Author hopes book inspires meaningful conversations
Edmund Moore has used his unique life experience to help others.
Moore, a former engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, is heavily involved in the Dayton community. Currently, he serves on the board of Parity Inc., a nonprofit organization seeking to “serve and advocate for social and economic equity within the African American community” in Dayton, and on the finance committee of the Dayton Foundation. He is also a member of Omega Baptist Church, where he teaches Sunday school and mentors young people.
Back in 1995, Moore was one of the thousands of Black men who attended the Million Man March in Washington, D.C. The event was organized to show a different image of the Black male than the one often portrayed at that time.
“The Million Man March stressed the importance of a collective community and taking care of yourself and your family — to educate yourself and build yourself up,” Moore said. “One of the first things I did after the march was purchase a computer. I started working on myself even more and in my community.”
Ultimately, Moore’s work on himself and within his community has made it possible for him to write his second book.
Published earlier this year, “Village Wisdom for Our Youth” was originally written to use an incentive to get others to support a fundraiser organized by Parity Inc. In the book, Moore and other local contributors offer wisdom to Black youth through discussions about relationships, careers, financial health, faith in God, community and civic engagement, personal development and common sense.
Aside from handing down important wisdom, Moore hopes this book can encourage young Black people to pass on important details about their experiences to
future generations.
“I was hoping the book would inspire meaningful conversations about family history, life skills and some of the common problems that we individually have within the community,” he said. “One of the things that came to light, especially during this time, has been the Tulsa massacre and how the oral history was critical in shedding light on that turn of events. What can we do to get the youth and elders talking?”
The most surprising bit of advice he received during the process of writing his book came from young people he mentored at Parity Inc.
“They gave me good feedback about the book and said, ‘Hey, whatever you do, don’t put your face on the back of the book. We don’t want to see that.’” Moore said. “So, one of the things I put on the back of the book was a rendering of the Gem City Market and a photo from the Oregon District shooting.”
In 2020, Moore penned his first book, titled “With a Father’s Love: 52 Weekly Letters to My Beloved Daughters.” The letters featured in the book were written to Moore’s daughters after going through a divorce from their mother and his wife of 15 years. Though the letters were meant only for his daughters, he was eventually encouraged to share these intimate reflections on fatherhood.
“I wanted to let them know how much I love them, and no matter the outcome for us, their mom and dad loved them and was in their corner,” he said. “Some of the topics in the book range from life lessons and finance to faith and God, life skills, stewardship and entrepreneurship.”
“Village Wisdom for Our Youth” and “With a Father’s Love: 52 Weekly Letters to My Beloved Daughters” can both be purchased on Amazon.