America's Daughter (Dancing Soul Trilogy)

In America’s Daughter, the second book of the trilogy, the author arrives in the United States in the company of Catherine Murray, an American high-school teacher. Her adjustment to a new culture includes shocking doses of American-style racial discrimination and Nhambu’s discovery that she must learn to be a Black American. She graduates from college, thus fulfilling her dream of becoming a teacher, and teaches high school in the inner city. She marries, has two children, and establishes herself in the American way of life. Then a visit to Africa, and especially to Tanzania, reawakens the drumbeats and dancing that she carries in her soul. On her return home, she teaches Swahili and African Studies, performs African dance at schools, and creates Aerobics With Soul®, a fitness workout based on African dance. She both finds and creates the family she longed for as a child and connects with her unknown background. The first book of the trilogy, Africa’s Child, was released in 2016. The final book of her memoir series—Drum Beats, Heart Beats—reveals more of Nhambu’s life as she searches for her father.

 

Meeting Maria Nhambu (when she was Maria Bergh) and having an African as my high school teacher influenced me and inspired me in so many ways. She awakened and encouraged my interest in Africa that led to five different trips to Africa. She helped spark my search for my own heritage and identity. She planted seeds for my art and community awareness and activism. 

—Seitu Jones, visual artist and sculptor, B.S., MLS, Loeb Fellow Harvard Graduate School of Design

 

From Tanzania to America, Nhambu’s story of determination continues to emphasize the power of education. Nhambu has never forgotten her roots and has had a life-long passion and commitment to the education of Tanzanian children. As a board member for OBA she was able to give valuable insight into the challenges facing families and communities in Africa as they seek a brighter educational future for their children.

—Diane Jacoby, Executive Director, Operation Bootstrap Africa

 

What a story! Maria Nhambu makes her soul available to her readers to see and enter into issues of race, identity, love, motherhood, career and creativity. She gives us insights into how she survived a rough childhood of abandonment and mistreatment. Her story exemplifies the power of faith in God, in others, and in oneself. Her memoir series will inspire many!

—Rev. Toney Jackson, Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Newark, NJ, Spiritual counselor; Workshop and Seminar Leader.

Maybe because of my age, my ethnicity, and my own life experiences, everything in Maria Nhambu’s second book is RELEVANT, especially today in our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-gender America. She deals with topics that speak to each one of us living here—immigration, prejudice, mixed-race marriage, education, adoption, motherhood and the importance of listening to your inner self. In her language classroom, she was way ahead of her time integrating culture with language as the only way to teach language effectively! That is why her students wanted to learn from her, bonded with her, and loved her.

—Dr. Margaret M. Wong, Foreign Language Teacher, Director of International Education

 

I’ve known Maria Nhambu since 1976 when she came to teach at Central High School where I was principal. With my encouragement, she created and taught an African Studies program. I now understand how much of Africa she brought to her students. Her story is intimately tied to Africa’s story, America’s story and history. An invaluable book for anyone passionate about Africa and the human condition.

—Joyce Taborn Jackson, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

 

Maria Nhambu instinctively knew that she belonged to God although her life told her she belonged to no one. How many other children never believe in themselves and give in to the outside voices of the world that falsely tell them they are bad, unwanted, not valuable, and not loved?

—Marian Wright Edelman, President and Founder, Children’s Defense fund

Maria Nhambu's unique writing style...puts the reader face to face with the truth about racism, prejudice, and cultural differences. It asks the question: Is it different today?

—Marie-Thérèse Reed, Docteur d’Etat ès Sciences (Ph.D.), University of Rennes, France, Officer National Order of Merit

Maria Nhambu’s humor, innocence and determination not to be racially excluded from her surroundings are all part of her maturity. In America’s Daughter, she becomes the very cultured, savvy traveler and the center of many friendships around the world.

—Dale Breise, Retired Bank Executive, Chairman, Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce