Today marked the first official book talk for Shades of Excellence, and what a wonderful way to begin our journey. Hosted at the East Hartford Public Library, the event brought together scholars, students, family, friends, and community members for an afternoon of thoughtful conversation about the realities of the doctoral journey and life in academia.
My family and I arrived at 12:30 p.m. to set up the book table before guests began arriving.
As community members filtered in, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement. We started just a few minutes after 1:00 p.m., and from the very first introduction, the conversation flowed naturally and authentically.
We are especially grateful to librarian Sarah Morgan, who warmly welcomed everyone and introduced the panel before handing the discussion over to co-editor Dr. Christiana Best.
Sarah then facilitated a conversation with editors Dr. Christiana Best, Dr. Kaydian Reid, and me, Dr John asking thoughtful questions about the inspiration behind Shades of Excellence. We reflected on the challenges the book seeks to address, what inspired us to collaborate, and whether we have experienced imposter syndrome throughout our academic careers.
The discussion became even more meaningful as the audience joined in. I invited attendees to reflect on a teacher who had made a lasting impact on their lives. My daughter, Olivia, shared that her favorite teacher was her AP Statistics teacher, whose encouragement helped her persevere through a difficult class and ultimately earn a score of 5 on the AP Statistics exam. Her story served as a powerful reminder of how one educator's belief in a student can change the course of their future.
Audience members then engaged the panel with insightful questions that sparked honest conversations about mentorship, transparency in doctoral admissions and recommendations, and navigating the tenure process. Before closing, Dr. Reid invited everyone to reflect on one key takeaway from the afternoon, giving us all an opportunity to appreciate the wisdom and shared experiences in the room.
We concluded the afternoon with book signings, group photos, and many meaningful conversations that continued well after the formal program had ended.
It was truly a beautiful afternoon spent with incredible people discussing why diverse stories about the doctoral journey and academia matter. If today's conversation is any indication, Shades of Excellence is more than a book—it is the beginning of an important dialogue, one that we hope will continue to inspire, inform, and empower scholars for years to come.
Here’s a pathway mapped out for you if you are interested in becoming an academic.
