By: Sharon C. Jenkins
Gwen Richardson is an accomplished author with 15 published books, including two NAACP Image Award nominees. She co-founded Cushcity.com, the largest African-American online retailer, and coordinates the National Black Book Festival—one of the largest gatherings of Black authors and readers in the country. Richardson also hosts Black Authors Matter TV, a weekly show that features authors, publishers, and book industry professionals. She resides in Houston, Texas, with her family.
Here is her life story. In a heartfelt interview filled with wisdom, Gwen Richardson shares the powerful story of how faith, education, and a strong family foundation shaped her identity and legacy. A woman of vision and resilience, Richardson has spent her life turning ideas into action, all while staying grounded in the values instilled in her as a child.
Richardson was raised primarily in Newport News, Virginia, She grew up in a community that was not only close-knit but deeply committed to faith, education and mutual accountability.” My father was a pastor and a respected community leader.
Both of my parents valued education, and they believed in doing your very best,” Richardson said. “Church was central. Our teachers lived in the same neighborhoods as we did. Any adult could correct you. We were surrounded by protection and love.” One pivotal moment that shaped her self- perception occurred during an early integration experiment in Henderson. “My family was one of seven Black families selected to integrate EM Robbins Elementary School before it was federally mandated,” she explained. “I was the only Black child in my class—and the smartest.
That taught me early on that I stood second to nobody and that effort was what mattered.” Richardson’s childhood was full of intellectual encouragement and memorable mentors, most notably a teacher named I.B. Edwards. “She taught me from fourth to seventh grade, and she exposed us to the world through slides from her international travels. She also taught us Black history without a textbook. She was extraordinary,” Richardson recalled. Interestingly, the challenges Gwen faced growing up weren’t rooted in racism. “My challenges were more personal than racial,” she said. “I was always small—under 100 pounds until I was 25— so some teasing came with that. But I grew up in a Black neighborhood with Black educators and a strong support system.”
From an early age, Richardson displayed both intelligence and entrepreneurial flair. “At three years old, I was a self-taught reader. I loved spelling bees and writing contests. Even as a child, I would create games like ‘store’—and I was always the store owner,” she laughed. That early ambition carried over into adulthood, where she has thrived as a self-employed businesswoman for over four decades.
“Being self-employed since I was 25 is one of my proudest accomplishments,” she said. “It gave me the freedom to explore unconventional paths, including becoming an author—something I hadn’t originally planned. Since 2008, I’ve written 15 books, and I have more in the works.” Faith has been the cornerstone of Gwen’s personal and professional life. “Faith sustains you when you’re an entrepreneur,” she said. “You have to believe in your ideas, your leadership, and your capacity to overcome obstacles. Even when I faced failure, my faith helped me get back up.” When asked what she believes Black people need most right now, Richardson didn’t hesitate: “We need to declare that we are free in our minds—and act like it.
Free people don’t wait on the government. We have to stop expecting others to save us. We have to take responsibility and build, not just march or protest. The government has destroyed our culture, our families, and our communities.”
To young Black people and aspiring leaders, her advice is resolute: “Get out of your emotions. Strategy and planning— not anger—are what move the needle. Emotion fades. It doesn’t build anything.” Richardson speaks candidly about the lessons she’s learned through the years, including the realities of working with people.
“I’ve been self-employed under seven U.S. presidents, and I’ve learned that I need a plan that doesn’t depend on politics. I’ve also learned that many people aren’t honest—not necessarily malicious, but unreliable. And I’ve learned that nothing is free. Even salvation has a cost. If something claims to be free, someone somewhere is paying for it.” Despite life’s challenges, she remains anchored by a simple but powerful personal creed: “I treat people right—and I get things done.”
In a time where voices of experience and insight are desperately needed, Gwen Richardson stands as a living example of the power of purpose, faith, and self-determination. Her story isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a call to action for generations to come.
