Hi 70 / Lo 58
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Volume 70, Issue 86,
Monday, February 7, 2005
Life & Arts Author speaks on value of tenacity By Rachael Seely
"Quitters never win, and winners never quit." These are just some of the heartfelt words shared by inspirational speaker Lisa Nichols with a captive audience at the E. Cullen Performance Hall Thursday night. Nichols, co-author of Chicken Soup for the African American Soul, told of growing up as one of the first African American students bused to a formerly segregated, all-white school during the Civil Rights era. Nichols looks back at the experience as character building even though the harsh racism she experienced then took a heavy emotional toll. "It doesn't matter how many times you've been knocked down, God's given you the right to get back up," Nichols said, explaining her success. "God doesn't make losers."
Linda Nichols, author of the best-selling book, Chicken Soup for the African American Soul, visited UH Thursday and spoke on the importance of never giving up in the face of adversity. Brandon Hendricks/The Daily Cougar Twenty-years ago, a teacher told her she was the weakest writer she'd ever met, a perception Nichols held up until recently when she agreed to co-author the book and discovered a talent for writing she had overlooked. "For twenty years I made her opinion of me my reality on myself," Nichols said. Since then she's realized that she alone determines her own destiny, and assured the audience that they too could do anything they put their minds to. "She clearly set a good example to those looking at her," said alumnus Elmo Wright, former UH wide-receiver and NFL player for the Kansas City Chiefs, who was among those in attendance. "I am not degreed to do anything of that nature (writing)," Nichols said. "It's a gift that I worked hard to cultivate." The book also has ties to UH. Retired UH employee Karen Waldman contributed to the compilation with "Cold Hands, Warm Hearts," a short story about Lottie, an African-American woman, who experiences true comfort for the first time. Her husband Kenneth Waldman is director of the Counseling and Psychological Services department here. After the event, dozens lined up for a chance to have their book autographed by Lisa Nichols and Karen Waldman. The pair was upbeat and eager to converse. All proceeds were donated to The Urban Experience
Program, which expands opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
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