Claude Brown Writers and Readers Series at the UDC State Education Agency





	The Claude Brown Writers & Readers Series is an annual program for adult learners sponsored by the University of the District of Columbia, State Education Agency. Since 2000, the series has brought together adult learners and published authors of color—novelists, journalists, and poets—to increase the literacy skills of adult learners by stimulating their interest in reading and writing. As an outgrowth of this popular program, the State Education Agency supports a fiction and nonfiction writing workshop each year for adult learners. We have been graced with two outstanding instructors—Marita Golden, novelist and President of the Hurston/Wright Foundation and Patricia Elam, author of Breathing Room—who have encouraged adult learners to express themselves through writing, and helped them develop the techniques to do so. INTERNATIONAL LITERACY WEEK PUBLICATIONS Beginning in 2003, the Claude Brown Writers & Readers Series focused on the participants as emerging writers. At every session, participants were asked to do a writing exercise, excerpts of which are published in the books below. Adult learners wrote from their hearts about various themes. These passages are spontaneous expressions, showing the insights of adult learners and the wealth of experience they bring to the learning process. The prose is enhanced by photographs of the Series. Click on a cover below to download a PDF of the entire book. 2003 International Literacy week book (2.8 MB) 2004 International Literacy week book (3.1 MB) Related writings: A Life to Tell, by Marie Morris Thank you, Claude Brown Back to top Writers & Readers Photo Essay Since 2000, the Claude Brown Writers & Readers series has brought together adult learners and published authors of color—novelists, journalists, and poets—to increase the literacy skills of adult learners by stimulating their interest in reading and writing. Click here for the photo essay. CLAUDE BROWN WRITERS AND READERS SERIES 2004–2005 October 6, 2004 NATHAN McCALL, Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America Nathan McCall, author and former reporter for The Washington Post, now teaches at Emory University. Mr. McCall’s 1994 memoir, Makes Me Wanna Holler: A Young Black Man in America, established him as a prominent voice on social and racial issues. November 3, 2004 STANICE ANDERSON, I Say a Prayer For Me: One Woman’s Life of Faith and Triumph Stanice Anderson’s books have been featured, reviewed and ranked Weekly, Sister2Sister magazine and BET.com to Black Expressions, Gospel Today and Essence magazine. Booklist referred to her work as, “Profoundly Inspiring.” December 1, 2004 PATRICK SANCHEZ, Girlfriends Patrick Sanchez grew up in the Maryland suburbs of DC. He was doing technical writing when he decided to attempt a novel. The result, Girlfriends, introduces a memorable trio of urban twenty-ish females living in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of D.C. who are searching for the perfect job, the perfect apartment, the perfect January 12, 2005 LEON WYNTER, American Skin: Pop Culture, Big Business, and the End of White America Leon Wynter created and wrote the “Business and Race” column for the Wall Street Journal for ten years and is a regular contributor to National Public Radio. His essays on race, business, and American culture have been published in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times.mate. February 2, 2005 WIL HAYGOOD, In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis Jr. Washington Post writer Wil Haygood recently won the Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy award for his biography of Sammy Davis Jr; Denzel Washington bought the movie rights. Haygood is also author of a biography of Adam Clayton Powell and a family memoir. March 2, 2005 KEVIN P. CHAVOUS, Serving Our Children: Charter Schools and the Reform of American Public Education Kevin P. Chavous is the Ward 7 Representative on the DC Council and Chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries & Recreation. He is a national advocate for school choice, partner in a law firm, and adjunct professor at American University. April 6, 2005 David Anthony Durham, Pride of Carthage David Anthony Durham was born in New York City and spent his formative years in Trinidad, his parents’ homeland. He received a B.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Maryland and won the Hurston/Wright Fiction Award in 1992. May 4, 2005 CAROLIVIA HERRON, Nappy Hair Dr. Carolivia Herron, author of Nappy Hair, currently lives in Washington, DC where she is writing fiction, pursuing scholarship, developing multimedia educational products, establishing writing clubs, and teaching periodic specialty courses in universities. June 1, 2005 CRYSTAL WILKINSON, Blackberries, Blackberries Crystal Wilkinson, who describes herself as a black, country girl grew up in rural Kentucky and teaches creative writing. Until recently, she served as the asst. director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. She is a charter member of Affrilachian Poets. Back to top CLAUDE BROWN WRITERS AND READERS SERIES All writers October 2000–June 2004 Marie Arana American Chica: Two Worlds, One Childhood; The Washington Post Hector Aviles The Immigrant Museum Denise Barnes The Washington Times Teresa Bevin Dreams and Other Ailments Rovenia Brock Dr. Ro’s Ten Secrets to Livin’ Healthy Claude Brown Manchild in the Promised Land A’Lelia Bundles On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madame C.J. Walker David Burnett Journalist/Producer Maxine Clair October Suite Elizabeth Clark Lewis Living In, Living Out Larry Grant Coleman Pot Likker: Stories for Teachers & Learners Miriam DeCosta-Willis Singular Like a Bird Patricia Elam Breathing Room Patrice Gaines Laughing in the Dark C.R. Gibbs Black Explorers; Black Georgetown Remembered Robert Giron Songs for the Spirit Marita Golden Long Distance Life, Migrations of the Heart Hamil Harris The Washington Post Donna Wyant Howell I Was a Slave series Kenji Jasper Dark; Dakota Grande, National Public Radio Joy Jones Tambourine Moon; Private Lessons Haki Madhubuti Tough Notes: Letters to Young Black Men Marcus Major Good Peoples Nathan McCall Makes Me Wanna Holler Diane McKinney-Whetstone Blues Dancing; Tumbling E. Ethelbert Miller Fathering Words: The Making of an African American Writer Karen Quinones Miller Satin Doll; I’m Telling Texeira Nash Assorted poems Betty Nyangoni Assorted publications Renee Poussaint Tutu and Franklin Runoko Rashidi Off the Beaten Path with Runoko Rashidi; African Presence in Early Asia Tracy Price-Thompson Black Coffee; Chocolate Sangria Nelly Rosario Song of the Water Saints Adrienne Washington The Washington Times Jaye Wood Platinum Love Yolanda Young On Our Way to Beautiful Back to top	30% of DC residents age 16 and older have no high school diploma. "Inspiration is everywhere." –Ethel Gray, Adult Learner "Writing stories is another way of living successfully in the world." –Marita Golden, novelist "As a writer, my job is to be a lens so you can see the world better." –Hamil Harris, Journalist, The Washington Post

International Literacy Week Publications Photo Essay Writers & Readers Series 2004-2005 Writers & Readers Series 2000-2004

Home | About Us | Services | Programs | Resources | Contact Us