Young author celebrates book’s second anniversary

FOR author La Shawna Griffith, it was a great accomplishment.

A small audience cheered and applauded Griffith’s feat from the University of the West Indies (UWI) Bookshop as her book “La Shawna – Unlock The Door” celebrated its second anniversary on May 19, 2017. Griffith, who is the second youngest author and editor of a book in Barbados, was overcome with joy as she watched some of her closet friends and relatives perform tributes in her honour.

At the event, the young writer spoke about seeking spiritual guidance to go forward with her project two years ago.

“When I launched this book on May 23, 2015, it was my mother’s birthday and I felt something telling me, ‘La Shawna hit publish now’, and I published it with a prayer... ‘Please let persons read it,’” said Griffith.

To date the book, ‘La Shawna – Unlock The Door’, which consists of 37 poems, has received international recognition as it is sold on Amazon, Walmart and Barnes and Noble. The poems cover a wide range of topics, ranging from love to social issues.

The performance line-up was impressive as it included performances by Tyronne Burrows, Sehon Gooding, Akeem Chandler-Prescod, Zoe Sunshine, Lexi, Keoma Mallet, Malchijah Harding, Darrio Williams, Nicholas Boyce and the multi-awarded recipient at the Barbados Music Awards, Mr. Shirley Stewart, who moved the crowd with his hit single, “Walk Away from Love”.

In addition, there were two more outstanding performances on the night. Female rapper and vocalist, ‘Lexi’, got the audience to sing along with her to her single, “Blue Lagoon”. She was accompanied by artist, Keoma Mallet, whose freestyle left the audience cheering and asking for more.

In closing, Griffith stated, “The goal of this event was not only to celebrate that the book has been published for two years and still doing exceedingly well, it was to celebrate art and music and showcase some of
the young talent that Barbados has yet to discover.”

She noted that her second book, “Release The Energy Within”, will be posted by the end of 2017 and it will cover a religious theme, but also explore world issues which are plaguing our societies.