TESTIMONIALS
Cody Williams - Nupe I gotta tell you, my son brought home his autographed copy of your your first Menzuo book series last night and he stayed up reading it for as long as he could. On the way to school today he was on chapter 5. He didn't even bother to turn on the TV or any other electronic device. That says a lot. Good work.
R.I.P.
R.I.P.
Dr. Bobbie Rennix– Former Elementary School Principal :
The first Menzuo book was excellent! It captures your interest from the minute you open it and keeps readers glued to the pages from the very first chapter all the way through to the end. If you like action, this book is for you!
The first Menzuo book was excellent! It captures your interest from the minute you open it and keeps readers glued to the pages from the very first chapter all the way through to the end. If you like action, this book is for you!
Crystal Senter Brown - Author/Poet/Singer: I started reading Who's On My Side? The Story of Kalen Brown on a Friday night and I was finished by the next day that's just how good it was! The main character was familiar to me, he was like many people I had met in the past, perhaps that's what made the book so exciting to read. The author takes a story of an alcoholic father and makes us want to cheer for Kalen to finally be free! Who's on my side shows us what can happen when a good guy is pushed over the edge. This is a book for all ages! Pick one up for your friend, your brother, your father maybe even a young man who may be having a hard time. I give this book 5 stars!
William Walpole – Elementary School Teacher: Menzuo in the Calling of the Sun Prince has a very interesting storyline, with very good character development. Good 'real life' dialogue, doesn't sound made up like other kids’ books. A great book for youngsters, though I enjoyed it myself, and will use it for my elementary school classes. It can also help with vocabulary skills with good symbolism throughout the book and with the characters names. The book was read to my class (5th grade) and all the students looked forward to hearing it every day. Good action and interesting story, I highly recommend it to both adults and children.
Shakayla Cooley: Menzuo in the Calling of the Sun Prince was a very good book for me to read. I went to Keshawn Dodds' book release party with my family. After hearing him speak, my parents bought the book for me. I started reading it on Thursday and finished reading it on Saturday. I couldn't put it down. Now my mom and dad are reading it. We all can't wait to read the next book, 'Menzuo S.W. Legend of the Blue Diamond.' I can't wait to see what Menzuo gets into in the next seven books.
Darian Murray - LIRM: My personal experiences working with Keshawn as I interviewed him for my site as well as reading his publications left me mentally uplifted and inspired. I was impressed by his ability to take his readers on a journey of self discovery that resulted from a zeal that is unmatched by many. He has a great personality and is a true people’s person. His work and creativity speaks for itself. Mr. Dodds spends countless hours in the writer’s mode, working and creating a lasting brand that is sure to stand the test of time. I find him to be humble, forthcoming and he has the tenacity that will catapult him to the next level as a writer. Even with the accolades he has received in the past, Keshawn is focused on what the next level will be and as always, ready to spring forth and be right in the mix of things. www.legendsiconsrolemodels.com
Bridget Akey: I really enjoyed, Who's On My Side? The Story of Kalen Brown. Right from the beginning, I was captivated by the main character. I couldn't put the book down. Kalen has a bond that can't be broken with his best friends, Jesse and Sharee. Everybody wishes to have friendships this strong and loyal. I can believe in all three characters because their lives weren't golden - they lived more realistic than what you see on TV or at the movies. Kalen's life struggle is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens. The story is about real issues, things happening today. Keshawn captures all of this in this story and you feel present. Throughout the story, I could feel myself on the streets, in the clubs and at every situation the characters were involved in. Kalen goes through things kids his age shouldn't and I cried a few times reading the book. The story provoke a lot of emotions and to me.
Carole Troll - Actor & Jazz Singer: There are times in life when you have the opportunity to support a person and their works with overwhelming enthusiasm. I am very proud to say that my support is with Keshawn Dodds. Keshawn is a young man of immense character, and talent, those attributes come to life in his creative process which I have witnessed for a few years. Keshawn will bring the same vitality to his stage play that I have seen him bring to his authorship and leadership with young people. Those who will work with him throughout his endeavors will experience firsthand the growth of a new playwright and author and the essential need to plant the seeds of expression among a generation of young people. As a professional performer, recording artist, and writer, I plan to make myself available at any stage of Keshawn’s career. I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Actors Equity and I know how important it is to support fellow actors, directors and writers. At every level, the community will benefit from these productions and I am honored to lend my full support to Mr. Dodds.
