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This episode is all about BIPOC (Black, indigenous, and people of color) representation and why it matters in Young Adult literature and to young writers. 10 years ago, finding diversity in the Young Adult genre was difficult. As a child and a teenager, I rarely came across books and stories that revolved around characters and families of color that didn't focus on racism.

Excluding prominent authors of color, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Sharon M. Draper, many books in the Young Adult section were dominated by white authors and primarily white characters. In this episode we talk about the importance of representation for young readers who aspire to be published writers.

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Follow @thecreativitycoalition on instagram.com/thecreativitycoalition for more on how to use your creativity to begin conversations on racism, 

Follow @penofthebeloved on instagram.com/penofthebeloved for more on creativity and developing creative routines in daily life.

It is imperative we remember the creative revolutionaries who have gone before us making what we as creators do now possible. In this first episode, we discuss Black Women, Creativity, and Identity. Black women have been considered the least in our history as a country and were excluded from the first waves of feminism in the fight for equality.

With this episode, we take a look at the complexities of womanhood and the craft of writing and how Black womanhood has benefitted from both. Pulling from cases like Breonna Taylor, Michelle Cusseaux, and Sandra Bland I highlight the reality that Black women are often undervalued in many aspects in an effort of others trying to strip people of humanity and dignity.  

For more information and tips on how you can use your creative to become more socially aware and active in your own circles, follow @thecreativitycoaltion on at instagram.com/thecreativitycoaliton

The Creativity Coalition is the place where creativity and conversation meet.  Here, we use creativity to spark dialogue on social justice issues. In this episode learn exactly what The Creativity Coalition is and how you can be a part of it.