Writing Black Joy

Welcome to my new mini series Writing your inner world. This is for you if you: Use writing to tap into your inner world! Journal! Sketch! Write down your gratitudes! Make lists! Mind maps! Simply collect beautiful journals and pens but are reluctant to write in them (or is THAT one just me?) I wanted to explore ideas around how writing can connect you to your inner world and so for the month of F...

Nacala Ayele was born and raised in Seattle Washington. She comes to coaching from a background of art, healing, service and community organizing.​ ​ Nacala believes that joyful people who operate from their own genius have the power to transform not only themselves, but their families, communities and the world. She is committed to centering the experiences of Black, Indigenous and People of Colo...

Today's guest is Kiedra Taylor, and she and I had such a fun and deep conversation about her work and the magazine she curates. Let me tell you a bit about her. Kiedra Burston Taylor is a PhD candidate in the department of English. Her research focuses on depictions of Black girl protagonists in contemporary young adult literature. She is the founder and editor of Write On, Black Girl! Taylor is a...

Olivia is a USA Today Best Selling, Emma Award, and multiple award-winning author who loves a good laugh coupled with some steam, mixed in with a man and woman finding their way past the words of "I love you." An author of contemporary romances, she writes heartwarming stories of blossoming relationships filled with heart and humor. The Technicians, The Blakemore Files, and the Modern Mail Order B...

Today we are joined by another dream guest of mine - Mirna Valerio. Let me tell you a bit about her! Mirna Valerio is a native of Brooklyn, NY, a former educator and XC coach, ultramarathoner, cyclist and skier, DEI facilitator, and author of the memoir,  A Beautiful Work in Progress .  She began running in high school, recommitted to the sport after a health scare in 2008 and started her blog Fat...

This week I am joined by Ber-Henda Williams - a poet, Visionary + Empath coach, and the founder of a leadership organization for girls. She is the author of ‘Memoirs of the Human Experience and Everything In Between, Vol. 1’ - a memoir told through poems, preludes and essays. Ber-Henda supports empathic creative visionary empaths to find their voice, embrace feminine power, and create mission-base...

Today I have with me one of my dream podcast guests - Greg Edwards.  Greg Edwards is a fearless comedian from Virginia. Greg moved to San Francisco in 2001 and became a fixture on the Bay Area comedy scene. Greg is known for his distinctive voice, awkward views and social commentary. He's performed at Jamie Foxx's Laffapollozza, SF SketchFest, SF Burrito & Comedy Fest, Riot LA, and clubs and colle...

Welcome back to Writing Black Joy, and today I have with me one of my dream guests - Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts. She is an incredible author, so let me tell you about her. As a writer and thought-leader, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts offers those who read her work and hear her speak an authentic experience; an opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, identity, and faith/spiritualit...

This week we have with us Ayesis Clay - poet and playwright extraordinaire and so much more. Find out why she never actually considered herself a playwright - despite the fact that she has been writing plays since she was in primary (elementary) school, and hear her read from a current work in progress - A Million Tiny Ways.  Ayesis Clay is a master teacher, multidisciplinary theatre artist, and e...

Today I have with me Soribel Martinez and let me tell you she is a powerhouse. Her personality is infectious and we had an amazing conversation about her book Unbreakable. Let me tell you a bit about her. Soribel Martínez is a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist, is the CEO of SMPSychotherapy and Counseling Services, business coach and consultant, public speaker, adjunct professor of Psychology at P...

Today I am joined by Dr Davia Shepherd - a fellow writer from the Caribbean, who also shares my love for collaboration. Here is a bit about Dr Shepherd. Dr. Davia H. Shepherd is the author of Grow Smarter. And she is also a Mom, a sister, a daughter and a wife. And, she hosts and coordinates a women’s collaboration club: Ladies Power Lunch. She helps her patients feel better every day, but the one...

Today I am joined by Martinus Evans. Martinus is a brilliant storyteller - and it may or may not be because he has the best stories. Either way - you're gonna love this conversation and you're gonna love his book! Martinus Evans has run over eight marathons since his doctor told him to “lose weight or die” in July 2012. Since then, he’s also coached hundreds of runners and founded the Slow AF Run...

