Jul 23#PenPOSSE Roundtable: What Cultural Barriers Black Non-Fiction Authors Had to Unlearn to Grow as…#PenPOSSE Roundtable: What Cultural Barriers Black Non-Fiction Authors Had to Unlearn to Grow as Writers Podcast recap from this month’s #PenPOSSE Roundtable on the topic Non-Fiction Writers — Healing, Inspiring & Educating the Black Community One Book at a Time During July’s Black Writers Workspace #PenPOSSE Roundtable, I spoke with…Black3 min readBlack3 min read
Jul 11POEM: I Am LightThis poem is dedicated to everyone who depends on God’s light to help them through the dark times. I Am Light Yea, do I walk through the valley of the shadow of darkness Fear pierced by the Light of God Shadows summoned my soul with temptation My Savior calls with…Poetry1 min readPoetry1 min read
Jun 19A Black Writer’s Perspective: What Juneteenth Means to MeA writer’s pen is a sacred instrument. It has the power to breathe life into a story. It is a weapon of authenticity designed to unveil a treasure trove of life experiences. The pen is so mighty that it exposes the truth beyond comprehension. In the wake of another year…Juneteenth3 min readJuneteenth3 min read
Feb 14Why Black Book Fairs MatterIn 1859 the first novel by a Black person was published in the United States. The story, ‘Our Nig; or Sketches from the Life of a Free Black’ by author Harriet E. Adams Wilson, traces the trials and tribulations of Frado, a mulatto girl abandoned by her white mother after…Books3 min readBooks3 min read
Nov 2, 2022What is Black Joy?Michelle Jackson, founder of the Black Writers Workspace (BWW), and poets Leonora Martelly and Cameron Sykes share what Black Joy means to them. For those who may not understand why I love the phrase ‘Black Joy,’ it is essential to remember that the harrowing realities of slavery, poverty, discrimination, lynchings…BlackLivesMatter2 min readBlackLivesMatter2 min read
Oct 13, 2022#PenPOSSE kicks off with virtual roundtable discussions on authenticity in writing, diversity, and book marketingThe power of writing was fully displayed during the first two episodes of the Black Writers Workspace’s (BWW) #PenPOSSE Roundtable. Launched in 2020, #PenPOSSE is a virtual platform that brings BWW writers together to discuss the art of writing, diversity, and tools for navigating the publishing industry. …Blackwritersmatter2 min readBlackwritersmatter2 min read
Sep 20, 202211 Things We’ve Learned as Black WritersEight writers from the Black Writers Workspace share what they’ve learned on their journey to publishing A writer’s job is to challenge a reader’s imagination and draw them into a new and exciting world that inspires, entertains, engages, and informs. …BlackLivesMatter3 min readBlackLivesMatter3 min read
Jul 23, 2022Three Things Fear Helped Me AccomplishFear is an emotion often associated with feelings of uncertainty, danger, shame, and rejection. It is a dark room where creatures wait to prey on me, a dangerous journey towards the unknown. But every emotion, good or bad, has its purpose, and fear is no different. Where love brings me…Overcoming Fear4 min readOvercoming Fear4 min read
Jun 9, 2022Today, I pledge to love myself.Burdened by contrasting views about beauty and likeability, too many of us (women) suffer from feelings of worthlessness. Based on the world’s standards, we are expected to be authentically ourselves AND entirely acceptable to others. We are to live in virtue of man AND pleasing of God. We are to…Self Love4 min readSelf Love4 min read
Mar 10, 2022The Door: A Black Writers Workspace Poetry CollaborativeThe Door: A Black Writers Workspace Poetry Collaborative On Friday, January 28, 2022, my father died. During his funeral, as I sat staring at his regal bronze casket covered with an American flag, I noticed a beautiful metal door in the church with a three-circle emblem representing the Holy Trinity…Writing5 min readWriting5 min read