What started as a simple creative writing assignment for students in Lou Richie’s sixth grade class at Oakland’s St. Lawrence O’Toole School has developed into a published anthology, Diverse Stories: From the Imagination of Sixth Graders that may provide the means for some of the students to attend Catholic high schools.

Seeing promise and potential in each of his students, Richie ’89 is pained each year when he learns that some of his former charges can’t continue their education at a Catholic high school because of cost.

“If they can qualify academically, money should never be a reason for them to not attend Catholic school,” Richie said.  Determined to make a Catholic high school education possible for those who desire one, Richie has decided that all the proceeds from Diverse Stories: From the Imaginations of Sixth Graders will go towards scholarships for these students.

To that end, a book signing party for the newly released anthology is set for Monday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Cody’s Books in San Francisco (located at 2 Stockton Street). Richie and his students will attend the event to talk about their project.

Richie has been assisted in the publishing project by New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Essence best-selling author Mary B. Morrison.

Richie became acquainted with Morrison several years ago when he began coaching her son, Jesse Byrd ’05, who is currently playing basketball at the University of San Francisco. Morrison quit her near six-figure government job with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in June 2000 to become a writer.

Since then, Morrison has written several novels, a non-fiction self-help book and a poetry book.

She also started two companies: SHIFT (Supporting Healthy Inner Freedom for Teens), which sponsored the publication of Diverse Stories; and The RaW (Readers and Writers) Advantage, through which Morrison conducts self-publishing workshops.

Two years ago, Richie invited Morrison to speak to his class about writing, and assist with story development for the creative writing assignment.

“Mary was incredible with the children. She had them completely engaged,” Richie said. “She read their stories and loved the fact that the kids were being passionate.”
Morrison said that the students’ excitement got her and Richie thinking ‘How great would it be for these students to experience first-hand what it feels like to be a published author?’”

The pair collaborated on the anthology project, with Morrison paying professional editor and published author Susan M. Malone to edit the stories. “Susan was so impressed that she practically edited the stories for free,” Morrison said.
Morrison fully understands the gift that Richie is hoping to bestow on his students.

“Growing up poor in New Orleans, while my parents enrolled me in the best public high school (McDonogh #35 Senior High) where I had to take two buses miles away from home to get a fantastic education, I understand that knowledge is power,” she said. “I fully support Lou's vision to help fund scholarships for underprivileged students and can't wait to attend the presentation ceremonies and watch Lou make dreams become realities.”

Proudly helping the students of Triple Threat Academy.