Then she looked down at my hands and saw the shoes. "Junior, what are those?" she said. "Honey, I told you that we would have to wait." "Wait a minute Mama," I told her. "That man said I could have them." Mama looked around, "Man? What man?" I turned and pointed to where he was, but he was gone.
On a spring day in 1986, I was browsing in a thrift
store located in southeast Houston. Having survived several economic shifts in the community, it was a brick structure with large windows that once housed a White's Auto Parts in a yet to be gentrified area of the city. It was here that I became captivated by this family. It was here that I met yet never spoke to Junior. Based on actual events, SHOES is the story of Junior, an 11-year-old African American boy from inner-city Houston. A kind, responsible and resilient young man, Junior overcomes the tragic loss of his father in a fire that destroyed their home and left him with burns that threatened his ability to ever walk again. From the friendship of the Williamson family, along the vivid and adventurous bus rides to "the store", SHOES is the tale of a young black boy, now thrust into the role of 'man of the house' navigating life with hope and optimism. Fatherless, physically challenged and with every reason in the world to give up, Junior will engage the readers as they become voyeurs and feel good as they witness 'the hood' through Junior's eyes. They'll see his village of support and will be genuinely uplifted by this young man whose courage and determination are far greater than his circumstances.
Andrews, Russell: - RUSSELL ANDREWS is an actor, director, producer, and the founding member of StageWalkers Productions, a multi award winning and Los Angeles based Stage Company. A veteran of Stage, TV and Film, Russell's career has spanned over 30 years and includes numerous theatrical tours of the United States and the United Kingdom, most notably with the works of the late Pulitzer PrizeÒ winning playwright, August Wilson. Chosen by August Wilson as an actor and producer in his canon of plays, Russell originated 2 of the late author's more memorable characters, 'Mister' in King Hedley II and 'Youngblood' in Jitney, at Pittsburgh's Public and Hazlet Theatres. Russell has received numerous awards including 2 NAACP Theatre Awards and 2 LA Stage Alliance Ovation AwardsÒ for his work with Wilson's Piano Lesson, Jitney and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in which Mr. Andrews received his first NAACPÒ Theatre Award for Best Actor. As 'Youngblood' in the UK cast of Jitney, Russell, along with Wilson and the stellar ensemble, were the recipients of the 2002 Sir Laurence Olivier AwardÒ for Best New Play performed at London's Royal National Theatre. Russell is a longtime social activist, advocate, and volunteer for LA's homeless community. He continues to give time and service to the Hollywood Food Coalition, The Giving Spirit, and Hollywood's "Unusual Suspects" a non-profit organization that gives second chances to at risk youth. Russell lives in Los Angeles, CA with his daughter Anya and son Kai.
Onyenobi, Victor: - VICTOR ONYENOBI is a premier art director, illustrator and designer whose talent and dedication has propelled him to work at major publishing houses, design agencies and studios in Hollywood like Disney and Universal Studios..Victor Onyenobi is an illustrator of multiple books and founder of VOBI STUDIOS- a US independent art and design production studio. His published works can be found online and on shelves at Barnes & Nobles, Amazon, Waterstones, and anywhere books are sold.Victor's artworks are most noted for his range of styles, exploration and use of color and light. Being an artist of Nigerian descent and also travelling all over the world for his craft has enabled him to be no stranger to vibrancy and create works that immerse others into the scenes. Looking at Victor's work puts you inside a moment to experience the laughter, the sadness, the confusion, the heartbreak, the fear and bliss shared in a single expression.
