Thirteen2Nineteen: A Literary Magazine for Black Girls and Teens

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page ii

summer 2020

Thirteen2Nineteen: A Literary Magazine for Black Girls & Teens

THANK YOU! Financial donations from the following made this magazine possible: Julie Boland Cline Jeff Burgan Terri Cooks Kathleen English Cadmus Helma Groot M. Bethany Gustavsen Latonya Renee Johnson Beatrice Page Yvonne Sheerer Tia Thomas Anita Trammell Oliver Sean L. Walton Sr. Denise Young Readers Latonya Johnson A’Lise Melvin Tia Thomas Denise Young Cover Art: Chaleka DyAnne Price (ChaArtistry) Center Insert Art: Jade G. Editors / Interior Design & Layout: Whitney Bell Writing LLC Onita Morgan-Edwards Submissions: writesofpassagegroup.submittable.com Orders: writesofpassagegroup.org/Thirteen2Nineteen Copyright Š 2020 (first serial rights only) Writes of Passage Group Dayton, Ohio All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Note from the Editor

Page v

Alyssa Carter | The Bridge Near a Park

Page 2

Until | A Prayer of Thanks (a poem)

Page 4

Terri Cooks | Skipping School

Page 5

Skylarr Marsh | Gradually Graduating

Page 7

Until | Freedom (a poem)

Page 9

Takiyah Blalock | The Ultimate Foundation

Page 10

Jade G. | Art (center)

Page 11

Maleigh C. | Research and Reflections of a Mixed Girl in Mississippi: White Privilege & Colorism (an excerpt)

Page 13

Dana Graham Speaks | Life, Faith, and Space for People of Color A Profile by Onita Morgan-Edwards

Page 17

Black Girls Write: A Contest (2020 & 2021)

Page 25

Thirteen2Nineteen | Submission Info (2020)

Page 25

Special Thanks!

Page 26

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page iv

Welcome to the first issue of Thirteen2Nineteen: A Literary Magazine for Black Girls and Teens.

This magazine is an opportunity for Black girls and teens to write. To write about things that bring joy or pain; an opportunity to write about things that inspire or frighten you and to write about things that make you sad or angry. Your story is valuable. Telling your story is important. We want to share the stories that only you can tell.

This first issue includes writing by young women and adult women. They are writing about a time when they were between 13 and 19-years-old. They are writing to you.

Your life, your journey, your stories are no less important than anyone else’s. You need to know that.

Your stories of triumph and tragedy, success and struggle, and love and loss give you courage to move forward and give hope to others, that as they read them, they will discover the courage to do the same. Our stories help shape us. Our stories make us human.

It is time for us to move from the fringes of life in the United States (and around the world) and live beyond the boundaries set for us by other people.

You have a right to feel, love, live, and be, and I hope Thirteen2Nineteen inspires you to keep moving toward the life you want.

Sincerely, Ms. Onita

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page v

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page

The Bridge Near a Park Alyssa Carter

Around my seventh-grade year, there was a big dance coming up, and I was so excited. My mom got a dress for me from one of her coworkers, who had a daughter about my size. She’d only worn the dress once, so it looked brand new. The dance was about 3 days away, and I had just got my hair done. My mom got her hair done about a week before me, but the job she had at the time made her sweat it out. I’ve always known how to do hair (or at least I thought I did), so when I returned home from getting my hair done, my mom asked if I could re-do her hair, and I got started. I noticed my mom smiling a lot while she was looking at her phone, and I know that was none of business, but I’m a nosey person. I glanced at the name of the person texting my mom. I knew she worked with my mom, but I didn’t know what she looked like. The message said something sexual, and I knew my dad (AKA my mom’s husband) was not aware.

The next day, I told my sister, but I did not want her to say anything to our mom about the sexual text message. I knew that if my sister confronted my mom, my sister would tell her that I told her. My sister and I were talking while I was getting my nails done, and my sister was talking about the situation. She already knew what was going on. I just didn’t know she knew. At this point, my sister is trying to convince me that I don’t know what I’m talking about and that I was too young to understand what was happening, but I knew exactly what was going on. My sister treating me like a baby made me furious.

At the dance, that’s all I could think about, and I felt really bad for my dad because he did not know.

Out of curiosity, I wanted to know who the mysterious text came from, and what she looked like, so I asked my dad if we could surprise my mom at work. We brought her flowers and chocolate, and when we gave it to her she was smiling so hard. I saw the name tag of the person who sent the text. She smiled and said how happy she was to see me and my little brother. I wanted to tell my dad so bad, but I didn’t know how.

About a year later, my dad still did not know about the text I saw while I was doing my mom’s hair.

One day when my family was settled in at home, my mom was in the shower, and my sister and I decided to go through my mom’s phone. She yelled at us and we teased her a little about the text messages we saw. My mom and my sister never really got along because my sister loved to backtalk. While my mom was drying off and getting dressed, she and my sister were arguing all the way into the living room where my dad was. My dad asked what was going on and everyone got quiet. You could probably hear a pin drop, but a few seconds later my sister yelled, “She’s gay!”

