About Us

About The Project

About Black Writers Read

On Friday, June 19, 2020 (the annual Juneteenth holiday), a virtual event lasting over three hours and bringing 16 Black writers from across the United States to share their work marked the beginning of Black Writers Read.

The idea was born out of a need to showcase, celebrate, and honor the words, work, and traditions of Black writers around the globe and across the African Diaspora, across genres and across experiences.

This series shines a spotlight on a vibrant tapestry of writers, each with their own unique perspective, experiences, and literary prowess. They weave tales that resonate with authenticity, capturing the essence of Black culture, identity, and the diverse human experience. These talented individuals transport us to vivid worlds, stirring our emotions, igniting our imaginations, and sparking conversations that challenge societal norms.

Our Mission

Our mission is to celebrate and foster a deeper appreciation for the remarkable talent emerging from the pens of writers of the African Diaspora. We hope that by sharing their stories and exploring their literary masterpieces, we can inspire a new generation of young readers and writers to embrace their own narratives, challenge the status quo, and create change through the power of words.

Woman with headset reading in her appartment
ABOUT THE FOUNDER, PRODUCER, & HOST

Meet Nicole

Performer, poet, playwright, educator, event producer/curator, and nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience

Dr. Nicole Young-Martin is a performer, poet, playwright, educator, event producer/curator, and nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience combined in these areas. Nicole has worked across various disciplines, including theatre, poetry, and classical music. Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Nicole currently resides in Northern Connecticut and works in Western Massachusetts.


Nicole earned a Bachelor of Theatre Arts from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor, a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Management from Wayne State University and a Master of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and recently completed a doctoral program in Educational Leadership at Bay Path University.


Nicole is on the board of directors for WAM Theatre, NowNet Arts, and Play Incubation Collective. She is a member of Straw Dog Writers Guild and the Boston Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity along with regularly collaborating with Attack Bear Press. Nicole teaches writing composition, theatre, and arts management at several colleges and universities in New England.


Photo Credit:  Samm Smith Design and Photography