I read the book, 'Beyond The Spotlight'. It's about a young girl name Ava born in Jamaica and her journey through her upbringing as a child. The book entails her mental, emotional and physical struggles, not feeling loved by family and due to the "class system" racism based on skin color that still exist today. These things had a negative impact throughout her early years. Throughout the reading of the book, it taught me about determination, perseverance, love, compassion and most important not to give up on your dreams in life, The road was rocky for Ava but those qualities (listed) were achieved by her despite the odds. I loved her fight from her childhood years until she migrated to the United States for a better opportunity and have a new lease on life, (a 'fresh beginning', so to speak). Even though she got married, had two children and then divorced, she was able to juggle parenthood, went back to college, worked and moved up the corporate ladder in the United States. She became one of the first black women at her brokerage company to upper management, despite her struggles and was very determined to beat the odds. She has empowered herself, her audience through motivational speeches as a voice of reasoning that made others (especially women) self evaluate too their own struggles to never give up on their hopes and dreams of family, friends and religious beliefs.

SPOTLIGHT is an extremely powerful story that chronicles the life of Ava Cooper from her home in Jamaica to her journey to the United States. This book has so much truth and raw emotion woven into every word - I felt as though I was traveling with Ava and experiencing all of her highs and lows. Ava highlights her love for her family and the strong bond between parents and children. The author tackles many issues from discrimination, mental health, and emotional abuse. But also tells a story of how to be resilient and how to find your voice in the mist of your journey. I love how Ava tells her story. This book made me think of some my life choices and how perhaps there were times that I may have had a "prisoner tongue". I couldn't put the book down. It is a must read!

Beyond the Spotlight: Echoes of Ava's Journey is a fascinating and spellbinding book. It captivated the reader's interest from one chapter to the next as Ava's life, struggles and circumstances evolved. Her inability to voice and express her physical and mental attacks made her stronger and more determined to pursue her goals. The anger felt by the reader, because of Ava's abuse and treatment, was overwhelming and sometimes difficult to read. This book inspires you to look beyond others' perception of you. It encourages you to believe in yourself regardless of your obstacles and abuse. In spite of her struggles and disappointments, Ava continued to pursue her goals. Her circumstances didn't hinder her from becoming a strong and successful person.

I loved this book and I Love Ava.She taught me the real definition of focus and resilience. Ava reminded me to never give up on myself no matter what .

I received the book, Beyond the Spotlight: Echoes of Ava's Journey as a gift. It weaves together the story of a young girl in Jamaica as she makes her way through challenges that no child should face. You feel such sorrow for her as she makes her way through her teen years hoping for a break to help her find her voice. As the story takes us to the US, her trials do not end. At some point this story is difficult to read. You want joy for Ava. As you make your way through the book you realize that the real story is her ability to find incredible strength through her challenges, and determination to become the best that she can imagine. The tenacity of women and the importance of giving children a safe space to express their feelings and find their voice is so well depicted here. The author tells the story in a way that you can “see” the settings in every part of Ava’s journey. Enjoy!

Inspiring story of the battles waged that the rest of the world may never be aware of. A story of strength and perseverance. You never know the silent battles raging inside others. As the story takes us to the US, her trials do not end. At some point this story is difficult to read. You want joy for Ava. As you make your way through the book you realize that the real story is her ability to find incredible strength through her challenges, and determination to become the best that she can imagine. The tenacity of women and the importance of giving children a safe space to express their feelings and find their voice is so well depicted here. The author tells the story in a way that you can “see” the settings in every part of Ava’s journey. Enjoy!

"I can't express how much Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belongingness for women means to me. Thanks to Marie Taylor's women's empowerment books, I've found a path to economic freedom I never thought possible. Her guidance on achieving financial literacy has been a game-changer in my life. I'm not just empowered; I'm thriving!"

"Marie Taylor's work in women's empowerment in education is truly inspirational. As a teacher, her dedication to uplifting young minds and empowering them through storytelling is remarkable. The impact of her approach is not just visible in the classroom but also the students' lives outside it. She's a beacon of hope for all educators."