
Key Accomplishments
Key Accomplishments
1992
Contributed to the book anthology Tears of Fire: The National Library of Poetry
1995
Contributed to the book anthology Best Poems of 1995: The National Library of Poetry
2008
December 5, 2008 – Started writing journey under the name Pen Legacy at Kandi Burrus’s event in Atlanta, GA.
Secured the position of Staff Writer of The Philadelphia Forum, under The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals
2011
Wrote lyrics for ML The Truth’s song “Commitment,” which was later considered for a Grammy Award in the category Best R&B Song.
Contributed to the Book Anthologies: A Poetically Spoken Anthology, Vol. 1 and Voices Behind The Tears
Became a published author; My Side of the Story released under Purposeful Publishing.
2012
Became a Journalist and Contributing Columnist for CNN iReport.
Recognized as Outstanding Contribution to Poetry by Great Poets Across America
Contributed to book anthologies The Homeless Cry and Stars in Our Hearts: Diversity
Wrote and co-produced first theatrical production, Living Your Life.
Released second book, Living, Loving, & Laughing My Way Through under Purposeful Publishing.
2013
Honored in Cleveland, OH by the organization Girls on Fire; received the Presidential Award and Best Independent Author Award.
Wrote and produced theatrical production, Why Can’t We Be Friends, an anti-bullying play.
2014
Why Can’t We Be Friends, an anti-bullying play, won Best Real-Life Drama Stage Play at the Playwright Awards in Queens, NY.
2015
Released & became an Amazon Best-Selling Author with third release, Love the Real You, published under Pen Legacy Publishing.
May 10, 2015, Pen Legacy Publishing officially opened for business
Published three new authors, Summer Willow Fitch, Vaughn McNeill, and La’Mena Marie
2016
Released & became an Amazon Best-Selling Author with fourth release, STOP Asking for Permission & Give Notice.
Published new author AJ Harrison.
Hired to write two theatrical productions, Oliva Lost & Turned Out and Til Death Do U Part.
Completed formal training through Dimensioned Wellness, LLC, becoming a Life Coach.
2017
Named “Woman Who Is Doing It Big” at Millionaire Mogul, Tiana Von Johnson’s Women Doing It Big Conference in New York City.
Co-authored memoirs by Neo-Soul Singer/Songwriter Jaguar Wright and Philadelphia Police Officer Deborah Rose.
Published four new authors: Deborah Rose, Jaguar Wright, Briana McKnight, and Khristina Barnes.
Hired to write two theatrical productions, Testify and Cheatin’ In the Next Room.
Pen Legacy officially registered as a Limited Liability Corporation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Participated in the Literary Takeover Book Signing in New Orleans, LA, during Essence Festival.
Studied “Writing for Television” under television producer, screenwriter, and author Shonda Rhimes.
Received professional recognition and endorsement from Word of Life Christian Fellowship; appointed as “Fellow of the Most Excellent Order of International Experts (FOIE)” in the field of Entrepreneurship.
Received Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy from CICA International University & Seminary.
Became an Amazon Best-Selling Author with my book, STOP Asking for Permission & Give Notice.
Brand advertised in a digital marketing billboard campaign in Times Square– Manhattan, NY.
Released book, 2018 Legacy Journal & Planner: A Planning Tool for your Freedom & Future.
Contributed to book anthology Delayed, But Not Denied Vol. 2
Rise and Grind Ambassador for Shark Tank’s Daymond John’s newest book, Rise and Grind.
2018
Theatrical production Get Out of Your Own Way premieres in Hollywood, CA.
Released book, I Want To Quit My Job.: 8 Entrepreneurial Strategies For Massive Results While Employed.
Released two book anthologies, Bruised, Broken & Blessed & “Get Out of Your Own Way.”
Studied under NAACP Image Award-winning author Victoria Christopher Murray.
Featured Author at the 2018 NAACP National Convention & Panelist
Published eight authors through Pen Legacy Publishing
Pen Legacy officially trademarked and registered as an official business.
2019
Theatrical production Get Out of Your Own Way completed an encore performance in Hollywood, CA.& premiere on 42nd St in Manhattan, NY
Compiled & Published two book anthologies, “Get Out of Your Own Way” Vol 2 & Vol. 3
Released two books, Fear Is A Crime and Secure Your Legacy Journal
Secured & Revealed nine Times Square Billboards for Pen Legacy Published Authors
Received a Certificate of Recognition from Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop, a Senate Citation from the Senate of New Jersey, a New Jersey General Assembly Resolution, and Office of the Hudson County Executive Citation. (pictured above w/ Assemblywoman Angela V. McKnight (D-NJ)
Published forty authors through Pen Legacy Publishing
Hired a Virtual Assistant
Secured a ghostwriting project through Pen Legacy Publishing
2020
Compiled book anthology: Slay Your Legacy: 9 Keys to Manifesting the Life You Want
Press Features on NBC, CBS, FOX & iWorship96 Radio.
