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: Initiated writing journey as Pen Legacy at Kandi Burrus’s event in Atlanta, GA.

  • Secured the position of Staff Writer at The Philadelphia Forum, under The Philadelphia Association of Paralegals.

2011

  • Penned lyrics for ML The Truth’s song “Commitment,” which received consideration 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 with My Side of the Story, released under Purposeful Publishing.

2012

  • Became a Journalist and Contributing Columnist for CNN iReport.

  • Recognized for 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

  • Hired to edit and format the screenplay, Doggmen.

  • Wrote and produced the short film, A Childhood Lost.

  • 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

  • Became an Amazon Best-Selling Author with third release, Love the Real You, published under Pen Legacy Publishing.

  • Established Pen Legacy Publishing on May 10, 2015.

  • Published three new authors: Summer Willow Fitch, Vaughn McNeill, and La’Mena Marie.

  • Hired to convert book-to-script for the theater production of Til Death Do Us Part.

2016

  • Hired to write and direct the theater production of Olivia Lost & Turned Out.

  • Became an Amazon Best-Selling Author with fourth release, STOP Asking for Permission & Give Notice.

  • Published new author AJ Harrison.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 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 premiered in Hollywood, CA.

  • Hired to write the theatrical production of Testify.

  • 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 & premiered 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.

  • 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 and Michelle and Her Magical Pen.

  • Coached & worked with eight authors through 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

  • Hired to write the screenplay, The Greenbriar Project (Horror Film).

  • 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.

  • 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-four 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 Jamaica, 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-four authors through Pen Legacy Publishing.

  • Interviewed on Season 2, Episode 3 of the TV show, Style w/ Trysh, Women Winning at Writing Podcast, Season 5, Episode 1 of the Finesse Media Podcast, Power of One TV show with LaSalle University.

  • Featured Interview in Voyage Dallas Magazine and STS Business Style Magazine.

  • 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 Empower.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.

  • Secured nine Times Square and two Atlanta Billboards advertising campaigns for Pen Legacy Published Authors.

  • Released Marquis Goes To The Supreme Court.

  • Attended Pinq Inc. Marketing Mastermind in Miami & was coached by Brittany Freeman.

  • 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.

  • July 8, 2023, The Adventures of Michelle children’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 via a letter.

  • Published twenty-six authors through Pen Legacy Publishing.

  • Selected as a voting member of the 55th NAACP Image Awards Literacy Nominating Committee (Literary Division).

  • Hired to convert book-to-film, Phoenix Ascending by Movita Johnson-Harrell.

2024

  • Became Executive Producer for the short film, The Wake-Up Call starring Crystal Smith, Kevin Savage, and Karon Riley

  • Wrote film treatments for, A Christmas Prayer and A Twisted Obsession and TY Entertainment agreed to serve as Producer and Director.

  • Interviewed &/or Spotlight by book distributor Ingramspark, Bold Journey Magazine, In The City Magazine, Sheen Magazine, and Hype Hair Magazine.

  • Participated in an 8-month Access Granted screenwriting mentorship program under MegaMind Media Film Company.

  • Became a Contributing Writer for Hype Hair Magazine within their Lifestyle Division.