“She’s gay?” My dad asked.

“Oh you didn’t know?” my sister asked.

The next thing I saw was my dad’s fist in the air and my mom holding her jaw. My mom made my sister move out, and my mom slept in the car that night. For the two weeks after, my parents were trying to act normal, like nothing had happened, but I believe my dad knew deep down that his marriage could not be fixed.

One morning I woke up to a long text message from my dad, who was usually at work. He wrote something like, “I love you, but I just can’t take this anymore.” I ran immediately downstairs to show my mom Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 2

the text. She read it, got dressed and was headed out the door when I told her I wanted to come with her. She was very hesitant, but she let me, and we drove around looking for bridges. I don’t know how she knew where to look, but we saw my dad’s car parked right next to a bridge, about 3 miles from our home. He was on the bridge looking down at the water. My mom went to talk to him. I was too far away to hear anything, but as their conversation ended, my mom started walking back toward our car. The next time I saw my dad, he had stepped over the guardrail and he was holding onto it, facing the water. My mom and I ran to him. My mom grabbed hold of his shirt. I thought at the time that if I went below I could catch him, but my mom yelled, “Get your butt back up here.” When I got up there, my mom was still holding my dad by his shirt, but he let go (of the guardrail). I called the police. I was so stressed. I was crying. I was trying to explain everything that was going on to the dispatcher, then she asked for the address. Who knows the address to a bridge near a park? Are you serious? But I gave her as much information as I had. My mom kept hold of my dad’s shirt, and the police managed to get here and pretty quickly too, thank God! The police were talking to him (I guess to calm him down), and when they were close enough to him, they put him in a headlock and pulled him off the bridge. I can still hear my mom say, “Please don’t hurt him!”

They put him in handcuffs and took him away to get mental health services.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 3

A Prayer of Thanks

By Until Have you ever wanted something? Then go to God and ask.

Have you ever wanted to complete a mission? Ask God to help you through the tasks.

Have you ever wanted a rose but without the stem?

Was there something you really desired but got tired of asking Him.

So then you make do without it, even though you want it bad.

But you don’t ask Him because you think He might get mad.

God said, “Ask and you shall receive.”

But you think asking for too much sounds like greed.

So morning comes, you live to see another day.

You get on your knees by your bed then you start to pray.

You say you’re not going to ask for anything, you will just tell Him the situation.

That the prayer I’m praying this morning is just to acknowledge Him, show Him appreciation.

Lord, I come to You to let you know that I love you, even though I’m not a saint.

But today is Your day, I’m not asking for nothing. because this is a prayer of thanks.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 4

Skipping School Terri Cooks

Every morning when I was in the seventh grade I walked to school with my best friend, Kelly. One Monday morning we were running a little late. We figured that if we walked fast, we would make it by the last bell, so we started hiking up the big hill like we did every morning. Kelly and I spotted a group of older kids walking across the street. Both of us got a little antsy. I said, “Girl, let’s just keep walking. They are not thinking about us.” Or so we thought.

The next thing we knew, they were standing next to us. They were a group of ninth graders. It happened to be Ninth Grade Skip Day. They asked us why we were going to school. We responded, “It’s ninth grade skip day, and we are in the seventh.”

One of them responded, “Anyone can skip today; you don’t have to be in ninth grade.” Kelly and I did not have a response for that suggestion. Then came the big question. “Do you guys want to roll with us? If you go with us, you can tell all your friends you were hanging with the ninth-grade crew. We looked at each other as if to say, Uh oh, it just got real! Neither of us had ever done anything like skipping school before.

So, one of us said, “Umm, thanks, but we should probably go to school. We don’t want to get in trouble.”

“You only get in trouble if you get caught. Come on, you will have fun,” one of the ninth graders replied. Then they turned us around to walk in the opposite direction from school. Kelly and I looked at each other like, What now?

I made the mistake of asking, “So where are we going?”

One of the big kids responded, “Where do you live?”

I said, “I live in Fountain Square, why?”

Of course the response was, “Well, let’s go to your house!”

I said, “Huh? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The big kid responded, “Why not? Are your parents home?”

I said, “No, but my mom will be coming home soon. She works at night.”

Then some other genius big kid said, “Oh we will leave before she gets home.” I was thinking, OMG, what have we gotten into? I felt like I was going to be held hostage in my own home. So off to my house we went.

The big kids were off the chain. They wanted to drink our drinks, eat our food, and smoke cigarettes! I was as nervous as a cat. Kelly looked like she was going to make a break for it any minute. One idiot even caught a towel on fire in my kitchen trying to light a cigarette. I thought to myself, ok that’s it! I have to do something to get these fools out of my house. It came to me like a light bulb had come on. I would look out my balcony window, lie and say my Mom was driving down the hill. I jumped into action, told the lie, acted real immediate, and got everyone out of our apartment. Then I suggested that everyone head down to the basement and cut through the laundry room to exit through the building next door.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 5

Only one problem with my plan. My mom was already sitting in her car in front of our apartment. Then I realized, I had to come clean to the big kids about the other lie. They were mad at first, but I explained to them I did not know how to get them to leave and I knew my mom was really on her way home. Luckily, they were sympathetic and forgave me. But now there was the problem of getting out of the building without getting caught.

