The Griots of 2025

Crystal Wilkinson is an award-winning author and proud daughter of the rural South whose writing celebrates Black women’s voices, family, and the beauty of everyday life. A recent recipient of the Writing Freedom Fellowship, she is the author of the national-bestselling culinary memoir Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts; the poetry collection Perfect Black; and three acclaimed works of fiction—The Birds of Opulence, Water Street, and Blackberries, Blackberries. Her many honors include the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Poetry, the O. Henry Prize, the Academy of American Poets Fellowship, the USA Artists Fellowship, and the Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. She has also received recognition from Yaddo, Hedgebrook, the Vermont Studio Center, and The Hermitage Foundation. Wilkinson’s short stories, poems, and essays have appeared in The Atlantic, The Kenyon Review, STORY, Agni Literary Journal, Emergence, Oxford American, and Southern Cultures. From 2021 to 2023, she served as Poet Laureate of Kentucky, the first Black woman to hold that role, and she now teaches creative writing at the University of Kentucky, where she is the Bush-Holbrook Endowed Professor and Director of the Division of Creative Writing. Her forthcoming memoir, Heartsick, will be published by Crown.

Jaki Shelton Green is North Carolina’s ninth Poet Laureate, appointed in 2018 as the first African American and only the third woman to hold the honor. Reappointed by Governor Roy Cooper in 2021, she continues to shape the state’s literary landscape through her poetry, teaching, and mentorship. A 2019 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow and recipient of the North Carolina Humanities Council Caldwell Award, Green was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2014. She has also been recognized as the 2009 Piedmont Laureate and received the North Carolina Award for Literature in 2003. Her acclaimed works include Dead on Arrival, Conjure Blues, breath of the song, Feeding the Light, The Communion of White Dresses, and i want to undie you, along with her 2020 poetry LP The River Speaks of Thirst. Green is the founder of SistaWRITE, which hosts transformative writing retreats for women in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. A former Documentary Poetry instructor at Duke University, she currently serves as Poetry Editor for WALTER Magazine and Poet Laureate-in-Residence at the North Carolina Museum of Art. In 2022, she was named to the Forbes 50 Over 50: Lifestyle List, honoring her as one of the nation’s most influential cultural voices.

Glenis Redmond is the Inaugural Poet Laureate of Greenville, South Carolina, and a 2025 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor for extraordinary achievement and service. A Baldwin Fellow (2024–2025), 2023 Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow, and Highlights Foundation Inspire Scholar, she continues to uplift communities through poetry that celebrates resilience, heritage, and the power of voice. A Cave Canem alumna and veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, Glenis earned her B.A. from Erskine College and M.F.A. from Warren Wilson College. She is the author of seven poetry collections, including Over Yonder and The Song of Everything: A Poet’s Exploration of South Carolina State Parks, The Listening Skin (Four Way Books), and Praise Songs for Dave the Potter (University of Georgia Press), featuring artwork by Jonathan Green. Her honors include the Governor’s Award for the Arts (2022) and induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors, the state’s literary hall of fame. Her work has appeared in Orion Magazine, Callaloo, American Poets, The New York Times, and the North Carolina Literary Review. A proud mother, grandmother, and griot of the South, Glenis believes that “poetry is the mouth that speaks when all other mouths are silent.”

Nnenna Freelon is a seven-time GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, podcaster, author, and advocate for arts education whose artistry embodies the soul of the Black Southern experience. With twelve acclaimed albums, she continues to perform on international jazz stages, in concert halls, and on screen—bridging music, storytelling, and healing through her work. For forty years, she shared her life with her late husband, renowned architect Phil Freelon, FAIA. After his passing from ALS in 2019 and the loss of her sister soon after, Nnenna found herself, in her words, “in the palm of grief.” That experience inspired a creative journey exploring love, loss, and transformation. She is the creator and producer of Great Grief, an award-winning podcast recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association as the nation’s best narrative podcast on grief. Her debut book, Beneath the Skin of Sorrow: Improvisations on Loss (Duke University Press), is part love story, part homage to jazz, and part meditation on living creatively through bereavement.

