Meet Linda Holloway | College Professor, Muti-Award Winning Children Book Author, StoryActivitst, and Self-Proclaim Spoken Word Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Holloway and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Linda, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I believe risk-taking is a natural and necessary part of life. Initially, taking risks can feel challenging and frightening. However, once you begin to exercise your “risk-taking muscle,” you start to build stamina and confidence. Over time, you become more comfortable looking risk squarely in the face and saying—boldly—even if your teeth are chattering, your knees are knocking, your palms are sweating, and your stomach feels a bit woozy: I have risk-taking credibility. I am ready to face life head-on.

Risk-taking has played a pivotal role in both my life and my career. I grew up in a small rural community in the Mississippi Delta, raised on a farm by parents who were not afforded the opportunity to complete high school. Despite this, they instilled in their children the importance of education. I took that lesson to heart, and that was the beginning of my journey into stepping out and taking risks.

As a first-generation college student, I had no real understanding of what college life would be like—only a strong desire to earn my degree. After obtaining my Bachelor of Science in Psychology, I went on to earn a Master of Science, a Doctorate of Education, and complete post-doctoral studies. Along the way, I took additional risks, including becoming an ROTC cadet. I later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve Medical Service Corps, where I served for over 27 years and retired as a Colonel.
During my military career, I successfully completed four combat tours. Yes, there were significant risks involved—but by then, risk-taking was no stranger to me, and I was no stranger to risk-taking.

For me, risk-taking—no matter how big or small—has strengthened my faith. It gives me the courage to step outside of my comfort zone and accomplish things I once thought were impossible. For example, I had never written a book and had little understanding of what it truly meant to do so. Yet I took the risk—and became not only a children’s book author, but a multi-award-winning children’s book author.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a counselor educator, multi-award-winning children’s book author, self-proclaimed spoken word artist, and a retired Colonel in the United States Army Reserve Medical Service Corps. I bring over 33 years of experience in academia and more than 27 years of military service. While my passion projects began as children’s books and spoken word, they have grown into meaningful platforms for impact.

Over the past several years, my work has focused on serving underprivileged, underserved, and marginalized communities—particularly in the areas of literacy and social-emotional learning. One of my signature initiatives is the Anti-Hair Bully Campaign, also known as the “I Love My Hair” Campaign. Through this project, I speak with third-grade students about appreciating and celebrating their own hair, as well as respecting the hair and identities of others. Each participating child receives a free, signed copy of my book, I Love My Happy Hair.
This initiative has been warmly received not only in my local community, but across the United States and as far away as South Africa. I am most proud of the positive impact this work has had on children—encouraging literacy, self-worth, and values rooted in kindness and respect.

My journey has not been without twists and turns. What has sustained me most has been my faith in God and the strength of a supportive community. I have learned to view challenges not as losses, but as lessons. When setbacks occur, I intentionally ask myself, What can I learn from this? I then take that knowledge and put it into action, moving forward with purpose.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, I would first want to know what she enjoys most. I have a deep love for history, movies, dining out, meaningful conversation, and simply relaxing—and she knows that about me.
I would give her a list of local museums and let her choose:

• Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
• The Legacy Museum
• Museum of Alabama
• Hank Williams Museum
• Montgomery Interpretive Center
• National Memorial for Peace and Justice
• Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum
• Freedom Rides Museum
• Civil Rights Memorial
• Dexter Parsonage Museum
• First White House of the Confederacy
• The Mother of Gynecology Museum

We would enjoy a picnic at the Montgomery Riverwalk, breakfast at First Watch, lunch at Martin’s Restaurant, and dinner at Martha’s Place. One day would be dedicated to visiting the beautiful campus of Alabama State University. We’d catch a good movie, spend a day doing absolutely nothing but talking and catching up, and of course—attend church on Sunday.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a heartfelt shoutout to my beloved parents, who instilled in me invaluable pearls of wisdom and believed in me even when I doubted myself. I am deeply grateful to my family and close friends for their unwavering support.

I want to honor my mentor, Dr. Bettye Fletcher, who inspired me to never give up—even when circumstances felt unbearable. I am also thankful for the many pastors who have preached healing sermons and poured into my soul.

Lastly—but certainly not least—I want to recognize Dr. April Berry. She embodies what it truly means to be a friend, mentor, prayer warrior, and steadfast supporter. She has encouraged me, cheered me on, believed in me, cried with me, and stood beside me through both triumphs and trials. From the mountaintop, I say: I love you dearly. I am forever grateful for her unwavering support throughout this journey.

And yes—I also want to thank the naysayers. Had it not been for them, I may not have taken many of the risks that ultimately shaped my life.

I would be incredibly remiss if I did not shout out myself -Dr. Linda J. M. Holloway for believing in me, betting on me, and never giving up on my God ordain dreams.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linda.holloway.18041092/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKdg4oNvmTeSccK7Jl8Xvsw

Other: Email: lindahollowayspeak@gmail.com

Amazon Author Page:

Image Credits
Nick Jackson Photography

Casandra Lewis Photography