One of the big kids came up with the great idea. The six of them would walk in a circle, and Kelly and I would crouch down in the middle to walk out. At the time, it sounded like a good plan, but I’m sure we looked crazy. My mom jumps out the car yelling, “Terri Elizabeth Harper, get over here right now!”

The big kids scattered and Kelly and I were left there crouched-down. I am pretty sure that at the time my mom had to do everything possible not to laugh at us. We attempted to explain a wild tale of peer pressure, which was the truth, and we were scared to tell them, “No we don’t want to go with you.”

My mom took pity on me. She said, “We will talk about this with your father later.” A friend of my mom’s gave us a ride to school, and my mom gave us both a note for tardiness.

At the end of the school day, an announcement was made that all students who had participated in skip day would be suspended. My best friend and I were thankful we dodged that bullet, but I still had to go home and face the music. I thought for sure my Mom was going to tell my dad, but she didn’t. She kept it between us, and that was cool. I never skipped school again.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 6

Gradually Graduating Skylarr Marsh

As far back as I can remember, I’ve always done well in school. I was alert, teachable, and willing to learn everything my teachers wanted. My favorite subjects were (and still are) English and Literature. My least favorites were (and still are) math, science, and history. It’s amazing how those three subjects played a very important role in how I almost didn’t graduate from high school.

In my ninth-grade year, I was introduced to the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). There are five parts to the test: math, science, history, English and writing. On my first try, I passed English and writing. I was discouraged, but I had time to study and practice to retake the other parts of the test. Several months passed, and it was time for me to retake the test. In order to pass each section, I needed to score at least 400. My scores typically ranged between 370 and 390.

I struggled to pass the remaining tests, although I was excelling in my schoolwork. When the next test date came, I was ready, I was prepared, I had studied, and I believed I would pass history, science, and math.

Guess what? This was my third time taking the test, and I found out (again) that I still did not pass any of them. History - 399 was the closest I got. Yes, I was ONE point away! I was upset! I could not figure out why I was struggling. I would not graduate high school without passing the remaining tests.

During my senior year, I retook the math and science tests, which at that point I’d lost count how many times I’d taken them each. My test scores arrived about a week before graduation. I was excited. I could graduate on time, with my class. Boy was I wrong! I was livid! I was hurt, embarrassed, and I felt like a failure. All my friends were graduating, posting on social media how excited they were, and there I was, mad, upset, and sort of jealous, because I could not proudly say, “Class of 2017.”

After retaking the remaining tests, probably twelve times, I took a break from studying. I needed a mental break, time to breathe and just process everything that I was feeling. I did not need any more disappointment. In order to challenge myself, I started taking a few classes at Sinclair Community College so I could feel better about moving forward in my high school journey.

Eventually, I got back in the swing of things. I took advantage of tutoring, I found study partners and made time to focus on graduating, no matter how long it took. Testing time rolled around again. I knew this was something I had to be done with in order to continue with my life. I was prepared, I had studied, prayed about it, and I didn’t feel nervous at all. I took science one day and math the next. Because I took the time to study and focus, this time around the tests were actually pretty easy, and the tutoring program helped me prepare. I was alert, attentive, and focused on each problem or question.

Because it took me two additional years to officially graduate, my focus was different. I honestly believe that if I had not signed up for tutoring, I would still be struggling to pass the tests. I was hoping, praying, wishing that when I hit “submit,” I would get a call saying that I passed, and I did! I passed math with 400 and science with 405. I was so excited! About two weeks later, I received my high school diploma in the mail and I graduated in December 2019. This was the hardest and the most exciting thing I’d ever experienced.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 7

I want to encourage you to keep going. No matter what the situation is, how you feel, what people have to say, how many times you have to do something over, keep going! I wish someone had given me this advice before I went through this journey, but I am glad to be on the other side now.

Before, if something didn’t work for me on the first try, I would give up, but I am so thankful that I didn’t give up with my education because I would not have made it to my second year of college. Fall semester (2019), I earned a 4.0 and made the Dean’s List.

If you find yourself in a difficult situation, know that you can do it. It will be hard, tedious, overwhelming, and discouraging, but never give up on yourself. No matter how hard it is, keep trying.

You are smart, you are strong, you are capable of doing ANYTHING you put your mind to. I believe in you, but most of all, you should believe in yourself.

Skylarr received tutoring services at the Fast Forward Center inside The Job Center (Dayton, Ohio).

