An Interview With Edward Sylvan
When young boys finish reading the book, I want them to know that they have the power within themselves to not only empower themselves — but to discover early on how to build themselves up in their minds, and use the power of speaking life into themselves.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Penny Decree.
Penny is the Founder of Decreed Publishing and the Author of the children’s book I Am Enough. Penny’s goal is to create future leaders that are now only firm in who they are and their beliefs, but wants to help parents ground their children in truth that will allow their children to take control of their destiny.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I was Born and Raised in the city of Detroit. From an early age, I was heavily involved in the Performing Arts from dance to modeling, to music-my mother afforded me many opportunities to grow, develop, explore and express myself creatively. My higher education studies in Architecture and Construction Management, allowed me to begin my career in construction management working on many of the commercial projects that dot the city’s downtown skyline participating in the city’s revitalization.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
It was a book of poems by Maya Angelou. We studied the poems throughout the semester. ‘I know why the Caged bird sings’, ‘Still I rise’, and ‘Phenomenal Women’ are some of the poems that resonated with me and empowered me. I memorized and would perform and recite them at showcases around the city. Her poems helped me understand the transforming power of words, being able to lift one above their circumstances and to be the good I wanted to see.
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
Adjusting to time zone differences when collaborating globally had us misunderstand a couple of deadlines at first not realizing in some cases they were a day ahead. We would follow up before it was time but after getting caught up on the time we were able to sync up.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
When young boys finish reading the book, I want them to know that they have the power within themselves to not only empower themselves — but to discover early on how to build themselves up in their minds, and use the power of speaking life into themselves.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
One of my favorites Affirmations in the book is:
‘I Am Choosing Positivity Today’. Expounding upon it, readers can focus on the present moment and how they will choose to go throughout their day.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
Witnessing the Power of Affirmations in my own life and my son’s little beginnings is what fueled us to share our book with others. When we first started reciting affirmations, it was his transition from being with me all day to starting preschool. He was sad and wanted to invert.
So we would have our ‘pump it up’ (affirmation) sessions in the car saying things like I speak up loud and clear, I love learning, and having fun at school. I am a leader, I hold my head up high; I am focused on my business.
Talking to ourselves became our morning thing. I could see his demeanor change before we would arrive at school with him realizing a different outlook on the situation he was facing. Once his mind was affirmed in truth I would see him thrive during the day on the school classroom cameras.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
My sons have been helped in many ways. The first change I saw was my oldest’s confidence growing and him fully being his best as he was having the challenges mentioned in the previous question. Most recently, my youngest affirmed himself through potty training. I encouraged him to believe he can do it and we made an affirmative song based on our goal. He loved the song and would sing it all throughout the day. He didn’t know he was affirming his goals, but he eventually did.
Song excerpt:
“I’m a big boy who potties. I love to potty; when I feel pee pee coming, I run to the potty. when I feel booboo coming, I run to the potty!”
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
As a community, we can provide more opportunities for young melanated boys to engage in affirmative self-talk in the classroom and in the home. In society, surround them with many options whether books, tv shows, worksheets, or mentors to empower themselves with positive enforcement. Politicians can address some of the systemic issues that are causing us black mothers to prepare our sons to persevere as they get older.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is being the example that you want to see. Standing up firm in one’s beliefs and principles and not going along with what others are doing just to do it. In a kid’s example, it can be simply following a sign outdoors that reads “no walking on the grass” while others are disobeying the sign. This example is in our book to show my sons and other young boys they can be a leader even at their own age by understanding what is right and deciding to think for themselves even if mommy is not around at the time.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- It would’ve been helpful to have had each phase of the book writing process broken down and thoroughly explained -The biggest challenge I faced was the learning curve of not knowing where to start in all the phases. I’ve had to take time to absorb the processes needed at each stage from the book writing process, the publishing process, to the marketing process. Each stage is different and caused for celebration after accomplishing each one!
- Support groups that are helpful — These groups were helpful with persevering through the learning curve at each stage.
- Networking opportunities — Connecting with other authors, especially in the same genre has been a great welcome into the space allowing me to also learn from those who are more experienced in the genre.
- To just start doing — Oftentimes procrastination defeats any substance of me realizing my book-writing dreams. Deciding to write down the list of things that were blocking me from starting helped me to garner an Attack Plan to Just Start Doing. The majority of the things on my list were things I did not know how to do, so, once I started seeing my roadblocks, I was able to research or do whatever was required to start checking it off one by one.
- Marketing — There is an additional journey required to sell your creation. It will require as much planning and creativity as the other previous stages did to create the book itself.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, rather,t set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in Faith, and in Purity — 1 Timothy 4:12
This poster was on my middle school classroom wall and it has resonated with me since.
No matter if I’m young in any way (age, experience) It speaks to always put my best foot forward on the principles and Beliefs I stand for and rise above any peer pressure. Not worrying about waiting until I’m old enough, or more experienced is what stood out in this quote and also that Everyone may not be my people or understand but the believers in goodwill.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
She is not living, but my person would be Maya Angelou. Her wisdom through her poetry has empowered me in my youth growing up and would love to just be in the presence of her wisdom and land simply say thank you.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Please connect with us on the following platforms:
Our website Decreed Publishing.
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thank you so much for the opportunity!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Penny Decree of Decreed Publishing Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.