Author Spotlight
“The trash bags generated feelings of me being equal to them, I'm nothing. I found the Iphone 6 as a pain reliever because tylenol couldn't help me now. But the internet has its disadvantages, in the state I was in it did not serve any justice after a while. So I turned to my notebook, I never knew processed wood could be so comforting.”
-Donald Clark
February 2022
Meet Donald. Hear his story.
Donald Clark came to Just us an unpolished gem. Already a writer, and inquisitive by nature. The staff was able to guide and polish him into one of our premiere filmmakers. He came to us already with a way with words but now I see the confidence in him to express them aloud for the world to see.
-Willie Holmes
Assistant Artistic Director
November 2022
Meet Trinity. Hear her story.
When Trinity came to Authoring Action during the Evolve Ensemble 2021, she was a wallflower with a bucket hat. Somehow allowing herself to both be a part of the group but also standout. Softspoken but with something to say. Trinity has transformed into one of the headliners of the Assegai Ensemble with a voice that you can’t help but be drawn too.
-Willie Holmes
Assistant Artistic Director
“I would take the paper off the crayons, and break them in half. Then I ripped it to pieces, making a mess on the floor. I didn’t have anything against the crayons, I just didn’t understand. Do you think those crayons hate me now? I mean, I felt innocent. But sometimes that blue crayon rolls back into my life and colors me from head to toe in ice cold guilt.”
-Trinity King Reap Ensemble 2022
October 2022
Meet Paja. Hear her story.
Paja Weaver is a returning member of Assegai, she came to us last year as a part of the Evolve Ensemble, and she has lived up to her ensemble name as she has evolved into one of our leaders for the other authors. She has really grown in her leadership of the younger members and has taken the opportunity to level up her own writing as well as being a role model for the Reap Ensemble to look up to.
-Willie Holmes
Assistant Artistic Director
“You soothe your guilt with thank you cards and suffocating quilts but the praise is still actively
giving us more responsibility
Do you find satisfaction in black women's suffering?”
-Paja Weaver Evolve Ensemble 2021
September 2022
Meet Nylah. Hear her story.
Nylah’s transition from Just Us into our Summer Intensive was one that truly highlighted the difference in the two programs. Going from film to a live spoken engagement is a culture shock. The author goes from speaking in a recording booth, with only one other person in a room, to a stage in front of an audience. Nylah faced it head on. She discovered her voice. She is one of our fiercest presenters.
-Willie Holmes
Assistant Artistic Director
“Someone told me that if they had to guess who the man on the moon was, it would be me.”
-Nylah Crockett
August 2022
Meet Elijah. Hear his story.
“This is why I need to do something, because if I don’t, I will suffer the pain and the change in the world."
-Elijah Imes - 2022 Reap Ensemble Author
"When Elijah first came to Authoring Action he was very much in his own world, staying to the rivers and lakes that he was used to. We encouraged Elijah to mix and mingle with the other teens and to write about his experiences. He ended the summer with one of the strongest engagements of the Summer Intensive Commencement... enjoying every moment."
-Willie Holmes Assistant Artistic Director