If you or someone you know are interested in their services, please call 937-512-3278 (FAST) for more information.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 8

Freedom

By Until Take my hand and walk with me Through the struggle of eternity For years we’ve fought for what we’ve made Which was common ground for our generation’s kids to play What’s theirs is theirs What’s ours is ours We finally got tired and spoke up and said it’s not fair

What’s theirs is theirs What’s ours is ours We have become united To show them our power Take my hand and walk with me Through the struggle of eternity What’s ours is ours is what we speak We have prayed and fought For freedom of speech Take my hand and walk with me Through the struggle that was hurting For the pain is gone We have served our purpose For we have won This our freedom

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 9

The Ultimate Foundation Takiyah Blalock

When I was twelve years old, my father passed away. I never had a close relationship with him, but deep down, I wanted to. Before he died, I remember looking out the window for him to come, but he wouldn’t. I wanted to know what I was doing wrong that he couldn’t love me. It may seem like many girls have the same story, and it does affect your growth as a woman in some way.

Personally, I struggled with insecurity. I HATED the way I looked when I saw myself in the mirror. I never heard my father say, “You’re beautiful,” or tell me I was pretty. I couldn’t stand my big lips and long feet, because these parts of me resembled him. I didn’t want to look like the man who was supposed to be my father but wasn’t a father to me.

I didn’t have a chance to go to father-daughter dances with him or know what it felt like to be loved by someone other than my mother or other female relatives. This affected me greatly growing up. I wanted to feel pretty.

I hated being bullied when I was younger, and I tried my best to fit in. I would fold in my lips and wear shoes that didn’t fit, so that people would leave me alone. I didn’t know how to be in a relationship with a boy. I didn’t really have any good examples of what a good relationship should be like. I didn’t search for love in boys the way some girls did, but I shut down from having relationships because I didn’t know how to love. I am glad God kept me from not giving myself to just anyone, in search of love or to fill a void.

I do not blame my father because my self-worth does not come from anyone else. It comes from within. Looking back, now that I’m almost twenty years old, I wish I had made an effort to at least tell my father

that I forgive him and that I love him. Ultimately, he could not love himself, so how in the world could he love me? I am growing into the young woman that I am called to be, and every situation that happened to me has made me a better person from the inside out.

Self-worth is very important in a young woman because that is the ultimate foundation. No one can love you as much as you and God.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 10

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 11

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 12

Research and Reflections of a Mixed Girl in Mississippi: White Privilege & Colorism (an excerpt) Maleigh C.

There's a color in the 24-pack box of Crayola crayons called "apricot". However, when I was growing up, we called that crayon "skin color". It didn't matter what your race was, that’s what we all called it. Maybe it was because my friends and I didn't know how to read yet, and apricot wasn't on the list of colors we had to learn, so we just associated it with the most common of flesh colors. We were blinded by our ignorant innocence. We saw no flaws in this, and while it may not seem like a big deal, looking back, it was. I don't know why I never stopped to question the fact that it didn't look like my skin color. However, now, it's

something I think of often, but I bet none of my white peers even remember that.

@kaali_changemakers

What is White Privilege?

Having white privilege means that people who are white get advantages simply because they are the majority race, and most of the time, they don't even realize they have it.

In 1989, Dr. Peggy McIntosh, wrote a piece called "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack." In it, she describes examples of the daily effects of White Privilege in her life: •

I can turn on the television or open to the front page of the paper and see people of my race widely represented.

•

I can be sure that my children will be given curricular materials that testify to the existence of their race.

•

I can easily buy posters, postcards, picture books, greeting cards, dolls, toys, and children’s magazines featuring people of my race.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 13

•

I can take a job with an affirmative action employer without having co-workers on the job suspect that I got it because of race.

Those are just a few of the privileges that McIntosh listed. Since then, many people have spoken out

about White Privilege.

Rapper duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released a song in 2016, titled “White Privilege II.” You can find the song on any music media app or on YouTube. I recommend looking at the lyrics as you listen. The song explores themes of police brutality, white supremacy, and the social movement, Black Lives Matter (BLM). In the song, Macklemore struggles with his own White Privilege and his place in the BLM movement.

The song switches between various artists, narrators, news reports, sirens, gunshots, and chants.

In the song, Macklemore addresses white supremacy, which is the belief that white people are the superior race. He says the system of his success is the same one that didn’t indict Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown Jr. in 2014. He then goes on to explain how this is cultural appropriation because many white people have gained from the culture of black people, but aren’t willing to support them in their times of need. He assesses this and then relates it to the famous BLM movement.

In 2012, the BLM hashtag began in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the killing of Trayvon Martin. The BLM campaign is used in protests to speak out against police brutality, systematic

racism, and racial inequality/discrimination. There is much controversy surrounding the campaign. However, one common dispute is a similar hashtag, “All Lives Matter.”

