About The Author
About The Author
Yaakova Sho EL
Yaakova Sho EL, originally named Gregory Levaunt Showell Jr., has composed a remarkable narrative of endurance and purpose throughout his life. Born in 1968 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, he was raised primarily in Atlanta, Georgia. He cherishes summer memories spent on the Eastern Shore of the Delmarva Peninsula with his beloved paternal grandmother. Yaakova’s lineage includes a rich legacy; he is the great-grandson of the distinguished Professor Dr. Nathaniel Tillman, a notable figure in academia who shaped many minds at Atlanta University and Morehouse College.
His upbringing unfolded against the backdrop of significant historical events, as he was born shortly after the assassination of a prominent civil rights leader connected to his great-grandfather’s legacy. This context instilled in him a profound sense of responsibility towards his community. Yaakova pursued higher education at Hampton University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and being honored as Mr. Calliope Literary Society during the 1989-1990 academic year. His literary journey began with a short story entitled “Dissed By a Girl I Admired,” alongside several poems and social editorials.
Through the guidance of mentors such as Pastor Dr. Gerald Durley and Iman Plemon Al-Amin, Yaakova embarked on a spiritual quest, deeply exploring spiritual principles and the power of words. Today, as the founder and director of Yaakova House Inc. and The National Community Cooperative, he is dedicated to fostering recovery and community development, exemplifying the compassion and drive instilled in him by his family.