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My name is Cheryl Wills and I am an author and television anchor for Time Warner Cable's flagship cable news network called New York 1 News.
2) Tell us about your book? What do readers gain from reading it?
My book is called "Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale." It is about my great-great-great grandfather, Sandy Wills, who was a runaway slave in Haywood County, Tennessee. Sandy joined the United States Colored Troops in 1863 and fought for the Union Army until the end of the Civil War in 1865. Readers gain a wealth of information about that critical era that freed ALL Americans - not just Africans. The institution of slavery was devastating for Africans but also for Whites because they were violating codes of humanity by suppressing the freedom of their fellow human beings. Imagine being the first in your family to uncover such a heroic story in some 150 years.
Readers learn about the Civil War from the perspective of an African soldier based on documents I obtained from the National Archives. Unlike the movie "Glory" which was told through a Harvard-educated officer's perspective, "Die Free" is told from the African American soldier's vantage point. It reveals the heroism of my great-great-great grandfather who rounded up five of his enslaved 'brothers-in-bondage' as I call them. Mack Wills, James Wills, Richard Wills, Dick Wills and Andy Wills (all of whom were 'owned' by Edmund Wills) and I interpret their lives from their responses on their enlistment forms and their pension documents.
And the entire family story is told through the experience of my father, Clarence Wills, a Vietnam-era paratrooper and New York City Fireman who began his life walking the straight and narrow path as a dedicated military man and church deacon and spiraled downward into a womanizing motorcyclist who was killed instantly when he crashed face first into the Williamsburg bridge while surrounded by members of his motorcycle club. This distinguished dead man was a married father with five children ( I was the oldest) - and we were left to fend for ourselves.
3) What led you to write a book of this nature? What was the process like for you in terms of the challenges you had to overcome to get it done and what you learned from the experience?
My father's sudden and tragic death was traumatic for me and our family on multiple levels and his spectacular fall from grace led me to write this book for personal closure and when I learned about Sandy Wills, it became an obligation to share Sandy's heroic story with the world. I firmly believe that had my father known about Sandy's heroism during the Civil War, it would have, at the very least, given my father pause before he threw his life away. And that pertains to African-Americans at large. If we had a clearer picture of how our family members struggled during slavery, it should serve as a springboard for our success. What excuse do we have after learning what our forefathers and foremothers did with *less* than nothing. My great-great-great grandfather fought under a flag that didn't even recognize him as a human being much less a citizen of the United States. How dare I not do my best in a country that my great-great-great grandfather so valiantly served and sacrificed for. That's the principle message of my book.
4) In addition to being an author, you're also an established figure in New York media. Tell us about your storied journalistic career.
I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been presented to me during my 20+ year broadcasting career in the nation's number one media market. I began my career as a production assistant at Fox 5 News in New York where I worked for news legends like Jack Cafferty (before he joined CNN) and many more broadcasters who taught me the ropes. When Time Warner Cable decided to launch a 24 hour news network, I was among the first wave of employees hired in 1992. Prior to the launch of NY1, I signed on as a news writer, was quickly promoted to producer and within a couple of years I achieved my lifelong dream of being a reporter and anchor. As such, I have covered everything from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to moderating televised discussions about the presidency of Barack Obama. I have scored exclusive sit-down interviews with Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, The Central Park Jogger Trisha Meili (which made international headlines) and so much more. I have tried to counter the negative sterotypes of African-Americans in inner cities by presenting positive stories (which don't get much press in other mainstream media). For example, I have done features on ex-cons who try to reform young people BEFORE they end up behind bars. I have featured rappers like Doug E. Fresh, who is reinvesting in his Harlem neighborhood by setting up restaurants and other small businesses. I also do a lot of charity work where I visit inner city schools and show them how they can overcome obstacles. I bring students to our newsroom so they can dream in 'color' - that is they can get a feel for the environment and won't feel like they don't belong.
5) Do you have any advice for other aspiring young journalists and authors when it comes to finding success?
The most important advice I can give aspiring young journalists is to 'stay the course and do not retreat'. Journalism can be tough to break into and sometimes young people make the critical mistake of going into another line of work to 'make money' thinking they will come back. They almost never come back. You have to devote yourself to journalism - and wade through the low paying jobs- to get to the better paying jobs. And most important, learn how to write effectively and tell a story. Many think it's easy to stand in front of a news camera and report - but all that glitters is not gold. It takes a lot of work, practice and skill. Take the time to learn how to research and write a story - don't be in a rush to sit on the anchor desk - it will come in due time.
6) Is there anything else you'd like to share with our AOL Black Voices audience?
I just want to thank AOL Black Voices for this wonderful opportunity. I am a loyal reader and it is an honor to meet the folks who make 'AOL Black Voices' sing! Keep on keepin on!
P.S. My book is called "Die Free" because Frederick Douglass said in 1863 (during his appeal to recruit slaves to fight in the Civil War)
"The day dawns; the morning star is bright upon the horizon! The iron gate of our prison stands half open. One gallant rush from the North will fling it wide open, while four millions of our brothers and sisters shall march out into liberty... He who would be let them strike the blow. Better to DIE FREE than to live slaves."
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and the author of the bookBlack American Money To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. To suggest a subject for a Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight, please click here.