Dayonne Richardson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Dayonne, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: When have you felt most loved—and did you believe you deserved it?
There was this one moment that I will always carry with me. It was at a school event, after a book reading. A little girl came up to me, kinda shy, and said, “Thank you for writing a story that looks like me.” She hugged me tightly. In that moment, I felt more loved than I ever had from an audience or applause. That child’s gratitude, her validation, told me that my work and my voice mattered in a real way.
Not fully… at least not then. Part of me thought, “I’m just doing what I’ve always wanted to do, why is this praise so extraordinary?” But deep down, I need that affirmation every once in a while that I am doing what I have been called to do. That being to write children’s books in which they can truly see themselves, understand their worth, and feel understood.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dayonne Richardson, an educator, author, and founder of Mirror Mirror Books. I create children’s books that help kids, especially Black children, see themselves reflected in the stories they read. After more than a decade of teaching, I saw a need for diverse characters and authentic representation. That inspired me to write books like Our Gift Grace and I Told the Storm, and to build a brand that celebrates identity, faith, and self-worth. All rooted in one mission: helping every child know they are seen, valued, and loved.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is my relationship with God. It’s through Him that I learned my identity isn’t tied to titles, achievements, or the opinions of others. In my quietest and most uncertain seasons, whether struggling through certification exams or finding my voice as an author, God reminded me that I was created with purpose.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There was a time I almost gave up was when I first started Mirror Mirror Books. I had the vision, but not the roadmap. I was teaching full-time, writing at night, trying to learn publishing, marketing, and business all at the same time. There were moments I felt overwhelmed and questioned if I was qualified to do any of it. I’d look at other authors who seemed so far ahead and wonder if my voice even mattered. But every time I thought about quitting, I’d remember why I started: my students. I’d see their faces, children who rarely saw themselves represented in books, and that reminder always pulled me back. I realized I wasn’t just building a business, I was building a bridge for the next generation.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes! The public version of me is the real me. What you see is who I truly am. A woman led by faith, with passion, and with a purpose. The same heart I bring to my classroom or my books is the same heart I carry in my everyday life.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace after an event, a read-aloud, or a book signing. When the room has quieted, the books are stacked, and I finally have a moment to take it all in. I often sit and replay the faces of the children who came up to me. The ones who smiled, hugged me, or said, “She looks like me.” That’s when it all hits me. The preparation, the nerves, and the prayers were all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dayonnenecole.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dayonnenecole/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dayonne-richardson-9834ab238/
- Facebook: www.linkedin.com/in/dayonne-richardson
