rush-to-press
The Week's News in Christian Publishing
  • Industry News
  • Milestones
  • Media Announcements
  • Product News
  • Other News

New group launches for Christian Publishing Professionals of Color

ORLANDO, FLORIDA — July 15, 2020 — On February 3, 2020, Embolden Media Group founder and CEO, Jevon Bolden, launched an online community called Christian Publishing Professionals of Color (CPPOC).

The group was formed out of Jevon’s desire for camaraderie, the same desire she perceived among others like her in the field. “Our voices, perspectives, and experience matter so much, but so often we are overlooked, excluded, passed over, outnumbered, outvoiced, outvoted, or undervalued. I hope that CPPOC will be a place we can sense our worth, put down our guards, and feel heard and supported.”

Prior to launching Embolden Media Group, Jevon worked in the Christian publishing industry for twelve years as senior acquisitions editor for nonfiction adult titles and then spent a few years working in mainstream publishing as a senior nonfiction kids editor. She hopes CPPOC will be a group where BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) Christian publishing professionals can:

  • Connect with other each other to bond, brainstorm, strategize, and problem solve
  • Be heard as they share their unique challenges and opportunities
  • Discover ways to grow in their career
  • Build confidence in their personal agency and expertise
  • Get encouragement, advice, like-minded empathy, and support

CPPOC is open to BIPOC Christian publishing professionals who work in traditional publishing or providing services that serve the Christian publishing industry—marketing, sales, distribution, ghostwriting, editing, literary agenting—or those who are aspiring to any one of those positions in the field. The group is comprised of both industry veterans with decades of experience to those who are just starting out in the industry.

Recasting the reality that people of color are often from underserved communities, CPPOC sets the core of its value statement on the acronym SERVED, where each member can feel:

S – Seen

E – Embraced

R – Represented

V – Valued

E – Elevated

D – Divinely diverse 

The group is receiving a welcome reception from BIPOC professionals from around the Christian publishing industry.

In an online dialogue with Jevon about forming the group, Rachel Kang, writer and creator of Indelible Ink Writers, said, “You’re putting words to an intangible that I myself, and I’m sure many other publishing professionals of color, feel and sense—the externals of lack of representation, support, and opportunity, as well as the internal feelings of inferiority and inadequacy that come with stepping into a field where a greater White narrative still dominates, which stems from America’s history with literature and education.”

She went on to say, “We not only need more books written by women and men of color, we need more women and men of color on the other side of those books—acquiring, harnessing, and refining these stories. This is needed. You’re the one—please do be another hand on the plow paving the way.”

“Following, joining, supporting,” said Jamie Lapeyrolerie, senior marketing manager from WaterBrook and Multnomah. “I get a lot of the industry newsletters (about diversity in publishing) and follow along, and while they are helpful in many ways, I think one for the Christian space is much needed. Plus, I’d love to know who else is out there.”

“I’ve been wondering whether there was a group like this for a while now,” says Patnacia Goodman, acquisitions editor for Bethany House Publishers, “so I am very, very, VERY happy this community exists!”

Amanda Mae Steele, marketing specialist for B&H Kids, says, “I’m grateful, especially as someone new to this industry, to be around other seasoned publishing professionals who are black/POC—who get it. This community helps me persevere when I feel like my efforts are futile and I’m tempted to give up.”

“Being Christian and a POC can feel like being an unwanted nomad in the land of publishing,” says E. Danielle Butler, independent publishing expert and ghostwriter, “CPPOC has become home; I can stop wandering.”

“A community like this is sorely needed. Despite the release of titles that are inclusive, the publishing industry–particularly in decision making roles is sorely underrepresented,” said, Woodley Auguste, principal of The Awareness Agency. “CPPOC will not only provide support and encouragement for industry veterans, but also those new to the industry.”

Other founding members include Lisa A. Crayton, freelance writer and editor; and Ashley Hong, assistant editor from Convergent Books/Random House.

