Olympic track legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee released her first children’s book “Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Running for the Gold: Connecting Kids to Dreams.” She recently held a Q&A and book signing at People’s Independent Church in Los Angeles.
“It’s been a goal of mine from the time I was a freshman in college,” Joyner-Kersee said. “I always knew I wanted to do a children’s book.”
The book focuses on Jackie’s Dream Box, a treasure chest filled with attributes that help youth pursue their dreams. Dedication, nutrition and fun are some of the attributes. These tools helped Joyner-Kersee reach her dreams during her formative years.
“Inspiration is one, what is their inspiration?” Joyner-Kersee said. “They are tools for life which are keys for life.”
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Children of all ages attended the book signing in hopes to glean knowledge from the three-time Olympic gold medalist. During the Q&A session, Joyner-Kersee talked about her experiences training for the heptathlon. She won a silver medal in the event during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and gold in the 1988 Seoul and the 1992 Barcelona Games.
“To see the fastest person still on the boards is really cool and especially to get a book by her and signed by her, it’s really awesome,” said Josephine Meche, 9.
After the Q&A, Joyner-Kersee read excerpts of the book, having a conversation with the youth in attendance about their knowledge of the attributes of Jackie’s Dream Box and how they can apply them to their life.
“I feel so motivated, and I feel like I can actually accomplish something because of what she said in the book,” said Quyroy Louis, 14.
Joyner-Kersee enthusiastically engaged with the youth, asking them about their life experiences and answering their questions.
“It took a lot of courage for me to be here right now because at first, I didn’t feel like I could do track,” said Jhyroy Louis, 15. “I know that [Joyner-Kersee] is great because I can go to the playbooks and look her up … and I feel like I have a lot more courage.”
Several young attendees also run track, including Loreyale Louis, 17, who competes in shot put and the 100m. She noted how Joyner-Kersee’s book has inspired her.
“When I read her book and I saw the things that she was saying about fear, about courage, about giving, all of her little words that she put in her dream box, they really honestly helped me,” Loreyale said. “It kind of gives me a boost of energy.”
Kathy Robinson, the daughter of 1936 Berlin Olympian Mack Robinson, attended the book signing with her daughter and granddaughters.
“[Joyner-Kersee] is great and very personable with the kids, very just loveable,” Robinson said. “The way that she has laid out her book … she really broke it down easy for the kids to comprehend and to enjoy.”
Arlise Emerson was a teammate of Joyner-Kersee during their time at UCLA and throughout their careers on the U.S. national team. She takes pride in knowing that Joyner-Kersee has been able to instill her wisdom into the next generation.
“She has been able to take her experiences and put it on a few pages, but it resonates through the life’s journey,” Emerson said. “I think that’s what’s really important so that, no pun intended, but if we take steps forward, we’ll be on the right track in life.”
