WCCO’s Shayla Reaves fulfills dream of publishing MLK book for kids

Mary Ann Grossmann, Pioneer Press
·8 min read
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…he bellows boldly

the Sweet Sound of

anticipation

rolls from

tongue to lips to dance in a distant Echo

— from “Echo in the Distance”

It was the holiday season of 2021 when Shayla Reaves received a gift from her husband, Shawn, that would lead her down new and exciting paths. He promised financing to help her develop her 20-year-old spoken-word piece honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into a children’s book..

That was the beginning of Reaves’ debut, “Echo in the Distance,” inspired by King’s “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

“I always thought this would be something I would love to turn into a book,” Reaves recalled in a conversation from the couple’s Minneapolis home. “But I was a college student without resources.”

If Shayla’s name seems familiar it’s because she’s an Emmy-winning journalist who contributes to the morning, mid-morning and noon shows as anchor/reporter on WCCO-TV where she has gathered a fan base for her work on air as well as on social media. One video host described her smile as “lighting up the room.” Others admire her for her warmth and outgoing personality. As she tells the world on her platforms: “I love writing and telling stories.” And when she reads from the book her voice is like liquid velvet.

Even with her husband’s help and encouragement, it took Reaves months of research to find the right partners for her project. One of them is Kprecia Ambers of Minneapolis, who did the book’s bold illustrations. She is an artist and owner of Kp Inspires illustration brand.

On the eve of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Reaves talked about her passion for her book and how its influence has spread since it was published last June. Intended for children, Reaves’ homage to King has grabbed the attention of adults as well, especially educators. (King, one of the most influential civil rights leaders, was shot to death in Memphis in 1968. President Ronald Reagan signed a law making King’s birthday a national holiday in 1983.)

In the beginning of “Echo in the Distance,” Reaves places the reader in the huge crowd gathered to listen to King’s historic speech, now considered an icon of American oratory.

“I wanted to put the reader in the space of what it could have been like to be in that crowd, a journey through words,” she says. “This is accessible only through language. A lot of times we talk about Dr. King like, ‘Oh, that is the past.’ I tried to connect people with an experience we can’t know because we weren’t there, to the idea that we all have the power to help that Dr. King shared so many years ago.”

The first part of the book is about the excitement of hearing King’s fiery words. Then the metaphorical weather changes: “…suddenly thunder splits the skies…” representing more turbulent times in history. The mood changes hopeful again to the civil rights movement with children holding up signs. There’s a superhero-looking character and the phrase “people are people not color-coated crimes.”

“The idea is to encourage people to see the humanity of others, imploring people to see just because someone’s skin is a certain color, they don’t have a nefarious purpose,” Reaves says.

The book’s themes are history, taking personal responsibility and inspiring others to take their own leap forward into something new.

A journalism journey

Reaves was born in 1984 and grew up in Jackson, Tenn. Her parents, Linda and Mike Reaves Jr., were high school sweethearts. Her mom says Shayla had to be urged to go outside because she was always studying as a child.

“I liked to read and write growing up,” Reaves says. “Natural curiosity has always been a feature of my personality. Even before I wanted to be a journalist I knew I loved creative writing.”

Reaves was “a Daddy’s girl,” according to her mother’s video interviews. Mike Jr. worked overnight at the post office while his wife was employed during the day by the phone company and then for the City of Jackson before retiring.

“My dad was very involved throughout my life,” Shayla recalls. “He’d come home from the post office and make sure I had breakfast and drive me to school when I was a little kid. He knew I was working on a book and before he passed in 2022 he was able to see some early illustrations on my phone. When I went to New York the summer the book came out to be interviewed by Gayle King, I had his picture in my pocket. I don’t think either he or I imagined the journey that has transpired .”

Reaves was a student at Northwestern University’s prestigious Medill School of Journalism when she won the school’s Written Expression competition in honor of King by performing her original spoken-word piece “Echo in the Distance.” Cornell West, political activist and social critic, was so impressed by her presentation he asked permission to use her line “People are people not color-coated crimes.” After the program was broadcast via webcam, Reaves was invited to read at universities, churches and events. In 2003 she won DePaul University’s March Poetry Slam.

While at Northwestern, Reaves also led the school’s student chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists to its first-ever student chapter of the year award.

Without money to fulfill her dream of publishing a book, Reaves concentrated on her career after graduation, working as a news reporter and occasional anchor in Louisville, Ky.; Columbus, Ohio; Tampa; Greenville, N.C., and now the Twin Cities.

A part of the community

“I was intentional in my decision to come to Minnesota,” Reaves says. “Sometimes places show you why you needed to be here. I feel I am always learning why it is I am here. No matter where I am, people like to talk to me. There are specific things I do well that make a difference in a community like this one at times like now.”

Reaves moved to Minneapolis in 2020, during the pandemic and the year George Floyd was murdered. When it comes to reporting the news, she points out that people see journalists in different ways. “Some may feel comfortable telling me (their story) as opposed to a different person,” she explains. “I am where stories land. I feel embraced and welcomed in the community.”

Reaves will go wherever she’s invited, especially classroom visits. She was the first guest at Minneapolis’ Franklin Middle School classroom where the teacher is Michael Bratsch, known to his students as “Mr. B.” The event was the first student-led Read and Believe Podcast. The kids did projects based on Reaves’ book, including performing their own spoken-word piece. One student spent 10 days creating a 3D model of the Lincoln Memorial where King spoke.

“As a middle school teacher, I look for books that can immediately capture students’ attention whether through the content or stunning illustrations,” Bratsch said. “In the case of ‘Echo in the Distance,’ the descriptive writing and amazing artistic illustrations immediately engage students. This book is a must-have for every educator and every school.”

Reaves says it was important to her to keep the original language of her spoken-word piece even if the little ones don’t understand all the words.

“Going through the process for a first book I had all kinds of thoughts, including whether it would connect with readers,” she said. “I am amazed how it has resonated even in audiences younger than it was intended for. It’s exciting to read to children who don’t know all the words. In a lot of places in the book it says ‘just look’, ‘just watch,’ which calls for their attention. This shows me how words have power, life, and encourage kids to dream big.”

Reaves’ upcoming events

Jan. 14: Sweet Potato Comfort Pie: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. annual holiday of service; Reaves is keynote speaker: 1:15 p.m. program with a special poetic tribute during the Character Values: Upholding Our Beloved Community photo exhibit. 2 p.m. procession of 95 pies led by community members. Metropolitan Ballroom, 5418 Wayzata Blvd., Golden Valley. Details at sweetpotatocomfortpie.org/events. Registration required.

Jan. 15: Attends opening of Roseline’s Place, 3-7 p.m., 1652 Grand Ave., St. Paul, the first brick-and-mortar store to carry Reaves’ book. Tickets at roselinescandles.com.

Jan. 24: Reaves is emcee for King celebration: Building Community: Rising Voices – A Call for Courageous Action to Advance Racial Equity. 5:30 p.m., Metro State University Founders Hall, 387 Maria Ave., St. Paul.

(“Echo in the Distance” is available at big-box stores such as Walmart and Target, as well as independent bookstores Magers & Quinn, Mpls., and Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul. For complete list go to echointhedistance.com/stores/. For other information go to echointhedistance.com.)

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