"If you like "The Help", you will love " A Rainbow in the Dark". There are a handful of books that satisfy every emotion as this one does. It carries and left me with a responsibility for extreme kindness and the profound effect it can have on a human life."
-Mag (an anonymous reader)
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Dr. Kirkland inducted in the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame !
Dr. Kirkland's induction into OSU Educators Hall of Fame !
MOST RECENT BLOG: THE RICH ARE DIFFERENT !
VIDEO
DR KIRKLAND REMEMBERS ATOKA
OSU HALL OF FAME INDUCTION VIDEO
Scenes and places in Atoka
A Rainbow in the Dark is a literary-fiction novel based on the true story of an African-American boy who overcomes the enormous obstacles of racism and poverty to turn a life filled with chaos into a life of prosperity. Set in rural Oklahoma in the 1940’s, the story showcases the life of “Kirk” (Dr. Henry Kirkland). Due to a strong twist of fate, his family abandons Kirk at the age of 14. Left to fend for himself, his beloved hometown of Atoka now seems cold and indifferent as Kirk is initiated into a world of self-reliance. This right-of-passage story illustrates Kirk’s coming of age as he is forced to work three jobs, attend school, and care for himself without the security of his family.
Kirk’s life is significantly altered when he encounters Mr. Carney, a white pharmacist who takes a chance and hires Kirk to work at the town’s drugstore. In an era when African-Americans were forced to sit at the back of the bus, Kirk’s employment at this venue creates dissention between the people of this small town and Mr. Carney. Even Kirk struggles to understand Mr. Carney’s motive for risking so much by hiring a “colored boy”.
Kirk learns some town secrets he was never meant to know. This discovery brings serious consequences into Kirk’s life and thrusts him into harm’s way when thugs attempt to permanently silence Kirk.
The story’s emotional ending occurs at the bus station in Atoka. Having persevered through colossal hardships at such a young age, the departure from Atoka is bittersweet for Kirk. While anticipating what his future outside of Atoka will offer, Kirk struggles to part from the man who has made it all possible. As the bus pulls out of town, it signals a victorious end to the struggle and the beginning of endless opportunity.
The gift given by Mr. Carney has been carried forward by Kirk, who went on to earn his Doctorate and become a noted university educator. Dr. Kirkland took many of his students under his wing and encouraged them to pursue professional educations. His encouragement has been instrumental in the development of the careers of many doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, and other health fields. I’m certain this story will inspire others as well. The novel was partially motivated by the odd discovery that Dr Kirkland’s grandfather was a former slave raising his family in the same small Alabama town that Dr McCoy's great great grandmother was raised by her uncle, one of the largest slave owners in Alabama prior to the Civil War.
Rainbow in the Dark is co-written by noted author Patrick Chalfant. Chalfant has authored two novels, published by Hawk Publishing. When The Levee Breaks (2003) fictionalized the plight of the American farmer. Bury My Heart at Redtree (2005),eloquently combinedChalfant’s pride in his Osage Indian heritage with his passion for penning stories that capture the essence of life in America’s heartland.
READER COMMENTS:
“A marvelous piece of fiction that transcends genres. A Rainbow in the Dark is no self-help book, but its rich and deep tales offer great insight into the most profound fulfillment in life--the joy of helping others.”
-Doug Manning
President, Insight Books
“An amazing story of the times and a man’s courage and perseverance.”
-Dan Bales
CEO Giant Partners
“This book conjoins the history of the 1940s with a person's life by chronicling a disadvantaged man with a faith and perseverance maintaining his course and fueling him to success. We often view history as memorized facts. It is a delight to follow an admixture of milestones and prejudices with the added depth of human experience. This gave me a better understanding of the power of one's dedication to a true course. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy the life story and its nuances as well as I did.”
-David E. Fisher, MD
“A Rainbow in the Dark was delicious from the first bite to the solid core. I couldn’t stop reading until it was finished. It is a living illustration of the sowing and reaping parable. The harvest always comes later, with a larger harvest than seed sown, and always the same seed harvested as was planted. What fertile soil brotherly love is!”
-Melba Thomas
Thomas Angus Farms
“In my work throughout the world I have discovered nothing motivates the heart of the leader more than the power of personal influence. Without it, few would be as accomplished as they are today. A Rainbow in the Dark is a powerful story of perseverance, courage and incredible life-changing influence.”
-Ray E. Sanders
CEO Giant Experiences
“This story allowed me to see life from a new perspective, drawing me into the story and feeling myself in the shoes of Kirk, the main character. His story made an indelible mark on my memory. It is one of those rare books that will not be tossed into a used book bin, but will remain on my shelf to be re-read again. The book is well written, interesting and difficult to put down because it draws the reader into the story with all the challenges, triumphs, and emotions of a vulnerable young man.”
JoAnn Wainscott
"My hope is that those listening will not only read the book; but be inspired to in turn mentor someone in their own life path. As I conversed with others after the event, I had someone say exactly what I couldn't quite put in in to words... "imagine if our world was made up of people mentoring each other - we woudn't even have a welfare system!"
