Keeping the Black Community in My Thoughts
A newsletter about writing, art and living more creatively
Black lives matter. Black stories matter. I've been heartbroken and angry over the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and countless others. I'm not here to take up space, so I'm keeping this short. Here are a few things that I've come across that I think are important and inspiring:
- This list of creative ecosystems and funds supporting Black folks as compiled by Annika Hansteen-Izora
- GirlTrek's Black History Boot Camp calls
- Dianca London's recommended reading list
- Danielle Coke's illustrations
- The Black Men with Gardens Instagram account, as Bitch editor Rachel Charlene Lewis tweeted
- This post about allyship by Giselle Buchanan
- Black-owned bookstores to buy from
Your favorite small but feisty writer,
Eva
Banner design by Ludi Leiva ✨
What I'm Reading
What No One Tells Black Women About Heart Disease
Leah Johnson Didn't See Herself in YA Novels, So She Wrote Her Own
Books:
Lifting as We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box (non-fiction) // even though it's meant for kids, this is an important read for adults
Nepantla: An Anthology Dedicated to Queer Poets of Color // so many fantastic poets in this volume tackling race, sexuality, pop culture and more
Girl, Woman, Other (fiction) // Written in an unconventional style with multiple viewpoints, this book has some gorgeous prose and heartbreaking moments centering around a group of Black British women.
Opportunities of the Month
Canadian Women Artists' Award 2020
Submissions due June 24
More info here
Discarded and Rediscovered Juried Art Exhibition
Ohio counties-based artists
Submissions due June 29
More info here
Kairos' Editors Prizes in Fiction and Poetry
Submissions due June 30
More info here
Bitch Media 2021 Fellowships for Writers
Applications due June 30
More info here
MCC Art Gallery Call for Artwork
Being human theme; U.S.-based artists
Submissions due June 30
More info here
Craftivism: The Art of Action
Women-identified and non-binary artists
Submissions due July 11
More info here
Los Angeles Review Creative Nonfiction Award
Submissions due July 14
More info here
LA River Public Art Project
Submissions due July 20
More info here
Quote of the Month
"If you find a book you really want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."
— Toni Morrison