Eden Royce is a writer from Charleston, South Carolina, whose stories are steeped in the rich soil of the Lowcountry and the spirit of Gullah-Geechee tradition. Now based in Southeast England, she continues to bring the magic, mystery, and resilience of the Black South to readers around the world. A Shirley Jackson Award winner for her adult fiction, Eden is also the author of acclaimed books for young readers that have earned the Bram Stoker Award and Ignyte Award, been finalists for the Andre Norton Nebula Award, recognized as Walter Dean Myers Honorees, and named School Library Journal Best Books of the Year. Through her work, Eden bridges continents and generations, carrying Southern folklore and storytelling into new worlds.

de’Angelo Dia is a theopoet and mystic whose work explores culture, spirituality, and moral imagination through poetry, performance art, and photography. Rooted in Black liberation theology and Southern Gothic literature, his creative practice engages themes of contemplative spirituality, embodiment, and Gullah mythology. He is the author of bifurcation (2022), sacred|spaces (2024), and nightshade (2024), and his writings have appeared in BLACK BOY Journal, The Skinny Journal, Artists Writing on Liberation, and Cru Arts & Culture. A Cave Canem, Watering Hole, and Hurston/Wright Foundation fellow, Dia has also received recognition from the McColl Center for Art + Innovation and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African- American Arts + Culture. He serves as Director of Education & Community Engagement at the Independent Picture House and is a member of the Goodyear Arts Collective in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pierce Freelon is a GRAMMY®-nominated artist, author, podcaster, and entrepreneur whose work blends creativity, culture, and community. His GRAMMY®-nominated children’s albums AnceStars (2023) and Black to the Future (2021) have been featured on NPR, Billboard, and the Today Show, inspiring families through rhythm, joy, and storytelling. Pierce is the author of two beloved picture books with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers — Daddy and Me: Side by Side (2023) and Daddy-Daughter Day (2022) — which celebrate Black fatherhood and imagination. He’s also the co-creator and voice of Beat-master BoomBox on the PBS Kids podcast “Jamming on the Job.” A true creative visionary, Pierce is also the founder of Coco Fro, a vegan freeze-dried ice cream company that mixes innovation with soul. He’s a proud dad, husband, and lifelong dreamer who still dunks basketballs — and reads Octavia Butler with his wife of 18 years.

Kianna Alexander is an author, lecturer, scholar, and womanist whose writing celebrates the joy, strength, and brilliance of Black women. Since 2009, she has published more than fifty titles and shared her expertise at universities, libraries, and conferences across the nation. Her work and insights have been featured in The Guardian, Essence Magazine, NPR, and USA Today. A proud Bronco alumna, Kianna earned her B.A. in English Language and Literature from Fayetteville State University, where she minored in history with a focus on African American, Latin American, and world history. Rooted deeply in the South, Kianna embodies the warmth and wisdom of a true Carolina storyteller—devoted mother, supportive sister, fun-loving aunt, and loyal friend. A lifelong North Carolinian, she continues to make her home in the Tar Heel State, surrounded by her well-loved collection of vintage 1980s Barbie dolls and stories that honor the power of Black womanhood.

Kelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning author, teaching artist, and founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a collective that amplifies Black voices in children’s literature. She has written more than thirty books for young readers, all guided by her mission to center Black heroes, celebrate family and heritage, and help every child discover the power of their own story. Her acclaimed picture books include the Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, the Christopher Award winner Tiara’s Hat Parade, and Sing a Song: How “Lift Every Voice and Sing” Inspired Generations and My Hands Tell a Story—both named Bank Street Best Books. Kelly is also the author of the beloved Jada Jones, Miles Lewis, and Ty’s Travels series, the latter earning a Geisel Honor for Zip, Zoom!. Her nonfiction works include two titles in Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted series, honoring Dr. Dorothy I. Height and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Named to Good Morning America’s 2021 “Who’s Making Black History” list, Kelly continues to inspire audiences nationwide through her school visits, keynotes, and literary workshops. Learn more at kellystarlinglyons.com.

