Happy Black History Month!
Hi, I'm Anya and I am a member of The Make Good Project.
Art/creativity/storytelling/theatre/poetry have always been a mirror—reflecting who we are, what we fear, what we dream, how we have survived, how we will continue to survive. How we resist. In times like these, times of such heartbreaking uncertainty, art becomes a lifeline. Right now, as our world feels increasingly fractured—divided by politics, ideology, hate, greed, and the ever-widening gaps in understanding—art remains a gathering place, a witnessing, a refusal to go quietly into that dark night. Stories, music, paintings, poetry, performances—they remind us of our shared humanity. They challenge us, heal us, better us, and push us toward something better, something like hope. In moments of chaos, art offers clarity. Art is a litany for our survival, both a rebellion and a refuge.
But just as we do not thrive in isolation, neither does art. It needs community as we do. It needs sisterhood spaces where voices can be nurtured, where ideas can be exchanged, where artists can create knowing that other artists have their backs. In a world that too often tries to silence, divide, gaslight, stifle, oppress, and erase, we need each other now more than ever. We need spaces that remind us we are not alone—that our stories matter, that what we have to say is necessary. We need spaces that make more good.
Photos from our DO THE WRITE THING free community drop-in workshops 1 + 2 (January 27th, 2025 and February 1st, 2025), and Erica, Melle and Sophie being surprise interviewed about Black Joy by visiting Dutch artists Joanne Purpurhart and Pricilla Vaudelle at NiLu.
I am so honored to be a member of Make Good. The love and sisterhood I have experienced in this group has been soul-nourishing. In that same spirit of support and nourishment of the soul, my first offering is this Toni Morrison quote about navigating dark political times and the responsibility of the artist. I keep it close and refer to it often when I am in need of words of comfort from a Literary Ancestor.
Toni Morrison Quote:
I am staring out of the window in an extremely dark mood, feeling helpless. Then a friend, a fellow artist, calls to wish me happy holidays. He asks, “How are you?” And instead of “Oh, fine — and you?”, I blurt out the truth: “Not well. Not only am I depressed, I can’t seem to work, to write; it’s as though I am paralyzed, unable to write anything more in the novel I’ve begun. I’ve never felt this way before, but the election…” I am about to explain with further detail when he interrupts, shouting: “No! No, no, no! This is precisely the time when artists go to work — not when everything is fine, but in times of dread. That’s our job!”
I felt foolish the rest of the morning, especially when I recalled the artists who had done their work in gulags, prison cells, hospital beds; who did their work while hounded, exiled, reviled, pilloried. And those who were executed
With an eye to the various brokennesses of the world, past and present, Morrison writes:
This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge — even wisdom. Like art.
My second offering is a link to my performance of an original Feminist spoken word poem – “The Complexity of Me”
And lastly, here are a few writing prompts for you to explore this month:
No Longer There - Write about a place that no longer exists or has changed beyond recognition. It could be a childhood home, a demolished building, or a vanished town. How do the memories of this place linger? Do they haunt, comfort, or distort reality?
The Land Speaks - Imagine a place where the natural environment has a voice, whether through whispers in the wind, shifting landscapes, or the pulse of something ancient beneath the surface. What does it say, and how does it influence those who live there?
- Anya
Additional Prompt from Melle:
During time when connecting with love matters more than ever, write a passionate letter to someone special (either as a character or in your real life) — without using the word 'love.' Challenge yourself to let your emotions shine through with descriptive language. Some elements to consider:
Specific Memories – Recall a moment that made your heart race or filled you with warmth. What did they say or do that stuck with you?
Admiration & Appreciation – What do you treasure most about them? Their kindness, their laughter, the way they see the world?
Emotion-Filled Language – Use vivid descriptions, metaphors, and sensory details to convey your feelings. Does their presence feel like a sunrise after a long night? Do they bring color to your world?
Authenticity – Speak from the heart. Whether poetic or simple, let your words reflect what’s truly inside you.
A Wish or Promise – What do you hope for the two of you? What do you look forward to?
Let your words carry all the feeling that "love" alone could never contain!
Extra bonus points if you send it!
Upcoming Programming for 2025
DO THE WRITE THING:
Our FREE in-person 5-session Drop-in workshop series:
We are thrilled to have kicked off our community workshop series last month. Our first two workshops were such a success! This workshop is free and open to Black women, 18+, of any and all writing experience and skill level. Join us for our upcoming workshops:
Saturday, March 1st, 10am - 12pm - Personal Storytelling
Saturday, April 5th, 10am-12pm - Free writing
Saturday, May 3rd, 10am-12pm - Community write and share
Space is limited!
Write Club:
Monday - Friday, 5am-6am, Zoom room - Everybody is welcome!!
Need to carve out some space to write before the tumult of the day? Sign on at 5am every weekday for some quiet community while you prioritize some solo writing time. We say “hello” then turn our cameras and mics off for the hour while we work on individual projects in this early morning accountability meet-up. Come once or everyday! Come as you are (cameras are off)!
Thank you again to our 2024 partners, collaborators, advisors and supporters. We look forward to a creative and connected 2025!
Rebecca S’manga Frank, Naomi Lorrain, Talibah Newman, Anya Pearson
Barrington Stage Company, Stephanie Berry, Jeremy Brisiel, Erin Cherry, James Cole, Aliyah Curry, Lizette Daniel, William Demeritt, Designing Our Lives (Tamara Fox, Kimberly Miller, Dr. Angelique Anderson Nunez), Biko Eisen-Martin, Todd Faulkner, Erica Hart, Chris Kelly, Kristi Kirk, Olanna Madu, April Matthis, Arian Moayed, Caren Celine Morris, Robert Mulhall and Ava Taylor - Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, Louis DeVaughn Nelson (DeVo), Okieriete Onaodowan, Xavier Pacheco, Katrina Parris - NiLu Gift shop, Bridget Rose Perrotta, Jodi Powell, Nathan M. Ramsey, Brandon St. Clair, Myra Lucretia Taylor, The Field, The Hens (Annemarie Imbornone, Maria Vallejo-Nguyen, Rachael Wells), Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, Joseph Voss, Donya K. Washington, Aja Wiley, Antonio Woodard, Eunice Woods, our families, our friends, and scores of others who have provided our seedling with the sunshine to thrive.