Debra Wright

Greetings,

 I am excited to announce that I've received a grant from Leeway Foundation for publication of a collection of short stories and poems (see below).  

 Have you written a short story, or are you about to write a poem that might fit into my upcoming "For Women" collection?  For this collection, where you're from really does matter.  I'm looking for writing that places Black women in locales around the world--from Tennessee to Tanzania, Mississippi to Mali, Georgia to Jamaica, Brooklyn to Brixton, and everywhere in between.  Essays and poems should demonstrate a clear cultural aesthetic with particular customs relative to those locations, while addressing issues around relationships with men, children, other women, love, pain, beauty, sex, loneliness--you get the picture.   Take a moment to listen to Nina Simone's "Four Women" or Talib Kweli's "For Women" (if you haven't already done so) and read between the lines for ideas about the topical range of writing being sought for this publication. 

 Submission deadline: August 31st.  Questions: email me or call 267-334-1526.  And please pass the word if you know anyone who might be interested.  Hope to hear from you. 

 Best,

 Debra

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Neighborhood: Clifton Heights

Change Partner: Dr. Dulivanette Onema

Discipline: Literary Arts

Debra will produce a series of poems and short stories with an accompanying CD based on her essay, “Four Women-For Women: Black Women All Grown Up”, which has been published in an academic anthology. The collection will examine the imagery of black female stereotypical caricatures (i.e., Mammy, Tragic Mulatto, Jezebel, Sapphire), from the past and present, around issues such as relationships, racism, sexuality, and concepts of beauty, as addressed in the lyrics of Nina Simone’s “Four Women” and Talib Kweli’s “For Women”. In addition to expressing the perspectives of African-American, African, and Caribbean women, Debra’s poems will also be inclusive of the Black British female point of view, specifically those who are descendants of the 1948 Windrush Generation, people who migrated from Jamaica to London for promised economic opportunities. Once completed, Debra will facilitate presentations at community-based venues for the purpose of bringing together diverse groups and stimulating dialogue beyond the academic community.