Cartoonist Kris Straub published a cartoon in 2014 (and an extended version in 2016) depicting an analogy to counter those [All Lives Matter] misconceptions. Straub compares the BLM movement to a burning house. "If a house is on fire, you wouldn’t hose down every house, but the one that’s on fire." He says this is the case with Black Lives Matter vs. All Lives Matter, not that any race is any more important than the other.

What is Colorism?

Colorism is similar to white privilege, except it mostly affects people of color. It is a type of discrimination in which, for instance, lighter skinned African-Americans or multiracial people are treated better or more favorably than African-Americans with darker skin.

When I was thirteen, my mother took me to an art gallery in New Orleans. There was a piece that stood out to me. I don't remember the name of it, but it was a painting of brown paper bag sitting upright.

There was shadowing and shading, but no context to the significance of this brown paper bag. I asked my Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 14

mom why there was a painting of this bag and what was so significant about it that it hung in this gallery—

that's when she told me the paper bag story.

Between 1900-1950, African-Americans would host parties and hang a brown paper bag on the door. If you were darker than the bag, you weren't permitted entrance to that event. It was also this way for acceptance into any Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU). If you had a lighter skin tone, that was your ticket to the top schools, like Howard University. Black people had created their own form of segregation. The closer your skin color was to that of white people, the more European you were said to have been, which was understood as a higher social standing. The paper bag test may no longer exist, but its basic principles still linger in modern day colorism.

After my mother told me the story, I immediately felt sick to my stomach. Because I have lighter skin than her, I would've gotten more privileges; things that she couldn’t get based solely on the color of her skin and not the content of her character. It shook me to my core, and it made me consider my advantages and not take them for granted. I can't change them nor can I change society, but I am aware now. And I think that's a big part of it— for people to just be aware of the privileges that they have for whatever reason they have them.

No matter what you believe, white privilege and colorism are very real, and I don't see them going away anytime soon, so talk about them, research them, and educate yourself.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 15

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 16

Dana Graham Founder & Creative Director

Scripted in Black

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 17

Dana Graham Speaks Life, Faith, and Space for People of Color

A Profile

by Onita Morgan-Edwards

It is 27 degrees when I park in front of Panera Bread in Englewood, Ohio. India Arie closes out the set on 92.1 WROU Radio, and the restaurant is crowded with White people. Some people may be retired, others possibly on their lunch break, and I am waiting for Dana Graham, Founder & Creative Director of Scripted in Black, to arrive so that we can talk about how she is creating space in the world for People of Color (POC). Space where we feel safe, loved, and free.

I wonder whether Ms. Graham’s suggestion of this location is intentional, a way for her, for us to carve out a place to chat and eat in this White space. I text her my seating location and wait.

I see her approach the front door, but I do not recognize her at first donned with burgundy eyeglasses, her hair parted down the middle, cornrowed away from her face.

She looks comfortable in an all black outfit and a gray, knitted infinity scarf around her neck. It is cold, and the place is so crowded that the only quiet place to sit is near the

restaurant’s side door, where patrons occasionally enter or exit letting in a balmy burst of air. I ask if she thinks we will be okay by the door, we both look around for alternative seating and agree to stay put.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 18

O: Thank you for coming.

D: Of course, thank you for having me.

O: Congratulations on your award.

D: Thank you!

Dana was awarded Curator of the Year (2019)

by Dayton Young Black Professionals.

O: So, how did you feel? You seemed surprised in the Facebook video I saw.

D: I was 100% surprised; the main reason: everybody in that category is extraordinary in their own right, so to be in the same category with other movers and shakers in the community, that was an honor within itself. Also, with this year being a very, very rocky rollercoaster for me, with business and personal things, to win that award affirmed purpose, grace, why I am here, why I should do what I do, and why I am blessed to have the gift to do it. All those thoughts and feelings were running together at once when they called my name.

O: On your Facebook page, the header behind your profile picture notes, “Don’t ever forget how fucking dope you are.” Is that your mantra?

D: That is something that I tell myself daily. Similar to: “You are enough.”

“Whatever is good is seeking you.”

Those things culminate into never forgetting how fucking dope you really are; past tribulations and trials are reminders that you made it through those storms, you are victorious. I remind myself, “Hey, I did that!” With the grace of God, of course, my faith, a great support system, but essentially, I had to do the hard work.

O: What kind of music do you like? What kind of music are you listening to right now, or who is your artist of choice?

D: Ooh! Now that we are, kind of in the holiday spirit, I cracked open my “Soulful Christmas.” My mom and my daddy are in their 60s, and they grew up in a different era than some of my friends’ parents, so I was exposed to old school music. I’ve started listening to my old school playlist for the holidays.

Music that I really love is anything with soul: Hip Hop, R&B, Jazz. I love music that moves me. Specific artists, I listen to… there are so many that I like… (laughs).

O: It depends on your mood?

D: Yeah, it really depends on my mood. I love Indy artists; artists who are not necessarily signed to a label. I love Sza and H.E.R., and of course, Beyoncé is like my Holy-Grail (she says this with a wide smile). I also like Rihanna, and I have eclectic taste in music. I listen to some opera. “Porgy and Bess” is one of my favorites. So yeah, music that moves the soul.

