Program Success Page 27
YES ! I ’ M TALKING TO YOU ! is my attempt to remind the reader to have an open heart and mind when dealing with day-to-day life . To seek a broader viewpoint and understanding while dealing with situations , especially those that you cannot change .
Roxann Hilbert
Author , Community Activist
Roxann Hilbert was born in the Bronx , a borough in New York City . At the age of 9 her mother died of a massive stroke . This tragedy landed her in Edison , NJ which is just outside of Newark , New Jersey during the time of the Newark riots . While residing in New Jersey , Roxann learned what it was like to live off the land . The relatives that took her in built their home themselves which set on 2-3 acres of land . On this land also set 3 vegetable gardens , 2 grapevines , a hog pen with hogs , chicken coop with chickens and a rooster , country swing , country kitchen , various fruit trees , a woodshed for chopped wood , a canning room , and a huge weeping willow tree with bench .
As there wasn ’ t any electricity , the running water was cold ; wood burning stoves throughout the house were used for heat and cooking . However , death would come calling again and this time Roxann landed in Jacksonville , Florida , just in time to experience the desegregation of Jacksonville schools . Soon after , she returned to New York City and remained there until 1995 . When she had had enough of the cold weather of the north , she returned to the more soothing warm weather of Jacksonville .
Roxanne Hilbert Author , Yes I ’ m Talking to You Jacksonville , Florida February 2024
Now Available on Amazon . com
In her lifetime , Roxann Hilbert had many experiences such as dancing the Jitterbug Jive at Madison Square Garden in the Harvest Moon Ball Competition , participating in various stage plays throughout Jacksonville , competing in the Ms . Senior Diva / Ms . Senior Jacksonville competition , membership in various organizations in Jacksonville , having a painting at the Ritz Theater-Through Our Eyes Exhibit and authoring her book , ‘ YES ! I ’ M TALKING TO YOU !’
My Inspiration
Growing up my life took many twist and turns . As I look back , I realized that the lessons I learned through those twist and turns were lessons , that although were simple , were also universal . However , life has a way of overriding these simplicities and we forget that the things that we confront could be solved with a simple sift in our perception .