Qiana Towns

I look like a real writer in these incredible shots from Joshua Johnson.

Thank you to Say Your Piece founder/curator extrordinaire Kiersten Kaufmann for inviting me to feature. I read a new piece and I was scrurred! 🤣 The audience was nice though and I had a great time.

Also, shouts to Black Amor--a new yoga studio in downtown Flint just above Local 432. After this semester, I'm definitely in need of some yoga time. 🧘‍♀️

I hadn't watched my MotionPoem in forever until I showed it to my class this semester.
Seems like a lifetime ago.

The Behest of A Fading Diva. For my uncle who I am remembering ahead of this year's World AIDS Day. 🙏🏽❤️

The Behest of a Fading Diva | Poem by Qiana Towns | Film by Casey Stein Poem by Qiana Towns. Film by Casey Stein.“Behest of a Fading Diva,” a poem by Qiana Towns. ©2006 Qiana Towns.Used by permission. This poem originally appeare...

Community Foundation's Isaiah Oliver joins international "We Give" panel discussion Flint native Isaiah Oliver is a featured speaker for We Give Summit's panel discussion on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. The Community Foundation CEO aims to share lessons and insights he learned during the Flint Water Crisis.

Flint basketball court receives major mural upgrade One South Flint basketball court recently received a massive upgrade thanks to a partnership between Flint native Jamiersen Green, Genesee County Parks, and the Detroit Pistons. 

100K Ideas highlights three new Flint entrepreneurs in fourth episode of storytelling series 100K Ideas recently released the fourth episode of its Client Storytelling series which gives past clients the opportunity to talk about their experiences.

Y'all, go check out the mural court at Windiate Park!

“Community and equality are the inspiration for this design, as well as the shared goal of ensuring all voices are heard across our city.” - Jamiersen Atley Green

One South Flint basketball court recently received a massive upgrade thanks to a partnership between Flint native Jamiersen Green, Genesee County Parks, and the Detroit Pistons.

Written by: Qiana Towns

Flint basketball court receives major mural upgrade One South Flint basketball court recently received a massive upgrade thanks to a partnership between Flint native Jamiersen Green, Genesee County Parks, and the Detroit Pistons. 

Flint native to host annual Trauma Awareness Walk in downtown Flint "We didn’t go through it together but we can get through it together." Esha Wooten of Pretty Tough Women’s Empowerment Co. is hosting the Trauma Awareness Walk to help raise sexual assault awareness.

Qiana Towns | SmokeLong Quarterly Interested in subscribing to SmokeLong's weekly newsletter? Submit your email below, and you'll receive updates detailing the release of new issues, new reading periods, contests, etc. We do not make our mail list available to anyone else.

SmokeLong Quarterly is like family in my literary world and a few months ago I had the opportunity to conduct my third (third!) author interview. Since I still have dreams of being a fiction writer, I love picking their brains. Shea's piece (link in comments; it is DEFINITELY worth the read) feels most familiar--like a poem. In fact, in my interview with her I ask why it isn't a poem. I love her response.

"Umbilical" is a great read. I keep going back to it; it's just that good!

Which made my job as the interviewer much easier. You are welcome to share it if you'd like.

Smoke and Mirrors: An Interview with Shea Stripling | SmokeLong Quarterly Finish this sentence: Before I started writing stories … … I picked roly-polies out of pieces of dead wood in our garden and placed them in glass jars, then watched them wobble on the walls, wondered what kind of music they like, occasionally fell on top of them, and scarred my leg with their sl...