FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
K. Dawson
learning@BlackWritersforPeace.org
202-670-7402
Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman Launches Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc., Continuing Her Legacy of Empowerment Through Arts and Education
Prince George's County, MD – August 2024 – Author and educator Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D., announces the founding of Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc. (BWPSJ), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Since its establishment in May 2024, BWPSJ has successfully launched numerous impactful programs, including the Poets in the Park series, the Writing for Liberation series in partnership with Mahogany Books, and a mountain retreat for women writers over 40. As the founding Chief Strategy Curator (CSC) of BWPSJ, Dr. Ali-Coleman leverages her expertise to create transformative learning experiences for writers dedicated to advancing social justice. She continues to inspire audiences through her multifaceted career as an award-winning performance artist, playwright, filmmaker, and writer. This groundbreaking initiative builds upon Dr. Ali-Coleman’s decades-long commitment to creating spaces for artistic and educational engagement rooted in principles of peace and social justice.
Dr. Ali-Coleman, who formerly served as the Executive Director of the prestigious Hurston/Wright Foundation, brings a wealth of experience to her new role. During her years at Hurston/Wright, she elevated the organization’s profile by securing new partnerships with entities such as Universal Music and the Prince George's County Memorial Library System, while bringing in over half a million in funding in less than two years through corporate and foundation grants from the NEA, Poetry Foundation, Amazon Literary Partnership, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Humanities DC and more.
In 2022, she launched the Hurston/Wright Virtual Learning Institute, which attracted over 100 writers in its inaugural session, and created the award-winning podcast The Black Writer's Studio, featuring acclaimed authors like Evie Shockley, Ishmael Reed, and Elizabeth Alexander. Previous to her work with the Hurston/Wright Foundation, she served as the Director of Education and Community Engagement at Montgomery Community Media. Ali-Coleman is also an associate professor of English at Coppin State University and the founder and current artistic director of the 16-year-old arts group Liberated Muse which will now be fiscally sponsored by BWPSJ. Liberated Muse has presented multidisciplinary performances throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 2008, appearing at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the past five years, presenting performances in tribute to Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, and others.
Dr. Ali-Coleman’s contributions have garnered widespread acclaim, earning her features in The Washington Post, USA Today, The Financial Times, and The Guardian. She has also received awards and support from the Maryland State Arts Council, Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, The Watering Hole, and Poets & Writers. Her creative achievements include authoring more than a half dozen plays and the books For the Girls Who Do Too Much (2024), The Summoning of Black Joy (2023) and Mariah’s Maracas (2018) and co-editing Homeschooling Black Children in the U.S.: Theory, Practice, and Popular Culture (2022). Her undergraduate alma mater, UMBC, recognized her as an Outstanding Alumni in 2024.
BWPSJ is ready to change the literary landscape and inspire a new generation of storytellers with initiatives that combine creative expression and social impact.
For more information about Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc., and upcoming events, visit BlackWritersforPeace.org or contact learning@blackwritersforpeace.org
About BWPSJ
Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice (BWPSJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing skill-building learning experiences and opportunities for Black writers and offering administrative training and services for literary and community-based organizations intent on public engagement practice founded in tenets of peace and social justice. BWPSJ is the fiscal sponsor of Liberated Muse Arts Group, So Our Youth Aspire, and StudentMediaOnline.com, collectively working to serve the community for over 15 years.