Kita Bryant is a storyteller with a camera—a photographer who captures life’s moments that stand still, even when you don’t. As a family and brand photographer, she specializes in authentic, soulful imagery that celebrates who people truly are—without pretense or filters. A proud Geechee gal and founder of SheGeechee.com, Kita extends her storytelling beyond photography through a T-shirt brand that honors culture, confidence, and connection. Whether she’s behind the lens, designing apparel, or speaking truth through her words, her mission remains the same: to celebrate Black stories with humor, honesty, and heart. Affectionately known as the “Funny Storyteller,” Kita infuses her work with joy and realness that resonates deeply with her community. A devoted mom, creative entrepreneur, and full-time professional, she embodies the modern Southern hustle—with a laugh and a lens always close by.

Talicha J. is a Black queer poet and teaching artist whose work explores self-reclamation, the body, and the art of healing. Rooted in honesty and transformation, her poetry gives voice to survival, softness, and the power of becoming whole. A Pushcart Prize nominee and Collaborating Fellow with The Poetry Lab, Talicha is the author of Falling in Love with Picking Myself Up (2015) and Taking Back the Body (2024). Her work has been featured on the Button Poetry YouTube channel and published in numerous literary journals. Through her performances, workshops, and written word, Talicha creates spaces where vulnerability meets empowerment—inviting others to witness what it means to rise again and again. Discover more of her poems, projects, and offerings at talichajpoetry.com.

Dr. Zelda Lockhart is a celebrated novelist, expressive arts therapist, and Fulbright Specialist whose work bridges storytelling, nature, and multigenerational healing. She holds a PhD in Expressive Art Therapies, an MA in Literature, and a certificate in writing, directing, and editing. Her novels—including Fifth Born, Cold Running Creek, and Trinity—explore the intertwined histories of African-American and Indigenous women, trauma, resilience, and reunion with land and legacy. Through her studio, Her Story Garden Studios, she leads workshops empowering Black women and girls to heal and self-define via writing and nature. With her work, Lockhart invites readers and participants to step into their own narratives, confront inherited wounds, and rewrite toward restoration.

Dr. Cynthia R. Greenlee is a historian, journalist, and award-winning food writer whose work spans the American South, reproductive justice, and cultural identity. She earned a Master’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in history from Duke University, where she focused on late-19th-century African-American, gender, and legal histories. She served as deputy editor at the Southern Foodways Alliance and senior editor at Rewire.News, investigating reproductive health and rights. Winner of a 2020 James Beard Foundation Award for food writing, she is author of essays and is working on books about Black foodways and African-American abortion history. A self-described “bi-Carolinian,” her Southern roots inform her writing and research.

Shanita “Nitadee” Dixon (she/they) is an artist and healer whose work moves between the seen and unseen, blending creativity, spirituality, and care. Through tarot and oracle readings, Reiki energy healing, and portrait photography, Shanita channels stories of self-discovery and sacred connection. Whether behind the camera or in the quiet presence of ceremony, Shanita helps others see their light more clearly—fostering joy, authenticity, and deep healing. A true Southern creative spirit, Nitadee reminds us that art and spirit are intertwined, and that every act of creation can be an act of restoration.

Steven Leyva was born in New Orleans and raised in Houston, Texas, and his poetry carries the rhythm, heat, and lyricism of the Gulf South. A Cave Canem Fellow, he is the author of the chapbook Low Parish and the award-winning poetry collection The Understudy’s Handbook, recipient of the Jean Feldman Poetry Prize. Steven’s work moves between music and memory, exploring identity, performance, and belonging through the lens of a Southern-born, Black diasporic experience. He holds an MFA from the University of Baltimore, where he serves as an associate professor in the Klein Family School of Communications Design, mentoring the next generation of poets and storytellers.

