Authoring Action has impacted the lives of over 800 teen authors.

Students who have completed a program are traditionally referred to as alumni, however the teen authors of Authoring Action are called assegai.

as-se-gai
noun

1. a slender, iron-tipped, hardwood spear used chiefly by southern African peoples.

2. a South African tree of the dogwood family, which yields hard timber.

The term originates from Shaka Zulu, one of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu Kingdom, who was known to break his spear in half to achieve a closer encounter with his opponents. Our young authors, taking the non-violent connotation of that word, are referred to as assegai because when they write and present their writings in spoken word and film, they demand a close encounter with issues that are relevant and prevalent throughout the community.

Whether writing and engaging about domestic abuse, injustice, civil, social, or community issues, the teen authors’ pen is their short spear, and it is mightier than the sword. Their words are more powerful than violence.

One word can indeed change the world.

Authoring Action Assegai have graduated from colleges across the nation:

• California Arts Institute

• Duke University

• Forsyth Technical Community College

• Guilford Technical Community College

• Livingstone College

• North Carolina A&T University

• North Carolina Central University

• North Carolina State University

• Salem College

• Savannah College of Art and Design

• The Juilliard School

• University of North Carolina at Greensboro

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

• University of North Carolina School of the Arts

• Wake Forest University

• Wake Forest University School of Divinity
  

Our young authors have gone on to become active community citizens serving as nurses, US military personnel, teachers, business owners, actors, one lawyer, and filmmakers.