THE LITERARY ACTIVIST
The mission of #TeenWritersProject is being led by literary activist, high school English teacher, literary commentator and nationally-published, freelance writer, delmetria millener (lowercase intended). Born and raised in Louisiana, millener understands the historical and cultural impact that literacy can have on teens. She grew up with books as her refuge, writing as her release and a mom-librarian who consistently read to her, with her, and encouraged her to read all the books she could and write all the stories she could imagine!
delmetria's experience with nonprofit writers organizations started in 1999 when she founded words of wisdom writers society, a nonprofit discussion and critique group for adults. Ten years later, she founded Hearts for the Arts, Inc., an organization that taught young artists the business of being an artist. delmetria felt that more than any other demographic, teen writers were missing from bookshelves and e-readers in schools, libraries and bookstores. Wanting to reach more teens and expose them to the power of writing, vocabulary and language, delmetria began teaching high school English in 2012, teaching AP/IB Literature, Language and Composition.
Now, as an international English Literature, Language, Composition and Research teacher, millener recognizes that teens have become disconnected from the generational pride that writing, reading, social and cultural literacy fostered. They are escaping the powerful inheritances of movements like the Harlem Renaissance, MEChA and the Native American Renaissance, that allowed communities to gain control over the representation of their culture through art, music and literacy.
This disconnection is not without consequence. Over the last 60 years, there has been a systemic decline in literacy, and teens are leading the statistics. This decline in literacy threatens our cultural, professional and social positions. As a solution, #TWP aims to take a practical approach to alleviating the problem by using writing opportunities, book clubs and literary-themed social events to reconnect teens to literacy. We want to give them back the responsibility of storytelling that they are obligated to write!
delmetria's experience with nonprofit writers organizations started in 1999 when she founded words of wisdom writers society, a nonprofit discussion and critique group for adults. Ten years later, she founded Hearts for the Arts, Inc., an organization that taught young artists the business of being an artist. delmetria felt that more than any other demographic, teen writers were missing from bookshelves and e-readers in schools, libraries and bookstores. Wanting to reach more teens and expose them to the power of writing, vocabulary and language, delmetria began teaching high school English in 2012, teaching AP/IB Literature, Language and Composition.
Now, as an international English Literature, Language, Composition and Research teacher, millener recognizes that teens have become disconnected from the generational pride that writing, reading, social and cultural literacy fostered. They are escaping the powerful inheritances of movements like the Harlem Renaissance, MEChA and the Native American Renaissance, that allowed communities to gain control over the representation of their culture through art, music and literacy.
This disconnection is not without consequence. Over the last 60 years, there has been a systemic decline in literacy, and teens are leading the statistics. This decline in literacy threatens our cultural, professional and social positions. As a solution, #TWP aims to take a practical approach to alleviating the problem by using writing opportunities, book clubs and literary-themed social events to reconnect teens to literacy. We want to give them back the responsibility of storytelling that they are obligated to write!
EXECUTIVE BOARD & STAFF
Kathleen is a teen librarian, and is passionate about the ways that teens can transform communities with the power of their voices. Kathleen started her career in 2009 as a Youth Outreach Librarian, providing embedded library workshops and books available to incarcerated teens, and she continues working with teens who inspire her to this day. She is passionate about her role as an amplifier and supporter of teen voices, and aspires to find her own writer's voice one day.
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KATHLEEN HOULIHAN
Editorial Director |
Jacqueline is a high school counselor who is passionate about the academic, social and emotional development of the students she serves. As a proud graduate of Grambling State and Prairie View A&M universities, Jacqueline started her career in 2005 as a middle school English teacher. Her passion for literacy in teens has consistently been evident in her professional movement. With only five years in she was recognized by her district as a Master teacher who led her students as a Yearbook Coordinator, Spelling Bee Coordinator, ELAR Department Chair and achieved 95 percent passing rates multiple years in a row. Now, as a counselor, she continues her work with teens that she inspires to become whomever they choose to become and not who they are told to become.
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JACQUELINE JEFFERSON-BAILEY
Director of Education |
Shunta Spencer is a teacher of secondary Advanced Academics. She loves teaching and is passionate about motivating her students to find their voice. In her classroom, Shunta is patient and clear, and empowers her students to use language as a tool to analyze and communicate effectively. She has been a teacher since 2006 and moved quickly into Advanced Academics which gave her the freedom as a teacher to make accessible to students, content that would replicate the authors, communities and stories of which they are familiar.
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SHUNTA SPENCER
Social Media Director |
Felicia Pinkney is a Texas-based, Louisiana-born writer, editor and marketing communications professional. She has a degree in journalism from Dillard University and previously worked as a copy editor and freelance writer at several daily newspapers, including The Times-Picayune; The Dallas Morning News; Arlington Morning News; and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
She is a U.S. Army veteran and currently works as a full-time freelancer. She volunteers her
time as a board member with several nonprofits and is president of the track and field booster club at her daughters’ high school. Felicia is an avid reader and especially enjoys suspense novels.
She is a U.S. Army veteran and currently works as a full-time freelancer. She volunteers her
time as a board member with several nonprofits and is president of the track and field booster club at her daughters’ high school. Felicia is an avid reader and especially enjoys suspense novels.
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FELICIA PINKNEY
Board Member |
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Shankrelyn Combs-Walker
Director of Operations |
FLAUNT YOUR LITERARY CITIZENSHIP!