Mindi Blanchard
Program Director
Exective Women's International
-Mag (an anonymous reader)
_
Dr. Kirkland inducted in the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame !
Dr. Kirkland's induction into OSU Educators Hall of Fame !
MOST RECENT BLOG: THE RICH ARE DIFFERENT !
VIDEO
DR KIRKLAND REMEMBERS ATOKA
OSU HALL OF FAME INDUCTION VIDEO
Scenes and places in Atoka
A Rainbow in the Dark is a literary-fiction novel based on the true story of an African-American boy who overcomes the enormous obstacles of racism and poverty to turn a life filled with chaos into a life of prosperity. Set in rural Oklahoma in the 1940’s, the story showcases the life of “Kirk” (Dr. Henry Kirkland). Due to a strong twist of fate, his family abandons Kirk at the age of 14. Left to fend for himself, his beloved hometown of Atoka now seems cold and indifferent as Kirk is initiated into a world of self-reliance. This right-of-passage story illustrates Kirk’s coming of age as he is forced to work three jobs, attend school, and care for himself without the security of his family.
Kirk’s life is significantly altered when he encounters Mr. Carney, a white pharmacist who takes a chance and hires Kirk to work at the town’s drugstore. In an era when African-Americans were forced to sit at the back of the bus, Kirk’s employment at this venue creates dissention between the people of this small town and Mr. Carney. Even Kirk struggles to understand Mr. Carney’s motive for risking so much by hiring a “colored boy”.
Kirk learns some town secrets he was never meant to know. This discovery brings serious consequences into Kirk’s life and thrusts him into harm’s way when thugs attempt to permanently silence Kirk.
The story’s emotional ending occurs at the bus station in Atoka. Having persevered through colossal hardships at such a young age, the departure from Atoka is bittersweet for Kirk. While anticipating what his future outside of Atoka will offer, Kirk struggles to part from the man who has made it all possible. As the bus pulls out of town, it signals a victorious end to the struggle and the beginning of endless opportunity.
The gift given by Mr. Carney has been carried forward by Kirk, who went on to earn his Doctorate and become a noted university educator. Dr. Kirkland took many of his students under his wing and encouraged them to pursue professional educations. His encouragement has been instrumental in the development of the careers of many doctors, veterinarians, pharmacists, and other health fields. I’m certain this story will inspire others as well. The novel was partially motivated by the odd discovery that Dr Kirkland’s grandfather was a former slave raising his family in the same small Alabama town that Dr McCoy's great great grandmother was raised by her uncle, one of the largest slave owners in Alabama prior to the Civil War.
Rainbow in the Dark is co-written by noted author Patrick Chalfant. Chalfant has authored two novels, published by Hawk Publishing. When The Levee Breaks (2003) fictionalized the plight of the American farmer. Bury My Heart at Redtree (2005),eloquently combinedChalfant’s pride in his Osage Indian heritage with his passion for penning stories that capture the essence of life in America’s heartland.
READER COMMENTS:
“A marvelous piece of fiction that transcends genres. A Rainbow in the Dark is no self-help book, but its rich and deep tales offer great insight into the most profound fulfillment in life--the joy of helping others.”
-Doug Manning
President, Insight Books
“An amazing story of the times and a man’s courage and perseverance.”
-Dan Bales
CEO Giant Partners
“This book conjoins the history of the 1940s with a person's life by chronicling a disadvantaged man with a faith and perseverance maintaining his course and fueling him to success. We often view history as memorized facts. It is a delight to follow an admixture of milestones and prejudices with the added depth of human experience. This gave me a better understanding of the power of one's dedication to a true course. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy the life story and its nuances as well as I did.”
-David E. Fisher, MD
“A Rainbow in the Dark was delicious from the first bite to the solid core. I couldn’t stop reading until it was finished. It is a living illustration of the sowing and reaping parable. The harvest always comes later, with a larger harvest than seed sown, and always the same seed harvested as was planted. What fertile soil brotherly love is!”
-Melba Thomas
Thomas Angus Farms
“In my work throughout the world I have discovered nothing motivates the heart of the leader more than the power of personal influence. Without it, few would be as accomplished as they are today. A Rainbow in the Dark is a powerful story of perseverance, courage and incredible life-changing influence.”
-Ray E. Sanders
CEO Giant Experiences
“This story allowed me to see life from a new perspective, drawing me into the story and feeling myself in the shoes of Kirk, the main character. His story made an indelible mark on my memory. It is one of those rare books that will not be tossed into a used book bin, but will remain on my shelf to be re-read again. The book is well written, interesting and difficult to put down because it draws the reader into the story with all the challenges, triumphs, and emotions of a vulnerable young man.”
JoAnn Wainscott
"My hope is that those listening will not only read the book; but be inspired to in turn mentor someone in their own life path. As I conversed with others after the event, I had someone say exactly what I couldn't quite put in in to words... "imagine if our world was made up of people mentoring each other - we woudn't even have a welfare system!"
Mindi Blanchard
Program Director
Exective Women's International