Many people in and outside the industry feel that this specific moment in history feels unique. As conversations swirl around representation, community, and Brown and Black lives, there is a special energy in the air. Jevon hopes that CPPOC will be one catalyst to help Christian publishing align with the new thing God is doing.

“We know diversity is God’s idea,” she says, “and it’s been long said that Christian publishing is far behind God’s ideal. I’m so excited for the possibilities this group holds. I hope more Christian publishing professionals of color will accept the invitation to come experience this moment in time with us!”

Follow Christian Publishing Professionals of Color (ChristianPOCpub) on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

To join, submit a request for membership directly to the private Facebook Group or email christianPOCinpublishing@gmail.com for more information.


EMBOLDEN MEDIA GROUP LLC is a boutique publishing consulting firm headquartered in Central Florida that provides publishers and authors quality content development and publishing services that help them reach growing, diverse, and global audiences. It is the holding company for jevonbolden.com, Embolden Literary, Embolden Publishing Group, Christian Publishing Professionals of Color, and Pneuma Writers.

Media Contact: Jevon Bolden, founder and CEO, Embolden Media Group, jevon.bolden@emboldenmediagroup.com

Sign Up To Receive Industry News Each Week

Subscribe

This Month’s Bestsellers

VIEW BY GENRE
1 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
5 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
6 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
7 THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER UPDATED AND EXPANDED
DAVE RAMSEY
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
View All
1 LOVED TO LIFE
ANN VOSKAMP
2 DON'T LET DOUBT TAKE YOU OUT
TODD MULLINS
3 BELIEVE
ROSS DOUTHAT
4 HERE BE DRAGONS
MELANIE SHANKLE
5 BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
JOYCE MEYER
6 LIT UP WITH LOVE
DERWIN GRAY
7 LIVING FEARLESS GUIDED JOURNAL
JAMIE WINSHIP
8 I'VE GOT QUESTIONS
ERIN HICKS MOON
9 STEPS
JOHN ORTBERG
10 WHEN CULTURE HATES YOU
NATASHA CRAIN
View All
1 TWO SECONDS TOO LATE
DANI PETTREY
2 THE SUMMER OF YOU AND ME
DENISE HUNTER
3 WHEN CRICKETS CRY
CHARLES MARTIN
4 THE KEEPER
CHARLES MARTIN
5 REDEEMING LOVE
FRANCINE RIVERS
6 THE BEIJING BETRAYAL
JOEL C. ROSENBERG
7 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES: AN ENGAGING VISUAL JOURNEY
HANNAH HURNARD
8 THE CARPENTER'S SON
JOHN GRAY
9 THE SHACK
WILLIAM PAUL YOUNG
10 HINDS' FEET ON HIGH PLACES
HANNAH HURNARD
View All
1 FORGIVING WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET
LYSA TERKEURST
2 JESUS CALLING
SARAH YOUNG
3 THE 5 LOVE LANGUAGES
GARY CHAPMAN
4 PRACTICING THE WAY
JOHN MARK COMER
5 NEW MORNING MERCIES
PAUL DAVID TRIPP
6 THE CASE FOR CHRIST
LEE STROBEL
7 THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER UPDATED AND EXPANDED
DAVE RAMSEY
8 IMAGINE HEAVEN
JOHN BURKE
9 THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY
JOHN MARK COMER
10 SINCERELY, STONEHEART
EMILY WILSON HUSSEM
View All
1 THE ACTION BIBLE
SERGIO CARIELLO
2 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
3 THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE
SALLY LLOYD-JONES
4 GREAT AND SMALL PRAYERS FOR BABIES
PAMELA KENNEDY
5 MOSTLY WHAT GOD DOES IS LOVE YOU
SAVANNAH GUTHRIE
6 THE EASTER STORY
PATRICIA A. PINGRY
7 THE WORLD NEEDS THE WONDER YOU SEE
JOANNA GAINES
8 THE BERENSTAIN BEARS AND THE EASTER STORY
JAN BERENSTAIN AND MIKE BERENSTAIN
9 GOD GAVE US EASTER
LISA TAWN BERGREN
10 THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED CHILDREN'S BIBLE
JANICE EMMERSON
View All
1 LIVE ON PURPOSE
SADIE ROBERTSON HUFF WITH BETH CLARK AND TAMA FORTNER
2 THE 5-MINUTE BIBLE STUDY FOR TEEN GIRLS
CAREY SCOTT
3 POCKET PRAYERS FOR GRADUATES
MAX LUCADO
4 SINGLE, DATING, ENGAGED, MARRIED
BEN STUART
5 YOURS, NOT HERS
KARI KAMPAKIS
6 WELCOME TO ADULTING
JONATHAN POKLUDA AND KEVIN MCCONAGHY
7 MANGA BIBLE
SIKU
8 TEEN TO TEEN: 365 DAILY DEVOTIONS BY TEEN GUYS FOR TEEN GUYS, Leather