James Stewart is a Durham native and Rootworker with more than twenty years of experience in Black American spiritual traditions. He is the author of The Hoodoo Handbook and Conjure Cleaning, works that blend storytelling, scholarship, and spiritual practice to honor the wisdom of Black ancestral traditions. A lifelong student and practitioner, Stewart’s work invites readers to reconnect with their roots through everyday acts of ritual and remembrance. His writing and teaching draw from lived experience, deep study of African American spirituality, and a commitment to community healing and cultural preservation. Formerly the owner of Conjure Cleaning, a spiritual product business, Stewart continues to share ancestral knowledge that bridges past and present. He believes that Rootwork is not only a spiritual practice but a way of remembering, resisting, and restoring balance in the world.

Nicole Glover is the author of the acclaimed historical fantasy series Murder and Magic, which begins with The Conductors and continues the story of courage, mystery, and resistance through a Black speculative lens. Her upcoming novel, The Starseekers, will be released in 2026. A Locus Bestseller and winner of the 2024 Webster Award, Nicole brings imagination, intellect, and a love of history to every page she writes—blending the magic of fantasy with the truths of the Black experience. When she’s not writing, Nicole works as a UX researcher, where her curiosity about problem-solving, human behavior, and a few good mysteries often comes in handy.

J. Rycheal was born in Macon, Georgia, where the land carries the stories of their ancestors. Descended from conjurers, storytellers, and believers who understood that survival is an art form, they were raised in the Black South on hymns, parables, and the healing power of words. A writer, griot, and interdisciplinary artist, J. Rycheal’s work spans film, performance, photography, and literature, drawing from Black oral traditions, ancestral memory, and spirituality to explore how grief, joy, and sovereignty shape our collective experience. Their art has been exhibited at the Northwest African American Museum and the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, with their solo exhibition Altar Call inviting audiences to journey toward wholeness. A graduate of Georgia Southern University with a BFA in Fine Art, J. Rycheal was selected for Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program (2019) for leveraging art and technology toward social change.

Isaac Hughes Green is an award-winning writer and educator whose work explores the depth and complexity of Black Southern life. His fiction has appeared in The Georgia Review, Oxford American, and Best Debut Short Stories 2021: The PEN America Dau Prize. He is the winner of both the 2021 PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers and the 2021 Jacobs/Jones African-American Literary Prize, and a 2023 Hurston/Wright Summer Fellow. In 2025, he was selected as an #AWP25 HBCU Fellowship Program Faculty Fellow. Isaac holds an MFA from North Carolina State University and a BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. He currently teaches at North Carolina Central University, where he continues to nurture new voices and stories that expand the landscape of Southern literature.

Marlanda Dekine is a poet, cultural strategist, and community healer whose work weaves together art, spirit, and justice. They are the author of Thresh & Hold (Hub City Press) and the first appointed Poet Laureate of Georgetown County Libraries in South Carolina. Marlanda is the founder of Dekine Cultural Strategies, partnering with communities and organizations to foster equity, care, and creative possibility through facilitation, consulting, and artistic practice. Their poems have appeared in Poetry Magazine, Callaloo, Orion, Southern Cultures, and Oxford American, and have been set to music by composers including Douglas Boyce, Omar Najmi, and Lisa Neher. Their honors include a South Carolina Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship, a Fresh Voices Award from SC Humanities, and a Shirley Graham Du Bois Artist Residency. Marlanda also founded the nonprofit Speaking Down Barriers and holds a BA in Psychology from Furman University, an MSW from the University of South Carolina, and an MFA in Poetry from Converse

Eddie Dee is a Valdosta, Georgia native, author, and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist whose work reflects his deep faith, sharp insight into relationships, and love of storytelling. A devoted Christian, husband, and father of two daughters (and caretaker of their dogs), Eddie finds inspiration in everyday life, human connection, and the creativity of popular culture. His debut novel, The Affinity Theory, has earned multiple honors, including First Place in Fantasy – Superheroes, a Bookfest Spring 2025 Award in Fantasy, a 2025 Literary Global Independent Author Award in Science Fantasy, and a Winter 2025 Pinnacle Book Achievement Award from the National Association of Book Entrepreneurs. Eddie’s writing blends imagination with empathy, drawing from influences like Mission: Impossible, Power Rangers, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He is the eldest of five siblings and the proud son of Dr. Charles E. Vinson, Sr. and Evelyn D. Vinson.

