Sonya Bernard-Hollins is an author, publisher, and award-winning journalist on a mission to spark a fire of excitement into the lives of unsung heroes. Her passion to uncover stories of those whose quiet, yet powerful contributions to their communities and beyond, has led to the publication of Here I Stand: The Musical History of Battle Creek, Michigan, Benjamin Losford and His Handy Dandy Clippers, Small Beginnings: The Photographic Journey Through the Life of Merze Tate, Little Eddie Goes to Carnegie Hall, the Your Turn local history activity book series, and the The Journey: My Blessings Journal.

Bernard-Hollins has worked as a journalist with the Akron Beacon Journal, Battle Creek Enquirer, Kalamazoo Gazette, Black Enterprise Magazine, Business Insight, and other publications. She is publisher of Season Press LLC and editor of Community Voices online and print publication. Her work has led to awards for her work as Features editor and column writer by such agencies as Michigan Press Association, Associated Press of Michigan, and Gannett News Service.

Her community service work and her role as founder of the Merze Tate Explorers has earned her recognition by such organizations as the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – Mary McLeod Bethune Civic Community Service Award, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Excellence in Service Award,  Sojourner Truth Institute – Velma Laws Clay Vanguard Award, Boy Scouts of America – William H. Spurgeon, III Award, A. Philip Randolph Association (Battle Creek Chapter), American Business Women’s Association (Battle Creek Chapter), Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and others.