PATTI M. HUMMEL
9 GOD IS WITH YOU EVERY DAY
MAX LUCADO
10 THE POWER OF A PRAYING TEEN
STORMIE OMARTIAN
View All
1 ONE-MINUTE INSPIRATIONS FOR WOMEN
ELIZABETH GEORGE
2 BIBLE PROMISES FOR MOMS
HEIDI ST JOHN
3 THE CASE FOR EASTER
LEE STROBEL
4 THE GOSPEL STORY
MARY WILEY
5 ONE-MINUTE INSIGHTS FOR MEN
JIM GEORGE
6 199 PROMISES OF GOD
BARBOUR PUBLISHING
7 365 READ-ALOUD BEDTIME BIBLE STORIES
DANIEL PARTNER
8 KNOW YOUR BIBLE
PAUL KENT
9 IS GOD SPEAKING TO ME?
LYSA TERKEURST
10 THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE THE VERY FIRST EASTER
THE BEGINNER'S BIBLE
View All
1 ESV CHURCH BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 KJV GIANT PRINT FULL SIZE BIBLE
CHRISTIAN ART PUBLISHERS
3 CSB SHE READS TRUTH BIBLE, Grey
RAECHEL MYERS, AMANDA BIBLE WILLIAMS, CSB BIBLES BY HOLMAN
4 ESV STUDY BIBLE
J. I. PACKER, MARK DEVER, JOHN PIPER
5 NIV THE WOMAN'S STUDY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
6 NIV ADVENTURE BIBLE, Hardcover
ZONDERVAN
7 NIV LARGE PRINT VALUE THINLINE BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
8 NKJV PERSONAL SIZE LARGE PRINT REFERENCE BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
9 KJV LARGE PRINT PERSONAL SIZE REFERENCE BIBLE
HOLMAN BIBLE PUBLISHERS
10 KJV LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE
THOMAS NELSON
View All
1 ESV ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
2 ESV ECONOMY HOLY BIBLE FOR KIDS
CROSSWAY
3 ESV LARGE PRINT ECONOMY BIBLE
CROSSWAY
4 NLT LARGE PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
5 NIV LARGER PRINT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY EDITION
ZONDERVAN
6 NIV ECONOMY BIBLE
ZONDERVAN
7 KJV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
THOMAS NELSON
8 NLT ECONOMY TEXT BIBLE
TYNDALE
9 NIV GIFT & AWARD BIBLE, Black
ZONDERVAN
10 NLT HOLY BIBLE ECONOMY OUTREACH EDITION
TYNDALE
View All
1 New International Version
2 English Standard Version
3 King James Version
4 New Living Translation
5 New King James Version
6 Christian Standard Bible
7 Reina Valera
8 New Revised Standard Version
9 New International Reader's Version
10 New American Standard Bible
View All
1 PERDONA LO QUE NO PUEDES OLVIDAR
LYSA TERKEURST
2 UN ANO CON DIOS
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 LOS 5 LENGUAJES DEL AMOR EDICION REVISADA
GARY CHAPMAN
4 UNA MUJER SABIA
WENDY BELLO
5 EL PODER DE LA MUJER QUE ORA
STORMIE OMARTIAN
6 UNA VIDA CON PROPOSITO, Bolsillo
RICK WARREN
7 DESTINADO AL EXITO
DANTE GEBEL
8 BATALLAS SILENCIOSAS
DAVID SCARPETA
9 DICCIONARIO BIBLICO ILUSTRADO HOLMAN
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 UNA MUJER CONFORME AL CORAZON DE DIOS
ELIZABETH GEORGE
View All
1 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Rosa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
2 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro tapa dura
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Negro imitacion piel
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
4 RVR1960 BIBLIA LETRA GRANDE TAMANO MANUAL EDICION TIERRA SANTA
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
5 RVR1960 BIBLIA DEL PESCADOR LETRA GRANDE
DIAZ-PABON, LUIS ANGEL
6 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA LETRA SUPERGIGANTE CON CIERRE
RVR 1960- REINA VALERA 1960
7 RVR1960 BIBLIA PARA REGALOS Y PREMIOS, Turquesa
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
8 RVR1960 SANTA BIBLIA DE PROMESAS EDICION PARA NINOS
EDITORIAL UNILIT
9 RVR1960 BIBLIA DE APUNTES
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
10 RVR60 SANTA BIBLIA TIERRA SANTA ULTRAFINA LETRA GRANDE
VIDA
View All
1 PREOCUPATE MENOS Y ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
2 LA GRAN HISTORIA DEL EVANGELIO
B&H ESPANOL EDITORIAL
3 365 HISTORIAS BIBLICAS PARA LA HORA DE DORMIR
COMPILED BY BARBOUR STAFF
4 EL SECRETO DE LA PAZ PERSONAL
BILLY GRAHAM
5 ¿PARA QUE ESTOY AQUI EN LA TIERRA?
RICK WARREN
6 DEMASIADO BENDECIDA PARA ESTAR ESTRESADA
DEBORA M. COTY
7 EL VIA CRUCIS PARA TODOS
CLARENCE ENZLER
8 ESTRESATE MENOS, ORA MAS
DONNA K. MALTESE
9 ¿Y AHORA QUE?
RALPH HARRIS
10 EL VALLE DE LOS HUESOS SECOS
YIYE AVILA
View All

