About the author
Rod Cornish
In 2001, after the tragic events of 9/11, Rod decided to take a year off and left the corporate world to travel and learn. He returned from New York City to his hometown of New London, CT, and then traveled for three months in Europe, mainly Sevilla, Spain. While abroad, the decision was made to not return to the corporate life and to pursue opening a bar/restaurant. He enrolled in a local adult education program in Culinary Arts at Grasso Tech, where he learned cooking skills and was taken under the wing of Chef Mario Longo, who believed in his dream to open his own place.
After finishing the program, Rod delved into the business of learning the industry by working for others for several years — bartending, working in kitchens, and waitering. Finally, in December of 2005, Rod opened Hot Rod Cafe, which quickly became known for having great wings, beer, and atmosphere. About a year later, Chef Carlos Paucar joined the team and brought the menu up to a new level, winning many awards for Hot Rod Cafe — including a trophy in the National Buffalo Wing Competition!
In 2014, Rod became a dad to Roen Hendrix Cornish, the inspiration for this book — a handsome and inquisitive boy who is a perfect combination of his African American father and Lithuanian mother. One day when Roen was four years old, while in New York City for a modeling gig (Roen modeled from 4 months old to 5 years old, when he announced his retirement to his mother and father), Roen made a statement that became the inspiration for this book. He looked at his father and said, “Dad, your skin is darker and mine is lighter.” Rod thought to himself, “Oh boy, wasn’t expecting to have the race conversation this soon.” Then, without missing a beat, Roen said, “It’s ok, we’re really the same.”
I was so happy and proud of his insight that, shortly after that conversation, I began this book. I hope you all enjoy it. We really are all the same, and the sooner more folks realize that simple fact, the better off we will all be.
The book is illustrated by Autumn Wilson, whose artwork brings the message to life on every page.