Terri: So it started out in November of last year, I was walking to mail a book of my artwork to my granddaughter and I decided to include a little handwritten note. On a whim, I just scribbled out a little cartoon drawing of her and I thought to myself, I could make a little book just for her, that she could be the star of, and that’ll be so cool. And before I could even make it to the warehouse I thought, I could do this for Black children period. They need to see that type of representation, that type of centering and celebration. It started from there.
As I researched what the offerings were available, customized with our flavor and geared towards our culture,
I found that there just were none. That was surprising.
Now there were a few companies that might have a large selection and out of that, have perhaps 3 or 4 books that might be geared towards our children. But I was ticked off by how haphazardly they were drawn. It was if they turned off the “I care” switch and they just looked so subpar. So I decided I have the skills as a writer, as an illustrator and an administrative background to change something instead of just moaning about it. So I did.
BOSSY: That’s what’s up! I wish more people would try and come up with a solution when they see a need, instead of just complaining about it. So explain to me the name RISI and how you came up with it, for months I watched you post #RISI and I was driving myself crazy trying to figure out what it meant.