Juneteenth Author Visit--"Zakira Presents!" Team

The "Zakira Presents!" Team: sisters Zalika, Zakiya and Zahara Obayuwana will be here discussing their latest book Zakira Presents: Juneteenth. Book signing to follow.

Join us for an educational and fun event with the authors of the children's series "Zakira Presents!" The "Zakira Presents!" Team: sisters Zalika, Zakiya and Zahara Obayuwana will be here discussing their latest book Zakira Presents: Juneteenth. Learn about Juneteenth as well as their creative process including how they got started and how they became published authors. Afterwards, join us for a book signing and photos. The "Zakira Presents!" Series uses stories, coloring pages and fun activities like mazes, word searches, crossword puzzles and more to encourage empathy, cultural appreciation and curiosity, foster a spirit of community building and global citizenship, and celebrate self empowerment, diversity and inclusion. "Zakira Presents!" Team are also the authors of Zakira Presents: Kwanzaa!, Zakira Presents: Black History, and Zakira Presents: Ramadan.

Meet the Authors!:

Zalika is in the 7th grade and was born the same year that President Barack Obama was inaugurated as the first Black President of the United States, so it’s no wonder Zalika believes so strongly in herself. She is the inaugural Spelling Bee Champion of World Language Middle School. With a goal of becoming the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Zalika has a passion for justice and is a natural born leader. She is a fun loving social butterfly who loves math, sports, music, art, and spending time with friends and family. She plays the double bass and piano and loves to come up with quotes. One that she lives by is, “If you’re fighting for what’s right, you are right.”

Zakiya is a 5th grader who cares for animals and Mother Earth deeply. She has a gentle disposition, makes witty observations, and has effortless comedic timing. She is a creative who enjoys sewing and drawing and was part of the Stage Crew and Set Design of Ecole Kenwood French Immersion Elementary School’s 2022 Spring Musical Production of The Aristocats Kids! She is also a violinist with the Urban Strings Columbus Youth Orchestra. Fluent in French, Zakiya likes learning other languages and is currently learning Kiswahili.

Zahara is in the 3rd grade. She is a natural storyteller and friend maker with a cheerful personality and contagious laughter. Zahara’s inventive spirit moved her to write her first story, “The Cat and the Rat” at age 5. Zahara enjoys cooking and hasn’t met a sprinkle that she doesn’t like. She loves singing, dancing and animals, especially her fur-brother, Ziggy.

Zahara is currently working on a collection of stories to be released January 2023. 

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