Cedric Tillman is a poet and educator whose work reflects the spirit, rhythm, and resilience of the Black South. A native of Lilesville, North Carolina, and longtime resident of Charlotte, he holds a B.A. in English from UNC Charlotte and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from American University. A Cave Canem Fellow and former Boston Review “Discovery” Contest semifinalist, Cedric’s poems have appeared in RHINO, The Florida Review, Kakalak, Solstice Literary Magazine, The Manhattanville Review, and Home Is Where: An Anthology of African American Poets from the Carolinas. His work has been recognized with numerous honors, including finalist and semifinalist distinctions from the Saturnalia Books, Cleveland State University, University of Akron, and Press 53 poetry prizes. His debut collection, Lilies in the Valley (Willow Books, 2013), and his most recent, In My Feelins (WordTech, 2020), showcase a voice both lyrical and grounded—rooted in home, humanity, and hope.

Cortland Gilliam, Ph.D. is a poet, educator, cultural organizer, and humanities scholar based in Chapel Hill–Carrboro, North Carolina. His work bridges art, scholarship, and activism, exploring the histories, textures, and everyday realities of Black life and liberation. During his doctoral studies, Cortland examined cultures of school discipline and the legacy of Black youth activism in late twentieth-century freedom movements. His creative practice—spanning poetry, performance, curation, and film—engages themes of identity, memory, and belonging in the Black South. Cortland’s poetry has appeared in WALTER Magazine, Gulfstream Magazine, and Triangle Poetry Twenty-Twenty-One. From 2023–2024, he served as Poet Laureate of the Town of Chapel Hill, bringing together art and civic engagement through community-based projects. He also serves as Co-Chair and Board Member of both the Marian Cheek Jackson Center and Prism Design Lab, organizations devoted to cultural preservation, design justice, and community empowerment.

Mitch Capel, affectionately known as “Gran’daddy Junebug,” is a master storyteller, motivational speaker, author, poet, playwright, and comedian whose career has inspired audiences for nearly four decades. Born and raised in Southern Pines, North Carolina, he began storytelling professionally in 1985 and has since become recognized as the national interpreter of poet laureate Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906)—having committed more than 70% of Dunbar’s works to memory. He is the voice of Paul Laurence Dunbar in film and at the Wright/Dunbar Interpretive Center in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Joanne Braxton, editor of The Collected Poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar, has called him “the greatest interpreter of Dunbar’s work ever.” A recipient of the Zora Neale Hurston Award, the highest honor bestowed by the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS), Capel has performed nationally and internationally at venues including the National Storytelling Festival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Kennedy Center, and even the Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Known as a “Word Magician” and “National Treasure,” Mitch Capel continues to move hearts and minds with his unforgettable blend of poetry, humor, and humanity.

Kamal Bell is the founder of Sankofa Farms, a regenerative farm in Cedar Grove, North Carolina, dedicated to food justice, youth education, and sustainable agriculture. Through hands-on learning and mentorship, he cultivates the next generation of Black agricultural leaders while creating pathways for communities to access healthy, locally grown food. Kamal’s work has received national recognition, including invitations to the White House and collaborations with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he advocates for small and Black farmers. An educator and storyteller at heart, Kamal is also the author of Akeem Keeps Bees, a children’s book that inspires young readers to explore agriculture, environmental stewardship, and the vital role of pollinators in our world. At the heart of his mission is a belief that reclaiming the land is also a way of reclaiming history, healing, and self-determination for Black communities.

