African-American Writers' Alliance

Mission

The African-American Writers' Alliance, (AAWA), is a diverse and dynamic group of Writers, that provides an informal and supportive forum for new and published Writers.  AAWA helps Writers polish their skills, gives peer reviews, and creates opportunities for public readings and other media venues. Ultimately, the group encourages persons to publish individually and collectively.  The writings, whether they be of triumphs, tragedies, or whatever is within and between the two, as African Americans; we must tell our stories in our words and we encourage others to do likewise.

Description

Our partnerships and collaborations have been long-standing with local libraries, organizations, and corporations. Our members have risen to the occasion by reading their poems and stories in public venues. Resources are very much in need as we continue to expand our capacity to visual arts in recent screenplays and collaborations with local museums and municipalities.  And as a result, we found that we have funding needs to achieve racial equity as both a community organization and as we give voice to Black and African-American members through technology platforms.

Recognition

In February 1991, Californian Randee Eddins called  to order the first meeting of the African-American Writers's Alliance (AAWA). Her idea to begin an informal gathering of Northwest black writers meeting for mutual support and encouragement through the exchange of ideas and concepts became a reality. The warmth and informality provide a forum for both new and published writers as they explore their completed works and works in progress among peers and minus censure.  The readymade audience supports writers by listening and sharing.