About the Book

Book: The Me I See In You

Author: Angeles Echols

Genre: Coffee Table Inspirational

Release date: November 7, 2022

Take a peek into the eyes of our future…and be encouraged.

The Me I See in You is a testament of the commitment, dedicated educators and caring communities have in changing the trajectory of young lives. In it, you’ll meet graduates with incredible stories and extraordinary outcomes, thanks to the academic, emotional, and social resources provided by EYM and a caring core base of teachers, mentors, family, friends, funders, and the EYM board of directors.

“When asked what I see on the horizon for our youth, I see in my youth the essence of what it is “to be human,” to dream, do the work, to love, and forgive with grace. Through tears, triumphs, disappointments, successes, failures, inequities, biases and racism, I see a world full of hope because our youth with guidance and support will not waiver. They will continue to strive to be and share their best selves with unlimited potential.
I think not only of these former students but each child that has come across my path and the me I see in each of them!” –Angeles Echols

Yvette, a little chocolate beauty who was once teased, but now with an MD and Master’s degree, is a role model for young Black women and girls.
LaShia, who rolled her neck and eyes at me and adamantly told us what she was and was not going to do at EYM… I smiled and asked her mom to leave the room. (What was said in that room, we will never tell)
Todd, who sat at my desk and reviewed EYM’s online programming, discovered flaws, said “Don’t cry, Ms. Echols, I can fix this,” and built EYM’s online interactive platform, Access/No Excuse (ANE).
Adam, who built the teacher, student online tutorial component of (ANE) while attending Cal Tech and teaching at EYM part-time.
Ashley, who gave me a hug and said, “Take my credit card and get what you need for EYM. I will bring my team and design the landscape for EYM.” Shot during a drive-by, she’s forgiving and, refuses to be bitter.
Rob, seeking that street credit as a teen, now a film producer and director, reminds me frequently that EYM saved his life. I then remind him that he saved himself, with God’s grace and the support of his family and village!
Themba, reminds me that the potential of an EYM graduate is without boundaries. Never giving up or giving in, he passed the California State Bar and continued to reach back to help others, producing the first EYM golf tournament!
Suha, a gentle soft spoken EYM graduate, now in Medical School, who became a tutor at EYM and quietly showered me with love and encouragement as an adult.

When you look upon a child whose eyes have already begun to dim due to deferred hope don’t speculate on how long it will take before the light is completely extinguished—find a way to set it ablaze.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Angeles LaRose Patricia Echols was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She graduated from Cornell University, where she earned her B.A. in psychology, with an emphasis in child development and human behavior. While attending Cornell, Angeles discovered a love for the arts and teaching. In Ithaca’s downtown community centers and in the local Baptist church. After much prayer and soul searching, the path was chosen for her. She would become an advocate for children: an educator and mentor, empowering children, parents, and families.

Angeles founded Educating Young Minds Tutorial Program, reaching at-risk children and their families, channeling their energies toward achieving excellence. She accomplished this by linking high expectations with socio-academic improvement, proven teaching and learning strategies and activities for students with varied needs, skills and abilities.

The truest testament to Angeles’ work is the young men and women who graduate from EYM, succeed at college, and then return to their communities as role models and as leaders.

Her new book, “The Me I See In You” highlights some of the students that have graduated from EYM, accomplished many of their academic and professional goals and have come back to support EYM in various ways. You will be encouraged by their stories.

This is not Angeles Echols’ first foray into writing. She is the author of interactive bio- Ray Charles, The Man. The Music, The Legacy (commissioned by the Ray Charles Foundation).

Angeles lives in California with her husband. When she is not running her business or writing, Angeles travels with her husband.

More from Angeles

As an educator, there are days filled with profound rewards. To see the light go on in a student’s eyes when they grasp a concept or make a connection from one end of a logical stream of thoughts to another. Learning.

The hard work of making sure each student receives the right type of stimuli, attention, and motivation is rewarded in many different ways. Sometimes the reward comes in the form of the discovery of a new approach or technique. Other times it comes in seeing the student advance in such a way that the indelible mark they make on society or the world is a reason for celebration.

“The Me I See in You” is a celebration of some of the students that have attended Educating Young Minds, Inc. (EYM), a learning center that utilizes the holistic approach to educating and serving their students and the families of those students.

Now in their adulthood, these former students are teachers, attorneys, doctors, film producers, computer specialists, and social workers, just to name a few, and they are sharing stories on the impact EYM has had on their lives. Each of the twenty-one students also leaves the reader with a few notes of encouragement and advice.

Since this is a coffee table book in its paperback and hardback form, there is a great amount of attention given to the pictures on the covers as well as those placed in the interior.

I believe this is an exceptionally beautiful way to share encouragement and inspiration. I am proud that I was able to celebrate these students in a creative way that draws those that will read everything from cover to cover and those that just wish to scan the writing and look at the attention-grabbing pictures.

Author Interview

• What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your
  book?  

I really enjoy writing and learning from others. When I catch myself avoiding the truth, or not sharing the whole truth, my spirit then says the entire piece is devalued because a piece is missing. So, I must extend myself to people and issues I find painful or insulting as well as those that are joyful and entertaining. Creating this book has taught me that doing this….. does not give my power away, but instead assists in stabilizing it with grace.

• How did you come up with the title for your book?

I had the title before I had the book. I lived it for more than 30 years; seeing a little of myself in each child I taught. I knew what I wanted the book to say, how I wanted it to make people feel and then let them decide how to use it, hopefully to encourage and uplift others. 

The church and community my mom surrounded and protected us with was empowering. They gave me peace, a sense of belonging, extended family and conversations I never had at home. They taught me to believe, dare to dream, do the work and have faith….. Looking in the mirror, I realized I had passed this energy, spirit and attitude to my students in many variations. They now are passing it forward in their own way. 

I saw their potential and they …the alumni…. now see themselves and the potential in others. 

• What’s your favorite writing snack, drink, and/or music? 

Writing Snack…none since I would not be able to think. Food makes me sleepy.

Writing Drink…water or tea

Writing Music…none. I get too emotional, but my favorite music… Gospel
Writing Movie….Optional, but if I must choose, I choose action. I can go in and out with no problem and follow the action, but no blood and guts. Superman, Green lantern. Batman…..etc….is ok

• What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing? 

Listen to your heart and the very first thought.

• Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

One of my most valued comments came from an alumn, she started crying and called the book phenomenal!

A teacher stated, “Look at our beautiful babies who many said would not make it.”
She saw what I saw!

Blog Stops

Lots of Helpers, January 12

Texas Book-aholic, January 13

Blossoms and Blessings, January 14 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, January 14

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 15

Locks, Hooks and Books, January 16

For the Love of Literature, January 17 (Author Interview)

deb’s Book Review, January 18

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, January 19

Cover Lover Book Review, January 20

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, January 21

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 22

Guild Master, January 23 (Author Interview)

For Him and My Family, January 24

Artistic Nobody, January 25 (Author Interview)

Naked and Unashamed, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Angeles is giving away the grand prize package of a $100 Amazon gift card and a hard copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/23a0f/the-me-i-see-in-you-celebration-tour-giveaway