But, experiencing this universe and its many different cultures and inhabitants is as much a part of my writing mission, as writing `what I already know.’ We become better citizens of this world when we understand the differences and the similarities we share with other inhabitants of this world. My recent trip to the UK was a great opportunity for me to become a better world citizen.

More than just a dream come true, it was an opportunity - to learn more about world history and African history. As I visited, and viewed the holdings in the amazing Liverpool slave museum; I couldn’t help but look back at my own childhood, and how far away – yet, near in experiences – Liverpool and Gould, Arkansas really are.

Sable Magazine, a UK magazine highlighting writers of African descent, hosted me in this week-long discovery tour; giving me the opportunity to meet the outstanding black literary and political leaders in that country. I was also offered a long list of media opportunities, that included media interviews with the internationally-acclaimed New Nation newspaper and other local and regional news outlets - including regional, national and international BBC stations in Liverpool, Manchester, and London (with follow-up interviews with BBC Radio Liecester, and Midland UK after my return to the states).

The highlight of my tour, however, was meeting the people, learning the differences in the cultures of the UK, and participating in the “discussions” with community, government and political leaders. My "Conversations with Joan Blaney and Janis Kearney: Personal Stories, Political Imperatives", was an opportunity for two writers from different sides of the ocean, to discuss their lives as writers, and the political world as we know it.

Sharing my story with the youth of the world is still one of the most important parts of my mission as a writer and lecturer. I spoke to two high schools in Hackney, one of London's most challenged school districts in the country. Thanks to progressive thinking on the part of the community, and the Learning Trust, a progressive non-profit that “adopted” the school, they have made great strides toward improving their academic environment.

My luncheon “Conversation with London's Operation Black Vote,” brought back memories of mine and black America’s own political journey. This lively conversation included some of London's most prominent black political and community leaders.

 My overnight travel to Manchester, Bolton and Liverpool included: a Keynote Address, entitled, "Women who Dare" to a wonderful audience of women entrepreneurs and professionals, and sponsored by Bolton's Ethnic and Minority Business Services. A Luncheon and "Conversation with Liverpool’s movers and shakers", was extremely engaging and educational for this southern native. The group included many of Liverpool’s black leaders - spanning every area of government and business enterprise.

The culmination of my Northern England trip was a tour of Liverpool's black radio station, and the historical black community that is having to address some of the same problems as America’s cities - the age-old problem of survival within a changing economy.

My visit to the Liverpool Slave Museum tied everything I’d learned in the six days, together. Even more than meeting the people and learning the culture, I observed through the museum’s slave holdings and documents, just how closely our worlds are inextricably tied. (This subject definitely calls for another article all its own.)

During my amazing UK tour, I was given incredible opportunities to discuss and share excerpts from my two pending books, Cotton Field of Dreams, and the Clinton biography, Conversations: From Hope to Harlem. A chapter from my memoir, entitled: "The White School", is published in Sable's fall, 2003 issue (available through mail). There is incredible media and community interest in the two forthcoming books – including, invitations to return for book launchings throughout the U.K.

Lessons learned: This vast universe we all exist in, is really very small in terms of the thread of humanity and culture that stretches across the continents. The life issues that most concern me and the people I know, are generally the same issues that concern blacks and others in Liverpool, and Manchester and Bolton and London.

This one-world philosophy attracts and intrigues the people of the UK. And, I believe we, as adults, have a responsibility to prepare our children for this new world that is taking shape around us. A new world that includes different languages, different Gods, different histories, and certainly different cultures. As one great president said: In years to come, our strength will not be in tolerating our differences…but in celebrating them.

I can’t begin to thank those who played a part in making my trip to the UK such a fulfilling, educational, awe-inspiring trip. The most I can say is that the world is full of amazing people, and the UK has more than their share. Without much more, ado, I’d like to offer heartfelt Thanks to:

**Kadija George, Publisher, SABLE Magazine, London

Richard Adeshiyan, Adeshiyan Media, London

Angela Foster, Editor, New Nation Newspaper, London

**Marilyn Comrie, Director of Coaching, Making It (UK) Ltd, Manchester

Ayyub Patel, Director, Bolton Metro’s Ethnic Minorities Business Service, Bolton

 Aysha Qasim, Officer, Bolton Metro’s Ethnic Minority Women Enterprise, Bolton

**Michelle Charters, Management Systems Incorporated, Liverpool

Michael Eboda, Editorial Director, Ethnic Media Group, London

Amanda Bilal-Jones, Administrator, Merseyside Network for Europe, Liverpool

Simon Woolly, Winsome-Grace Cornish, and members, Operation Black Vote, London