Upcoming Events

ECPA webinar: AI Legal Developments | AI & The Biblical Story
June 13 | 10 am central
ECPA International Christian Rights & Export Fair
June 17-18, 2025 | Chicago, Illinois
ECPA webinar: Building and Managing an Effective Intern Program
July 11 | 10 am central
ECPA Asia Rights & Export Fair
September 1-2, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand
ECPA C-Suite Symposium
September 7-9, 2025 | Tucson, Arizona

Career Center

Backlist and Brand Director
Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group, Remote
Publicity Manager
Baker Book House Company, Ada, Michigan (Hybrid)
Acquisitions Editor
Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon
Assistant Director of Marketing, Christian Publishing Group
Penguin Random House, Remote
ECPA LOGO
submit icon

Submit a News Item

Submit industry related news releases to rushtopress @ecpa .org for consideration. Rush to Press is sent every Monday and eligible releases must be received by end of day Friday prior to the Monday’s publication.

announce icon

Career Posts

To announce a job opening in Rush to Press, post it first at the ECPA Career Center and your announcement will appear in the next issue.

subscribe icon

Subscribe

To receive Rush to Press, along with other industry updates from ECPA, please follow the instructions here to create or modify your ECPA community profile. To subscribe to Rush to Press without using a profile, subscribe here.

unsubscribe icon

Unsubscribe

If you would like to be removed from the Rush to Press distribution list, please edit your ECPA profile preferences or email info @ecpa .org.

advertise icon

Advertise

If you would like to reach over 3,300 industry subscribers and media contacts each week, consider advertising in Rush to Press. Contact sponsorship @ecpa .org for more information.

More news at RushtoPress.org. #RushtoPress @ECPA
This is a publication of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. For more information about ECPA, contact info@ecpa.org or visit ECPA.org.
Copyright © 2025 · ECPA