Interview By: Charron Monaye

From the newsroom to the boardroom, and from the bright lights of television to the magical pages of children’s books, Markette “Sugar” Sheppard is rewriting the narrative of what it means to lead, create, and inspire. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, media executive, bestselling children’s book author, marketing strategist, and founder of Glow Brands, Markette has built an extraordinary career fueled by vision, versatility, and a passion for stories that move the world. Her work managing film production partnerships with P&G Studios and Queen Latifah’s Queen Collective reflects her commitment to amplifying powerful voices and bringing meaningful stories to life.

But behind the accolades, executive titles, and media milestones is a woman whose greatest stories may be the ones closest to her heart. With three children’s books published by Simon & Schuster and a fourth released through her own publishing company, Markette is turning her love of storytelling into a legacy of imagination, family, and connection. In Grandma Dee’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, she invites readers into the warmth of a grandmother’s kitchen, where little Sugar discovers that the sweetest ingredients are love, togetherness, and treasured moments shared across generations. Through the whimsical magic of baking, Markette reminds us that the stories we tell, and the memories we create, can nourish hearts long after the last page is turned. Markette’s more than a storyteller; she’s a visionary creating a legacy, one powerful story at a time.

HH: What inspired you to begin writing children’s books, and how has your journey as a mother and journalist shaped your mission to change the narrative in children’s publishing by celebrating Black and Brown children’s joy, imagination, and everyday experiences?

MS: I was inspired to write children’s books after having my first child. When he was born, I started reading to him, and it was fun. That first year, I stayed home with him, and we would walk to the library for storytime. We were always surrounded by books. My husband and I had even started reading children’s books to him before he left the hospital.

However, I noticed there wasn’t much representation of Black boy joy or Black girl joy. There was a lack of joy and lightheartedness in picture books featuring Black and Brown children, so I was inspired to change the narrative in children’s publishing. I told myself that if I could write a TV script, then I could write a children’s book manuscript. And so, the journey began.

My personal journey as a journalist, writing stories about people, always taught me to look for the stories not being told and shed light on the truth. And the truth is that childhood is just as wonderful for Black babies as it is for anyone else. I wanted to showcase the lovely, simple, and delightful side of Black childhood to let children and the world know that we are so much more than the negativity and Black pain that receive so much attention in the media. We are light and lighthearted. We are wondrous and wonderful. We deserve to be seen and heard fully, and that’s the void I try to fill in the children’s book world.

I have four books now. My first was What Is Light?, which became an Amazon No. 1 bestseller. Then came my next book baby, My Rainy Day Rocket Ship, a critically acclaimed book about the simplicity of Black Boy Joy. Next came Ninja Nate, where I let my imagination run wild. Now, Grandma Dee’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake celebrates family, connection, and legacy through food.

HH: What inspired you to write Grandma Dee’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, and what makes this particular dessert so meaningful to you?

MS: My grandmother inspired me through her kindness. When she passed away a few years ago, it felt as though one of the only truly genuine people in my life, someone who loved me unconditionally, was gone. Grandma Dee made a lot of delicious food, but there was something about her pineapple upside-down cake that stuck with me. I started trying to recreate the recipe from memory and made it dozens of times over the years whenever I found myself thinking about her. Finally, I told myself that I’m a better writer than I am a baker, so I pivoted to writing Grandma’s story down.

HH: Food often brings families together and preserves traditions across generations. As we approach the holiday season, what do you hope readers will discover about love, family, and togetherness through this book?

MS: Food, like love, can be simple if you just let it be that way. Grandma Dee didn’t have any fancy kitchen tools or ingredients. She cooked with flour, butter, sugar, and a pound of pure love. There wasn’t even an electric mixer in her kitchen, just wooden spoons, glass bowls, and metal pots and pans.

As we approach the holiday season, I want people to read this book and discover that the real gift of the holidays is togetherness and connecting with the ones we love most.

HH: With children increasingly surrounded by digital entertainment, how do you create stories that capture their attention, encourage reading, and leave a lasting impression?

MS: I think we, as adults, have to tell our kids to simply put their devices down. Then we have to put ours down, too! I come from a family of straight shooters, so Grandma Dee would probably just put it out there and say, “Sugar, put that phone down! It’s time to eat!” She wasn’t shy about speaking her mind.

HH: If a child reads “Grandma Dee’s Pineapple Upside-Down Cake” and wants to create a special tradition with their own family, what message would you want that child to remember?

MS: I would encourage that child to write down her family’s recipes. There is a family recipe journal at the back of the book specifically for that purpose. Memories and family legacy can literally be preserved within the pages of the book.

HH: If Grandma Dee could see this book in the hands of readers today, what do you think she would say, and how would you want her to feel?

MS: I think she would smile and say she was proud of me. Grandma Dee never shied away from showing how much she cared. She would definitely say something along the lines of, “Sugar, I sho’ is proud of you!”

HH: When you look at your work in media, entrepreneurship, children’s literature, and community impact, what do you hope people remember most about the stories you told and the doors you opened for others?

MS: I hope people can see that I work to spread light through my work. It is my heartfelt intention to put goodness out into the world. When I sit down to write or produce a project, I ask myself, “Okay, what is this going to do for people? Is it going to help them? Is it going to shed light on a truth?” I’m all about building people up and leaving them feeling better, more informed, or more inspired than they were before they encountered my work.

To learn more or order your copy of the book, visit https://markettesheppard.com/ Markette Sheppard – TV Host | Author | Journalist