Nebraska Writers Collective: Beyond The Page 2022

BEYOND THE PAGE

JEWEL RODGERS

RACHEL LUCK

CORY CHILES

The Nebraska Writers Collective fosters personal empowerment and community-building in the Midwest through creative writing and performance poetry.

Founded in 2008, we are an Omaha-based 501(c)3 nonprofit that believes in the power of writing. At the NWC, words are much more than marks on paper —they are powerful tools for communication, connection, personal transformation, and community action. We provide mentorship for writers at all stages of their journey in Midwest schools, businesses, community organizations, and correctional facilities.

*Photography by Anna Reed and Celine Haynes

Table of CONTENTS About us

02

Editor's Notes

04

Why it matters

05

Rachel Luck

06

Jewel Rodgers

10

Cory Chiles

14

Thank you!

18

Acknowledgements

19

Celine Haynes

EDITOR'S NOTES

Beyond the Page We created Beyond the Page for you–our supporters–so that you can appreciate the brilliance of the humans we hire.

"I like to think we’re all living masterpieces, and yes, that statement says everything and nothing all at once, but for a moment, consider it true."

Who it affects.

Sometimes, I reflect on my position today as the current NWC Communication Director, and I pinch myself. To know that I stand in a position that highlights what can be done through trusting your art means everything to me. I was once an NWC teaching artist, and before that, an All Writes Reserved student. If I could go back and talk to the 16-year-old Celine nervously reciting stanzas with her coach, I would be ecstatic to show her where I am now, the impact I’ve made, and despite all I’ve been through, nothing can dull the masterpiece I am. When students see themselves reflected in their coaches, I believe they have a greater possibility of holding confidence in their art and striving toward success.

Why it matters.

I like to think we’re all living masterpieces, and yes, that statement says everything and nothing all at once, but for a moment, consider it true. To be a masterpiece means you were crafted with skill, intention, profundity, and complexity. There had to be a multitude of events to occur in your life to mold you into the person you are today. When we view this phenomenon through the lens of an artist’s life journey, we can better understand what their art means to them and us.

NWC Co-Executive Directors Gina Tranisi and Zedeka Poindexter say, “Our Teaching Artists are the center of this organization. They work daily to provide powerful, empathetic, and innovative writing workshops for young people across the state. These Teaching Artists represent a wide variety of artistic genres: poetry, fiction, comedy, songwriting, and more.

Their diversity of voice lived experience, and genre means that more young people have the chance to see themselves as educators, creatives, performers, and public speakers.

That’s the true magic of this work: seeing young people see themselves in positions of leadership and light up with understanding and a deeper belief in what’s possible for their future.”

What it means.

Art is fluid and ever-changing, yet we have been pampered by its beauty since the very existence of time. People question art and even challenge creative decisions. However, the deep-rooted admiration humans have for art is present in us all. We all love to see, hear, and experience spoken word, but we rarely experience the human behind the poems. You know the poet.

You’ve read their writing. You have seen them on stage and snapped to show them appreciation, but do you know their story? Why they do what they do? Did they choose art, or did art choose them? Now, you will get to know our Teaching Artists beyond the page.

Rachel Luck

- Omaha South and Bellevue West High School

Serbian poet Dejan Stojanovic once said, “My feelings are too loud for words and too shy for the world.” As a high school student, Rachel Luck was reserved, like many students taking their first steps into spoken word. Still, there was something different about Rachel. Rachel’s voice may not have been loud, but what she wrote and brought onstage was electrifying.

Today, Rachel is an emerging nonfiction writer, literary magazine editor, and essayist. Her words captivate audiences, even when she chooses to whisper.

If you were to meet her, Rachel would still be self-contained, but don’t be fooled. The power and impact behind Rachel’s voice has only grown since her youth, captivating us with her writing, humility, and genuine kindness.

Rachel is an unwavering supporter of her All Writes Reserved students. She always advocates for the amplification of youth voices and thoughtfully engages students in her workshops. Beyond the page, Rachel is the sweetest parent to two cats and a loving partner to her person.

“As a shy kid in high school, I needed an outlet that would allow me to explore my individuality while also making me feel a sense of belonging. I enjoyed writing poetry in my own time, so I easily found a place in the youth poetry club at school.

My teammates and coaches encouraged me to come out of my shell and to keep writing. On stage and on the page, I felt like I could truly be heard and that my voice mattered. I've been chasing that feeling ever since.”

Jewel Rodgers

- Culxr House

“Art is pushing me to honor all of who I am.

I’ve been training to become a real estate developer for a few years now, and up until getting my job, I’d convinced myself that my art was not as valuable as the other boxes I was expected to check – graduate, get a “good” job, etc. Well, once I checked those boxes, I realized how essential art was to my own personal happiness. Now, I’m embracing new ways of thinking that support my ability to be authentic, personally and in my professional life.”

No word or story can truly capture how brilliant and bold Jewel Rodgers is. Born and raised in North Omaha to Jawana and Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers (the first Heisman Trophy winner for Nebraska), Jewel has always been destined for greatness.

After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and attending New York University in 2019, Jewel now holds a Master of Science in Real Estate Development with a concentration in Sustainable Development.

She showcases her commitment to improving the lives of others by sharing her gifts with her community.

Recently, she created Tierra Park, a green space in North Omaha that exudes peace and feels like home. Jewel continuously strives to find new and innovative ways to restore hope and resilience to the world.

Beyond the page, Jewel is a fierce trailblazer, growing real estate developer, public speaker, self-taught graphic designer, and spokenword poet who is deeply passionate about people.

It is breathtaking to witness her poetic voice onstage—a voice that becomes even more powerful away from the stage. This is her first year coaching an All Writes Reserved team in Omaha, and we welcome her back to the NWC crew!

Cory Chiles

-Omaha Central and Omaha Benson High School

Cory Chiles is the coolest, not-so-new kid on the block. He's a master of multitasking, managing to do everything with a suave and relaxed demeanor. Cory started his journey with the NWC as a deeply involved student who was driven to be heard. Any time he took his place behind the mic, he never missed an opportunity to remind us of what it truly means to be a spoken-word poet.

As an All Writes Reserved Teaching Artist, Cory now models that same admiration of poetry for all his students, encouraging their determination and grit.

It would be an understatement to say that uplifting his community—especially young people—is at the forefront of Cory’s art. As a featured artist on Culxr House's Freedom Summer album, he uses his story to encourage kids who may have walked a similar life path and deserve to be celebrated.

Beyond the page, Cory is a softhearted parent to his daughter, an attentive caregiver, and has a sincere soul. He's out here doing all the things, and we are beyond grateful that one of them is guiding our young people.

“Art has played a role in how I build community by letting me reach out to the youth that’s been in my shoes before and show them that being different is a good thing, not a bad thing! And the world has a lot to offer.”

Your support is increasing representation in the NWC's creative community so that each of our students has the opportunity to see themselves in our Teaching Artist and leadership team.

We are grateful for your investment in our team of artists, our young people, and the arts.

Thank you!

Acknowledgments The Nebraska Writers Collective is grateful for support from donors like you, as well as foundation support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Lozier Foundation, the Weitz Family Foundation, the Todd and Betiana Simon Foundation, the Heider Family Foundation, the Hawks Foundation, and the Sherwood Foundation.

We encourage you to tell a friend about our mission and champion your network to support this vital, artistic work in giving young people the permission and space to be heard.

Nebraska Writers Collective