For Women: In Tribute to Nina Simone

I am very proud to have my short story, Loose Connections included in this US-published anthology, edited by Debra Powell-Wright and funded through a small Art and Change grant awarded by The Leeway Foundation.

Debra Powell-Wright is an accomplished spoken word artist, published author and poet, writing workshop facilitator and a member of In The Company of Poets, an all-female spoken word ensemble.

For Women: In Tribute to Nina Simone was inspired by her essay Four Women - For Women: Black Women All Grown Up, which examines the lyrics of Nina Simone's classic and Talib Kweli's hip-hop tribute and which features in Imagining the Black Female Body. 

This collection of short stories and poems explores the issues of relationships, racism, sexuality and concepts of beauty from the perspective of American, African, Caribbean and British women of colour. It's been a long time in the making, a true labour of love for Debra who has single-handedly dealt with everything ranging from submissions to editing, and from printing to distribution and - modesty aside - I believe it deserves a  wider readership than will be afforded by the limited print run.

Sadly, I won't be able to join many of the other contributors in Pennsylvania in February to celebrate so I'm listening to Four Women, raising a glass and proposing a virtual toast:

To Nina, to Debra and to all the women around the world who contributed to this collection.