
Jerdine Nolen“Jerdine Nolen was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, and raised in
Chicago, Illinois, along with five sisters and two brothers.

“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing and collecting words. My Mother encouraged me to do that. She was eager to hear my new list of ‘favorite words.’ Cucumber was a word I preferred above the rest.Then, one day, I became smitten with chutney. ‘Chutney, chutney, chut-ney.’ I would chant that one over and over again.

Jerdine Nolen received a B.A. in special education from Northeastern Illinois University and an M.Ed. in interdisciplinary arts education from Loyola University in Chicago. Jerdine Nolen lives in Maryland.

Author, Jerdine Nolen

I’m a Black feminist writer of poetry, plays, essays, novels, and stories for children. I was born and raised in Canada, but have lived in the US for 20 years. I earned my PhD in American Studies from NYU in 2003; I have taught at Ohio University, Louisiana State University, Mount Holyoke College, Hunter College, Bard High School Early College, and Borough of Manhattan Community College. My poetry has been published in the Cave Canem anthology, The Ringing Ear: Black Poets Lean South, Check the Rhyme: an Anthology of Female Poets and Emcees, and Coloring Book: an Eclectic Anthology of Fiction and Poetry by Multicultural DSC01874Writers. My novella, Plastique, was excerpted in T Dot Griots: an Anthology of Toronto’s Black Storytellers, and my plays have been staged in New York, Cleveland, and Chicago. My essays have appeared in School Library Journal, The Huffington Post, and Jeunesse: Young People, Texts, Cultures. My picture book, Bird, won the Honor Award in Lee & Low Books’ New Voices Contest and the Paterson Prize for Books for Young Readers. My young adult novel, A Wish After Midnight, has been called “a revelation…vivid, violent and impressive history.” Ship of Souls was published in February 2012; it was named a Booklist Top Ten Sci-fi/Fantasy Title for Youth and was a finalist for the Phillis Wheatley Book Award. My short story, “Sweet Sixteen,” was published in Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance in July 2012, and my latest YA novel, The Deep, was published in November 2013. I am an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing, and I have self-published several illustrated books for younger readers under my own imprint, Rosetta Press. I currently live in my beloved Brooklyn.

Author, Zetta Elliot

Root Branch Productions & Film Academy

The award-winning Root Branch team is comprised 
of a diverse group of skilled and passionate writers, producers, directors, and filmmakers. Our top-notch media professionals, who have worked on hundreds of broadcast and non-broadcast productions, are brought together on a project basis to bring fresh, creative concepts and high energy to every project.

http://www.rootbranchproductions.com




Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO/Executive Producer

Devin Allen donates to permanent collection.

Interview: Devin Allen, Baltimore Photographer

Devin talks bringing resources to uplift and mobilize Baltimore.

Interview: Devin Allen, Photographer  (Part 2)

Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE  is an actor, playwright, singer and broadcaster. In 2005 he became the second black Briton to have a play staged in the West End. (Ray Harrison Graham's Fringe First award-winning play GARY played at the Arts Theatre in 1990.) Kwei-Armah's award-winning piece Elmina's Kitchen transferred to the Garrick Theatre in 2005. He voiced Mtambo in The Lorax. On 1 July 2011, he became Artistic Director of Center Stage in Baltimore, MD, succeeding Irene Lewis. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to drama.

He became the Chancellor of the University of the Arts on 7 March 2011

Artist Talk with Director of Marley @ Centerstagemd, Kwame Kwei-Armah

Photo by @shepreebright #1960Now

On Saturday, July 11th, Baltimore photographer whose images of the protests in Baltimore went viral and ultimately graced the cover of Time Magazine in May 2015 speaks about his photographic experiences as a protester following the death of Freddie Gray.  He is joined by fellow social advocate Kwame Rose.  The day is dedicated to conversation and critical thought to promote positive solutions for uplifting Baltimore.  This program is in conjunction with Allen's first solo show, Devin Allen: Awakenings, In a New Light, on view from July 10 - December 7, 2015. Sponsored by PNC Bank, the show debuts Lewis Now, a new community space within the museum.

Kwame Rose Speaks About His Experience As A Social Advocate

Photo & Audio Courtesy of @shepreebright , #1960Now

Devin Allen, the photographer whose iconic image graced the cover of TIME magazine in May 2015, had a town hall discussion on July 11. Allen, along with his peers Kwame Rose, Malacka Reed and DeRay. 

This program was in conjunction with Allen's first solo show, Devin Allen: Awakenings, In a New Light, on view July 10 - December 7, 2015 and sponsored by PNC. The exhibition also debuts a new community space inside the museum, Lewis Now.


Devin Allen Community Engagement Day, Part 1

Photo & audio courtesy of @shepreebright , #1960Now

Devin Allen, the photographer whose iconic image graced the cover of TIME magazine in May 2015, had a town hall discussion on July 11. Allen, along with his peers Kwame Rose, Malacka Reed and DeRay. Sonja Sohn, actress from the HBO series, "The Wire" and activist,  joined the discussion.

This program was in conjunction with Allen's first solo show, Devin Allen: Awakenings, In a New Light, on view July 10 - December 7, 2015 and sponsored by PNC. The exhibition also debuts a new community space inside the museum, Lewis Now.

Devin Allen Community Day with Sonja Sohn, Part 2

Baltimore musician Stephanie Jean gives us a preview of her performance at our open mic event, Floetic Friday happening February 12, 7:30-12pm. In addition to Jean, fatured performers include Kondwani Fidel, called a "poet laureate" by Baltimore City Paper. Floetic Friday brings together emerging talent in spoken word, poetry, hip hop, and live performance plus featured performers.

Stephanie Jean Acoustic

Our Mission is to be the premier experience and best resource for information and inspiration about the lives of African American Marylanders. The museum seeks to realize its mission by collecting, preserving, interpreting, documenting and exhibiting the rich contributions of African American Marylanders from the state’s earliest history to the present and the future.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum

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