Author Bertice Berry carries such a beautiful spirit with her and it shows through her fun-filled, soul-stirring, and life inspired books and keynote speaking engagements. "Growing up poor in Wilmington, Delaware, and being the sixth of seven children, Bertice was told by a high school teacher that she was "not college material"." Furthest from the truth, Bertice strived as a student at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville Florida, graduating magna cum laude, then heading on to earn her Ph.D. in sociology from Kent State University at the age of 26. Dr. Berry taught sociology and statistics at Kent, and demonstrated that she knew a few things about humor, as well. She became one of the most popular teachers at the university; so popular, in fact, larger lecture halls had to be found to accommodate the ever-increasing number of students. "A colleague said to me, 'You're funny,' and I said, 'No I'm not, I'm a scholar,'" recounts Dr. Berry. It was then that she realized by using humor in her lectures to address such difficult subjects as racisms and sexism she was making a more profound impact.

She was the host and co-executive producer of her own nationally syndicated talk show, "The Bertice Berry Show," and hosted "USA Live," a four-hour live interview and entertainment show on the USA Cable Network. She's been featured on numerous other television programs, including appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," and "BET Live" with Tavis Smiley. She is the best-selling author of an inspirational memoir, I'm On My Way, But Your Foot Is On My Head, and the hilarious bestsellers Sckraight From the Ghetto, You Might Be Ghetto If. Her first work of fiction, Redemption Song, published by Double Day in 2000, is also a Best Seller and has been praised by critics for it's ability to entertain, inspire and educate. Berry followed Redemption Song, with another bestseller, The Haunting of Hip Hop and took her readers on a journey to the other side.

In August 2002, she released her most passionate work ever with Jim & Louella Homemade Heart-fix Remedy, a funny and engaging story all about how main characters Jim & Louella get the spark back again, a truly tantalizing and humurous story, yet a spiritual tale that is sure to open more than your eyes, allowing you to see why the spiritual side of sex is most important than its lust and habitual components.

Dr. Bertice Berry speaks with us about Life, the importance of Humor, Sisterhood, and Inner Peace.

ymib: You use a lot of humor throughout your lectures, and books, what is the importance of laughter in our lives, and why do you think that many listen closer/better when it is put in a humorous setting?

Bertice: Humor is a very powerful tool. I also see it as an emotion. studies show that if you touch a person's emotions while you are teaching them, they are more likely to listen, learn and change. I also love the idea and power of laughing through the pain. Alice Walker once said "There is a point at which even grief becomes absurd, at that point, laughter gushes up to retrieve the sanity". Laughter heals.

"I am where I am right now. I will soak up the life and spirit of that moment, use my late nights for long-term planning, my early mornings to feed my spirit, and my day to live. There are plenty more hours in the day than we actually use. If we remove the negative things, we will have double the time for the positive." - Bertice Berry

ymib: What things do oyu do daily/routinely to fulfill inner peace within your soul?

Bertice: Right now I am sitting in a gazebo on a dock listening to birds, music from Senegal, fish jumping and the sound of stillness. I am fortunate because I am also at home.

Peace comes from selfless acts of love. Through giving, I have learned peace. When we detach ourselves from our need to be better, smarter, prettier, richer, and all the other ego driven beliefs, we find peace. Peace does not just happen. We must work for peace and seek it. Each day I strive to be kind, to serve, to appreciate life and all that it offers, to meditate, pray, laugh, learn something new, and to be still. I seek the wisdom of the elders and the smiles of children. Hug often, love deeply and read. Peace is a gift we must actively seek. When a person seeks peace through purpose, the universe conspires to make it happen.

Bertice: Thank you for the question. I love the essence of sisterhood. It goes beyond blood relations and into the spirit of love. Sisterhood implies an understanding that we are connected; that the pains and progress of other women belong to me also. When my sisters succeed, I rejoice, and when they hurt, I seek ways to comfort. I am blessed/fortunate to have an extensive network of sisters. It grows larger everyday.

I witnessed a beautiful example of sisterhood in South Africa. While there, I bought a coat that I would not need when I got back home. There was a group of women at the market and I decided to share it with one of them. My travel group was leaving, so I had to quickly decide who to give it to. I saw one woman who seemed much older than the rest. She was tightly wrapped in a blanket and looked rather cold. I gave her the coat and thanked her for helping me since I had too much to carry. Tears streamed from her eyes to my face as she hugged me tightly. Then beauty became joy. The other women saw her in the new coat and gathered around singing and clapping for her. They all hugged and thanked me for giving their sister a coat. They knew that if she was better, they were better. How I wish this understanding can spread throughout the earth.

ymib: Bernita Brown, the main character of your latest book: “When Love Calls, You Better Answer”, seems to initially keep bad men around her...from your point of view, what advice would you give to a woman about the following 3 things:

Love: Heals, nurtures corrects, but never hurts. Think of it as something you give rather than something you get. For if a person gives love, they receive even more of it.

Men: Are taught by women. If we want better, we must teach better.

Sex: A gift from the Creator, that when performed in love enables us to merge spirit with flesh and be one with God.

ymib: Where do you enjoy writing and creating your stories the most...any favorite creative spots?

Bertice: I write am constantly writing. I formulate ideas throughout the day, but I sit to write them down only when the time is right. When I start a project, I need to go away from home so as not to be distracted. Everything distracts when you focus too hard. I love to be near water and in places that offer restoration.

"I feel that we have to make family wherever we are. Much of our present-day pain can be found in our ancestry. What you don’t know is already hurting you." -Bertice Berry

ymib: What do you think is one of the most crucial sociological issues facing the African-American community today?

Bertice: Education, education, education. We must evolve through learning and reconnecting with our past. The more we learn, the greater the opportunities. The beauty of learning is that even in today's society, we must seek every available opportunity to be educated and to help educate others. Just as our ancestors did, we must learn all that we can every way that we can. When we do, we must share knowledge and wisdom with the others. We were scattered to change the world, not to be like it.

ymib: How did you come about Savannah, GA as your home?

Bertice: All things work together. I came here when I got married. Less than a year later, I was divorced. I had left a wonderful home and community of friends in San Diego, but I believe with all my heart, that I was meant to be here. For me, all things work together.

ymib: What is the most important thing you have learned about life thus far?

Bertice: WOW. In the past year, I have endured a great deal of pain and loss. Through this, I have learned to be still, to breathe, laugh and to sing. I have also learned that love never leaves.

ymib: What are some of your current/future projects that you would like to achieve?

Bertice: I am working on my next book. It traces and connects the lives of my ancestors to those who owned the plantation they lived on. It turns out that my ancestors lived on a plantation owned my abolitionist. The book is called, All Things Work Together, what else.

ymib: Favorite Personal Affirmation or Inspirational quote?

Bertice: I share this idea with the audiences I speak to, "When you walk with purpose, you collide with destiny.

Berry is a prime example of an Author that doesn't just write to entertain, but she is an author that uses her literary gift, her social awareness, and her cultural spirit to make a statement of inspiration to those who read her books. She believes that community involvement is not limited to just "writing a check" and has taken a very active role in supporting organizations that benefit those in need. She has graciously donated all of the royalties from the sales of her books to organizations that help families of terminally ill children, raise funds for orphanages and provide resource information to low-income families. We commend Dr. Bertice Berry for her contributions to literature and for her willingness to keep life in a creative perspective through all that she touches and embraces, and her ability to shed humor and light throughout the toughest of obstacles life may bring our way!