Kendra Norman-Bellamy
Encyclopedia
Kendra Norman-Bellamy is an African American
writer of Christian fiction and non-fiction Christian literature
. Her novels are known for their positive male lead characters and their combined romantic and suspenseful storylines.
and later became an alumnus of Valdosta Technical College (Valdosta, Georgia
), where she majored in Technology (Information Technology) and was inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society.
In 1988, Kendra married Jimmy Lee Holmes and later gave birth to their two daughters, Brittney LaKendra (b. 1989), who is also a national bestselling author and Crystal Charmaine (b. 1992). Following Jimmy's death in 1995, she married Jonathan Bellamy. Kendra began writing poetry as an elementary school student, but did not recognize her gift as a writer until 1999 when she journaled the lingering heartache of the loss of her first husband. Shortly thereafter, she penned her first fictional manuscript, For Love & Grace, which received rave reviews when it became her freshman published novel in 2002. She has appeared in a number of televised programs including a featured appearance on BET's Lift Every Voice where she was interviewed by the show's creator and former host, Gerard Henry.
Kendra and her family currently reside in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia
. She is a member of Iota Phi Lambda
Sorority, Inc.
Her debut novel, For Love & Grace was self-published in 2002. The book was re-released in 2004 through BET Books. Norman-Bellamy gained national bestseller status when her third release, Crossing Jhordan's River (Moody Publishers/May 2005), peaked at #1 on Essence
magazine's Best Sellers List for paperback fiction.
Currently, her works are produced through three large book publishers: Moody Publishers
(Lift Every Voice imprint), Kimani Press
(New Spirit imprint), and Urban Books
(Urban Christian imprint).
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
writer of Christian fiction and non-fiction Christian literature
Christian literature
Christian Literature is writing that deals with Christian themes and incorporates the Christian world view. This constitutes a huge body of extremely varied writing.-Scripture:...
. Her novels are known for their positive male lead characters and their combined romantic and suspenseful storylines.
Biography
Kendra Norman-Bellamy is a native of West Palm Beach, Florida, but spent most of her formative years in south Georgia. She graduated from Brooks County High School in Quitman, GeorgiaQuitman, Georgia
This article is about the Georgia city. For the county in the same state see Quitman County, Georgia.Quitman is a city in Brooks County, Georgia, United States. The population was 4,638 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Brooks County....
and later became an alumnus of Valdosta Technical College (Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta is the county seat of Lowndes County, Georgia, United States. It is the principal city of the Valdosta Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of 54,518. The Valdosta metropolitan area, according to the 2010 estimate, has a population of 139,588...
), where she majored in Technology (Information Technology) and was inducted into the National Vocational Technical Honor Society.
In 1988, Kendra married Jimmy Lee Holmes and later gave birth to their two daughters, Brittney LaKendra (b. 1989), who is also a national bestselling author and Crystal Charmaine (b. 1992). Following Jimmy's death in 1995, she married Jonathan Bellamy. Kendra began writing poetry as an elementary school student, but did not recognize her gift as a writer until 1999 when she journaled the lingering heartache of the loss of her first husband. Shortly thereafter, she penned her first fictional manuscript, For Love & Grace, which received rave reviews when it became her freshman published novel in 2002. She has appeared in a number of televised programs including a featured appearance on BET's Lift Every Voice where she was interviewed by the show's creator and former host, Gerard Henry.
Kendra and her family currently reside in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. She is a member of Iota Phi Lambda
Iota Phi Lambda
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. is the first African American Greek-lettered business sorority established by African American business women. There are now more than 100 chapters with membership numbering more than 5,000 in 85 cities and the US Virgin Islands...
Sorority, Inc.
Career
In addition to her own writing, Kendra is the founder and president of KNB Publications LLC, an independent self-publishing house that produces the works of up and coming writers of Christian based fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. She is also the founder and organizer of Cruisin' For Christ, an annual Caribbean cruise that celebrates Christian artists and artistries and the visionary of The I.S.L.A.N.D. Movement, a motivational ministry whose name is an acronym for "I Shall Live And Not Die."Her debut novel, For Love & Grace was self-published in 2002. The book was re-released in 2004 through BET Books. Norman-Bellamy gained national bestseller status when her third release, Crossing Jhordan's River (Moody Publishers/May 2005), peaked at #1 on Essence
Essence (magazine)
Essence is a monthly magazine for African-American women between the ages of 18 and 49. The magazine covers fashion, lifestyle and beauty with an intimate girlfriend-to-girlfriend tone.-History:...
magazine's Best Sellers List for paperback fiction.
Currently, her works are produced through three large book publishers: Moody Publishers
Moody Publishers
Moody Publishers is a Christian publishing company that is focused on proclaiming the gospel message through its products. This vision is clearly stated within the company's mission statement...
(Lift Every Voice imprint), Kimani Press
Kimani Press
Kimani Press was formed by Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd. in December 2005, with the purchase of the Arabesque, Sepia and New Spirit Imprints from BET Books. Arabesque is the first line of original African-American romance novels from a major publishing house, and will publish two single-titles each...
(New Spirit imprint), and Urban Books
Urban Books
Urban Books is a book publisher specializing in African-American topics, founded and published by Carl Weber in 2002.-Imprints:* Urban Soul Urban Books is a book publisher specializing in African-American topics, founded and published by Carl Weber in 2002.-Imprints:* Urban Soul Urban Books is a...
(Urban Christian imprint).
Awards
- 2004: Best BET Romance of the Year, Shades of Romance Magazine
- 2004: Best Multi-cultural Christian Fiction Author, Shades of Romance Magazine
- 2004: Best Multi-cultural Christian Romance, Shades of Romance Magazine
- 2005: Best Christian Author, Memphis Black Writer's Conference
- 2006: African American Literary Award for Best Christian Fiction
- 2007: African American Literary Award for Best Romance
- 2008: African American Literary Award for Best Anthology
- 2008: African American Literary Award for Best Christian Fiction
- 2009: Best Anthology of the Decade, EDC Creations