My Experience with Author Keshawn Dodds by Lamara Hunter
Last week was a great and very inspirational class as the young writers who listened to the journey of guest author, motivational speaker and playwright, Keshawn Dodds. He joined us for 2 hours and engaged the students with his story, gave some helpful tips and talked about faith, life and his passion for creating. His expressive writing style allowed him to capture the essence of his best friend whom lost his life to cancer at an earlier age. Menzuo: In the Calling of the Sun Prince, is a black superhero, that discovers his powers here in Springfield, MA and helps for justice to prevail in the fight between good and evil. Keshawn also talked about his new book Whose On My Side: The Story of Kalen Brown, which he turned into a stage play, which is scheduled to debut on Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at AIC's Theatre. What a great class! Thank you Keshawn for lending your talents, gift and time!!!
Workshop with Author, Keshawn Dodds by Illesha Harris & Vesheniel Peters
My experience last week was very inspirational. I felt that I could understand and relate to everything that Keshawn said and how he first talked about his life to us and gradually went into other life lessons and experiences that inspired him to be a writer. It made me more comfortable to hear that I wasn't the only one that went through certain experiences as a writer. (such as writers block).
My name is Vesheniel Peters and I attended an Expressive Writing Workshop on March 17, 2012 at the Dunbar Community Center. The workshop was a great experience for me. I say so because I enjoy writing poetry. At the workshop, Keshawn Dodds who is an author from Springfield, MA came to speak to us a bit about writing. He also talked about his book and some of his experiences as a writer. I had the privilege to get one of his books and ever since I've started to read it I couldn't stop turning the pages. The workshop was a success and I had a good time there.
My name is Vesheniel Peters and I attended an Expressive Writing Workshop on March 17, 2012 at the Dunbar Community Center. The workshop was a great experience for me. I say so because I enjoy writing poetry. At the workshop, Keshawn Dodds who is an author from Springfield, MA came to speak to us a bit about writing. He also talked about his book and some of his experiences as a writer. I had the privilege to get one of his books and ever since I've started to read it I couldn't stop turning the pages. The workshop was a success and I had a good time there.
Workshop with Author, Keshawn Dodds by Johnnae Vernon
My Experience last week with Mr. Dodds was very inspirational. I felt that I could understand and relate to everything he was saying to us as youth. I loved how he first talked about his life to us and gradually went into other life lessons and experiences that inspired him to be a writer. It made me more comfortable to hear that I wasn't the only one that went through certain experiences as a writer.
Workshop with Author, Keshawn Dodds by Troivahn Clemons
Last week we met Keshawn Dodds, he talked about being in character with your book. Then he talked to us about what his play was going to be about. It was exciting how he explained a book can be in the same category, but totally different. I hope I meet him again!
Workshop with Author, Keshawn Dodds by Angelica Lopez
Experience, class, life, perseverance, talent, but above all honesty.... My name is Angelica Lopez and through all of this, I found myself face to face with Keshawn, who engaged me through his words of experience. You truly ever expect people so out there to reach out and connect to your mind's memories like I experienced that day. He talked of perseverance, doubt, himself, and his dear friend; which if he could read this now I would say, "may your spirit rest in peace and thank you for having your spirit and pure soul create the story, I held in my hands that very day. His words were truly open and outstanding in my eyes. I was laughing, writing, talking, but most of all connecting with a person I suspected to be the total opposite of the person I see in the mirror daily as myself. To my parents, I say "Thank you!" To LaMara I say, "Thank you"! To Keshawn Dodds I say, "Thank you"! To all of the readers of all ages I say, "Your welcome", because that day , those words, and all our experiences, had given me ideas and inspiration. Now, all I have yet to do is put it all on paper.
