Author Andre Simmons was born on the south side of Chicago in the mid-1960’s when America was in the midst of one the most significance eras in its short history. The headlines of the current affairs of 1965 were the assassination of Malcolm X, Bloody Sunday in Selma, Alabama, the first American combat troops arrive in Vietnam, President Johnson signs the Voting Rights Act, and “My Fair Lady” wins eight Academy Awards. Mr. Simmons would be captivated by the sensationalism of his youth and it created an infinite world of storytelling in his imagination. His enthusiasm to tell stories heavily influenced his ambition to become a writer.
Mr. Simmons began his literary career with his film, “Rainbow”, a story of a child prodigy who rises to international fame as a classical pianist but finds her happiest moments at home with her family and friends. Mr. Simmons has gone on to produce and write several stage-plays and films, including adaptations of his own works, “Rainbow” from film to stage and “The Salt From Their Tears” from book form to a film.
Mr. Simmons is a proud father and has served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps. He obtained his Associate of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in Tokyo Japan, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science, from Mercer University. He has also worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for twenty-five years and is passionate about serving his fellow veterans.