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NWA Wench Virtual Book Club, Part 2

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance’s 2012 Every Person Is a Philosopher Annual Benefit is just around the corner on June 7! Our featured speaker will be Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the New York Times Bestseller Wench. For the first time ever, we’re hosting a virtual book club in the weeks leading up to the event! Each [...]

“The opportunity to express myself in a safe environment”: Meet the Philosophers with Barbara Banks

Today in our Meet the Philosophers Series we hear from longtime NWA writer Barbara Banks! Barbara’s piece, “Soup Anyone?” inspired the title of the most recent issue of JOT, “I Believed Every Word.” What is your name? Barbara Banks If you had to give yourself a title, what would it be? World traveler How long [...]

Raw Voices Recap

Two weeks ago, former NWA intern Maggie and I had the good fortune to participate as workshop leaders in Raw Voices 2012: Teens in the Media Arts Festival. This festival is hosted by Columbia College Chicago and celebrates the work and opportunities available to teens in the growing media arts industry with contests and special [...]

JOT Celebrates Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. To celebrate, we’re posting four different pieces honoring the important roles mothers have played in NWA writer’s lives. In “Mama” Ron Yokley writes about the devotion of his mother’s love and his resolve to live his life in a way that honors the care his mother put into raising him. [...]

The NWA Virtual Wench Book Club, Part One!

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance’s 2012 Every Person Is a Philosopher Annual Benefit is just around the corner on June 7! Our featured speaker will be Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the New York Times Bestseller Wench. For the first time ever, we’ll be hosting a virtual book club in the weeks leading up to the event! [...]