“Beyonce is like my Holy Grail.”

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 19

O: Yeah, okay. Good, good.

I say this as affirmation that Dana is kind of an old soul, and I imagine my initial hesitance at relating to this young woman in the types of music she loves.

What’s your favorite food?

D: A food that I can eat all the time is chicken salad. I can eat that daily. Another food that I love… honestly anything with pasta (laughs): lasagna, spaghetti, baked ziti.

I move quickly from the food question since we elected earlier to grab lunch after the interview, plus I skipped breakfast.

O: What’s the most recent book you’ve read, something you’re reading now, or something you’re excited to read in the future?

D: Hmm. I am very excited to read poetry books by local writers that I’ve collected over the years, like A. Slate and Quiet Storm…

O: I have Quiet Storm’s.

D: Yes! I’ve read a few pieces from their work, but I’d like to dive into what they’ve created, I’m very excited to do that.

O: What’s your favorite color?

D: I love mustard yellow. I love how that [color] sits on brown skin, but I am a pattern type-of-girl. I can mix and match pieces with different colors in them; those are go-to [outfits] for me. And honestly, all black. Clearly, you can see (she says pointing to her outfit), you can never go wrong with all black.

We chuckle, because she’s right!

I remind Dana that the target audience is 13 to 19-year-old girls and teens, which reflects why the questions are more about her personality, her creativity, and less about entrepreneurship.

D: I love questions like these. They make me think, they make me “present,” and I [have to] think about what things I like and what artists I’m listening to now.

O: I want to inspire young Women of Color to consider art as a career, as a hobby, or as a way to express themselves.

Tell me about the best place you have ever visited, a mind-blowing place, which could be an amusement park, a city...

D: WOW! I went to Jamaica and we did excursions that included the Bob Marley Home Tour, Dunn’s River Fall & Park; we went horseback riding, and the scenery was breathtaking. Even the resort was breathtaking, but I wanted to see how people live, I wanted to see the culture and the history.

At Bob Marley’s Home, I felt connected to the spirit of him, his family, and the music he created. Feel good music.

Honestly, everything is simpler in Jamaica. The way they live, their mantra: everything is (literally) gonna be alright. To slow things down, I disconnected from my phone, and it was a blessed time. I needed to reset and get back to me. Get back to knowing who I am. The trip grounded me. I would go again!

O: Share a place you would like to visit that you have never been to.

D: I definitely want to tour Italy because I love pasta, and I love wine, so to learn while in wine country, experience authentic food, and see how the people live, I definitely want to do that.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 20

O: Tell me about something I saw on your website: “You deserve to live out your imagination.”

D: “Um hmm. Yes!” She says this with a fierce confidence, as if she not only believes this but lives by it.

O: What would you tell your teenaged self?

D: Woo! I would tell my teenaged self that structure is fine. I would tell her, “You did that really well,” but I think the best moments for me were living outside the structure I placed on myself. I feel that me and my friends had those standards [of structure] very early in life, the values that were instilled in us, but I also think that being a kid, not being so hard on ourselves, and not being so serious all the time made it okay to just live.

It’s okay to go with the flow. It’s okay to live in the moment because when you get into your adult years, there are so many things that make you live either in the past or in the future; never the present. Especially if a person has kids, they are worried about X, Y, and Z when they get off work. They’re not thinking, “Oh, I’m going to go home, unwind, and reflect on the day.” They don’t have time for that. As much as I encourage myself and other women to do that, I think it starts early. Knowing what living in the present feels like, being able to get in touch with that self. Not the past-self, not who you see yourself as in the future and what you have to do to be that. Living in the present moment is more definitive.

“It’s okay to live in the moment...”

Dana is poised and soft-spoken, but there is something genuine and charming about her. I never get the feeling she is here for herself, but to reach young women with ways to see and experience creativity in a new way.

O: I have a teenaged daughter, and sometimes I’m concerned about her living in the moment because, well, I’m an adult, I want her to be focused, and when I ask her: “Okay, what are you working on right now? You said you were going to do this; are you working toward that?” But I also give her space, so I am glad you confirmed that for me; my daughter needs that [living in the moment] time.

Another quote I pulled from your website: “Creativity is meant to be explored and innovated in as many ways that make you happy.” What plans do you have for Scripted in Black?

D: Yes! Scripted in Black is a platform for unconventional artists. We will continue the Women of Color Reading Series. For me, creativity is not stagnant. I have to create more, and so we’re adding two installments. I’m very excited and ready for the journey.

O: For your Women of Color Reading Series, how do you choose artists or groups? Do they come to you? Do you go to them? How does that work?

D: So, both. Sometimes if someone suggests a writer to me, I seek them out, I seek out their work. I’ve had writers come to me and say, “I love what you’re doing; how can I be a part?”

