About 400 middle school girls, mostly African-American, heard some life lessons written "especially" for them by a woman who has already learned the hard way.

Natasha Munson, author of Life Lessons for My Sisters, spoke to females at the EspeciallyMe Middle School Conferenceheld at Prairie Middle School, 12600 E. Jewell Ave.,on Oct. 27.

The Saturday-morning conference focused on issues of self-value, dignity and achieving excellence. The conference examined the aspects of life that prevent African-American girls from adopting the dynamics of success as a lifestyle. The goal is to promote ideas, attitudes and changes that will stimulate positive self-concepts of excellence.

Munson said she never intended to write a series of books. Instead, her primary goal was to save her teenage cousin from making some of the same choices she made while living a life she hated. Munson's cousin inspired her to write down the lessons she had learned, including wisdom she wished someone had shared with her about life, love, money and relationships.

Last year the Prairie community, led by the school's African-American Parent Leadership Group, hosted the first-ever Building Leadership in the African-American Community for Kids Conference, which attracted more than 2,000 students, parents and community members.

The Prairie community hoped to build on the success of last year's conference and continue its efforts to close the achievement gap and promote academic excellence for African-American students.