The Magnolia Literacy Project

In a Mississippi Free Press opinion piece, Magnolia Literacy Project founder, Lawanda Black Dickens, writes about her cancer treatment and the abuse she experienced by healthcare professionals.
https://www.facebook.com/share/AipyiDemurKevfcS/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Opinion | Callous, Insensitive Medical Professionals Cause Distress Lawanda Dickens writes on her discriminatory experience in a Mississippi hospital when she was undergoing cancer-treatment procedures.

We appreciate the for sponsoring our Mother-Daughter Reading Club 2024-2025!

When the ancestors speak to Gen-Z …

Interested in our reading clubs? Email us at: [email protected]

Intergenerational Literacy and Mother's Day Season 2024: On May 8, the Magnolia Literacy Project's Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club celebrated with an award's reception honoring a village of fabulous ladies in Jackson, Mississippi.

Each mother-daughter team received the Intergenerational Literary Excellence Award for their contributions to a six-month series of bi-weekly workshops where they read and discussed Crystal Wilkinson’s poetry collection, Perfect Black.

Dr. Shevonne L. McDuffy-Oatis, Program Implementation Manager with the Jackson Public School District, served as keynote speaker.

Special guest, Dr. Doris O. Ginn, who recently retired from her position as Professor of Linguistics in the Jackson State University Department of English and Modern Languages was presented with the Excellence in Education Award for her 55 years of service.

The event was sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council. We’re looking forward to our next season, which starts this fall.

LaWanda Dickens & Natalie Dickens at the Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club’s celebration of National Poetry Month: The event was held at . 📚☕️

Tonya Robinson & Tracey Robinson at the Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club’s celebration of National Poetry Month: The event was held at . 📚☕️

Kim Hobson & Karmen Hobson
at the Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club’s celebration of National Poetry Month: The event was held at . 📚☕️

Courtney Holmes and Jalia Holmes at the Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club’s celebration of National Poetry Month: The event was held at . 📚☕️

Alexis Bailey & Alexia Anthony at the Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club’s celebration of National Poetry Month: The event was held at . 📚☕️

In celebration of National Poetry Month, the Magnolia Literacy Project's Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club gathered at Soule' coffee + bubbletea -JXN on Saturday, April 13, to continue their conversations of Perfect Black, a collection of poetry by Crystal Wilkinson, former Kentucky Poet Laureate. Since January, the group has been examining the ways Wilkinson addresses themes such as rurality, Black girlhood, Black boyhood, nature, motherhood, fatherhood, farm life, food, and other issues that are central to Black history, life, and culture.

Happy International Women's
Day! According to Courtney Thorsson, "This photo documents a Sunday afternoon when, at the invitation of writers Alice Walker and June Jordan, a group of Black women gathered in February 1977 at Jordan's apartment to eat gumbo, drink champagne, and talk about their work as writers, activists, and feminists. They gathered around a framed portrait of Bessie Smith and took a photo that is now iconic."

Happy Women’s History Month! Both Eudora Welty and Margaret Walker were born into families where education was given the highest priority. Read more about their friendship and body of work in “SISTER ACT: Margaret Walker and Eudora Welty” by Carolyn J. Brown. https://southernstudies.olemiss.edu/study-the-south/sister-act/

Magnolia Literacy Project Founder, LaWanda Dickens, led an initiative to create a new mural on the campus of
Jackson State University
memorializing the legacy of literary icons, Phillis Wheatley & Margaret Walker Alexander.

JSU English Instructor LaWanda Dickens partnered with the Mississippi Arts Commission and JSU alumna Reshonda Perryman to create a mural meant to inspire generations to come. Read more about the beautifully crafted tribute in the JSU Newsroom.

📰 | https://bit.ly/3I8n235

On Saturday, February 3, 2024, The Magnolia Literacy Project held its second Blossoms Mother Daughter Reading Club virtual meeting. Pictured here is Natalie Dickens, who proposed the idea of a mother/daughter reading club. Continuing their discussion of Crystal Wilkinson’s book, Perfect Black, the Blossoms (young ladies) and Magnolias (their moms) had engaging conversations about the following poems:
“Baptism”, “Asking about My Mother”, “The Water Witch on Salvation”, “The Water Witch on Invasion”,
“The Water Witch on Reading”, and “O Tobacco”. The group addressed ideas such as nuances surrounding Black church culture; relationships with food; mental illness; the horse as a central farm life theme; the creativity and fearlessness of children; society-imposed fear; grandparents’ significance in families; the weaponization of literacy; reading as more than words on paper; and many other thought provoking aspects of Wilkinson’s brilliant writing.

Happy Black History Month from the Magnolia Literacy Project!

A Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club shout out to Hinds Community College student, Jalia Holmes, & her mother, Courtney Holmes, who is the Librarian at Murrah High School! The Magnolia Literacy Project welcomes both of you!

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. season! 📚

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In an interview with author, historian, and podcaster — Shannon Evans, LaWanda Dickens, founder of The Magnolia Literacy Project, discusses the 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s background, mission, and goals for 2024. Here’s the interview link:

Mississippi’s Magnolia Literacy Project with LaWanda Dickens THE MAGNOLIA LITERACY PROJECT (MLP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses literacy as a means of celebrating Mississippi while promoting activism and advocacy across the state. The organization's mission is to offer a platform for young Mississippians to showcase literary talent, build identity, and re...

The Magnolia Literacy Project's "Literacy Shapers" program is an initiative that recognizes professional writers, artists, and other influencers who use their platforms to send meaningful messages while making a difference in Mississippi. Educator, poet, and academic coach, Lana Brown, is known for her investments in Mississippi youth. We are happy to feature several of her most recent poems. Please see links to each piece in the comments.

A Message from The Magnolia Literacy Project's Founder:

Four years ago, when I started The Magnolia Literacy Project, I had no idea how quickly it would grow. So far, we’ve served youth in several Mississippi counties, mostly Lincoln & Hinds. Over 100 young Mississippians have benefited from our reading initiatives, writing workshops, and public speaking programs. I am asking for community support as the organization expands even further. Please donate by either scanning the QR code or using this link: https://www.magnolialiteracyproject.org/donate

Thank you for supporting The MLP's causes!

LaWanda Dickens

Happening in : A Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club shout out to Natalie Dickens and her mother, LaWanda Dickens! This initiative was Natalie’s idea. She will be assisting her mom, founder of The Magnolia Literacy Project, with virtual workshops. The first book the group will read is Crystal Wilkinson’s Perfect Black. Wilkinson was selected as Kentucky’s Poet Laureate, 2022-2023.

A Blossoms Mother-Daughter Reading Club shout out to Murrah High School student, Alexia Anthony, & her mother, Alexis Bailey! The Magnolia Literacy Project welcomes you!