Do you take the time to "Realize a dream or do you realize that a dream is just too much to chance?" ShelleyAnne Parris, a native New Yorker, hailing from Brooklyn, is doing just that. She is finally realizing her dreams of becoming a writer. Holy Cross Parochial School provided the backdrop for 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Kelly, to introduce the inquisitive nine year old to her gift of writing. By encouraging students to keep a journal and express their feelings in words, she impressed upon Shelley the importance of her voice in the world. Her journey has taken her through the loss of her mother and the birth of her daughter at 15. Shelley went on to graduate from high school in Miami, Florida, COPE Center North, an alternative school designed for teen parents. COPE never saw failure as an option for the young Shelley. She spent subsequent years in various jobs and positions, until she found a career option that remotely captured her creativity and ambition.

In 1999, Shelley engaged in the challenging field of real estate and mortgage brokering. However, her true passion for writing continued to call as she found herself frequenting open mic forums throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties. She shared her writing under the stage name Black Beauty. She made a lasting impression on her audiences and a connection that further motivated her to assemble a collection of her writings which she self-published in November of 1999, entitled In the Company of My Spirit.

In 2000, Shelley put her creative, entrepreneurial spirit to work by creating, promoting and producing a cutting edge open mic forum. Urban Sweets was launched by her and a colleague in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It became an overnight success. It gave up and coming artists the opportunity to expose their gifts to large audiences. Attendance numbered in upwards of 200 people plus when, enthusiastic patrons crowded in on Thursday nights just to be a part of the artistic exchange. This weekly event generated a taste for Urban Sweets' vibes that brought strangers from every race, color, and creed to a common ground. The family-like atmosphere unified, thus bearing witness to the power of the written and spoken word.

2000-2002 was the turning point in Shelley's life once she realized something was missing. During a bout with severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, Shelley lost her ability to write and even more precious, the desire to live. In search of her purpose, Shelley resurfaced with a new sense of self and the revelation that her gift and mere existence were based upon a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. With testimony in hand, writing is now her ministry. Shelley prays her message will serve to be a beacon of hope for others.

In pursuit of her dreams, Shelley has established her own publishing company, Infinite Possibilities Publishing Group, Inc. (IP) in Orlando, Florida. IP released Shelley's debut novel, In the Eyes of Truth, in May 2003. Shelley Parris' evident love affair with words embodies the vast depth and richness of her conscious writing style. Her keen business sense will serve to put IP on the publishing map with a second title, Simon Says Dream: Live a Passionate Life by Simon T. Bailey released July 2003 and many pending projects on the way. This emergent company steps into the competitive ring of publishing needing no formal introduction! The projects speak for themselves. As Shelley simply puts it, "[We're] Overcoming the World One Verse at a Time."

This former real estate agent and mortgage broker believes the trade off, land for literature is only the beginning of something extraordinary. Shelley a multi-faceted individual wears her many hats well, but most important effectively. In addition to writing, and owning and operating a full time publishing company, she enjoys traveling cross-country inciting audiences with her motivational speeches. Her testimony speaks of triumphant as she conveys a powerful message about succeeding life's challenges against all odds as a teenaged mother. Motherhood has proven to be the most challenging and rewarding of all her roles.

Shelley resides in the Central Florida area with her daughter Ju'Shel.