"Was talking about how we keep our creativity flowing with a group of friends around a kitchen table last winter. Visiting friends from Sri Lanka mentioned that they organise regular readings to encourage themselves to write fresh work and connect with likeminded types. Very ol' skool approach. WRITE ON! was born that nite," says Akhaji Zakiya, the founder, producer and host of the series. "We'll also have an open mic part of the showcase and a panel discussion exploring how we can support Black queer art and culture. We've also commissioned a special spoken word piece, #IAmAnAfrican, by co-host Naomi Abiola to celebrate our achievements," she said. The other cohost of the evening is triple threat Twysted. With a repertoire that is expanding to include short stories and plays about women loving, [Zakiya]'s work has appeared in several publications, including "The Great Black North - Contemporary African Canadian Poetry" (Frontenac, 2013) and "Does Your Mama Know? - An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories" (Red Bone Press, 1997).
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
The Productivity Council is a TRIPARTITE COUNCIL comprising representatives from employees and employers organizations as well as the Government of Barbados; the Social Partnership.
The Productivity Council (formerly the National Productivity Board) was established by an Act of Parliament on August 31, 1993 to further the objectives of the Protocol for the Implementation of a Prices and Incomes Policy which was signed by Government, employers and workers representatives.