When it comes to providing information to the public or introducing a brand, a radio interview is one of the best mediums to use. That is why Citi of Books Publishing cooperated with People of Distinction CBS Radio’s host, Benji Cole, for the inspiring and amazing stories behind every author’s work to be heard.
People of Distinction is a platform for professional and even enthusiast authors to engage in a genuine discussion and learn on inspirations, themes, and narratives from blossoming authors.
This program is hosted by Benji Cole, son of Al Cole, and is the ideal platform for authors who want to widen their readership. Benji Cole is an awesome Los Angeles actor and filmmaker who conducts interviews with guest authors. Take part in the CBS Radio Interview and become a notable guest on one of the most renowned radio shows in the country.
This extensively broadcast talk show has already conducted interviews with 2,000 of the most remarkable people in America over the past few years, including NBC producer Ken Corday and former CBS Morning News anchor Bill Kurtis. Authors who land a spot on this radio interview program will undoubtedly reach millions of listeners who could end up being book customers courtesy of CBS’ prominence and extensive national reach.
The author of the book “Summer of 2020,” Karla Sutton-McKinney, was interviewed by Benji Cole of CBS Radio. They talked about the in-depth nature of the book’s theme and inspiration during the interview. Karla Sutton-McKinney shared that the catalyst for the book was witnessing a national crisis that defied silence and internal reflection. As she described it, the events of 2020 “stirred us from speechless to responsive,” halting routine and demanding moral clarity.
“Summer of 2020” by Karla Sutton-McKinney is a powerful collection of poetry that captures the emotional and societal upheaval of a defining moment in American history. The book offers a deeply personal response to a season marked by grief, anger, and protest. Through her poignant reflections, Sutton-McKinney gives voice to the raw and conflicting emotions that defined the summer following the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other unarmed Black individuals at the hands of police.
Karla Sutton-McKinney is a mentor, teacher, poet, writer, having the pen name of KYSMetrist. Karla has been writing poetry since 1999. Her first piece was dedicated to her late cousin Rashed Omarr Davison titled Just As I Am. Karla resides in Cordova, Tennessee twenty minutes outside of downtown Memphis. A native of St. Louis, MO, she has been married to Mark A. McKinney for 27 years and has three sons, all who are married with growing families. She has two grandchildren with another preparing for his or her exodus in March of 2021. Currently, she is taking a break from teaching to return to school to become better equipped to advocate for educational equity by obtaining her master’s in education policy and leadership.
Each poem is dated, offering a journal-like chronicle of Sutton-McKinney’s evolving thoughts and emotions during this intense period. Her writing lays bare her sense of sorrow, frustration, and disillusionment with a society that continues to struggle with its racist past and present. Yet, within that disillusionment, a quiet hope remains—a hope that justice, though elusive, is still possible through collective action, protest, and unwavering faith.
“Summer of 2020” masterfully expresses the duality of pain and perseverance. Sutton-McKinney explores the emotional terrain of powerlessness and rage while holding fast to resilience and spiritual belief. Her faith in God provides a firm foundation amid the chaos, helping her navigate the uncertainty and pain with grace and clarity. It is this faith—steady and unwavering—that breathes hope into every line of her poetry.
“Summer of 2020” is not just a record of a turbulent season; it is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. With
conviction, vulnerability, and grace, Sutton-McKinney invites readers to reflect, feel, and believe in a better future.
Watch the full interview below: