Meet a Veteran Systems and Computer Engineer Turned Country Western Author

From the complex world of IT, Syvila transitioned to the legal profession, specializing in patent law. This shift was not surprising, as she successfully passed the federal patent bar exam after being admitted to the California Bar. Her decade-long career in patent law saw her receive the 2002 CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Patent Law, underscoring her commitment to excellence.

As a leader, Syvila served as Vice President of the USC Black Alumni from 1980 to 1983, as President of the Los Angeles Black Professional Engineers from 1980 to 1982, and as Chairperson of the National Council of Black Professional Engineers from 1982 to 1989.  

Syvila has received numerous prestigious awards, including the “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award from the Los Angeles Urban Bankers in 1985 for publishing WORKS magazine. However, she is most proud of her significant contributions to community development, such as creating a low-income housing project on family property as part of the Watts/Willowbrook Community Development Project from 1991 to 1994.  

Her time at Xerox Corporation, where she played a key role in securing a one-million-dollar grant for Jackson State University in Mississippi, reinforces her commitment to storytelling that reflects resilience and community spirit as a country western writer. 

As a country western author, Syvila’s aim in writing her first book is to share the remarkable story of her great-grandfather, shedding light on what people like him had to go through to rise from the servant class. The story includes his hard-fought courtship of the woman he loved and how he coped with being black during the late 1800s. 

 Syvila said readers will also easily relate to the life experiences of many of the story’s characters, which she hopes will encourage positive insight and generate smiles. She wishes to share with others the sweet essence of the souls of her black, Mexican, Native American, Chinese, and white characters.  

Syvila’s aim in writing her first book is to share the remarkable story of her great-grandfather, shedding light on what people like him had to go through to rise from the servant class. This included his hard-fought courtship of the woman he loved and how he coped with being Black during the late 1800s.

Syvila said readers will also easily relate to the life experiences of many of the story’s characters, which she hopes will encourage positive insight and generate smiles. She wishes to share with others the sweet essence of the souls of her Black, Mexican, Native American, Chinese, and White characters.

Writing is Syvila’s third career, and as both an engineer and a lawyer, she brings a unique perspective to her work as a country western author. Her focus is on inspiring and informing her readers mentally and spiritually. In her book, Blessings From The Four Winds, she draws from her great-grandfather’s life, highlighting the human experience through frail and sensitive characters.

Her storytelling offers both entertainment and deep insights, featuring treasures like thought-provoking sermons, a tribal chief’s wise advice, and tender moments of personal sacrifice. She likens her work to Dances with Wolves for its respect for Native American culture and Lonesome Dove for its compelling cattle drive adventure.

Smoke On The Wind stands alone in its own right, culminating Will’s story by weaving a rich tapestry of personalities—ranging from wealthy to poor, legislators to the illiterate. Interwoven throughout are stolen moments between lovers forbidden to be together due to their race, culture, or social status, all captured through the lens of a passionate country western author.

Writing is Syvila’s third career, and as an engineer and a lawyer, she brings a unique perspective to storytelling by focusing on inspiring and informing her readers mentally and spiritually. While “Blessings From The Four Winds” draws from the life of her great-grandfather, it highlights the human experience through frail and sensitive characters, offering both entertainment and deep insights. Embedded are treasures like thought-provoking sermons, tribal Chief’s advice, and tender moments of personal sacrifice. Syvila likens it to “Dances with Wolves” for its respect towards Native American culture, and to “Lonesome Dove” for its cattle drive adventure.

“Smoke On The Wind” has no comparison. It concludes Will’s story weaving a tapestry of personalities, from wealthy to poor, from legislators to illiterate. Mixed in are stolen moments between lovers forbidden from pairing due to their race, culture, or station in life.