Season 3 is here and this is episode 1 - and it’s a solo episode! Today is all about telling you about the Writing Black Joy project as a whole, how I have been relating to it and thinking about it, and what is next for Writing Black Joy - both in this season, and in the future.   One person I talked about in the episode but couldn’t for the life of me remember her name was Mollie Chen. She was th...

This week's guest is Cedric Scott who is the founder and creative behind ancient baby brand. Cedric was and continues to be an educator, and he is also a writer, poet, chemist and entrepreneur as well as a husband and father.    His brand is at the corner of wisdom and innovation focusing on education, self-care and lifestyle.    Cedric and I talk about:    How he transformed what his students wer...

This week's guest is Kellie Richardson, who is a writer, poet and author. Kellie also spent 2 years as the poet laureate of Tacoma Washington. In 2017 - 2019.    She has written 2 collections of poetry and we had a great conversation about her writing as well as her visual art. And you can take a look at our conversation on YouTube if you want to see some of her art!   We talked about:   Being the...

This week, my guest is Dalia Kinsey, a nutritionist, speaker and author, who works at the intersection of holistic wellness and social justice. Dalia and I talk about: Identities, how we identify and how the language of identities is personal and changes over time. Health vs healthcare and how our daily experiences and emotions including joy impact our health behaviours.  Why Dalia wrote a book sp...

My guest this week is Alicia Chantal and she is the owner of Fresh Look Editing based in Canada. She writes and edits non-fiction and is also a mom to 3 boys. One thing that Alicia and I discussed were the different ways and backgrounds that folks who come to writing and editing have. One of the reasons that I have shared editors and a literary agent this season is to show you a few of the folks w...

This week I am joined by Yvonne Ator, and she is also a multipassionate writer at heart, who writes haikus, newsletters, poetry, and whatever else takes her fancy. She is also a coach for high performing, stress adled individuals who have hit a wall and want a different life but don't know where to begin. Yvonne has a heart for idealists and heart centered helpers. Yvonne and I talk about WDS - th...

This week I am joined by Kim Howard. Kim is a podcaster and a seasoned marketing professional, book club host and a long time friend who I am so happy to have with me.  She has a solo podcast Our One-Sixty-Six about Barbadian history, and she gives us a taste of her curiosity and knowledge in this episode. We also talk about  Her podcasting journey and her love for Barbadian history Bajan and othe...

This week I am joined by Gary Ware. Gary is many things as you will hear shortly - a self proclaimed creative catalyst, and corporate facilitator. He is also a master at play and that is something we dive into as we talk about his upcoming book which is all about play. Gary and I talked about his writing process and how he completed his “play-book'' as someone who has dyslexia and ADHD and how he...

If you want to support us you can join our Patreon community over at https://www.patreon.com/safiyarobinson You can check out season 1 and other season 2 guests of Writing Black Joy over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/ If you want to read (or listen to) my blog posts about the lessons learned after season 1 then read over here for part 1 and part 2 . If you want to know about working with me,...

If you want to support us you can join our Patreon community over at https://www.patreon.com/safiyarobinson You can check out season 1 and other season 2 guests of Writing Black Joy over on https://www.writingblackjoy.com/ If you want to read (or listen to) my blog posts about the lessons learned after season 1 then read over here for part 1 and part 2 . If you want to know about working with me,...

Todays guest is Cherise Wiltshire, a fun and spirited woman of God who loves travelling the world, biking and enjoys finding that hidden literary discovery in any and every bookstore. She has recently penned her own book - Hearts Cry - a devotional designed to strengthen your Christian walk. In her professional life, Cherise is a successful entrepreneur who runs her own business consulting firm, W...

This week I am joined by Kerra Bolton, an award winning producer and director, as well as a writer. She is also the CEO/Founder of Woodbine Films, which specializes in first-person, narrative nonfiction that examines the meaning of community, connection, and identity in the Black community. Her directorial debut, RETURN OF THE BLACK MADONNA, is currently in production. The documentary traces her e...

This week I am joined by Philip Robinson, a children's book author and songwriter. Philip is a Bajan currently residing in the United Kingdom. He has written plays, poems and songs since childhood, and believes that diversity needs to be celebrated as a norm rather than a tension that divides. He is the author of 2 children’s books which we will be discussing in our conversation today. Philip and...