Janus Adams

Emmy Award-winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Talk Show Host and Speaker

Janus Adams is the author of three books and creator of the groundbreaking BackPax children’s book-and-audio series. An Emmy-winning journalist and talk show host, she writes the syndicated column, “What Do We Tell Our Children.” Adams’ commentaries are regular features of NPR, and her OpEds have appeared on UPI.com and in USA Today. Her on-air…

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Full Bio

Janus Adams is the author of three books and creator of the groundbreaking BackPax children’s book-and-audio series. An Emmy-winning journalist and talk show host, she writes the syndicated column, “What Do We Tell Our Children.”

Adams’ commentaries are regular features of NPR, and her OpEds have appeared on UPI.com and in USA Today. Her on-air guest credits include CNN’s TalkBack Live and NBC’s Today Show.

Adams’ latest book, Sister Days, a chronicle of African-American “herstory,” completes a three-volume saga begun with Glory Days: 365 Inspired Moments in African-American History and continued in Freedom Days, a journal of the civil rights years. In 1996, Glory Days in Concert, which was produced by Grammy Award-winner Gail Hamilton, was performed on Nashville’s famed Music Square. In February 1998, and again in 1999, McDonald’s Corporation licensed Glory Days for its Black History Month campaigns.

Since childhood, Adams has been engaged in history and culture. As one of the four children selected to end New York City’s de facto elementary school segregation, Adams began breaking racial barriers at a young age. Her return to the school she desegregated, P.S. 98, for the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision was hosted by New York City’s Board of Education and covered by CBS, ABC and WNYC.

A classically trained pianist, she graduated New York’s “famed” High School of Performing Arts as a Music major. Her Master’s Degree from Mills College in Pan-African Culture is the nation’s first graduate degree in Black Studies. The mother of twin daughters – both graduates of Spelman College – she launched her publishing career when negative images of race and gender began to taint their lives. BackPax, “publishers to the thinking child,” was the result. Since 1986, BackPax has received the Parents Choice “Gold Seal” Award for innovation in children’s media, and has become the first independent publisher featured by Children’s Book-of-the-Month Club. Backpax has been lauded as a “Best of the Best” by the American Library Association, and as a USA Today “Best Bet!”

With her “What Do We Tell Our Children?” columns and commentaries, Adams deepens her commitment to improving the lives of children. A dynamic speaker and thinker, Adams has been featured on “All Things Considered,” BET, and NBC Nightly News. She has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, and a wide variety of publications.

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Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS

Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC

Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY

I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY

Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS

Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER

The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER

Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!