Actress And Stuntwoman’s Book Helps Girls Navigate Womanhood

“You’re Not Listening … To What I Have to Say” is a book from stuntwoman LaFaye Baker. PHOTO PROVIDED BY QEY CREATIVE AGENCY.
“You’re Not Listening … To What I Have to Say” is a book from stuntwoman LaFaye Baker. PHOTO PROVIDED BY QEY CREATIVE AGENCY.

Actress And Stuntwoman’s Book Helps Girls Navigate Womanhood

By Tia Carol Jones

Stuntwoman LaFaye Baker wants to use her journey, and the stories of other young girls and teenagers to help navigate their way to womanhood. Baker compiled the stories of young girls, along with her own, for her book, “You’re Not Listening … To What I Have to Say.”

Baker is also the founder of the nonprofit Diamond in the RAW, which serves girls ages 12 years old to 18 years old. As a nonprofit founder, she thought it was important for girls that age to have the tools to be resilient and know they are not alone in what they are going through. Her goal with the book is for the girls who read the book to know they can overcome obstacles and have the courage to keep moving forward, while loving themselves.

Baker said her journey with writing the book began years ago when she was first gathering the stories of girls. Two years ago, she decided that she really wanted to get the book published and began to really focus on writing the book, with a goal to get it published by 2024. She said it took a while to find the right person to help her execute the vision she had for the book and believed it was Divine timing that led her to that person.

The cover of the book was drawn by one of the girls who is part of Diamond in the RAW. The book, which is an anthology, has the stories of 25 girls, as well as Baker’s story. The way the book is designed, one part has the problem and the reverse side has the solution. There is also a part where the girls can journal. Baker said she hopes the readers will be motivated, through the stories of the girls in the book, to come up with solutions to problems they are experiencing. Baker said people who have read the book have been complimentary.

“They have to understand that they can get over any issues they are going through,” she said.” She added that she wants girls who read the book to not give up, believe in themselves, have passion and know that while life isn’t easy, adversity can make them stronger.

As a Black woman in the entertainment industry as a stuntwoman, Baker realized there were not a lot of Black girls and women working behind the scenes in entertainment. She said while most young girls want to be in front of the camera, they are unaware of the opportunities that are available behind the scenes. Diamond in the RAW is aimed at empowering and transforming lives through the arts. The girls who participate in the organization are trained in entertainment and production, everything from being a makeup artist on a set, a set designer, or even a medic on a set. She also provides the girls in Diamond in the RAW with mentorship and knowledge about the industry.

Baker said she just wants the girls to think outside the book about opportunities they might not have ever thought about. It comes from Baker’s own experience in the entertainment industry. She had a gymnastics background, was working in the probation department and because of timing and opportunity, she became a stuntwoman. She said in the late 1980s when she began as a stuntwoman, there weren’t that many opportunities for Black stuntwomen.

For more information about Diamond in the RAW, visit www.diamondintheraw.org. For more information about the book, visit www.whatihave2say.com.


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