Once Upon a Rock

Growing up in rural Jamaica, Erica Bennett was schooled for life by her mother, grandmother and aunt. The philosophies she imbibed were determination, good character, integrity, and the understanding that hard work is the only certain route to success. Employing an attitude of sheer audacity to succeed, coupled with the survival skills learned in her early years, she has built an independent life despite many challenges. Her career encompasses broadcasting, public relations, and education, guided by her belief that she can accomplish any goal by employing fortitude, by being ready to fail, but willing to rise again. She shares her story with the hope that others may derive encouragement on their own path.

Recently I was very happy to agree to an interview with ABC News because I wanted to help change the lives of young people and adults in a positive way. The interview about my book was aired in the evening News segment. That interview is only the start of my journey of fulfilling my goal of helping young minds.
As a back story, "Once Upon a Rock" which is about my life growing up in Jamaica, the challenges I faced and how through sheer audacity to dream I made personal successes through goal setting and hard work. At the genesis of my plan to write it, I was asked to give a couple of guest lecturers about the Caribbean diaspora and language, specifically a practical explanation of the book "Salt", which at the time was being studied in the AP classes at the private school where I worked. The students loved my presentation so much so that later on it came up for discussion with the thought of adding such lecturers to the curriculum. The students enjoyed hearing my stories and felt that they wanted more on a regular basis in their English and Literature classes.   Now that I finally wrote and published the book, my goal is to have it included in curriculums as a literature book thus becoming part of literacy movements - plus delivering motivational speeches and talks to students and young adults. I enjoyed writing this book and I hope others will find encouragement for their stories.Photo:- With ABC News Reporter Neki Mohan after donating books to the My Future, My Choice Big Book Drive; book was featured on the evening News.