that comes to mind
Favorite Author(s): Sista Soulja
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to gain friendships with fellow book club members in side and outside of or community and do more community involvement activities through Black Diamonds Book Club.
Diamonds member & Book Club Speaker: Tiffany “Tif”
Personal Info: I have a beautiful daughter, who keeps me on my toes and inspires me to do better and to want more; that is why I went into the Education. I wanted to work in a field that still allowed me to spend as much quality time with my child, as well as be that educator who could help her and mold her into a model student and lady.
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, participating in church functions, shopping and traveling I love to visit new and exotic places.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! Obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree
Favorite Book(s): The Coldest Winter Ever
Favorite Author(s): Sista Soulja
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to network and form friendships with positive, motivating as well as inspirational individual through discussions led and inspired through our readings
Diamonds member: Tarsha
Personal Info: I am a proud mother of a beautiful 2 year old who inspires me to do better everyday. I am also an elementary school teacher here in my local area. I love and enjoy what I do I could have not ask for anything better. That is why I enjoy taking the time to sit down from time to time and enjoy a really good reading.
Hobbies: My hobbies consist of Scrapbooking traveling to visit family and reading of course that is why I joined this book club.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! Graduating from college; becoming an educator and becoming a mother.
Favorite Book(s): The Coldest Winter Ever
Favorite Author(s): Mary B Morrison aka “Honey B”
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to gain positive friendships and a sisterly bond with individuals in the Black Diamonds family.
Diamonds members: Ellicia
Personal Info: I am a 30 year old mother, of two beautiful children who brings such joy and love into my life. I want to do more not just for them but also for myself. That is why I joined a book club. I personally, began reading shortly after starting a new job in daycare and who would have thought that I would get so much out of reading a book, but I did and I haven’t put one down since then.
Hobbies: I like to spend time with my babies, go shopping, traveling and reading a good urban book.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishments! The birth of my babies, and finding the inner STRENGHT and COURAGE to do anything I put my mind.
Favorite Book(s): Glamorous Life, Riding Dirty on I-95 and Black Diamond
Favorite Author(s): Nikki Turner, Wahida Clark and Brittani Williams just to name a few
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to surround myself around outspoken but yet intelligent people who all share a passion for reading like me. I also want to be apart of something that allows me to do more within my community.
Diamond member: Senita Robinson
Personla Info: I am a 23 year student currently studying for my degree in criminology at the University of South Florida. Once I have completed my studies I will be graduating with a BA in criminology. However, my full time job keeps me on the go, I am a VPK assistance molding and shaping the minds of today's youth.
Hobbies: I love shopping, working, traveling, working-out with my mommy and grandma, spending time with family and friends and relaxing on a couch opening up to a good book and drifting way in my thoughts.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishment! Graduating from USF
Favorite Book(s): Act like a lady; think like a man.
Favorite Author(s): Steve Harvey, Nikki Turner and many, many more.
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? Networking and placing myself around spiritual and open minded women who think the way I do.
Diamonds member: Rachel Cato
Personal Info: I am a 27 year old pre k teacher. I graduated from Florida State University where I majored in Child Development. I love kids and I am currently advancing my education.
Hobbies: I love traveling, shopping, hanging out with friends and family, eating out and trying different foods, and sitting in front of the tv watching a good movie.
Most proud of/Greatest Accomplishment: Graduating from Florida State University and becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Favorite Book(s): Addicted
Favorite Author(s): Zane
What have you gained or will like to gain from being apart of Black Diamonds? I would like to be apart of an organization that is positive where I can meet young women. I also would like to expand my reading.
* * *Black Diamonds are not only rare, but they are also exotic and unique. Their sole purpose in life is to stand out and be admired for the beautiful jewels they are. So, we as Diamonds wanted to take this opportunity to share with you our visitors the meaning behind the colors that make us so rare and unique.
What Our Colors Represent!
Black Diamonds
How our colors define who we are, and what we represent!
Yellow- Represents the JOY, the HAPPINESS, and the OPTIMISM we share. It shows us that we can have a promising and positive future. It enlightens us with the hope of imagining a better YOU, a better ME, a better US!
Black- Reflects the SOPHISTICATION, the ELEGANCE, the POWER and a sense of potential possibilities’ we hold within us, to make this club into something much more than just a book club!
Purple- Offers us a sense of SPIRITUALITY, it encourages us to be more creative. It gives us the opportunity for true transformation, so therefore we can understand our new found wisdom and spiritual growth within ourselves.
How our colors define who we are, and what we represent!
Yellow- Represents the JOY, the HAPPINESS, and the OPTIMISM we share. It shows us that we can have a promising and positive future. It enlightens us with the hope of imagining a better YOU, a better ME, a better US!
Black- Reflects the SOPHISTICATION, the ELEGANCE, the POWER and a sense of potential possibilities’ we hold within us, to make this club into something much more than just a book club!
Purple- Offers us a sense of SPIRITUALITY, it encourages us to be more creative. It gives us the opportunity for true transformation, so therefore we can understand our new found wisdom and spiritual growth within ourselves.