Dr. Christine Johnson

President of Cypress Community College, Orange County, California

Author

Walk The Rainbow: When You Get Tired of Waiting to Exhale

Dr. Johnson's book is partly in response to the cultural stereotypes faced by African American women and the impact this typecasting has in relationship to the Welfare Reform initiative. She is an outspoken critic of the tactics being implemented to end welfare dependency for two reasons. First, the reform methods are not designed to solve problems related to poverty; and second, policymakers are not dealing with the root causes of poverty and dependency. Dr. Johnson suggests creating mentoring and assistance programs that advocate personal and economic empowerment, especially for women with children. Furthermore, to combat dependency, the creation of jobs should be balanced with two critical elements: education opportunities and affordable child-care.

With this in mind, she has written an inspirational textbook and resource guide for women who are making the very difficult transition from being dependent to self-sufficient and independent -- with critical thinking skill to match. She hopes to encourage all women, regardless of their socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds to take control of their lives. Dr. Johnson believes that the will to develop an entrepreneurial-like spirit and aspire to be a successful woman- knows no color line.

Her compelling message encourages women to stop sitting around "waiting to exhale" - by taking care of themselves first, and then helping others. Walk the Rainbow ... is 147 pages of intriguing discussion and at the end offers practical problem solving exercises for those who are Tired of Waiting to Exhale. Dr. Johnson's style is "down home" - you feel like you are sitting across from your mama at the kitchen table in a dialogue as solid as the days are long.

Along with her professional experience, Dr. Johnson draws from her own personal knowledge, as a mature, seasoned African-American woman about how women can and should become their own personal advocates for success. Her rise from being a sharecropper's daughter to a community college president makes her an ideal candidate to discuss the value of personal empowerment.

Since 1995, Dr. Johnson has served as President, CEO and Chief Instructional Officer of Cypress College in Cypress, California. She is currently the first and only African American woman to hold the position of community college president in Orange County, California.

ISBN # 0-9642257-4-3, 147 pages, $12.95

To Order: Send check/mo to Sidomari Publishing, 5267 Warner Ave, Suite 157, Huntington Beach, CA 92649.

Press Manager Traci L. Wilson-Kleekamp, Tel. (562)-433-7228.

E.mail twilson-kleekamp@worldnet.att.net