Once I connect with them, I just tell them to submit any kind of work—I don’t care what it is—that speaks to Black and Brown women’s experiences, or honestly that speaks to the emotion of what we go through in life. I dive into the work, I explore it, reading it multiple times. I’m in the work, and that’s how I start to curate. I ask myself: “What is the overlying theme of this work? How does it make me feel? What are the messages that are jumping off the page?” Then I have a conversation with the writer. I ask them, “What inspires you?” We go through each piece, and those pieces lead us into some very deep conversations, conversations that are fulfilling and freeing. Then I read the work again. Based on this new-found knowledge, that’s how I select pieces. I tell myself “this” is the theme that I’m thinking about. I run Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 21

everything past the writer and ask how they feel about it. I ask them if there is something in particular that they want to express during the reading.

“...those pieces lead us into some very deep conversations.”

I’m grateful that each writer has given me free reign. I don’t ever ask them, “Can you send me work that’s based on this [topic]?” because that’s my creative ego in the way, and I don’t want that. I want them to send me work that they are proud of because there are certain pieces some poets and writers may not perform anymore, pieces they may not put in collections anymore, maybe they don’t even want to think about that anymore because that was a part of their life that is no longer. I don’t even want to make them feel forced to revisit that. It’s very organic and it’s actually how I love to create. I don’t like a lot of rules around creativity.

O: When I told you that I could send you the interview questions, you said, “No! Don’t do that!” It makes sense to me now. Have you received any pushback about Scripted in Black because it is a space for People of Color?

D: Honestly, no, I haven’t. It’s been all love. There have been non-People of Color who email or message me and ask, “What else do you do that I can support?” [People will] tell me that they send others or that they tell people about [Scripted in Black], but they’ll say, “I want to see your work too!” I have other projects outside of the Women of Color Reading Series that anyone can attend.

O: What can the community do to support your work?

D: The biggest thing is sharing the event word of mouth, share information on social media, or by handing out flyers.

Also being open to giving it a chance because sometimes women will say to me, “I didn’t necessarily know what it was, so I didn’t come.” Women of Color deserve to be included in community art. I feel that far too often, especially in the industry that I was educated in (the theatre and entertainment industries), it’s very White dominated. We all know that, but especially in theatre in the Dayton community. There aren’t any urban brick-and-mortar institutions for theatre.

There are theatre companies like my homegirl, Tiffany Countryman, Living the Dream Entertainment, which is also a production company. The big ones like the Schuster Center, Dayton Theatre Guild, Dayton Playhouse, they sprinkle us in, right? Sometimes that shies people away from feeling like they can be represented in the arts.

“…[be] open to giving [the Woman of Color Reading Series] a chance...”

I don’t feel weird when I enter these spaces. I want people to realize that Scripted in Black is a space for that. People of Color are top priority because our stories are far too often misrepresented because they’re not coming from our voices.

Share your [Scripted in Black] experience with other people. This is a space for you.

I am always looking for volunteers, always looking to build our team. If a person is interested in seeing where their strengths can be used, that is something I look for too.

O: Do you have any plans to work with your alma maters? Stivers [School for the Arts] or... Wright State University. Our voices converge because I draw a blank, at first, where Dana completed her undergraduate studies. Maybe [consider] taking what you do into an academic creative space?

D: I have some ideas about that, and I’m staying patient because I try to move with what feels right now, but I would definitely love to use talent from those schools, especially Stivers. Stivers will always have a place in my heart. Wright State, I love them too, but I think that it’s limited to a particular department, but with Stivers, there’s an energy throughout the entire school. With those students, it’s a whole different thing.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 22

O: Do you think having spaces for People of Color can help bridge the gap between older and younger women?

D: Oh yeah! I’ve noticed the age ranges at the Women of Color Reading Series, and it blows my mind to have space for older, middle-aged, and younger women, who can come together and talk. It’s never a thing where, for instance, “Well you young girls do this, and y’all do that!” It’s never a blame game, and I also think it’s because of how I enter into the “Sister Chat.” I try to place everyone on the same level. Though some women have lived years longer, we appreciate that, we cherish that, but let’s not discredit the life experiences of a 21-year-old. I think this approach is respected, and we enter into the space with total understanding. That’s how we can appreciate womanhood (Black and Brown womanhood specifically) in its utmost glorious state.

Authentic relation that takes place between women, that affirms a lot of where older women are now, and also getting older women to understand that it’s not too late to have a new perspective. It does bridge that gap in a very unapologetic way, and without confrontation. It is important to be able to “hear” each other without blame, guilt, or shame between age groups.

“...let’s not discredit the life experiences of a 21-year-old.”

O: This seems like a spiritual journey for you, and if so, how is Scripted in Black helping others on their journey to wholeness?

