Store
by The People’s Minister of Information JR
“Akiti the Hunter” is a beautifully crafted piece of children’s literature that is available at Barnes & Noble nationally. This classic story of a young African superhero who is strong mentally and physically is retold by Denise Bolaji Ajayi Williams and illustrated by Anthony Mata.
My 3-year-old was fixated on the colorful and striking drawings that brought this well written story to life. I think it is important to introduce children to books at a young age so that when they grow, they do not become intimidated when it is time to seek out information from a book – breaking the age old slave rule that if you want to hide something from Black people, put it in a book.
Here is Denise Bolaji Ajayi Williams and Anthony Mata as they describe how they came to create Akiti the Hunter. Check them out in their own words.
M.O.I. JR: Where did the story of Akiti the Hunter come from? If it is original, how did it come to you?
Denise Williams: Akiti the Hunter is from African folklore passed down from generations in West Africa.
M.O.I. JR: Why is it important for Black children to see themselves as superheroes and sheroes in children’s books?
Denise Williams: This book is not specifically for BLACK children to see themselves as superheroes. This book was created to fill a void or absence of diverse characters in children’s books.
Akiti the Hunter is a representative of any child, boy or girl, young or old. Akiti the Hunter, has crossed all lines of race, and children around the world have fallen in love with his tenacity and courage.
They love his ability to not only use his brute strength in defeating his opponents, but also his mind. Akiti the Hunter teaches children to use the power of their minds when faced with unforeseen challenges.
They love Akiti’s ability to not only use his brute strength in defeating his opponents, but also his mind. Akiti the Hunter teaches children to use the power of their minds when faced with unforeseen challenges.
Akiti the Hunter was created to provide children from diverse backgrounds to be able to identify with characters they see in a book. That way a fondness for reading and books can be established.
On many visits to book stores, I found an absence in diversity in children’s books. My son knew more about Mickey Mouse than he knew about himself and his own culture, and I felt I had to address this issue as a parent. It is important for him to see characters in books that he can identify with, and he can honestly say resemble someone he knows – someone like his father, uncle, grandfather, people he sees as heroes in his little world.
M.O.I. JR: The illustrations are beautiful. How did you meet Anthony Mata, the illustrator? What struck you about his work that made you want to work with him?
Denise Williams: Anthony Mata and I met via social media. Specifically, on my Instagram, @Workingmomin20s. I would post daily motivational quotes about pursing your dreams and learning to accept failure as part of the process to reach success.
Anthony Mata was drawn to these quotes, as he understands the challenge of promoting and achieving one’s dreams, so he would “like” my quotes often and followed my account. After I was successful in finding a publisher for my book, I was in search of an illustrator and, after viewing his work, I fell in love.
He was so creative, and the entire time he did not have one picture of himself on his Instagram account. I did not even know his background until I met him in person to deliver the first copy of the published book. Even then I was not 100 percent sure of where he was from.
Anthony Mata’s work was unlike anything I have seen in terms of artwork and illustration. There is a richness about his work. He has the ability to take a simple concept and transform it into something you want to look at day after day.
This explains the fixation with Akiti the Hunter. The moment parents pick up the book, they are reluctant to let it go. The book becomes an instant part of their lives, and they are intrigued and want more of it.
M.O.I. JR: Anthony, how did you conjure up these images to go along with the story of Akiti the Hunter?
Anthony Mata: All I did is read the book, use my imagination, draw a series of rough sketches, pick which ones best describe a scene, and finally painted using a PC or tablet.
M.O.I. JR: How have people responded so far? Where have you done readings so far?
Denise Williams: We have had tremendous support from our families and friends and from our community bookstores both at home and nationally. We have been selling out at almost all Barnes & Nobles locations nationally.
We were invited for a book signing at the 2015 NAACP Author Pavilion, Harvard University Coop Bookstore, Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and featured in the Oakland Post newspaper and so many other platforms. We are so grateful for every single individual who has picked up a copy of the book both in person and online. We have a hashtag movement going: #AkitiTheHunter #AkitiNation.
We are still engaged and heavily involved in the promo tour. And we are eager to see how many lives we can enrich and inspire with the tale of Akiti the Hunter.
M.O.I. JR: Are you working on any other children’s books?
Denise Williams: Yes, Akiti the Hunter is the first of five in a series and there is more to come. This holiday we introduce the world to “Akiti Falls in Love” – with a character named Fatima. More to come on this.
M.O.I. JR: How could people keep up with what you are publishing?
Denise Williams: People can pick up a copy at their local Barnes & Nobles store or online or on Amazon. Or just follow our social media accounts: Akiti the Hunter, the First African Action Hero, Akiti the Hunter @AkitiTheHunter) on Twitter and Instagram.
The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey is associate editor of the Bay View, author of “Block Reportin’” and “Unfinished Business: Block Reportin’ 2” and filmmaker of “Operation Small Axe” and “Block Reportin’ 101,” available, along with many more interviews, at www.blockreportradio.com. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com.
