Meet Author Tammy Terrell Kennard | The BJs Book Series

We had the good fortune of connecting with Author Tammy Terrell Kennard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Author Tammy Terrell, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I decided to pursue a career in the field of arts because it’s something I love. I could see myself doing it for free and forever. It feels more like a hobby than work because when you do what you love it’s fun, therapeutic and a blessing to others. Using a GOD given gift or talent shows him you’re grateful for his love and many blessings.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Children and writing that speak to the soul have always been a passion of mine. From working with children in lockdown, childcare, being a phenomenal aunt when i didn’t even have a child myself yet, to teaching preschool at a private school, you name it and Mrs. Tammy was there, so that’s where my love for children steamed from. My love for writing started early in elementary school. I would enter every writing competition they had, and I’d win. I remember I won money and a basket for the best black history story. Then won best JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS RAP and was able to perform live at a Greenlawn festival all in 4th grade at Guthrie Elementary School. Then in Jr. High at Humes, I really started rapping. In high school, I continued to rap but was also nominated to enter a city wide public speaking contest and won first place. I think that win is what really ignited the flame to write inside of me because honestly, I didn’t think I’d win. So win I won over this boy on the honor society, I was on cloud 9 ready for cloud 10. After high school, my writing turned into poetry and then spoken word. I went by the name Mspoet2deep. I’ve performed spoken word on many stages from gospel fest 2013 in Illinois to opening up for Kim Burrell. However, no stage groomed me, like performing every month for Memphis very on Poetry, Rhythm, and Soul. Over the years, I started ghost writing songs and sold some to some local artists and a few out of state artist. During this time, over the drama ministry at church writing plays, and I’m also a Buisness owner of Tammys mobile spa and suite. As a professional licensed manicurist and massage therapist, I built a solid client base who also kept me with real-life material to write about. Then, a prayer was answered. I got married to Sgt Benjamin Garrett Kennard Jr. and had a child of my own, Benjamin Garrett Kennard 3rd aka BJ. He’s me and his daddy’s big gift from GOD. After many losses, GOD said yes to my hearts desire. A husband who loves me the way GOD loves the church and motherhood. Little did I know that in the happiest times of my life, life would hit me like a wrecken ball. In February of 2022, my daddy passed from stage 4 galbladder cancer. My whole world was twist, turned, and upside down. Everything stopped when his heart stopped. I spent months in the grave with my daddy, Mr. Kassaow Terrell Sr. A great daddy who loved me the way every female deserves to be loved by a daddy. He was always so proud of every little and big thing I’d do. Then, months after his passing, GOD spoke to me in the quiet of my hearts grief. He said, “Keep making your daddy proud and write. Now, over 10 years before this, a pastor had prophesied to me that GOD wanted me to write children’s books. Not shocking because I’ve always been adored by parents and children for my genuine love of them. However, back then, all I wanted to write was spoken word and stage plays. This time, I knew it was the voice of GOD, and I knew this was the time. So, two for one wasn’t bad at all. Make GOD proud by walking in purpose and make my daddy proud even in his passing. My 1 book, BJ, and the friendly strangers were released a yr after losing my daddy FEBRUARY 2, 2023. Then I started writing puppet shows, The BJ, and the friendly strangers puppet show teaching children not to interact with strangers. Did my 1st puppet show at the library next door to the high school school I graduated from. Northbranch Library on Vollintine next to Northside High School. Class of 1993 for me. Then my 2nd book, BJ’S Grandpa, is in His heart released on FATHER’S DAY of 2023 in honor of my daddy and to help children who grieve since our son was really grieving his grandpa. On BJs 5th Birthday October 17th also honoring what would have been my daddys 76th birthday Oct 18th of 2024, my 3rd Book BJs a Big Boy Now was released. This book teaches children to just enjoy being a child and not grow up too fast. I’m sure by now you can tell The BJs Books are a series. So, in 2023, Series #1, #2, and #3 were released. The dates of release are now locked in. Every year on Feb 2nd, the day GOD healed my daddy, Father’s Day, and my daddy’s birthday, a series will be released. My 4th series BJ loves animals was released on Feb 2nd, 2024. This series is extra special because our son BJ asked to write this book with me. BJ Loves Animals By Author Tammy Terrell Kennard and Co-Author Benjamin Garrett Kennard 3rd. It’s a thing now, so he’s also the co-author of my new book, releasing on Father’s Day 2024 titled BJs Healthy and Unhealthy Food Choices. When I say I serve a BIG GOD, I say it with my hands lifted because my obedience in listening to him concerning this vision has truly been without pain. He’s blessed me continually and placed some of the most amazing people in my life along this journey. Like Natosha A Harris of A Mouthful Publishing, Tasha Parker of Books and Beauty, Samantha Bowling of Channel 5 News, Monica E. Thomas, Verna Nickleberry, Photographer Joseph Braxton, Lana and Shawn Danko of Kooky Canuck, Big Dawgs on Thomas in Frayser, Wanda Taylor of Lincs, Syroya’s Bakery, Sandra and James Williamson, and last but never ever least, The Memphis Library Systems, just to name a few but it’s been so much support, and for that I’m grateful. I guess if I had to say what’s been the biggest part of this journey, it would be being nominated for the Richard Wright literary awards and winning. The flood gates opened because during this time, my wondedul husband had been diagnosed with cancer, and I was caring for my amazing mother who has kidney failure. Winning the Literary Award was some good news I really needed because in the middle of the storm, I continued to honor GOD and release books. Every book in the BJs Book Series ends with a prayer for parents to pray over their children