TRIANGLE AREA MEDIA VETERANS SHARE TESTIMONIES TO SUPPORT AFRICAN AIDS ORPHANS

Triangle area media veterans, Brett Chambers and Beverly Mahone share their testimonies in How We Got Over: Testimonies of Faith, Hope and Courage. Proceeds from this book will support AIDS Orphans in Southern Africa.

CHICAGO, IL--Triangle area media veterans Brett Chambers and Beverly Mahone share personal testimonies in How We Got Over: Testimonies of Faith, Hope and Courage. Proceeds from this collection of over 50 testimonies edited by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Journalism School alumna and former North Carolina Central University (NCCU) professor Trevy A. McDonald, along with Bettye J. Allen, will support AIDS orphans in Southern Africa. Chambers and Mahone, along with local contributor Anita Daniels and McDonald will discuss and sign copies of How We Got Over at The Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park (919) 536-4200, 1313 Halley Street on Friday, June 6 at 6:30 p.m. The signing is sponsored by Calvary Ministries of the West End. They will also sign the book from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 7 at Barnes & Noble, 5400 New Hope Commons (919) 489-3012.

The faith section of this book opens with a testimony by Brett E. Chambers, a Duke University and NCCU alumnus and current NCCU faculty member. In "Do You Have Faith?" Chambers shares his story of survival when being trapped in a submerged vehicle in the aftermath of Hurricane Floyd while on a production shoot. Chambers began his broadcasting career in the 1970s as Program Director of WDUK (Duke University). He also held posts at WRAL and was Community Affairs and Executive Producer with WTVD. Local journalist Beverly A. Mahone, also a current news manager with WTVD ABC 11, contributed to this collection.

How We Got Over, a dynamic and spirit-filled collection of our experiences where God made a way out of no way, is evidence to God's power. The foreword, written by Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Episcopal Supervisor of the Fourth Episcopal District (A.M.E. Church) and former Hillside High School teacher, chronicles Dr. Cousin's journey as an AIDS activist since 1985. Cousin is the wife of Bishop Philip R.Cousin, Sr. and mother to Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Jr., pastor of St. Joseph's A.M.E. Church. The afterword is by Sarah Nkele Matlhare, a South African Missionary who works in the trenches with those affected by and infected with HIV in Botswana. Contributors shared stories of overcoming life threatening situations such as hemorrhaging to the point where the only blood left in the body was in the brain and how broken family relationships were mended in the midst of a tragedy. Readers will be inspired, uplifted and empowered through these testimonies.

How We Got Over, which will be in stores nationwide in June, has already received critical acclaim from noted authors.

"How We Got Over...is an inspirational masterpiece. The book is full of testimonies that will stir the soul and lift the spirit. It's a wonderful book for anyone who believes in a higher power and the power of faith. Bravo!"

Yolanda Joe, author of The Hatwearer's Lesson and Hit Time
                              
"...a highly moving, perceptive, and transforming source of inspiration for many hearts on the edge of unbelief, hopelessness, and discouragement."

Dr. Wendell C. Beane, Professor Emeritus, History of Religions and author of The Truth Within You

"How We Got Over...reminds us that hope arises in the heart through credible testimony and encourages us to cease pinning our desires on things that are in the world, focusing instead on placing our trust in God. This is a must read."

Jacquelin Thomas, author of Singsation, The Prodigal Husband, and A Change is Gonna Come
         
McDonald is the author of Time Will Tell, co-editor of Nature of a Sistuh and Building Diverse Communities and contributor to Sisterfriend Soul Journeys, Women of Color Devotional Bible, Women of Color Devotional Book, and the forthcoming anthology, Proverbs for the People (June 2003, Kensington).

In addition to How We Got Over, Mahone is also a contributor to the Women of Color Devotional Bible and Women of Color Devotional Book.

To read excerpts from How We Got Over visit the website: www.howwegotover.org.

To schedule interview opportunities or request review copies please call (773) 238-8224.

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