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Newsletter STAY STRONG BOOK SALES SOAR Sales of "Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens," a practical guide for teenagers written by Terrie Williams and published in April 2001 by Scholastic, Inc., have surpassed the 52,000 mark, it was announced today. An innovative marketing campaign created by Players Govern Players Communications (PGP), a lifestyle marketing firm, has resulted in a national movement to empower youth and tremendous sales for the teen book. In conjunction with the release of "Stay Strong" Williams and Xavier Artis, CEO of PGP, launched The Stay Strong Foundation, a national movement designed to support, educate and inspire America’s youth. The Foundation reaches teens through programs and events (The Stay Strong Experience Tour) that promote the personal well-being of young people, enhance their educational and professional development, and raise awareness of teen issues. The Stay Strong Experience Tour is a series of informal gatherings for teens designed to issue a message of hope and inspiration. The events create a friendly and caring environment that allows kids to open their hearts and express their feelings without fear of ridicule or embarrassment. Well-known individuals also participate and share their personal testimonials on how to Stay Strong in tough times. Events have been held in a number of cities across the country, including New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and East St. Louis, Missouri. Williams, known for her vast connections within the worlds of entertainment, business, sports and marketing, has utilized those relationships to help spread the word about the book and promote the importance of its messages to a vast audience of potential buyers—parents, teens, teachers, heads of youth organizations, and those in group homes, shelters and churches. The grassroots outreach campaign resulted in thousands of books being sold, The book has also been used as a lesson plan and teaching curriculum in dozens of schools, and as the basis for several conferences and seminars. On May 4 in New York City the New York Board of Education and the Community School District 4 in East Harlem held The Stay Strong Youth Summit, a day-long event inspired by "Stay Strong." And Adelphi University’s “Gear Up” community program (for high school students who want to go to college) will be utilizing the messages in Stay Strong as an interdisciplinary course text for the upcoming semesters. Williams is a highly sought-after speaker, and speaks regularly at business seminars, schools, universities and civic organizations, all of which provided further opportunities to promote and sell the book. In recognition of her work with youth and the Foundation over the last year, Williams was recently heralded in the June/July issue of Savoy magazine and its special “100 Powers That Be” feature. Williams was included in the “Community Activism” section with other notable activists such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, talk-show host Tavis Smiley and Hugh Price of the National Urban League. Jean Feiwel, publisher of Scholastic, Inc., one of the world’s largest publishers of books and educational materials for children, said, “Terrie and Xavier have taken this book—one filled with invaluable lessons and advice for teens—and turned it into a national phenomenon. In just a year The Stay Strong Foundation has reached out to and helped thousands and thousands of kids. And they are just getting started. Their efforts are amazing, and they should be commended and thanked for their dedication.” Said Williams, a long-time advocate for young people, “With all the pressures teens face today, I felt it was important to write this book for them. With the book, the Foundation programs and the special events, we are working to secure a better future for our youth.” "Stay Strong" is a practical guide for young people that speaks to them, not at, them. Williams focuses on the challenges faced by kids and presents empowering, positive alternatives and advice to help youth rise above the daily stresses and become dynamic individuals now and in the future. Artis is the CEO of Players Govern Players, the Foundation’s marketing firm. He is also a poet, writer, visionary, life strategist and entrepreneur. A dedicated youth advocate, Artis says that “Taking responsibility for our generation," has become his business and personal philosophy. Artis also says, “The Foundation is reaching kids all across the country. These young people—our future—need our help. And they need it now. If we don’t give our kids time…the system will.” Let's Talk! | Press Room | Contact Us Privacy Statement |