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2021: Conquering the Hell Chapters draws on artist and poet Annie Ruth’s real-life challenges to help readers face pain, fear, insecurity and broken relationships with faith, love and perseverance. Short, accessible chapters explore familiar “hell phrases,” followed by “In the Spirit” reflections that offer scripture and practical spiritual self-care. Annie Ruth invites readers to move toward healing, embrace their purpose and grow through life’s hardest chapters.
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2020: Reflection: A Collection of Straight Talk & Inspirational Narratives (Re-print of the original book published in 1999) is the closest work that the author has written to an autobiography. Much of the work is based on her life, however names were changed to keep many of the characters anonymous. The central figure in the book is Tammy Coleman Black. Annie Ruth derived the name from a childhood nickname, her mother's maiden name and the fight that she always face in life as a Black woman.
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2019: This is Your Season a 5.5 x 8.5 (re-print) chapbook of the popular mini-book written by Annie Ruth, as a personal devotional, in 1999 to encourage believers in their spiritual walk. The book was dedicated to two late pastors of Annie Ruth-- Superintendent Thomas E. Hammonds, Friendly Church of God in Christ- Oceanside, California and Elder James H. Quick, Sr. - Good News Church of God in Christ, Cincinnati, Ohio. These leaders help to establish a strong foundation for Annie Ruth's faith and community service. The book affirms that whatever season a person is in, there must be The Word, Prayer, Praise and Worship.
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2011: Dare2Dream CD (A Ruth Creations/ASCAP)- Words and Music by Annie Ruth, in collaboration with Smoove of Urban Dynasty Entertainment. - A CD project by Annie Ruth in collaboration with Urban Dynasty Entertainment. The project adds an audio dimension to her creative work as an artist, poet and author. Its title offers a bold invitation to imagine possibilities and dare to pursue them.
2007: Conversations With a Sisterfriend was a compilation of writings that teen girls could relate to. Annie Ruth collected all of her works that dealt with sensitive subject matters and used them to create a touring author visit to classrooms and centers across the country. She also recorded a limited audio version of the book. The book, which was dedicated to the author's daughter was compiled because she felt that young girls in the community needed to hear the stories of women who have overcome trials in their lives. |
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2006: The Making of a Sista Friend was the volume of poetry that shared affirmations of sisterhood, written in poetry and prose and many in a call-and-response format. It poured out from Annie Ruth's bowels like living water. The words were life-affirming and spiritually insightful. Her introduction read, "We will never be able to effectively help others until we can simply learn how to be real. Being real doesn't mean telling everybody everything about our lives but it does mean sharing what God places on our hearts to share; We've got to share it the way God says share it..."
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2002: Soul of a Sister CD- (A Ruth Creations/ASCAP - Words & music by Annie Ruth, Arrangements by Maurice David Crutcher and Patrick Piper)-- Annie Ruth released her first CD promoting universal sisterhood. Her song "My Sista, My Friend", which debuted on this CD, is still a favorite and is shared around the world-- promoting sisterhood and unity globally.
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1999: Reflection: A Collection of Straight Talk & Inspirational Narratives was the closest work that the author has written to an autobiography. Much of the work as based on her life, however names were changed to keep many of the characters anonymous. The central figure in the book was Tammy Coleman Black. Annie Ruth derived the name from a childhood nickname, her mother's maiden name and the fight that she always face in life as a Black woman.
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1999: He's Got Yo' Back the second pocket-sized inspirational book that was inspired by a dream given to Annie Ruth to address issues of spiritual warfare she experienced. Psalm 34:7 "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them". was the inspiration for the cover. This particular volume was dedicated to the Spirited Sisters at Good News Church of God in Christ-- The Intercessors-- Prayer Warriors, who daily sought the Lord on behalf of others.
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1999: This is Your Season a pocket-sized inspirational book written to encourage believers in their spiritual walk. The book was dedicated to the late Pastor Elder James H. Quick, Sr. who was Ruth's Pastor at the Good News Church of God in Christ. She stated, ..."I am most grateful for the example of holiness and humility." Her book affirms that whatever season a person is in, there must be The Word, Prayer, Praise and Worship.
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1996: Embracing Charity was a 104-page volume of poetry where the author addressed topics that were, as she described, "in your face". Her poems "I Ain't cha Nigga" and "No! You're Not (A Bitch)" stirred up some attention in the Christian community. But that didn't stop Annie Ruth from moving forward with her non-traditional writing style and topics. The volume was broken into section that covered esteem, relations, spirituality, sisterhood, heritage, and life in general.