Fọlárànmí Afọláyan (she/her) is a Spiritualist, Artist, and Reiki Practitioner whose work bridges art, ancestry, and spiritual healing. For more than five years, she has supported clients in cultivating spiritual awareness, empowerment, and creative expression. Her artistic and spiritual journey began with her thesis performance, Diaspora Crossroads, a work that honors her African American and Nigerian lineages while exploring themes of identity, heritage, and ancestral veneration. The piece has been featured at the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed Conference, Philadelphia’s Solo Fest, and the Jilline Ringle Solo Performance Residency at 1812 Productions Theatre Company. Fọlárànmí earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from North Carolina A&T State University and her Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University. Through her creative and healing practices, she continues to nurture spaces where spirit, art, and ancestry intertwine.

Victoria Scott-Miller is the founder of Liberation Station Bookstore, North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, dedicated to cultivating spaces where Black children see themselves reflected, valued, and free. An author, curator, and creative director, her work centers literacy as liberation and storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation. She has been featured at The Atlantic Festival and interviewed on Good Morning America, NPR, and in Essence and The New York Times for her groundbreaking work in advancing Black literacy, cultural preservation, and creative empowerment.. Her literary works include At Night, They Danced, Miss Edmonia’s Class of Wildfires, and contributions to Paw Prints 2024. Through her bookstore, publications, and artistic leadership, Victoria continues to build worlds where imagination and identity meet—and where the next generation of Black storytellers can see themselves in every page.

C. M. Lockhart (also known as Chelsea) writes fantasy and science fiction about Black girls who aren’t all that nice—bold, complex characters who claim their own power and reshape their worlds. Her debut novel, We Are the Origin, was released in June 2022, and her latest series, The Lady Widow, marks her first foray into the sci-fi genre. Chelsea is the founder and owner of Written in Melanin, a creative platform that includes a podcast and YouTube channel dedicated to uplifting Black authors and stories. She also founded the Melanin Library, hosts The Melanin Chat, serves as a contributing editor for Magic in the Melanin: A Black Fantasy Anthology, and is the co-founder of the DNF’d Book Club. Through every story, project, and platform, C. M. Lockhart champions the brilliance, diversity, and audacity of Black imagination. Learn more at WrittenInMelanin.com.

Rian N. Jenkins is an author, educator, spoken word artist, and mentor—titles she wears with pride and purpose. For over 20 years, she has inspired students in the classroom, and for more than three decades, she has shared her gift for writing and performance, using words to uplift, empower, and ignite change. As of May 2025, Rian has self-published six books: three poetry anthologies, two children’s books, and a middle-grade novel—all rooted in her belief that stories can heal and transform. A proud Sumter, South Carolina native, Rian graduated from Ridge View High School (’98) and Winthrop University (’03). Her roots also run deep in Edisto Island, Hollywood, and St. Helena Island, grounding her in the history, rhythm, and resilience of the Lowcountry. Rian’s life and work celebrate the power of language as both a bridge and a home for the Black Southern spirit.

Mike Sales is an award-winning artist, writer, and designer whose work bridges creativity, technology, and culture. Recognized nationally for excellence in both writing and design, he was a founding member of NASCAR Digital Media, where he launched the organization’s first digital design team and later led design across all fan-facing platforms. Under his leadership, NASCAR.com was modernized and earned multiple awards for brand execution and web innovation. Mike currently leads design strategy at Duke Energy, integrating human-centered design and artificial intelligence to create more intuitive, accessible technology experiences. As a writer, his work has appeared in Charlotte Magazine, The Salt Collective, and Medium, where he explores themes of hip hop, race, and spirituality. He also contributed to the Eisner Award–winning anthology Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation. His latest project, the graphic novel Disturbin’ The Peace, about a single mother–turned–superhero, sold out within ten days of its social media release.

