“The broken pieces of a Black woman. Shattered by the neglect of a Black man. It’s too much pressure to save her. So, he turns his head. Acting as if he don’t see her pain, While all she needed was his hand.” In her debut poetic memoir, “The Makings of a Project Queen,” Blossom relives a path of self-discovery, empowerment, and healing as she shines a light on key issues impacting inner-city Black girls today. She uses a collection of poems and short behind-the-scenes stories to take others on an inspirational journey of a hood scholar who forged her own path as a community-based educator and scholar-activist. Through the book, she emerges as a Project Queen. Growing up in South Sacramento, Denisha “Coco” Blossom had to navigate gang territories, drugs, poverty, hustle, and power plays. She survived immense heartbreak, broken relationships, body shaming, and hopelessness. At a young age, she internalized the notion that, as an impoverished fat Black girl, her choices in life were limited. Despite these adversities, through engagement with poetry, education, street literacy, and faith, she exceeded all of the low expectations – especially those that came from her teachers. Instead of succumbing to her circumstances, she grew into a Queen. She lifted her head, reclaimed her crown, and became the author of her own life. The makings of a Project Queen is a powerful story that will encourage women and girls everywhere to fix their crown, walk-in their queendom, and embark on their own journey to self-discovery and fulfilling their greatest life purpose.

"The broken pieces of a Black woman. Shattered by the neglect of a Black man. It's too much pressure to save her. So, he turns his head. Acting as if he don't see her pain, While all she needed was his hand." In her debut poetic memoir, "The Makings of a Project Queen," Blossom relives a path of self-discovery, empowerment, and healing as she shines a light on key issues impacting inner-city Black girls today. She uses a collection of poems and short behind-the-scenes stories to take others on an inspirational journey of a hood scholar who forged her own path as a community-based educator and scholar-activist. Through the book, she emerges as a Project Queen. Growing up in South Sacramento, Denisha "Coco" Blossom had to navigate gang territories, drugs, poverty, hustle, and power plays. She survived immense heartbreak, broken relationships, body shaming, and hopelessness. At a young age, she internalized the notion that, as an impoverished fat Black girl, her choices in life were limited. Despite these adversities, through engagement with poetry, education, street literacy, and faith, she exceeded all of the low expectations - especially those that came from her teachers. Instead of succumbing to her circumstances, she grew into a Queen. She lifted her head, reclaimed her crown, and became the author of her own life. The makings of a Project Queen is a powerful story that will encourage women and girls everywhere to fix their crown, walk-in their queendom, and embark on their own journey to self-discovery and fulfilling their greatest life purpose.

This is the story of The Making of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park by the Olympic Delivery Authority. Situated in east London adjacent to Victoria Park, one of the world’s earliest public parks built in the 19th century, the Park provides an innovative blueprint for contemporary urban park design and is recognised as an exemplar sustainable development for the 21st century. As a primary legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Park was conceived as a new piece of sustainable city, transforming a largely neglected, contaminated, post-industrial district, into a new community for up to 20,000 residents, shifting the centre of gravity of London eastwards. Written by those at the heart of the project, it draws significantly on contributions from the many experts who have shaped and guided the creation of the Park, including interviews with the key players responsible for delivering the project. It provides the only authoritative account of the planning, design and construction of the Park beginning with the bid to host the games, setting out its historical, philosophical and physical context; describing the strategic fit within the Thames Gateway, Lower Lea Valley and Stratford City; explaining how One Planet Living principles developed by WWF and BioRegional underpinned sustainability throughout the project; and concludes with a ‘Walk in Park’ capturing its essence for both Games and Legacy. Richly illustrated, it is a unique reference for those involved in the planning, design, delivery and management of sustainable urban parks and new communities on post-industrial and other land, and those seeking to host future Games and other large-scale international events.

The pure luxury of soaps made with coconut butter, almond oil, aloe vera, oatmeal, and green tea is one of life’s little pleasures. And with the help of Anne-Marie Faiola, author of Soap Crafting and Milk Soaps, it’s easy to make luscious, all-natural soaps right in your own kitchen. This collection of 32 recipes ranges from simple castile bars to intricate swirls, embeds, and marbled and layered looks. Begin with a combination of skin-nourishing oils and then add blueberry puree, dandelion-infused water, almond milk, coffee grounds, mango and avocado butters, black tea, or other delicious ingredients — and then scent your soap with pure essential oils. Step-by-step photography guides you through every stage of cold-process soapmaking.

A young woman wanting to leave her impoverished lifestyle. A desperate decision that may end it all. LaShae “Shae” Byrts is a hot commodity in her hood. Using her body and beauty has earned her the title, “Project Queen.” She’s got it and was born to flaunt it! She’s determined to break away from her abusive mother and leave her impoverished lifestyle far behind.When she begins dating a notorious drug dealer, she assumes all of her problems are over. She couldn’t be further from the truth. She finds out that beauty is only skin deep, and all of the money, spinning rims, and glitter, can come at a violent price.

“If you’ve got a good idea, and you know it’s going to work, go ahead and do it.” The inspiring story of Grace Hopper—the boundary-breaking woman who revolutionized computer science—is told told in an engaging picture book biography. Who was Grace Hopper? A software tester, workplace jester, cherished mentor, ace inventor, avid reader, naval leader—AND rule breaker, chance taker, and troublemaker. Acclaimed picture book author Laurie Wallmark (Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine) once again tells the riveting story of a trailblazing woman. Grace Hopper coined the term “computer bug” and taught computers to “speak English.” Throughout her life, Hopper succeeded in doing what no one had ever done before. Delighting in difficult ideas and in defying expectations, the insatiably curious Hopper truly was “Amazing Grace” . . . and a role model for science- and math-minded girls and boys. With a wealth of witty quotes, and richly detailed illustrations, this book brings Hopper's incredible accomplishments to life.

From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother’s grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might conquer all . . . A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . . Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest “project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart, she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her heart . . . “Anyone who loves romance must read Sabrina Jeffries!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author