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1991: Songs from the Heart of a Black Woman was published in a unique way. The author garnered sponsors so that she could distribute the book free to teens attending the National Council of Negro Women's National Black Family Reunion Celebration in Cincinnati, Ohio. The book was a compilation of poetry and prose. One chapter that the author is particularly proud of was titled, "The Inspiring Life of Araminta" (Harriet Ross Tubman's birth name long before it was popularly shared). Harriet Tubman's life has always inspired Annie Ruth and she would often portray Tubman in character re-enactments when visiting nursing homes.
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1989: Annie Ruth's Between You and Me: Poetry for... was written as a conversation with the poet, who was finally embracing the realness of her poetic voice. This was the year that her first and middle names "Annie Ruth" became her pen name. Her signature poem "A Black Woman, Nothing Else", "Ghetto Woman" and "Uncle Johnny" also appeared in this volume. The poems dealt with self-acceptance and self-love. These poems are still in demand today-- over 30 years later.
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1986: Sing Out: For the Reader who loves to explore life, was Annie Ruth's second volume. It shared all of the poems from the first chapbook with poems that affirmed her self-worth and cultural awareness. The author, who is also a visual artist, filled many of the pages with reproduction of her charcoal and pencil sketches.
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1984: I Am Aware was Annie Ruth's first 16-page chapbook of poetry. She designed the book using skills that she had acquired in her Commercial Art Class. Using skills that she acquired from her time in the Girl Scouts, she sold the chapbooks door to door and used the proceeds to award a scholarship to a young girl two years her junior. (Computers were not prevalent during those days-- the book was created using a manual typewriter and burnished type fonts). Annie Ruth, who was newly married, listed all of her names on the book cover.
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Children's books & CD's
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2023: I Am Enough (Author & Illustrator)- Every child deserves to know that greatness lives within them. In I Am Enough, artist and author Annie Ruth encourages young readers to embrace their self-worth while learning about Black history greats across generations. By connecting children with this rich legacy, the book celebrates those who came before them and the potential they carry within themselves. Its uplifting message reminds readers of all ages to believe in their own possibilities and boldly affirm: “I am enough.”
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2014: Annie Ruth's My Daddy Reads Literacy Impact Video was produced by Eye of the Artists Foundation and is the brainchild of Annie Ruth. It is a national campaign. Video production by Tracy L. Wilson- Pineapple Row media. One thousand videos were distributed to schools, organizations and centers throughout Cincinnati and the video is made available via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJn6XNLuVpM (Special thanks to Courtis Fuller, WLWT Channel 5- NBC and a host of community fathers for their participation).
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2013 My Daddy Reads CD (Vocal music performance by Annie Ruth with daughter Teniah) to promote fathers reading to their children. The song spurred the My Daddy Reads Literacy Campaign. A video was created to continue encourage fathers to red to the children and promote positive engagement. The music was produced by Annie Ruth's son, Cameron Napier.
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2007: Dada Means Sister (Author & Illustrator)- Designed to teach principles of leadership and community engagement for young girls. The book follows the story of a little girl named Nia (which means purpose) and her dog Jezebella. Nia is a Sister Scout and learns valuable lessons about giving back to the community.
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2003: What's the Word? READ CD - (A Ruth Creations/ASCAP - Words & music by Annie Ruth, Arrangements by Maurice David Crutcher)--Original children's songs and rap. Sharon M. Draper licensed her use of "The Reader's Rap". Annie Ruth utilized her infectious energy to keep young audiences excited about reading and learning-- you can even find adults jamming to the tunes too!
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1998: No! Not on the Pews was Annie Ruth's first children's book published, which she actually wrote in 1987 while working on her Bachelor's degree at National University in Vista, California. She published the book as a Children's Church etiquette tool to help children take a personal interest in keeping the household of faith cared for.
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1998: Little Angels Coloring and Holiday Activity Book: The Special Gift (Author & Illustrator). This book helped Annie Ruth to develop her artistic style, which would later appear in paintings and art geared to children. She call the style "direct innocence", using bold primary and secondary colors. The art on No! Not on the Pews, Little Angels and Embracing Charity (her volume of poetry) were scanned from Annie Ruth's line drawings and colored filled on computer.
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Published Curricula and Educational Resources
Since 2005, Annie Ruth has created more than 28 curricula and educational resources that bring her original artwork, poetry and storytelling into learning experiences for children, teens and adults. Her work includes curriculum sets, educational games, posters, art cards, literacy passports and traveling banner exhibits that invite people to read, write, create and share their stories. Through collections such as What’s the Word? READ, On Her Shoulders and Dada Rafiki, she connects literacy, history, culture and self-expression, giving educators and community leaders meaningful ways to engage learners and celebrate the creativity within them.