Public Historically Black Colleges and Universities are Losing Their "Black" Presence

Against the Grain Communications
P.O. Box 58
Clayton, OH 45315
1-800-484-6996, PIN 1447
ckrob7071@aol.com
www.ckellyrobinson.com

Contact: Kyra M. Robinson or Chet Robinson
For Immediate Release

Against the Grain Communications proudly announces the long-awaited release of its premier non-fictional work, No Ways Tired: The Public Historically Black College Dilemma, by newcomer Kyra M. Grimes-Robinson. No Ways Tired explores the crises public black colleges fight daily to maintain their historical, educational, and cultural significance in the African-American community. Robinson is excited to tell the "HBCU story" to the masses.

"As an alumna and former black college employee, I have always had deep reverence and passion for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)," Robinson said. "But, I never envisioned that I could share my interest with the public in a profound, enlightening way until my master's thesis. I thought my thirst would be quenched with my master's thesis, but it wasn't. I knew this work had more value than collecting dust in a college library." With gentle prodding and encouragement from her husband, she decided No Ways Tired could make a difference.

Other publications detail the origin of HBCUs and some of their struggles, but few inform about one of black colleges' toughest battles -- massive, strategic integration. No Ways Tired explores integration's impact on six public historically black colleges and whether they can successfully balance diversity and cultural heritage preservation. It is also a lesson in history, discussing the origins of black colleges, their financial struggles, and legal victories and defeats.

No Ways Tired is an excellent resource for the black college community and anyone who wants to learn more about HBCUs. Robinson said, "There is such a wealth of heritage and history at these educational treasures. Yet, many -- including some in higher education -- do not know that integration is becoming an increasingly critical factor in the survival of the public black college as we know it."

Robinson has an English degree from Fisk University and a Journalism degree from Ohio University. With the continued success of Against the Grain's debut novel about the richness of black college life, Not All Dogs, by husband Chet "C. Kelly" Robinson, Robinson left a position with a local school district. She is the marketing and promotions coordinator for Against the Grain Communications, co-founded by Robinson and her husband.

No Ways Tired: The Public Historically Black College Dilemma (ISBN: 1-58500-563-0) is available on www.1stbooks.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com, or can be ordered at your local bookstores (including Barnes and Noble). Excerpts and more information about the author and book are available on both the 1st Books and www.ckellyrobinson.com websites. Contact the author at the above number for more information.

-30-