Kendra Norman-Bellamy facts for kids

Kendra Norman (born December 17, 1966) is an African-American writer. She writes Christian fiction and non-fiction Christian literature. Her novels are well-known and liked for their positive male characters. They also combine romantic stories with exciting suspense.

About Kendra Norman

Kendra Norman was born in West Palm Beach, Florida. She grew up mostly in southern Georgia. She finished high school at Brooks County High School in Quitman, Georgia.

Kendra and her husband, Michael Holmes, have a family with two daughters and one son. Kendra's first husband, Jimmy, passed away. After his death, Kendra started writing to help with her sadness.

Kendra's Journey to Writing

Kendra wrote her first poem when she was in elementary school. But she truly found her talent for writing in 1999. This was when she started keeping a journal after her husband Jimmy's death. Soon after, she wrote her first story, For Love & Grace. It was published in 2002.

While working during the day, Kendra also went to college. She studied Information Office Technology at Valdosta Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia. She graduated in 1997 and was honored for her studies. She received a computer as a graduation gift.

Many things happened in Kendra's life after Jimmy passed away. She wrote about her real-life experiences in two non-fiction books. These books are I Shall Not Die and The Path From Pain to Purpose. Both books have received great reviews.

Kendra later found love again and married Michael in 2014. In 2017, Kendra and Michael wrote a book together. It was a 31-day devotional about relationships called Cross-Fire. This was Kendra's twenty-second book and Michael's first. Readers have really enjoyed this book. In 2019, Kendra earned a Doctor of Divinity degree. She received it from St. Thomas Christian University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Kendra has appeared on several TV shows. These include Atlanta LIVE and BET's Lift Every Voice. She is also a member of Iota Phi Lambda and Lambda Kappa Mu sororities. Kendra is an ordained minister. She serves as the senior pastor of Deliverance Revival Church in Central Georgia.

Before 2013, Kendra wrote under the name Kendra Norman-Bellamy. Since then, she has officially written as Kendra Norman.

Kendra's Career and Businesses

Besides writing her own books, Kendra also helps other writers. She is the founder and Creative Director of Royalty Publications LLC. This company helps new writers publish their Christian-based books and poetry.

Kendra also created The I.S.L.A.N.D. Movement. This is a motivational ministry. The name "I.S.L.A.N.D." stands for "I Shall Live And Not Die." She is also the creator and host of The W.A.R. Cry. This is a gospel radio show that plays every weekend on Highest Praise Radio.

Her first novel, For Love & Grace, was self-published in 2002. It was later re-released in 2004 by BET Books. Kendra became a national bestseller with her third book, Crossing Jhordan's River. This book reached #1 on Essence magazine's bestsellers list in May 2005.

Most of her books have been published by three large companies. These are Moody Publishers, Kimani Press, and Urban Books.

In 2020, Kendra made history. She became the first African American to be the Managing Editor for Houston Home Journal newspaper. This newspaper has been around for 150 years. In 2022, she left her corporate job. She then created her own faith-based digital newspaper called The Royal Trumpet. Its goal is to share inspiration, motivation, education, and the good news of Jesus Christ worldwide.

Awards and Recognitions

Kendra Norman has received many awards for her writing:

• 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
• 2013: Georgia Excellence Award (Royalty Publications), Small Business Institute for Excellence in Commerce
• 2014: Trailblazer Award, I Inspire To Write Author Explosion
• 2022: Heritage Award, Jubilee of Reading 20th Anniversary Conference