ORLANDO, Fla. —  Diante Lawrence is reminded during each story time at Orlando Science Center that dreaming is contagious and that people can imagine the possibilities when they open a book.

What You Need To Know

  •  Diante Lawrence wrote a book called, "Tae Tae and the Believers" and often reads to Central Florida students at camps and schools

  •  His goal is to encourage young people to chase their dreams

  •  The author also wants young Black children to see themselves represented in a positive light

  • The book is the first of seven in a series that Lawrence plans to write

“I’m able to help inspire them, be a part of their story. And they’re able to help me keep going,” he said.

Lawrence recently authored his first book, “Tae Tae and the Believers,” which he often reads to children everywhere — from summer camps to school assemblies.

The book is about setting goals, dreaming and discovering one’s potential by leaning on those around you. The main character, Tae Tae, is modeled after Lawrence himself, who grew up in East Orlando.

While the author and real estate agent said that his parents, married for 40 years, led by example and instilled in him the notion that anything is possible, others around him did not have that experience. That, he said, is compounded by the lack of positive representation for many Black children in books, television and movies.

“You have friends and family who go off the right path. Not to say any people in particular, but becoming drug addicts and living on the streets … seeing stuff like that, being like, ‘I don’t want to end up like that',” he said. “It’s my belief that imagery moves people. Not words, not saying, ‘Hey, you do this.’ What people see, what they grow up with.”

And so, Lawrence set out to create a colorful, adventure-filled book to change the narrative and encourage young people to dream.

Author Diante Lawrence often reads to students and to campers at the Orlando Science Center. (Spectrum News)

“In my brain, it was what actionable step can I take to impart that on to the next generation and leave a positive impact?” he explained. “The message of the book is to one, leave a legacy. And two, share with young, Black boys, society as a whole, that they can dream.”

The book is one of seven in a series Lawrence plans to write. The author often partners with the Orlando Science Center — a place to which his mother took him and that made a lasting impact upon his life — to read to students and campers.