Synthia Saint James (born February 11, 1949) is an American visual artist, author, keynote speaker, educator and actor. She is best known for designing the original cover art of the hardcover edition of Terry McMillan's book Waiting to Exhale. Additionally, Saint James designed the first Kwanzaa stamp for the United States Postal Service, first issued in 1997 and the Kwanzaa Forever Stamp, issued in 2016.
Biography Synthia Saint James was raised in Los Angeles, California and the Bronx, New York. She is a self- taught artist whose work includes fine art canvases, public murals, and book illustrations. She sold her first painting in New York City at the age of 20. She currently lives in Los Angeles.
Career In 1976, Saint James appeared in the film Emma Mae (also known as Black Sister's Revenge) as Ulika Stansell, cousin to the title-character Emma Mae. In 1977, Saint James appeared as the spokesperson and counter girl in a national McDonald's TV commercial.
Saint James had her first solo art exhibition at the Inner City Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California in 1977, where she studied performing arts. In 1980, she participated in her first international exhibition in Paris, France.
She received an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Humane Letters) from Saint Augustine's University, Raleigh, North Carolina, on May 8, 2010.
Bibliography Children's books
Adult literature
Saint James, Synthia (2015). In and Out of Love: Selected Poetry from the 1970s. Atelier SAINT JAMES. . Saint James, Synthia (2016). Creative Fixings from the Kitchen: Multicultural Delights. Atelier SAINT JAMES. . Saint James, Synthia (2016). Honey Suckle Kisses. Atelier SAINT JAMES. . Saint James, Synthia (2016). I AM EDMONIA LEWIS and I AM WILDFIRE (A Monologue). Atelier SAINT JAMES. . Saint James, Synthia (2016). Honey Suckle Kisses: Love's Refreshment. Atelier SAINT JAMES. .
Awards Year Award Organisation20152015 Villager AwardAfram Global Organization Inc, The Village P.r.o.j.e.c.t.s. 2011 California Black Women's Health Project2010 Trumpet Awards-The Arts Trumpet AwardsHonorary Doctorate( Doctor of Humane Letters) Saint Augustine's CollegeHall of Fame National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles Chapter"Phenomenal Women" California State University, Northridge 2008 "Woman of the Year" 26th Senatorial District of California 2007 "A Tribute to Synthia SAINT JAMES" The Home Depot Center Charitable Foundation & AEG Worldwide2006 "MOSTE Inspirational Woman" MOSTE Foundation"The Samella Award" Center for the Arts of the African Diaspora2004 "Woman of the Year" (Education) Los Angeles County Commission for Women"The History Makers Award" 2002 "Ebony Excellence: Women of Vision" Mu Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority."Sisters Award" National Alumnae Association of Spelman College 2001 "Greensboro, NC Key to the City" African American Atelier Gallery"The Arts Council Award" California Afro-American Museum"Oppenheim Gold Award" - for the book To Dinner, For Dinner2000 "Literary & Visual Arts Award" 115th Anniversary Second Baptist Church"Talent Award" Los Angeles Chapter of The Links, Inc. 1999 "NAPPA Gold Award" NAPPA 1998 "Women of Vision Award" Black Women Lawyers 1997 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award - for the book Neeny Coming Neeny Going"UNICEF Greeting Card Award" UNICEF"AT&T Entrepreneur of the Year" Black Women of Achievement & NAACP Legal Defense Fund"Treasure of Los Angeles""YWCA Silver Achievement Award" YWCA 1996 "Parents Choice Silver Honor" - for the book Sunday
43rd NAACP Image Awards (2012)
"Living My Dream: An Artistic Approach to Marketing": Outstanding Literary Work-Instructional category.
References
External links Synthia SAINT JAMES Official Web site Coretta Scott King Book Award Recipients M.K. Asante, The Black Candle