Nyangira, Jeannine R. 1973–

PERSONAL: Born January 20, 1973, in Nairobi, Kenya; U.S. citizen; daughter of Nicholas (a university lecturer) and Diana (a career counselor; maiden name, Graham) Nyangira. Ethnicity: "African-American." Education: Wheaton College, B.A., 1995; University of Nebraska, Lincoln, M.A., 2001. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Reading, mentoring, improving her Kiswahili skills.

ADDRESSES: Office—My Heart Yours Publishing, P.O. Box 4975, Wheaton, IL 60187. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Writer. Doane College, Crete, NE, instructor in English, 2000–04; My Heart Yours Publishing, Wheaton, IL, cofounder and editor.

AWARDS, HONORS: Ally/Advocate Award for exemplary teaching, 2004; award from Doane College, 2004, for advocacy of students of color.

WRITINGS:

(Editor and contributor) Tanya Davis, May I Please Speak with My Father?: An Interactive Journal on Reconnecting with Our Heavenly Father, My Heart Yours Publishing (Wheaton, IL), 2004.

(Editor) Rose Hayes, Garments of Angels, My Heart Yours Publishing (Wheaton, IL), 2005.

(Coeditor) I Just Don't Want to Bring Shame to My Daddy's Name, My Heart Yours Publishing (Wheaton, IL), 2005.

Contributor to books, including The Subject Is Story, edited by Bishop and Ostrom, Heinemann, 2003. Contributor to periodicals, including Front Porch.

SIDELIGHTS: Jeannine R. Nyangira told CA: "Although I've been trained to write academically, my greatest joy comes from exploring where accessible language and human experience intersect. Sure, I like my readers to admire my craft, but it's more important that they walk away from my writing with a curious hum in their heads that wasn't quite there before. That hum makes them pause and consider something that is bigger than themselves.

"Writers who have influenced me spiritually include Frederick Buechner, C.S. Lewis, Philip Yancey, and Lewis Smedes. I can't imagine my life without them. Other writers who have contributed to my overall writing 'vibe' include Chaim Potok, Ralph Ellison, Alice Walker, and Danzy Senna."