Nationwide — Dr. Sheka Houston, formerly the principal of a middle school, and Dr. Tammy Taylor, formerly the principal of an elementary school, have partnered to release Amir’s Awakening: His Amazing Journey to Ancient Egypt – From Classroom to Consciousness, a new book that is the first in the Resilience Series of five books that aims to inspire Black children. Based in South Carolina, both women have more than 25 years of experience in education.
At a time when African American history is being threatened, and critical books are being banned, these two trailblazing Black educreators are flipping the narrative with their transformational children’s book series and activity guides. The vividly illustrated story boldly empowers students by introducing – or reconnecting – them to their cultural roots and intellectual legacy, offering parents, teachers, mentors, and administrators an accessible and exciting solution for engaging Black students in school.
Research shows that African-centered education boosts Black student achievement by an average of 45 percentile points on standardized tests. When students learn history that reflects their identity and brilliance, it activates their minds—not just for pride, but for performance.
“Amir’s Awakening doesn’t begin the Black story in chains. It begins in greatness—with pyramids, Pharaohs, and purpose. It’s how we reignite pride and activate genius in the classroom,” says the dynamic duo known as the Resilience DoctHers.
Recent studies confirm that Black students who have at least one Black teacher by third grade are 13% more likely to enroll in college. Cultural relevance in education is not a threat to other students; it lifts all learners. Culturally responsive classrooms are academically stronger, emotionally healthier, and more united.
Amir’s Awakening is available for purchase at https://create-and-educate-llc.myshopify.com or on Amazon. Parents, schools, and organizations have ordered to empower their youth and themselves, as Amir’s Awakening has been described as a must-read for children and adults.
In addition to writing books, Dr. Houston and Dr. Taylor have also produced and hosted more than 200 episodes of their podcast called The REALL Academy, where they became the help they needed as school leaders. Their podcast has impacted nearly 200,000 educators worldwide and continues to educate and activate communities weekly with free resources.
About the Authors
Dr. Sheka Houston is COO of Create and Educate, LLC, a best-selling author, business strategist, and award-winning educator. She leads through the lens of faith and motherhood, and her leadership has helped transform underperforming schools into academic standouts. She led a Middle School to improve by two report card levels in one year, a feat that typically takes 3–5 years.
Dr. Tammy Taylor, CEO of Partnerships at Create and Educate, LLC, is a leader and Ph.D. holder in Educational Leadership and Policy. Her doctoral work uplifts the Black woman’s role in education and affirms her lifelong calling: service to humanity with humility and grace. She transformed a state-sanctioned Elementary School from CSI to success and completely out of School Improvement. The school improved three report card levels in a single year.
Together, they’re awards list includes the Palmetto Silver Award for Academic Growth, the STEAM School of Excellence Award, the Local Entrepreneurs Accelerator Program Award, Semi-Finalist for the prestigious Palmetto’s Finest Award, and state recognition for school turnaround. Clearly, they aren’t just authors — they are nationally recognized educational leaders with a proven track record of transformation.
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