Ty McDuffie is a serial entrepreneur, Air Force veteran, and author dedicated to innovation, storytelling, and cultural preservation. Born in Wyandanch, New York, and raised in Wallace, North Carolina, Ty’s life and work reflect a deep commitment to family, legacy, and community. He is the author of the children’s book Daddy’s Doing Hair?!?!?, inspired by his journey building a bond with his oldest daughter through the art of doing her hair—a story that celebrates love, learning, and Black fatherhood. Ty’s latest venture, Griot and Grits, preserves the history of the African American experience. Named for the West African griot—keepers of oral tradition—the project uses open-source technology and AI to create a searchable library of Black oral and video histories. Red Hat proudly partners with Griot and Grits, supporting its mission to ensure that African American stories are remembered, accessible, and celebrated for generations to come.

Halle Hill is the author of Good Women (Hub City Press, 2023), a powerful short story collection exploring the interior lives, humor, and resilience of Southern women. Her fiction has been translated into French and published in journals including Joyland, New Limestone Review, Southwest Review, Atlanta Magazine, Ursa Short Fiction, and The Oxford American. Halle also writes the newsletter deerbaby and lives in the woods of central North Carolina, where she continues to craft stories rooted in memory, voice, and place. She is represented by Rayhané Sanders at Massie McQuilkin & Altman (MMQA) and is currently at work on a novel-in-stories. Since 2018, Halle has led writing workshops and craft lectures at universities and organizations across the U.S. and internationally, including Appalachian State University, Columbia University, and ISIT–Paris.

Dr. Ariel Seay-Howard is an Assistant Professor of Communication at North Carolina State University, where her research explores how the public remembers slavery and racial violence through memory spaces, monuments, and material culture. Her work bridges academia and community, examining how collective memory shapes identity, justice, and healing. A gifted poet and performer, Dr. Seay-Howard has been writing since the age of nine and performing for more than a decade. Her poetry often intersects with history and emotion, and she has collaborated with acclaimed jazz musicians on projects and an album that merge rhythm, language, and liberation. In addition to her academic and artistic pursuits, she is the founder of Ariel’s Solutions, a natural hair and skincare brand rooted in holistic wellness and empowerment. Through her research, art, and entrepreneurship, Dr. Seay-Howard is dedicated to creating spaces for reflection, resilience, and healing.

Alyssa Cuffie Onuoha (she/her) is a curator, podcaster, and multidisciplinary artist based in Durham, North Carolina, by way of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A great-granddaughter of the Great Migration who has journeyed back South, her work weaves themes of movement, belonging, and perseverance into stories that celebrate Black creativity and community. She is the host of The Durham Artist Archive, a podcast that amplifies the voices of local creatives as they reflect on their practices and the ever-changing city they call home. Alyssa is also the founder of Womanifesto Magazine, creator of the blog Alyssa’s Art Lab, and will debut a pop-up gallery in Fall 2026 with support from the Snapdragon Grant—all grounded in her commitment to accessibility, collaboration, and Black feminist traditions. Her writing and visual art have been featured at the Houston Museum of Fine Art, Milwaukee Art Museum, and Chicago Cultural Center. She was also VAE Raleigh’s inaugural Collaborative Curatorial Fellow.

AsiahMae (stylized A$iahMae, they/she) is a Black, non-binary Southern poet and cultural worker with roots in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. A transdisciplinary artist, their work spans film, curation, production, performance, and language arts, reflecting a deep devotion to the principles of Sankofa and a lifelong homage to The Black South. A Watering Hole Fellow, A$iahMae’s work has been featured in spaces including The Gibbes Museum of Art, Spoleto Festival USA, The Festival of Words: Louisiana, and The Charleston Literary Festival. Their poetry also appears in This Is The Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets, curated by Kwame Alexander, among others. They currently serve as the Second Poet Laureate of Charleston, South Carolina, where their art continues to celebrate Black history, memory, and the transformative power of Southern storytelling.