Local author/publisher Lavaille Lavette has worked behind the scenes on some of the biggest books in recent memory, including iconic actress Viola Davis’s New York Times best-selling memoir “Finding Me.”
Lavette and Davis, along with Davis’s husband Julius Tennon, have teamed up again to make noise in the literary space. This time, Davis and Tennon are joining Lavette on the production side.
Though Davis and Tennon have made a name for themselves with JuVee Productions, an artist-driven, Los Angeles-based production company that develops and produces independent film, TV, theater, VR and digital content, best known for producing the smash hit movie “The Woman King,” they’re set to have that same level of impact with the world of book publishing.
“This trailblazing company, JVL Media, is set to enhance the publishing landscape as a comprehensive independent publisher, while also forging strategic alliances with leading book publishing houses to deliver uniquely curated titles to a global readership,” said Lavette, author of several children’s books, including “Jayylen’s Juneteenth Surprise.”
Davis, a member of the exclusive EGOT club (winners of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony), is openly excited about JVL’s potential.
“This endeavor embodies our collective aspiration—to champion and elevate voices that resonate with authenticity and are often overlooked,” said Davis. “Our mission is to interlace a rich mosaic of both fiction and non-fiction that not only stirs the imagination but also venerates the enduring heritage of storytellers from diverse walks of life.”
JVL’s debut slate presents a dynamic array of non-fiction and fiction books. “Had to Lose to Win: The Tiki Davis Story” by Tiki Davis narrates a journey of unyielding determination and the quest for self-reconstruction. Here, Tiki lays bare his hitherto concealed odyssey of resilience, becoming an emblem of hope and transformation.
“The Inclusion Leader” by Dr. Johné Battle, a visionary executive at Dollar General, redefines leadership paradigms, prioritizing proactive engagement and authentic experiences over abstract theories. It offers readers an innovative and tangible leadership model ripe for implementation.
Tennon is looking forward to the new ground JVL plans to break.
“JVL Media transcends traditional publishing,” he said. “We’re nurturing a literary culture that echoes the soul of our society and propels us into the future with stories that matter.”
Anticipated fiction titles promise to enthrall readers with “New Hope” by Tanya Wright—a poignant saga of camaraderie interwoven with the complexities of sorrow and bliss—and “Black States of America” by D. E. Rogers, an inventive sci-fi epic that reimagines the trajectory of Black lives in an alternate reality forged by Lincoln’s survival.
“JVL Media stands as a beacon for inclusive and nuanced storytelling. We are wholeheartedly devoted to fostering joy, inspiring wonder, and unlocking the limitless power of literature to unite us all,” added Lavette.
In the fall of 2025, JVL Media will expand its literary repertoire to include an array of children’s books and young adult titles.