because I believe our babies need prayer and GODS word more than ever these days. All the BJs Books are self taken photos illustrated by me. I wanted to keep the photos as natural as possible so that children could still see themselves in the pictures. They could still see a strong family foundation with a mom and dad teaching their son how to by faith properly grow through each phase of his life. I believe that by me doing this is a season of grief, sickness, and life just lifeing. Our son has had the opportunity to experience perseverance through his momma and daddy. Thank GOD his daddy is healed and doing better, and thank GOD I didn’t allow trials and tribulations to make me quit. The BJs Book Series is bigger than just books it’s a movement and something I’ll be able to leave to BJs Children, children, children for generations and generations to come. They’ll know their grandmother was an overcomer and that I loved JESUS, family, and children. My hope is that parents and children will pray together and read together.
I’m a professional spa therapist. My love for all GODS people, especially women and children, sparked my gift for writing poetry and now children books. I’m a creative writer, and I specialize in natural creativity from poems, songs, plays, puppet shows, and books all about real things we experience in everyday life. I’m well known for being someone who makes everyone feel special because we all are in our own unique ways. I’m proud of the woman I’ve evolved into since getting married at 41 years of age and having my 1st earthly child at 42 years young. I’m truly a living testimony because when the Dr’s said I needed a full hysterectomy, I believed GOD when he said his promises were yes and Amen. If I had listened to the Dr’s, there wouldn’t be a BJ to write about. It wouldn’t be a BJs Book Series. I’m glad I walked by faith and not by sight.
The road hasn’t been easy, but as the song says, it’s been worth it. The hardest part by far was continuing to go forward with a broken heart. However, I always say GOD gave Me the vision, and I can honestly say he’s allowed this part of my life to do as scripture says in, Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it”. With the help of the people I named, this ride has been a thrill, and I’m staying on.
I’m a professional spa therapist. My love for all GODS people, especially women and children, sparked my gift for writing poetry and now children books. I’m a creative writer, and I specialize in natural creativity from poems, songs, plays, puppet shows, and books all about real things we experience in everyday life. I’m well known for being someone who makes everyone feel special because we all are in our own unique ways. I’m proud of the woman I’ve evolved into since getting married at 41 years of age and having my 1st earthly child at 42 years young. I’m truly a living testimony because when the Dr’s said I needed a full hysterectomy, I believed GOD when he said his promises were yes and Amen. If I had listened to the Dr’s, there wouldn’t be a BJ to write about. It wouldn’t be a BJs Book Series. I’m glad I walked by faith and not by sight.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: We are going to shop until we drop at some of my favorite places like K&G for some inexpensive finds. Now im sure she’ll want to live like one of Nashvilles big spenders since its vacation so we will definitely do some pocket emptying at the Opry Mills Mall and Mall at Green Hills.
We’d get tickets for 2 days to hop on the old town trolley for a tour. This is sure to give my friend a great introduction to all Nashville has to offer. Music, Shopping, Food, Parks and Fun. Speaking of food I’d take her to eat at Nashville Soul restaurant at 6317 Charlotte Pike. The live band, while eating lamb chops or a upscale pizza with great drinks is everything. Day 3 will be breakfast for Pancakes at Pancakes Pantry and then a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame followed by lunch at the stillery downtown. Day 4 we’ll go visit some of the state parks for a bike ride or nice walk. I absolutely love the centennial park one of the best in the world. We’ll enjoy a nice picnic and just catch up on old times. Day 5 we’re resting in to prepare for a night on the town. Then the weekend would be the Nashville helicopter tour because Nashville looks great up high and down low. Lastly general Jackson Showboat Dinner.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Like the old saints use to say, “First giving glory and honor to GOD.” Then I’d like to thank my phenomenal husband Sgt. Benjamin Garrett Kennard Jr for believing in me and supporting me in everything. Thank you to our amazing son BJ my reason for all that I do. My push to stay focused and never give up. Thank you to much outstanding parents the late Kassow Terrell Sr my daddy whom I miss so much. He felt like I could truly conquer the world. Thank you momma for Shirley Terrell for introducing me to JESUS at a young age and for being a great example of a mother. Thank you to my sister Lawanna Michelle Warren for going being one of my biggest supporters and human organizer at every event. Thank you Natosha A Harris of A Mouthful Publishing for being professional and personal all at the same time. I’ve learned so much from you and you’re more than just my friend, you’re my sister. Thank you to my Pastors Rudolph Moseley and Latoya Moseley Top Tier and there truly aren’t enough words to express what you mean to me. I’ve jumped many hurdles and weathered many storms since being under your spiritual leadership. I love you and my family love you. Thank you to my spiritual Grandfather Bishop LC Marr for always calling with an encouraging word from GOD and for your prayers. You’re loved and honored. Thank you, Thank You, to the Memphis Public Library Systems for believing in me and supporting me from day one. Thank you for acknowledging me as a author and reminding me I belong here. Lastly thank you to all my family, friends and many supporters your love does not go unnoticed. Thanks for not clipping me wings but motivating me to soar even higher.

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Other: All the BJs Books are available on Amazon just type in Tammy Terrell Kennard or find me on Facebook to order your autographed copy and get a free BJs Bookmarker.

Image Credits
Joseph Braxton of JBshotya
Natosha A Harris of A Mouthful Publishing
Bread of Life International Worship Center R.I
BJs Enterprises