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Connecting Mississippi Youth & Families through Literacy
Literacy Shapers
A Voice for Professionals in Mississippi
Mississippi is known for its rich literary tradition, influenced by diverse voices, unique storytelling, and historical prominence. Authors such as Richard Wright, Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, Kiese Laymon, Jesmyn Ward, and Natasha Trethewey have been instrumental in advancing the state's narrative on national stages. Embedded within their work is a legacy of activism that is also prevalent in the voices of leaders across Mississippi communities. The Literacy Shapers blog is for and about professionals who use their platforms to share meaningful messages while making a difference in the Magnolia State.
Lana Brown "The Circle Dance"
A cycle of mundane activity and mindless conformity creates a recipe for self-sabotage. Poet, Lana Brown, examines the crippling impact...
Lana Brown "I Can Move Mountains"
In "I Can Move Mountains", poet, Lana Brown, engages her audience in an exploration of faith, spirituality, and resulting rewards. Brown...
Lana Brown "Shaded Destiny"
Stagnation and complacency are central themes in Lana Brown's poem, "Shaded Destiny". Her details show the dire consequences of...
Lana Brown "Somebody Get Me a Piece of Paper"
Referencing the origin, wisdom, and work of Black people, Lana Brown employs dark metaphors to attack systemic barriers that still lurk...
LaWanda Dickens "A Stroll down My Ancestors' Lane"
During an autumn walk on the land where her great grandmother was raised, Dickens observed nature's imagery while delighting in the...
"Communing with My Ancestors: Eli Hilson Sr.’s Legacy"
By LaWanda Black Dickens, Magnolia Literacy Project Founder Memories of her grandfather, Reves Black, Sr., inspired LaWanda Dickens to...
Lana Brown "Thank You Ever So Much"
On a Saturday morning, while sitting in a Natchez, Mississippi, nail salon waiting for a pedicure, Lana Brown, eagerly anticipated the...
LaWanda Dickens "Phillis Wheatley Poetry Festival: It's Personal for Me"
Three decades after graduating from Jackson State University, Dickens writes about an experience as a faculty member at her alma mater,...
“Black History Month: True Freedom to Embrace What Is Naturally Ours”
By LaWanda Dickens Black History Month 2023 is extra special to hair artist, L. Lashley, owner of Salon Exclusive in Jackson,...
Poetry, Storytelling, and Meaningful Messages
By LaWanda Dickens Hannah Marie, pictured above, is the author of Name Change: The Journey of Becoming Me. Natchez, Mississippi poet,...
Lana Brown "...Back in the Daze"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Poet, Lana Brown, writes often about her roots in historic Natchez, Mississippi....
Pam Johnson "Juneteenth: We Are Commanded to Love One Another"
In commemoration of the federal holiday, Juneteenth, Pam Johnson delivers a compelling appeal for Mississippi and the nation, "To pay...
Lana Brown "Home Coming"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series In "Home Coming", Poet Lana Brown, a native of historic Natchez, MS, recounts...
Lana Brown "A Tribute to Momma's Legacy"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series A mother's influence never dies, as Natchez, MS poet, Lana Brown, illustrates in...
Hannah Marie "Your Narrative Against Mine"
"Your Narrative Against Mine" is Part Two in Hannah Marie's poetry collection, Name Change. The collection addresses complexities...
Hannah Marie "My Honest Poem"
"My Honest Poem" is Part One in Hannah Marie's poetry collection, Name Change. The collection addresses complexities associated with...
LaWanda Dickens “A Flower in Her Hair”
This poem captures a middle-aged woman's evolving path to reclaiming her life, identity, and confidence while discovering the healing...
Lana Brown “A Rare Jewel”
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Happy Women’s History Month! The impact of women in every space of life should...
LaWanda Dickens "Stone Mountain: Hiking for My Ancestors"
This poem was motivated by Dickens' fondness for Stone Mountain and her conversations with two friends, African American war veterans,...
Hillman Frazier "God's Plan for My Life"
Hillman Frazier was a student at Jackson State College in May of 1970, when police officers opened fire on the campus. During protests...
LaWanda Dickens “What My Daughter and Alice Walker Taught Me”
When an important lesson was presented to LaWanda Dickens by her eleven-year-old daughter, she missed the point. Years later, she...
LaWanda Dickens “Country”
In the poem, "Country", LaWanda Dickens recounts a childhood rich with love, family, nature, and freedom. An educator, writer, and former...
Lana Brown "Paying Homage to the Single Mother"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Lana Brown salutes single mothers for the challenging and complicated roles they...
Lana Brown "The World Is So Far Gone"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series During unprecedented times, turmoil, loss of life, pain, and trauma are everyday...
Lana Brown "Digging into My Roots"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series In “Digging into My Roots”, poet, Lana Brown, creates a picture of the depth,...
LaWanda Dickens "A Morning with Mom"
In this short story, LaWanda Dickens, an educator, writer, and former journalist, reflects on an event in her life that shapes her idea...
Lana Brown "The Jig Is Up"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Highlighting the impact of racial inequity and inequality, poet, Lana Brown,...
Lana Brown "Happy Feelings"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Writer and educator, Lana Brown (a 26-year veteran in public education), inspires...
For the Love of Farish Street & Family: 82 Years of Black Entrepreneurship & Activism in Mississippi
By LaWanda Dickens Pictured below: Jone Primm, owner of Marshall's Music and Bookstore Sitting on a time-honored foundation of Black...
Lana Brown "PanDEMONia 2020 Style"
Magnolia Literacy Project Spotlight: Lana Brown Series Writer and educator, Lana Brown (a 26-year veteran in public education), says that...
Randrika Henderson "Media Representation: From A Different World to The Quad"
Randrika Henderson, a graduate of Jackson State University, examines Hollywood portrayal of HBCUs in two popular television shows: A...
The Beloved Quilt: Remembering Toni Morrison
By LaWanda Dickens This month The MLP is celebrating the life of literary icon, Toni Morrison, who died one year ago. In our remembrance...
A Vibrant View: Mississippi on a Native Daughter’s Canvas
By LaWanda Dickens Reshonda Perryman (pictured above) designed the Jackson Icons mural, which celebrates literature, civil rights,...
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