In HAVING WHAT MATTERS (Amistad; An Imprint of HarperCollins; December 20, 2002; $12.95) Monique Greenwood offers African-American women a refreshing prescription for personal and professional success. To achieve a life of meaning and value, she advises women that they don't have to work harder to do more, but rather they have to shift perspective, change their thinking, and manage their lives better for true completeness. Laced with cultural and historical references, and shaped by the author's personal journey from "have-not" to "having what matters," this sister-to-sister road map offers tips for getrting out of debt and accumulating wealth, fostering supportive and loving relationships, creating great personal style, balancing your life, putting yourself at the top of your priority list and more.

Like no other time in history, the Black woman is experiencing remarkable career and financial success. Yet, she is yearning for more--more of what brings her true joy. HAVING WHAT MATTERS is the book she's been waiting for to help her look within and identify those things that mean the most to her, because today it's about value, not status.

Accomplished author, successful entrepreneur, devoted wife and mother, Monique Greenwood is a woman with something to teach us. Greenwood explains in her new book that "success is highly subjective," or at least it should be. "What rocks my world may feel like a rock in your shoe," she advises. HAVING WHAT MATTERS gives African-American women the confidence to define success for themselves and the techniques to turn their dreams into reality. Greenwood shows readers:

* How to identify the illusions that hold you back
* How to track your dreams and create "the plan"
* Why no dream is impossible

Her very own life--from anonymity to the top of the Essence masthead, from an unfit-size eighteen body to a shapely size twelve, from a cramped rental apartment to a mansion of her own, from countless bad relationships to a sweet union--is evidence that her "bootstrapping" strategies work. Funny motivational, and infinitely useful, HAVING WHAT MATTERS provides sage advice on areas such as:

* THE IMPORTANCE OF ME TIME
* HOW TO FIND AND BUILD A GREAT CAREER
* ACHIEVING FINANCIAL FREEDOM
* FINDING A SEXY SOUL MATE
* THE BENEFIT OF LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING GREAT
* SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH LOVING FAMILY AND FRIENDS
* HOW TO MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD

It was while writing this book that Greenwood realy reflected on it's lessons and decided to leave her esteemed position as editor of Essence to devote more time to self, family and the development of her businesses. The wisdom and knowledge Greenwood shares in HAVING WHAT MATTERS can change your life too.

About The Author: A graduate of Howard University, Monique Greenwood is the owner of the world-famous Akwaaba Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Brooklyn, New York and its sister businesses Akwaaba Cafe, a Brooklyn restaurant, and Akwaaba-by-the-Sea, a bed and breakfast in Cape May, New Jersey. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband of twelve years, who still calls her "love goddess," and her young daughter, who calls her "cool."

HAVING WHAT MATTERS
The Black Woman's Guide to Creating The Life You Really Want
By Monique Greenwood
Amistad; An Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Publication Date: December 20, 2002
Paperback: $12.95($19.95 CAN)
ISBN: 0-06-050788-8