D: You are correct that this is a spiritual journey for me, and I think the way that it leads others in their own journey is by understanding that their story is a beautiful masterpiece, understanding that as Black and Brown women, it’s okay to own that, it’s okay to reclaim, to recreate, to be in a spirit of shifting, moving, and balancing. To feel beautiful and fearless. It is the ultimate spiritual journey of communion with oneself. When women see stories presented through the readings, I think it holds a mirror up to them, and they see that it’s okay to “see” others as they perform; it’s okay to “feel” the stories, and know they are not alone. When you know you’re not alone, you’re able to walk a bit more freely in your journey. You’re able to let things go, surrender certain things much easier. When it’s not only you but a community of women, a sisterhood, that leads us in our own spiritual journey.

The fact that women will attend events on a Sunday means they are making time for themselves, without kids, without their partner, and without worrying about their job the next day. They are taking time for themselves, to enjoy time with other women.

O: What would you tell Thirteen2Nineteen readers about trusting their own voice?

D: The first thing I would say is: 1) the fact that you have a voice is a blessing; 2) the fact that you can hear it and live with it day-to-day is an even bigger blessing, because for so many people, their voices are muted, erased, not even considered; and 3) I would say that their voice is fragile and that they should protect it, but also don’t be afraid to be loud. Not only in the literal sense of being loud, but standing up for what you believe in, or behaving in a way that you believe in—because actions do speak a lot louder. It speaks to how you carry yourself, how you treat others, and how you treat yourself. That’s a part of your voice. Not being afraid to live and owning every stage of it because your voice constantly changes especially in that 13 to 19-year-old stage. There’s an evolution happening then. Recognize that the shifting or the evolution is happening. Keep what serves you.

As you get older, you’re not going to walk and talk the way you used to, and that’s okay. People will still try to box you in, people will still try to raise those expectations on you (and that comes, oftentimes, from the people who love you the most). When you see that those expectations don’t serve you, it’s okay to let the people who love you know that. You can let them know gently; it doesn’t have to be confrontational but in a gentle but stern and confident voice, that’s what will make the most [impact] on who you are as a woman.

With that, we place our orders and find a table near the fireplace. We eat and converse, maybe dreading the cold outside. The only two Black women in Panera Bread carve out space for themselves, because we can. Because we must. ⸎

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 23

Dana Graham is a multi-disciplinary creative and curator. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Studies with a concentration in Directing from Wright State University. She completed a season-long artistic administration fellowship at Kitchen Theatre Company (Ithaca, NY) under the direction of Rachel Lampert and Stephen Nunley and founded Scripted in Black (SIB) in 2018.

Scripted in Black is an exclusive multi-disciplinary arts collective that centers the work + collaboration of unconventional creatives of color through the yearly curation of boutique to high scale experiential installments. These diverse installments focus on eclectic cultural storytelling through events + entertaining virtual content, creative + lifestyle merchandising, community engagement + education. The collective aims to address and alleviate the lack of minority representation in the local arts infrastructure.

Dana is a lover of all things God, family, friends, and Black culture. A product of and believer in Black Girl Magic, she is an avid music, tv, and film connoisseur. She loves exquisite food and the natural way of life—from hair to wellness, authentic vibes, organic conversations, and eclectic experiences—are keys to her heart. Along with curating, producing, and directing for Scripted in Black, she is also the co-creator of ArtCrawl: A Visual + Performing Arts Festival that occurs annually in the fall. Dana lives in her hometown (Dayton, OH).

Keep up with her: dananicolegraham.com

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 24

summer 2020

Black Girls Write: A Contest (2020) Maleigh C. is the first winner of the Black Girls Write Contest. Her essay, “Research and Reflections of a Mixed Girl in Mississippi: White Privilege & Colorism (an excerpt)” can be found on page 18.

Check out our website for contest details (April 1, 2021):

https://writesofpassagegroup.org/thirteen2nineteen/black-girls-write-a-contest/

The winner receives a $25 Visa Gift Card and publication in Thirteen2Nineteen, Volume 2 (spring 2021).

One free magazine copy provided per writer & one for each reader.

SUBMISSION INFO Tell us a story

because we’d love to hear from you.

You can submit your story starting: December 1 (deadline: 12/31/2020).

Check our website for guidelines: https://writesofpassagegroup.org (there is NO FEE to submit your story)

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 25

summer 2020

Special Thanks!

When Writes of Passage Group set out on this journey to reach Black girls and teens with the idea that telling their stories is important, there were a few women, special women, who rallied around the idea and offered support, guidance, and love. This issue is dedicated to you, for listening, for caring, and for sharing your wisdom and insight.

It will take all of us to enlist others to listen to the voices of Black girls and teens everywhere.

Each of you are the embodiment of allyship and advocacy.

Whitney Bell Elizabeth Schmidt Paige Webb

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page 26

summer 2020

Order the Magazine Online: writesofpassagegroup.org/Thirteen2Nineteen $6.00 + $2.80* USPS Media Mail Shipping & Handling) *Cost covers up to two (2) magazines.

Email us at: writesofpassagegroup@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns or if you run into trouble placing your order.

Thirteen2Nineteen summer 2020 / Page