In an evening of literary splendor and celebration, students from Ovie Brume Foundation, youths, book enthusiasts and fans gathered at CORA Library and Resource Centre, Freedom Park, Lagos Island on 21 September 2023 to engage the acclaimed actress, now author, Stella Damasus. Her latest book, "Mama, It's a Girl" was the focus of the new iteration of the CORA BOOKTrek, which unlike the normal BOOKTrek take the book and the author to the community.

It is part of CORA’s extension services to the cause of spreading Literacy in the communities. The event was a captivating fusion of book reading, book signing, and engaging conversations that left attendees inspired and enlightened. "Mama, it’s a Girl" is a poignant exploration of the intricacies in a town named Kaminwanaga where people have always lived by strict, burdensome rules designed to favor a patriarchal world. The birth of the feisty and resilient young African girl named Teno would then change the status quo. Stella Damasus, a celebrated Nigerian actress has through her debut book, wove a narrative that resonated deeply with the audience. The evening commenced with a reading session where select members of the audience, including the students from read excerpts from chapters of the book. Unarguably, Stella Damasus transported the audience to the world of her characters. The participants were captivated by her evocative words and the vivid imagery she painted with her prose work. Following the enthralling reading, Stella engaged in a lively conversation session, delving into the themes and inspirations behind "Mama, It's a Girl." The author shared personal anecdotes, allowing the audience to connect with her on a profound level. The Q&A session that ensued was both enlightening and thought-provoking, as participants had the opportunity to ask burning questions and gain deeper insights into the book's creation.

The highlight of the evening was the book signing session, where Stella Damasus personally autographed copies of "Mama, It's a Girl" for participants. Long lines of eager readers formed, each one cherishing the opportunity to have their books signed by the beloved author. Undoubtedly, CORA community Literacy Project which aims to spread the joy of reading for education, enlightenment, and empowerment was achieved at this Book Trek. The Book Trek not only celebrated the release of "Mama, it’s a Girl" but also served as a platform for fostering a sense of community among literary enthusiasts and create a spectrum for writers and their young readers. Participants left the event inspired, with hearts and minds enriched by Stella’s literary brilliance and the engaging discussions that took place. In her words, “With what CORA is doing with the Book Trek, it is giving people like me hope to do more and also encourage other people who would like to share stories and talk about important things through creative works.” "Mama, it’s a Girl" by Stella Damasus is available in Purple Shelves bookstores and other notable online stores. CORA invites readers to embark on an unforgettable journey through its pages.

About Stella Damasus: Stella Damasus is a Nigerian actress based in the United States of America. She has been in the entertainment industry for over two decades and has since been considered one of Africa’s most famous films actresses About Cora Book Trek CORA BOOKTrek is a periodic Book review and reading session with some of the most engaging African literature writers.