Thanks to a partnership with An Open Book Foundation, the wonderful poet Mahogany Browne joined 17 young SMP writers for a workshop on August 5th. As part of our #ShoutInPlace storytelling project, we organized this event to provide an opportunity for authors to connect with an award-winning writer whose work engages with topics that arose in their submissions, such as social justice, racism, discrimination, and resilience-- to and ask any questions about writing or process and celebrate their many contributions to #ShoutInPlace.

The Mahogany Browne workshop event took the place of our regular weekly #ShoutInPlace prompt. After sharing her poetry about COVID-19 and racial injustice, Brown talked to the young authors about the publishing industry, the importance of determination, and the value of their voices. She also talked about the importance of accessibility when it comes to writing for diverse audiences.

Authors then had an opportunity for a Q & A with Browne. They asked insightful questions about her writing process, her ability to speak truth to power, and about her publishing experiences. Afterward, we heard from many authors that they were inspired by her work, her motivating words, and her dedication to exploring bold topics. Here’s some of what they shared:

“Ms. Mahogany Brown is an extremely talented poet and writer… She closed with a poem I personally most liked, titled “Black Girl Magic”, which focused on stereotypical views of black women while shining a light on our talents and what makes us wonderful and unique in our own way, cancelling out those negative views that society has placed on us...It was a brief positive moment in a crazy time!”
-- China, author of Our Lives Matter

“I was fully engaged the whole time because the speaking and creativity was amazing…. Thank you for this opportunity.”
--Japan, author of Game of Pharaohs and And Justice for Who? (forthcoming)

“The workshop was beautiful and much needed. All the poems addressed so many topics with poetic lines that simplified what people find complex like racism, discrimination, injustice within the system, how flawed the system is, and much more. These poetry was wonderful, every word of it. I learned to continue addressing topics that need attention no matter how uncomfortable it makes anyone. I can share petitions to sign, protests taking place, what organizations to donate to, and much more on my platform. As long as I continue to advocate and address what’s going on it’ll bring awareness that it deserves. I enjoyed being reminded of how important our voices are.”
-- Litzi, author of four (!!) Shout Mouse Press titles including Humans of Ballou and Flutterbugs: The Story of Spice & Cabbage

One of the poems Brown featured was her well-known “Black Girl Magic”

Authors who participated in the workshop were paid $25 for their time and received a copy of Browne’s book, Woke, courtesy of An Open Book. We’re so, SO proud of our author’s thoughtful participation and reflections on this workshop and can’t wait to see what it inspires them to write!

Mahogany Browne Brought #BlackGirlMagic to SMP Authors