WNDMG Author Interview with Lynnette Mawhinney about her New Book

I’m so excited to be able to introduce you to author Lynnette Mawhinney today. Lynnette’s book is titled Mamie Phipps Clark, Champion for Children (Magination Press), which is was published February 6, 2024.

I absolutely love graphic novels, and this one is nonfiction too! It is so important, with themes of fighting against segregation, of historical events in America like the Brown vs. Board of Education case, and an amazing Black woman who can inspire all of us.

I encourage everyone to buy a copy for themselves and their classrooms and libraries.

About Mamie Phipps Clark, Champion for Children:

Description taken from online:

This inspiring graphic novel tells the story of groundbreaking psychologist and civil rights activist Mamie Phipps Clark, PhD and her research in the racial identity and development of self in Black children, the work that ultimately played a vital role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case.

Part of American Psychological Association’s Extraordinary Women in Psychology series.

Mamie was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, during a time when United States laws intentionally disadvantaged Black people and permitted racial segregation. This profoundly impacted her life and work and instilled in her an unstoppable force to champion for Black children. Mamie made a difference with science – she studied math and psychology at Howard University. She was first the Black woman to graduate from Columbia University with a doctorate degree in psychology. Mamie expanded her earlier master’s research into the famous black-doll/white-doll experiments that exposed the negative effects of racial segregation in children. Along with her research partner and husband, Kenneth Clark, Mamie became expert witnesses in several school desegregation cases, including Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954, which effectively ended racial segregation in school. Mamie dedicated her life to advocate for children who deserved more than what society offered them and she built the Northside Center in Harlem, NY to support children with special needs, academic programs, and mental health services.

Filled with interesting news stories and thought-provoking activities, this book encourages readers to carry on Mamie’s legacy and become champions for themselves and others in their community.

Interview with Lynnette:

I loved getting to talk to Lynnette about her new book and I think you will enjoy meeting her as well.

 

SSS: What a description! This book sounds SO important, and I cannot wait to read Mamie’s inspiring story. What inspired you to write about Mamie?

 

LM: Magination Press approached me to write this book, as it was the next in the series Extraordinary Women in Psychology. I knew about Dr. Clark from the doll test, but after that, I didn’t know much about here. Deep diving into the research to bring her to life, I was just taken aback as to how much her work has influenced all of us—even today. The more I learned about her, the more, the more she inspired me, and the more motivated I was to bring her story to light.

SSS: How do historical events and laws impact society today? What can Mamie teach us about the world today?

LM: Dr. Clark’s story teaches us that change can be a long process, but it also has lasting impacts. I think Dr. Clark teaches us to stay the course, keep justice and youth at the forefront. When we advocate for justice-oriented change, the historical events and laws need to be simultaneously embraced, analyzed, and challenged for continued and lasting change.

SSS: I love graphic novels. How was it like to collaborate with an artist on this project?

LM: In this world, I don’t get to collaborate directly with the illustrator, as all requests go through our editor. But working with Neil was great, as he graciously took any feedback I had given the editor. His artwork and truly gift was the key to bringing Dr. Clark’s story to life, and I am forever grateful.

 

SSS: The subject of segregation is so important, and teaching anti-racism is a must in classrooms. How can nonfiction help teach students to advocate for justice?

 

LM: My immediate response is, “when we know better, we do better.” That, I hope, is one of the lessons that history teaches us. We can learn from our past in order to do better for and with humanity in the future. Dr. Clark’s story tells us how youth can continue to be advocates for change, and how being a visionary can help to change make a difference for justice.

SSS: Do you have any more incredible book recs for us?

LM: I am currently in the middle of reading When the Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. It is also a non-fiction graphic novel/memoir about Omar’s life growing up as a refugee in Kenya. I haven’t finished reading it yet, but so far, the book has been wonderfully done! It’s a compelling read. 

SSS: Thank you so much for this beautiful rec.

 

Link to order Lynnette’s Book here.

Writing Process

SSS: When did you start writing this book? How do you think your background of being a Professor of Urban Education help you in writing?

LM: I stared the research process in 2021. Dr. Clark was NOT easy to research, as she was often pushed to the side because she was a woman. I often joked that this research process was like “Where’s Waldo” and trying to find Dr. Clark’s legacy and story.

As a scholar, I honestly had to use all my research skills I have been trained in with this process. I interviewed people, spent LOTS of hours in libraries, and went to museums to collect data. As a matter of fact, this project pushed me to learn new research skills with exploring archival research and helped to build me up as a researcher.

 

SSS: How is the process of writing a graphic novel different from writing a picture book, or an adult book in prose? (I noticed you are so prolific!)

LM: This was an extremely new and different process of writing. For a graphic novel, I would say it is equal to writing a screenplay. In a graphic novel, I had to not only write the story and dialogue, but I also had to write out each scene. It was like writing “stage direction” or in this case “visual direction” along with the dialogue. It was fun, as it really got to push my visualization of Dr. Clark’s life.

SSS: Any advice for fellow authors?

 

LM: Keep writing and keep exploring. Don’t be afraid to try new ways of writing or contributing your voice to this world because what we all have to say and share with the world matters.

Bonus!

SSS: Bonus question! Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like to share with us?

LM: Dr. Clark was a visionary and way before her time. I hope that readers enjoy the book and get to see just how her work continued to influence all our daily lives.

Thank you so much Lynnette for answering my questions! I hope everyone picks up a copy of your beautiful book.

About Lynnette Mawhinney PhD:

LYNNETTE MAWHINNEY, PhD, is an award-winning writer, creator, and long-time educator. Dr. Mawhinney was a former high school English teacher at the School District of Philadelphia and transitioned into teacher education. She has conducted teacher trainings in the U.S., Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Bahrain, and Egypt. Dr. Mawhinney is Professor of Urban Education and Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Academic Initiatives at Rutgers University-Newark. As a secret artist, she applies her craft of visual-based approaches to her research and scholarship on the recruitment and retention of teachers of Color. She is the author and editor of five academic books.

In 2020, Dr. Mawhinney was the recipient of the American Educational Studies Association’s Critics Choice Book Award for her co-written book, There Has to be a Better Way: Lessons from Former Urban Teachers.

 

Aside from academic books, Dr. Mawhinney is a children’s book author. Her first book, Lulu the One and Only, received an acclaimed starred Kirkus Review, along with awards such as the Notable Social Studies Trade Book Award by the National Council for Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council. Her new book, Mamie Phipps Clark: Champion for Children, is a biography graphic novel for youth.

Dr. Mawhinney is also the Founder and President of Gaen Knowledge, LLC, a consultancy firm that performs traditional and visual-based evaluation and equity audits for organizations (e.g. PreK-12 schools, higher education institutions, and clinical health settings).

Links:

Website: www.lynnettemawhinney.com

Instagram: @lkmawhinney