THE BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARDS ANNOUNCES THE
2021 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Enhanced DNA Publishing Author
Recognized as a Finalist in the 2021 Book Excellence Awards
I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: Lessons from a Magical Unicorn
By
Cassandra A. Porter
The Book Excellence Awards, an international book awards competition dedicated to helping authors and publishers with recognition of literary excellence and book marketing, recently announced the Winners and the Finalists from hundreds of books submitted in 2020. One such recognition was awarded to Enhanced DNA Publishing author, Cassandra A. Porter and her book, I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: Lessons from a Magical Unicorn, Finalist in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category.
There are over 1 million books published every year which makes it difficult for authors and publishers to stand out from the competition. More than just an award competition, the Book Excellence Awards provides extended support and resources for continued success for their award recipients. In fact, Winners receive a prize package valued at $4000.00 and Finalists receive a prize package valued at $2250.00!
Cassandra A. Porter is a first-time author and her book, I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: Lessons from a Magical Unicorn, is so appropriate for “such a time as this”. Cassandra is an entrepreneur, racial equity practitioner and Founder of Favorite Part of My Day, LLC, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organization specializing in helping organizations navigate and resolve the unique challenges that arise in today’s diverse climate. Cassandra has a passion for educating and providing language to complex systemic issues and through her book, I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: Lessons from a Magical Unicorn, she brings a sense of humor and a personal connection to many difficult topics.
Denola Burton, founder and CEO of Enhanced DNA Publishing, a small independent publishing company located in Indianapolis, Indiana, says that she created this company to assist new and newer authors in publishing their books according to the standards of the Independent Book Publishing Association. “We are so proud of each of the Enhanced DNA Publishing authors, but especially those who are recognized by such prestigious contests as the Book Excellence Awards. This is the first time that an Enhanced DNA author has been recognized by the Book Excellence Awards and we are very proud of Cassandra and this amazing book.”
2021 Book Excellence Award
Multicultural Non-Fiction Finalist
I AM THAT ONE BLACK FRIEND: Lessons from a Magical Unicorn
By Cassandra A. Porter
In June 2020, when the world saw the unrest in America because of centuries of systemic racism, my phone/inbox/email account started to blow up. I began to evaluate why I was the object of these requests. I realized that I am the “magical unicorn”. I am that one black friend they feel comfortable asking these things. I even began to wonder whether those asking me these questions, knew the experiences that caused me to be able to respond without offending, with compassion, and with specific examples. My ability to respond to questions that just happened to occur to you, is a result of my lived experiences over the past 46 years. My ability to smile as you comment with surprise about my responses, “Oh wow, you answered that so well,” or “You were so kind in your response,” is a fine-tuned skill – that of a magical unicorn. It takes skill to explain oppression, that was in fact perpetrated by you (as in a collective “you”) without causing you (as an individual) to feel bad about said oppression. I hope the lessons I share will help move the racial equity conversation in a positive direction, because, I am that one black friend, sharing lessons from a magical unicorn.
Cassandra A. Porter is from Houston, Texas and currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband of over 18 years, Jeffery Porter. They have two daughters, Lauren Elizabeth and Lindsey Elaine, and her Mom, Loretta rounds out their multigenerational home. Cassandra is active in her church, sorority & alumni association of her beloved alma mater, Tennessee State University. She is an ever-present Mom at all of her daughters’ activities, including choir, track, and soccer.
Cassandra is now an entrepreneur after serving for many years in the child welfare arena. She is a racial equity practitioner and the Founder of Favorite Part of My Day, LLC, because she has a passion for educating and providing language to complex systemic issues. Through Favorite Part of My Day, she brings a sense of humor and a personal connection to many difficult topics.
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