Creative Writing
Upended Words
After writing countless of poetry during and after high school, I decided to publish my work with the literary journal in college. As soon as I got to Allen, I was told by my English professor that I could get work published through Upended Words for the Spring 2014 literary journal. One my poems titled, "Not Falling" was accepted into the journal, which was a good start for me as a freshman in college. Being accepted in the literary journal was an honor for me and I took it with pride.
For the next two years in college, Upended Words was cancelled but I was still dedicated in my talent as a creative writer. After my junior year of learning both British and American literature from the Medieval Period to the Modernist, my knowledge of writing and literature increased, so I published a revised edition of my novel, The Adventures of Peter Tucker: Introduction of the Tiger. (Look on Published Works Page) During my senior year of the Fall Semester 2016, my creative writing class developed flyers for the return of Upended Words Literary Journal. Within the class, we developed a portfolio of work such as poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. For Upended Words of Spring 2017, I submitted three poems which two got accepted. The poems were entitled, "To Mother Allen", a sonnet I wrote about the founders of Allen University's thoughts of how they would feel about the school if they were alive today, and "My Voice" which was a tribute to African American history and culture.
The 2017 edition of Upended Words has not been uploaded as of yet, but the 2014 edition can be found online by clicking here. You can only find Upended Words online and not in print.
For the next two years in college, Upended Words was cancelled but I was still dedicated in my talent as a creative writer. After my junior year of learning both British and American literature from the Medieval Period to the Modernist, my knowledge of writing and literature increased, so I published a revised edition of my novel, The Adventures of Peter Tucker: Introduction of the Tiger. (Look on Published Works Page) During my senior year of the Fall Semester 2016, my creative writing class developed flyers for the return of Upended Words Literary Journal. Within the class, we developed a portfolio of work such as poetry, creative nonfiction, and drama. For Upended Words of Spring 2017, I submitted three poems which two got accepted. The poems were entitled, "To Mother Allen", a sonnet I wrote about the founders of Allen University's thoughts of how they would feel about the school if they were alive today, and "My Voice" which was a tribute to African American history and culture.
The 2017 edition of Upended Words has not been uploaded as of yet, but the 2014 edition can be found online by clicking here. You can only find Upended Words online and not in print.
Griot Society
During the Fall Semester of 2016, I joined the University's new and developing organization The Griot Society. Dr. Chic Smith, a professor from the Humanities Department, came up with the group for students to showcase their talent. Students who wanted to join the Griot Society had to have a talent spoken word poetry, storytelling, rapping, singing, and beat making. Every other Friday of the month, we held meetings to showcase our talent, discuss future plans of getting the group noticed on campus, and possible events we could participate in. The talent I showcased for the group was spoken word poetry which the group was very impressed by my talent. We were also given a task to develop new ideas of poetry and songs that was relevant for both Allen University and what was going on in society.
The events I participated in for the Griot Society during the Spring Semester of 2017 were the AIDS/HIV Awareness program at the University's Chappelle Auditorium and My Voice for African American History Month at the South Carolina State Library.
Below are photos from the My Voice Event:
The events I participated in for the Griot Society during the Spring Semester of 2017 were the AIDS/HIV Awareness program at the University's Chappelle Auditorium and My Voice for African American History Month at the South Carolina State Library.
Below are photos from the My Voice Event: