A new website has been released for Karla Sutton-McKinney’s published book “Summer of 2020.” This website serves as a gateway to explore the author’s journey, showcasing a rich biography that highlights the experiences and inspirations that have shaped their writing career. Visitors can delve into the essence of Hazzard’s latest book, uncovering the themes and narratives that resonate deeply within its pages.
Karla Sutton-McKinney is a mentor, teacher, poet, writer and now author of her first poetry book Summer of 2020. 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 Sutton-McKinney is a mentor, teacher, poet, writer and now author of her first poetry book Summer of 2020. 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 was married to Mark A. McKinney 31 ½ years when she became a widow in December of 2024. She has three sons, all who are married with growing families. There are five grandchildren, four girls and one grandson. After moving to Memphis and deciding to take a break from teaching she returned to school to become better equipped in advocating for educational equity by obtaining her Master’s in Education Policy and Leadership.
Outside of working remotely, part time for a family business, Gateway Roofing LLC, in St. Louis, MO, Karla spends her time volunteering with The Love Project (community street outreach), MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition of Action and Hope), and spreading the word for educational organizations/campaigns such as Public School Strong (PSS), Momentum Memphis (Stand for Children) and Save Our Students (SOS). She is a member of Advent Presbyterian of Cordova where she is active on the Prayer Team, as an Elder and with Advent Mobile Food Pantry.
She also enjoys the outdoors, reading, cooking and spending time with family. She invites you to share in her experience with God through this first book of poetry Summer of 2020 based on turbulent events…while gathering a glimpse into her next work Back-to-the-Beginning Volume 1 – The Things He Said.
Grab your tea or coffee, settle into your quiet space, prepare your heart and mind to embrace the work ordained for us before we were ever known. Enjoy.
“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.
The book captures the emotional and societal upheaval of a defining moment in American history. It offers a deep 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.
“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.
The book captures the emotional and societal upheaval of a defining moment in American history. It offers a deep 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.
“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.
2 Comments
I enjoyed your take on this subject. Keep writing!
I agree with your point of view and found this very insightful.