Naya Clark

Followers, a novel by Megan Angelo (Graydon House 2020), is a fictional prediction of a world molded by social media culture. Followers revolves around the lives of Orla Cadden, whose dream is to become a literary success, and Floss, an aspiring celebrity influencer. Told in alternating stories, the novel sees Floss and Orla hack societal prestige through digital connections.

Kelly Taylor Mitchell is an artist and educator, using experimental art forms, care, and creativity to preserve and uncover Black diaspora.

Care (n.)
/ker/
The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.
This month started like everyone’s: with uncertainty. The beginning of March felt like years ago. When the buzz of Corona Virus felt like it was just heresy laced with paranoia. The fears became real when Urban Ivy’s staff traveled to San Antonio for the AWP conference. It was something like a dream of mine– a real writer’s experience, even with fears of cancellatio...

Just before writing this I was trying to think of an honest angle. How do I approach being an editor at a newer, small publisher without acknowledging my overwhelming sense of imposter’s syndrome? Then I started zoning out. Time does this peculiar thing, where it warps, and it seems like just a few months ago, I was starting my freshman year of college. Ironically, I was in the same coffee shop I’m in now, in my high school hometown. After working part-time at a close-by boutique, I would loo...

In the midst of America’s identity reflecting itself through politics and pop culture, Saeed Jones’s new memoir, How We Fight for Our Lives, illustrates an experience of American life that is rarely talked about yet commonly lived. The book focuses the life of a queer Black boy from the South, and how the lack of conversation in America shaped the experiences of his youth, personal development, education, and sexuality into a battle of survival.

Among Atlanta's High Museum of Art's most diverse audience in history, Jafa compiles video documentation of the complexity of Blackness

Over a year ago I reviewed poet, José Olivarez' "Citizen Illegal", a collection of poetry centralizing the experience of immigration from Mexico to L.A. Have a read!

To say that Nicole Dennis-Benn is highly accomplished as a writer is an understatement. Her debut novel, Here Comes the Sun, received titles of best book of the year from the New York Times, NPR, Amazon, and Kirkus Reviews, amongst others. Now, Dennis-Benn is also the writer behind the forthcoming novel, Patsy. Dennis-Benn and I recently discussed her writing process for both Patsy and Here Comes the Sun, as well as issues of motherhood, religion and the Church, immigration, and craft.

On a clear, winter night down a few backroads, and through a barely-lit, crater-ridden parking lot, a band called True Blossom rehearsed at a warehouse practice space. They warmly welcomed me in and offered me candy prior to my interview. Initially, I wouldn’t have imagined True Blossom’s music coming out of a warehouse. I pictured their sound flowing from a purple-lit living room, like a scene straight out of Scott Pilgrim. The airy, dance-in-your-room grooves and melodies True Blossom creat...

If you’ve witnessed or been a part of the community of active writers on Twitter, it won’t be long before the algorithm suggests you follow Morgan Parker. The algorithm can perceive the influence generated by Parker’s 19.8K followers, many of which are also writers or fans of her distinct voice and there’s a chance that it can detect her unapologetically Black content and subject matter. Still, the algorithm can’t yet decipher the grace with which Parker captures Blackness and incorporates po...

When OkCello performed for the release of his latest body of work, “Resolve”, there was a hurricane happening. The downpour on the way to the venue was unfair to windshield wipers. Yet, the release event was full of bodies, warm spirits, and attentive minds.
OkCello’s process-oriented work is well deserving of the release event’s turnout. His melodies transcend what many understand cello music to be, from classical musings to rhythmic inflections, that can easily make one stop to grip their c...

Pantone released 2019’s official color “Living Coral”
Naya Clark
Dec 6
2018 is days from being over, thank goodness. With heavy news circulating 24/7, a glint of optimism was necessary when Pantone, the National authority of color, announced that the official color of 2019 is “Living Coral (16–1546)”. The announcement was in no way neutral (color wise). The Pantone Color Institute’s decision brings both positivity and a bit of environmental awareness in the year to come.
This deep coral color...

Chloe N. Clark's newest collection, The Science of Unvanishing Objects, is propelled by the unknown, dealing with query, dreams, and memories, which prove unreliable, yet have the potential to remain solid and legitimate as if they are physical objects..I called Clark to get answers about a few of them.

Claire Chambless is a multi-disciplinary artist who has worked within the methods of sculpture, installation, and painting.