In this episode of 'The UpNUp Podcast', we sit down with Jeffery L. Cheatham ll, Author, Entrepreneur and the founder of the 'Seattle Urban Book Exchange'. A visionary who turned frustration into action when he couldn't find children's books that reflected Black and Brown faces. Starting with no experience in publishing, he faced a steep learning curve—writing, revising, funding, and navigating the complexities of the book industry. Despite setbacks, his determination led to the release of his first book, "The Family Jones and Eggs of Rex," and eventually to the creation of the Seattle Urban Book Exchange in 2016, providing a vital platform for underrepresented voices in literature. Through candid reflections, our guest shares how his passion for storytelling evolved into a mission to uplift his community, culminating in the Expo’s growth from a modest gathering of eight authors to a major event with hundreds of attendees. His journey is not just about books, but about resilience, community-building, and finding one's purpose. Join us as we delve into how this author, advocate, and artist turned his challenges into a powerful movement that continues to inspire and empower others. This story is definitely one to keep us all on #TheUpNUp