CHARNIKA LOUISE HAYES

Charnika Louise Hayes has written a soul stirring series of poetic monologues to cultivate one utterly amazing tale, The Other Side of Womanhood. This book secures Charnika Louise Hayes a place among the greatest writers of our time. While written as a play, The Other Side of Womanhood reads like poetry and feels like music. This book exposes the story behind the glory of being a black woman by poetically giving a voice to the pain and the struggles of the African American woman. The Other Side of Womanhood renders fictional accounts of actual situations in which women sometimes find themselves. Charnika Louise Hayes has a way of bearing her soul through her craft and connecting with all who are fortunate enough to partake in the experience. Though written in a black woman's voice, the universal themes transcend gender and race.

About the Author

Charnika Louise Hayes was born to write. Though born in Cleveland, Ohio, Charnika Louise spent her early childhood days on her family’s farm in Eastman, Georgia. It was on that farm where Charnika Louise found her first love, music.   “Ever since I can remember, there has been a song in my heart,” says Hayes.   “I’m one of those people who believe life is a musical.  I often find myself wanting to break out into a song while engaging in regular everyday conversations.  I sing so much that half the time I don’t even realize it.”

Charnika has been singing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area since she and her mother moved to Alexandria, VA in 1983, and shortly thereafter began worshiping at Alfred Street Baptist Church. There Charnika’s talent and love of singing were nurtured and groomed.  She sang with church and school choirs, was a founding member of The Washington Performing arts Society’s Children of the Gospel, and had made a name for herself as a local artist.   It was during this time when Charnika started to write songs.  “I had something to say, and music, somehow, gave me a voice!"  By age fourteen Charnika was writing songs and poems daily.  “Music is my love, but writing is my passion!”   Her passion for writing became more and more evident as she continued high school.  While, a well rounded student, Charnika excelled in English, creative writing, speech and grammar classes because writing was so natural for her.

Upon graduating from high school she was a writer, an orator, a poet, an actress,director and a musician. Hayes took all these attributes with her to Virginia Union University where she majored in English. There she cultivated her craft within the curriculum and through extra curricular campus activities.  "I seized every opportunity to write.  Plays, poems, even a gospel rendition of our school song."

Now a wife and mother, Charnika is still writing, directing, singing, and acting near her home in southern Maryland.   Charnika now makes music with her stories and plays.  Her soulful lyrics and stirring melodies have matured into powerfully poetic prose.  She also adds to her resume theatrical producer, and now, published author.