LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Longtime music industry figure and member of The One Heart Movement’s Board of Directors, Malik Adunni, debuts his first children's book, Malik's Magic African Alphabet Hat. The book is co-authored by Malik’s mother Oni Adunni, in memory of his late father Abdullar. Published by Mascot Books, the novel takes readers on a heartwarming and enchanting ride across the continent of Africa, as Malik unlocks the magical transportive powers of a beloved hat left behind by his father before he died.
"This book is the final product of a 17-year-long process," said Adunni. "My father always encouraged me to travel the world, and when I finally did, I would bring him back a hat from every country I visited. When he passed away, we buried those hats in their original countries. While I was living in Japan, I decided it was time to finish and release the children's book in his honor, using the hat as a symbol of his sage insight into the magic of travel. I partnered with my mother, Oni Adunni, in telling this story, because her use of rhyme, gift with words and lived experiences were so crucial in bringing this idea to life.”
The book follows the story of a father who promises to take his son to Africa but passes away before he has the chance to. He does, however, leave behind a magical hat that enables his son to journey to the edges of Africa, from Angola to Zambia, and acquire the important lessons that can only be learned through travel. Arriving at a time when so many families are missing and commemorating their own lost loved ones, Malik's Magic African Alphabet Hat is now available for purchase at Barnes N Noble, Target, Amazon, and other major outlets to provide an uplifting tale of the good that can be accomplished on a global scale through the wisdom and insights of those we love most, even after they’re gone. Already a top-seller in Amazon's "Children's African Books" section, the hardcover edition was illustrated by award- winning artist and creator of RaMalik Illustrations, Rashad Malik Davis.
After seeing firsthand the limitless impact of intentionally fostering global unity, community and love through his work with The One Heart Movement, Malik and Oni have chosen to dedicate this book to every child that has lost a parent, and for every adult that grew up having lost a parent, in alignment with their mission. To learn more about the organization's ongoing digital and real-world efforts, visit theoneheartmovement.org.
About Malik Adunni
Malik Adunni is a global connector, music maven and co-founder of Gold Credentials, a platform that creates, collaborates with and activates artists to partner with brands and better engage with their fans. He has worked in music for over twenty years as a global tour manager and event producer. He has helped produce three large-scale shows at Coachella Music Festival, alongside the Utah-based Summit Series.
He is a proud alumnus of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and the University of California, Los Angeles (Class of 1998). Malik serves on the Board of Directors of The One Heart Movement, a nonprofit which aims to foster unity and well-being through the power of community love. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Beneath the Waves, a nonprofit research institute focused on ocean and shark conservation that has established numerous innovative art and marketing partnerships in the music and events space, including producing the world's first NFT (non-fungible token) for ocean conservation efforts. He is on the UCLA Entertainment Industry Cabinet and serves as a brand ambassador for both “Puppies Make Me Happy” and “Thanks You Made My Day.” In all that Malik does, he aims to spread happiness and positivity.
Malik has lived in London, England; Cape Town, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; and Japan, where he taught English as a Jet Programme teacher in Kishiwada, Osaka. He considers himself a “Global Ambassador,” having traveled to forty-four different countries thus far in his lifetime. He is thankful to have been able to create a book with his mother in honor of his father and for how traveling has helped him create a universal family around the world. #RebirthTheWorld
About Oni Adunni
Oni Adunni is a retired associate college professor whose perseverance enabled her to obtain a master's degree at age sixty-seven and complete thirteen Los Angeles marathons after the age of fifty. She enjoys craft projects, cultural events, imparting wisdom and travel.
After Oni's husband, Abdullar, passed away, their son Malik wanted to honor him by writing a children's book about the art and magic of exploring the globe and leaving one’s comfort zone to discover bigger beauty and purpose in the world outside of one’s home. Oni's gift of rhyme that comes to her like torrents of rain made her say yes; therefore, this collaborative book is dedicated to Abdullar, who knew that travel is magical.
While Oni is a New Yorker through and through, she now lives in Los Angeles. She has four children, four grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
About The One Heart Movement
The One Heart Movement is a nonprofit organization committed to fostering unity and well-being through the power of community love. Founded by television host, humanitarian, activist and former Miss Philippines International, Krista Kleiner, The One Heart Movement was created to unite and heal hearts globally. With a focus on elevating our shared humanity, The One Heart Movement collaborates with today’s top artists, researchers, and thought leaders to develop transformative content. Together, they cultivate community love through meaningful programs, digital campaigns, special events and visual arts, shining a light and making an impact on the most relevant causes of our time. To learn more please visit http://www.theoneheartmovement.org/.
