Boundaries & Borders

"Boundaries & Borders...captivates the reader with poems, fiction, and the personal journeys of women from across the Diaspora. Nigerian-American writer Iquo Essien offers a glimpse of her shifting identities and longing for home in her essay, 'On Leaving Nigeria,' while Palestinian writer Iman Hammad's... 'A Bullet and a Glass of Water' takes us inside the brutal realities of a family living inside of a war zone... This is a courageous and bold undertaking from a place of deep reverence for the craft." - Carolyn A. Butts, African Voices"...A powerfully inspiring symphony of short stories and poetry that highlight...the varying experiences of women of color... You will find in our voices the many roads that lead to a host of freedoms and uncovered truths. Especially the Revolutionary Joy of loving each other while uniquely different and brilliantly similar. Boundaries & Borders welcomes us all to share exactly where we each are, how we got here, and where we can go together collectively by sharing the journey and even the roadblocks." - Kim Brandon, Poet, Performer, Educator, and WOC Alum"When I returned to the U.S. from Liberia in 1997 after seven years of Liberia's brutal civil war, I needed to tell the story of the tragedy I experienced. However, I could not imagine myself as a valued writer or find a place where I fit in. I decided then that I would create one-a space where women of color could comfortably write and be themselves. In 1999, I opened the doors of my nonprofit, Imani House, and WOC Writers (the first of its kind in NY) was born. WOC Writers provides in-person and virtual workshops, classes, readings, performances, and publications." We offer women a safe and supportive environment locally and globally, which is hosted from our Brooklyn Headquarters and other venues." - OyaBisi Ideraabdullah, Founder