Published twenty-nine authors through Pen Legacy Publishing
Celebrated Pen Legacy Publishing 5th year anniversary on May 11, 2020
Released books, When Shift Happens: 21 Days of Celebrating the Lessons of Life & Detours & Michelle and Her Magical Pen
Coached & worked with eight authors through my Author Mastermind Programs
Hosted “When Shift Happens” Book Summit and Pen Legacy’s Book Festival
Secured training with Shark Tank’s Daymond John & Celebrity PR Agent Monique Jackson
Secured three ghostwriting projects through Pen Legacy Publishing
Celebrated 10 years as a published author on November 4, 2020
Pen Legacy officially registered as a business in the State of Florida
2021
Press Feature Interview / Cover with Fashion GXD Magazine
Featured Press with Amazon Live, The Blueprint Live, K.I.S. H Magazine (Fall 2021), Medium.com, BlackNews.com, 21st Century Authors, Kidlio Magazine & Rolling Out Magazine
Interviewed alongside TV/Radio Cathy Hughes of TV One on The Madison Jaye Show (streaming on Pandora, iHeart Radio, & Spotify)
Featured Writer in two editions of FlightInStilettos Magazine
Released six children’s books: Imagine Life Without African American Inventors, Michelle Goes To Paris, Michelle Goes to Congress, Michelle Goes To The Beach, and Michelle Sells No Books
Partnered with Flights In Stilettos, LLC to release Michelle Goes To The Beach Microfiber Beach Towel
Secured & worked with three authors through Private Coaching and completed three Ghostwriting projects.
Secured five Times Square Billboards advertising campaigns for Pen Legacy Published Authors
Joined Ms. Evelyn Braxton’s book team and became her official Literary Agent for her book “Cooking With Ms. E.”
Submitted books “Imagine Life Without African American Inventors” & “Michelle Goes to Congress” for nomination in the category of “Outstanding Literary Work – Children” with the 53rd NAACP Image Awards
The book, “Imagine Life Without African American Inventors” was nominated for Best Children’s Book with the B.A.R. Literary Awards in New Orleans, LA.
Served as a Writing / Author Coach to TV/Film Producer & Founder of Atlanta Pitch Summit, Ty Johnston-Chavis
Published thirty-one authors through Pen Legacy Publishing
2022
Virtual Book Tour with the African Americans on the Move Book Club for the month of February promoting. “Imagine Life Without African American Inventors.”
The Adventure of Michelle Book Series was placed in the Wilmington Library and North Wilmington Library
Partnered with Rochdale Village Community Center in Jamaicia, NY with the Adventures of Michelle Book Series and facilitated a virtual reading.
The Adventure of Michelle” Book Series showcased on Digital Billboards in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Memphis, Houston, & Dallas
Released Michelle Opens Her First Bank Account & From New Release To Bestseller
Secured six ghostwriting clients, four author coaching clients & showcased fifteen Digital Billboards in Downtown Atlanta for Pen Legacy Authors.
Pen Legacy published its first international client, Safiya Johnson, from Trinidad & Tobago
Secured press & book placements in Georgia Tech University’s Barnes N Noble and Onyx Bookstore for client, Evelyn Braxton
“Michelle Opens Her First Bank Account” was selected “Book of the Month” with the African Americans on the Move Book Club
Published twenty-six authors through Pen Legacy Publishing
Interviewed on Season 2, Episode 3 of the TV show, “Style w/ Trysh (Premiered on April 10, 2022, YouTube))
Interviewed on Women Winning at Writing Podcast (Premiered on August 23, 2022 & September 23, 2022, Spotify)
Interviewed on Season 5, Episode 1 of the Finesse Media Podcast, (Premiered on September 29, 2022, YouTube)
Interviewed on Power of One TV show with Lasalle University (Premiered on Lasalle Station on Comcast & Verizon, YouTube, & Lasalle University Website)
Featured Interview in Voyage Dallas Magazine and STS Business Style Magazine, October 2022
October 7, 2022, CM Writes officially registered as a Limited Liability Corporation in the State of Florida.
Selected as a voting member of the 54th NAACP Image Awards Literacy Nominating Committee (Literary Division)
2023
Interviewed by Bestselling Author, Business Mogul & Media Personality Farrah Gray via IG Live
Featured Press with Dominique Savage, Dr. Eboni Bell, WE Empwer.com, Woman To Woman Magazine, Pretty Women Hustle Magazine, Q-Chat Podcast, Emoir Magazine.com, Trish B. Show and Geaux Queen Magazine.
Hired to rewrite the professional biography for Xscape member LaTocha Scott and Celebrity Journalist Trish B.
Secured nine Times Square and two Atlanta Billboards advertising campaigns for Pen Legacy Published Authors
Participated in the Black Children’s Book Week and had four of The Adventure Michelle Books placed in the Children’s Museum.
Negotiated and closed a deal for Evelyn Braxton with Dell Technologies, Inc. to speak at their Black History Event on a panel with Tina Knowles and Adrienne Banfield-Norris
Secured three ghostwriting clients through CM Writes and twenty-three authors through Pen Legacy Publishing,
July 8, 2023, “The Adventures of Michelle” chldren’s books brand was officially trademarked.
Served as a Writing / Publisher to Debbie Douglas, (HR / Talent Acquisition with Paramount TV Network), Tamara Gordon Esq., (Past International Vice President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.), and Valerie Capers Workman, Esq., (Former Vice President of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Tesla Inc).
Inducted into Who’s Who of America Biological Listee, Class of 2023
Accepted into the Nasdaq Milestone Circles Program on Wall Street in New York.
The Department of Education received the entire book series, “The Adventures of Michelle” & acknowledged its success.
Selected as a voting member of the 55th NAACP Image Awards Literacy Nominating Committee (Literary Division)