The Wonderful World of Wanda

Wanda McKiver (pronounced McKeever) was born on February 9, 1970. She began writing almost as soon as she was able to hold a pencil. Her love for the literary world opened as early as first grade, when she was asked to participate in a read-a-thon for the school. Ms. McKiver is a fan of live theatre and produced her first community theatre piece October 6, 2007. She realized that she could contribute positive images of the African American community and quickly began production of her second. Wanda is a mother of five children, who has inherited her desire to change the world through art and is doing so through singing, acting, instruments as well as writing. Ms. McKiver has made a significant impact upon the arrival of her first novel entitled, The Black Rose Diaries. This 334 page turner created conversations about life and turmoil in the world of three African American women, all of which ended in suicide, a topic rarely discussed in this community. Readers were stunned to realize their best friends, family members, even themselves could easily be taken from such a devastating act. Ms. McKiver held small group conversations, gaining her the trust and love of her peers who otherwise felt left alone. She further touched the lives of the fans of The Black Rose Diaries as well as another fan base when she released her second novel, entitled Beautiful. This, a tale of two sisters at war with a neglectful mother, a drunken uncle and a stepfather who had the hardest time being anything other than a child molester. As with The Black Rose Diaries, Ms. McKiver held discussions about the topic of incest and child molestation within the African American community, since it is perceived to be handled differently than any other race. Wanda continues to as she says it, "walk against the grain" in a quest to make a difference.