Without the woman, the nation falls.

Many scholars have fancy-worded the truths about women being the leaders of any nation; any group of people, more specifically, the African-American community.

She addresses our needs, and is the first teacher of a child.

Women are important, and so is the work of Keesha McMillian, who over a period of 10 years has written books for African -American children and adolescents, which helps them to conceptualize their purpose and existence in America.

Her first book, "Who Am I: A Drug Prevention and Cultural Awareness Activity Workbook for Children Ages 5-12," deals specifically with values of African-American families, and effective prevention strategies within the community.

What is her inspiration? Why does she care? These were questions I asked the 39-year-old licensed social worker when she visited the Call and Post last Thursday. Her calm and peaceful demeanor encouraged me to talk longer than usual about her inspiration, past and present as it represents her work as woman, slowly guiding minds of African-American youths.

It all started when she worked as a prevention director in East Cleveland, at that that time – 1992 – one of the lowest poverty-stricken areas in the country. “My inspiration came from working in the schools,” said McMillian.  “We provided a curriculum called B.A.B.E.S. – beginning addiction basic education studies – which used puppets to get messages across to children. There were five components and each puppet [was] a different animal that told their own stories. It was crucial to me that that we represented a sense of unity, we were respected, and through our program you saw love and affection; you saw respect and concern.”

Writing books to reflect the same respect, love and concern she saw in the eyes of children in East Cleveland moved McMillian forward to write a second book, “Who Am I; Book II” which examined issues concerning racism, sex, gangs, homelessness, death and drugs.

Furthermore, McMillian provided worksheets that taught children how to build reading, writing, English, math and history skills. The book was written using colloquial English to better relate to children.

“I’m coming from a perspective of talking to kids in a way in which they can connect and understand,” she said. “I don’t know much about the Ebonics issue ... if it's all slang, or what they state as broken English. I use comments and phrases in which they can understand, and it's not broken English, there are just phrases like 'don't put all your eggs in one basket'... we know what that means, and why we were taught that."

As a woman taking full charge of her life, McMillian earned a bachelor's degree from Cheyney State University and earned a master's degree in education at Cleveland State University. She is presently a family and children's therapist at the Center for Families and Children Rap Art Center in Cleveland Heights. Collectively she has written seven books, including one co-authored by her mother about Kwanzaa that will be released this fall.

Surprisingly, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native said that she did not set out to write children's books. "I had no inclination that I would be doing anything like this," she said. But she is, and she has received recognition for her work from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health, when they presented her with an award for outstanding children publications in 1992 and 1996.

McMillian starts "Who Am I: Book II" with a story about Jaamal Imani, a boy who must confront gossip about his sister and her dealings with a boy suspected of having AIDS. Jaamal must learn how to be responsible, and above all else  reason with his sister and those gossiping about her assumed promiscuity.

Throughout the book the Nguzu Saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa, are implemented in helping adolescents understand their responsibility while remaining culturally aware and proud of their history.

When dealing with issues such as racism, McMillian tackled one city reputed to display consistent incidents of blatant prejudice: Parma. "I told the actual story of police brutality as it confronted the character," she said. "My stories have generally been short and to the point."

Each book sells for only $10, but McMillian says the biggest challenge so far has been marketing her books. "I have to be the writer, the marketer and the presenter," she said. "[But] I feel like [writing books] is my calling. You have to believe that the Lord is going to make a way for you to do all the things that he's entrusted in you to do."

Despite the challenges that McMillian inevitably must face as a leader of a rising nation of young minds, she refuses to give up on the potential she sees in children from urban areas. Her ability and will to help children, she says, is her mission from the divine spirit, and McMillian says that she only envisions herself serving her community in the future.

"I will write more books, and work with children in some [other] form or fashion," said McMillian.

Keesha McMillian is truly the manifestation of a strong Black woman.

Photos of Keesha McMillian by Eric Benson,