Grand Prize Winner, North Street Book Prize
Weeks after being born at Howard University’s Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, DC, Paul Thornton moved to New York City with dad, Paul Sr., and his 16-year old mom Esther. As his family grew to include five younger brothers, Paul was raised in Brooklyn until the family relocated to Long Island, NY, where Paul spent his teenage years until leaving the stressful home at 17 to join the Army.
As a bright but misguided young man, Paul was assigned to the mental health clinic at Fort Benning, GA. The clinic was staffed by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurse clinicians, and the influence of working among these educated professionals redirected Paul to pursuing higher education. With his superiors' support Paul attended classes at night and weekends. A month after completing his 3-year Army commitment, Paul earned his bachelors degree from Troy University.
Now cognizant of the value of education, after his honorable discharge Paul earned an MBA from the University of Rochester, and then joined the multinational giant, DuPont, headquartered in Wilmington, DE.
For the first six years Paul was rewarded with increasing levels of responsibility. Concurrently, Paul’s personal life was very fulfilling and centered on his beautiful family comprised of high school sweetheart wife Dorey, and two daughters, 6-year old Kina, and newborn Shornay. Then, in spring 1985, life happened.
White Man’s Disease has long percolated as a story idea. Paul started writing it many years ago, stopped after a couple chapters, and then went years without writing anything at all. Paul was moved to begin writing again after being tasked with giving the reception greeting to guests at Kina's December 2014 wedding. The theme of the reception talk was memories of Kina growing up. That speech culminated the process of gaining back part of what Paul lost years earlier—the freedom to be comfortable with who he is. Immediately after that reluctantly delivered reception greeting, it was as if a huge burden had been lifted off Paul’s shoulders; one that he had carried for 30 years. When he returned to his hotel room after the reception, Paul immediately began to write. 23 chapters and 15 months later, here is White Man’s Disease.
Today, Dr. Paul Thornton is a university administrator. He lives in Florida with his wife of 25 years, Cheryl.
As a bright but misguided young man, Paul was assigned to the mental health clinic at Fort Benning, GA. The clinic was staffed by psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and nurse clinicians, and the influence of working among these educated professionals redirected Paul to pursuing higher education. With his superiors' support Paul attended classes at night and weekends. A month after completing his 3-year Army commitment, Paul earned his bachelors degree from Troy University.
Now cognizant of the value of education, after his honorable discharge Paul earned an MBA from the University of Rochester, and then joined the multinational giant, DuPont, headquartered in Wilmington, DE.
For the first six years Paul was rewarded with increasing levels of responsibility. Concurrently, Paul’s personal life was very fulfilling and centered on his beautiful family comprised of high school sweetheart wife Dorey, and two daughters, 6-year old Kina, and newborn Shornay. Then, in spring 1985, life happened.
White Man’s Disease has long percolated as a story idea. Paul started writing it many years ago, stopped after a couple chapters, and then went years without writing anything at all. Paul was moved to begin writing again after being tasked with giving the reception greeting to guests at Kina's December 2014 wedding. The theme of the reception talk was memories of Kina growing up. That speech culminated the process of gaining back part of what Paul lost years earlier—the freedom to be comfortable with who he is. Immediately after that reluctantly delivered reception greeting, it was as if a huge burden had been lifted off Paul’s shoulders; one that he had carried for 30 years. When he returned to his hotel room after the reception, Paul immediately began to write. 23 chapters and 15 months later, here is White Man’s Disease.
Today, Dr. Paul Thornton is a university administrator. He lives in Florida with his wife of 25 years, Cheryl.
