Welcome: About Me

 

Hello and welcome to my blog! 

My name is Avis McCray, and I am near completion of a degree in English with an emphasis in Professional Writing at Grand Canyon University. I have always loved to write–both personally and professionally. Personally, I have tried my hand at writing poetry and short stories. During my middle school years, one of my class assignments in my literature class was to write a book of poems. Writing poetry came so naturally to me. Much to my surprise, I could also draw pictures that were relevant to my poems. My teacher was so impressed with my work that she contacted my parents and told them they should really consider getting my work published. I have never been published, but I certainly have not stopped writing and I have not come away from the idea of getting my work published.

Professionally, I am Director of Advancement at The Briarwood School in Houston, Texas. Here, I am afforded ample opportunities to prospect research and write proposals, appeals, press releases, and create marketing materials to raise funds for this wonderful private school. This is a K-12 private school whose mission is dear to my heart. The Briarwood school serves students with dyslexia and the Tuttle School at Briarwood serves students with autism and other learning differences. As a parent of two special needs sons of my own, I could not be happier than to raise funds and bring awareness to this institution. 

Walk with me through this journey of various cultures as it relates to literature. This blog will explore literature from the Eastern Asian perspective to the West, from Native and African American writings, and to Latin and Jewish cultures. Civil and human rights, dignity, power, choice, love, hate, indifference, and more–each have a story to be told. You will find in my blog that many of the authors write stories about their native country and culture. Others who may have been influenced by their multicultural roots will reveal a blurring of national boundaries. Many forms of literature depict real-life stories, so it should not be a surprise to see writings that cross over several different cultures– especially when those different nationalities have come together to create a family. Although in multicultural literature we find that traditions and customs indicate a resistance from blending certain ethnicities and classes of families together, whenever possible, love and honor do prevail.

I hope you will enjoy my blog and be inspired to read these stories and visit the accompanying links that provide useful information for anyone wanting to further explore the theme in each segment.