94th & Racine: The Roots of Me

She was called a "Bitch" so many times, she thought it was her name. 94th & Racine tells the true story of a young girl growing up on the south side of Chicago. Stricken with the family dynamics of substance abuse, verbal abuse and drama, Nya learns the hardway about relationships and teen parenting. Finding her strength in faith, education and friends, Nya attempts to find positivity in her image, behaviors and feelings.

How does one become resilient, tenacious, impulsive yet warm? 94th & Racine is an inspirational story that gives insight to the "angry Black girl" phenomenon. It challenges stereotypes of the inner city and highlights the struggles many face with finding unconditional love. Readers will be moved as they visualize the persistence and hardwork behind the act of change. Readers will cry as they share in the experience of watching a diamond shine through a pool full of glass.

Since 2001, Nya has taken pride in providing counseling and education to individuals in adverse situations. She grew up on the southside of Chicago having faced the same adversities she committs to helping her clients confront. As a teen parent, Nya relocated to Southern Illinois where she received her Bachelors of Science in Psychology. She later completed her Masters in Counseling while working with various agencies dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect. Nya is licensed in the state of Missouri as a Professional Counselor and also holds the credential of a National Board Certified Counselor. While she currently works full time as a therapist for a private agency, Nya offers her therapeutic services privately to others in her spare time. Nya has authored and self-published other books, including, "14 Day Love Diet: A Self Help Guide to Letting Go of Unhealthy Relationships". Nya also provides workshops and motivational speeches on various topics such as self-esteem, parenting and understanding inner city dynamics. Nya continues to reside in the Southern Illinois area with her two sons, ages 15 and 3.