Every Person Is a Philosopher

NATO Journalists Embark Upon the “Real Chicago Tours”

Madeleine — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:00:00 +0000

NATO JOURNALISTS EMBARK UPON THE “REAL CHICAGO TOURS” The Grassroots Collaborative Asks “A Global City for Whom?” Guest post by Ashley Moy-Wooten, The Grassroots Collaborative A few months ago we at The Grassroots Collaborative began asking ourselves what opportunities the NATO summit offered us. How we could get our message through the sensational “police vs. [...]

Wench Virtual Book Club Part Three

Madeleine — Wed, 23 May 2012 13:16:43 +0000

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance’s 2012 Every Person Is a Philosopher Annual Benefit is just around the corner on June 7! Our featured speaker will be Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the New York Times Bestseller Wench. For the first time ever, we’re hosting a virtual book club in the weeks leading up to the event! Each [...]

Sharing Stories for Social Justice

Hollen — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:10:09 +0000

Tomorrow night I have the honor of being acknowledged as “Alumni of the Year” from AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, the organization through which I did a year of service after graduating from college. In many ways, AVODAH laid the groundwork for me to eventually find my way to the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, by giving [...]

“Under Construction” by Allen McNair

Madeleine — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:00:25 +0000

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Throughout May, many organizations, led by the National Institute of Mental Health, will be hosting events, benefits and teach-ins to bring awareness and compassion to serious mental health illnesses and issues including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Today at the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, we’re honoring mental health [...]

NATO is coming!

Madeleine — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:54 +0000

This weekend promises to be a wild one. Chicago is hosting the 25th NATO Summit this weekend. Heads of state from over twenty different member and non-member countries will be meeting to discuss a wide variety of geo-political issues, including the recent revolutions in the Middle East, the global financial crisis, and the continued US [...]

NWA Wench Virtual Book Club, Part 2

Madeleine — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:54:54 +0000

“The opportunity to express myself in a safe environment”: Meet the Philosophers with Barbara Banks

Madeleine — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:55 +0000

Today in our Meet the Philosophers Series we hear from longtime NWA writer Barbara Banks! Barbara’s piece, “Soup Anyone?” inspired the title of the most recent issue of JOT, “I Believed Every Word.” What is your name? Barbara Banks If you had to give yourself a title, what would it be? World traveler How long [...]

Raw Voices Recap

Madeleine — Mon, 14 May 2012 18:43:29 +0000

Two weeks ago, former NWA intern Maggie and I had the good fortune to participate as workshop leaders in Raw Voices 2012: Teens in the Media Arts Festival. This festival is hosted by Columbia College Chicago and celebrates the work and opportunities available to teens in the growing media arts industry with contests and special [...]

JOT Celebrates Mother’s Day

Madeleine — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:41:13 +0000

Mother’s Day is this Sunday. To celebrate, we’re posting four different pieces honoring the important roles mothers have played in NWA writer’s lives. In “Mama” Ron Yokley writes about the devotion of his mother’s love and his resolve to live his life in a way that honors the care his mother put into raising him. [...]

The NWA Virtual Wench Book Club, Part One!

Madeleine — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:33:12 +0000

The Neighborhood Writing Alliance’s 2012 Every Person Is a Philosopher Annual Benefit is just around the corner on June 7! Our featured speaker will be Dolen Perkins-Valdez, author of the New York Times Bestseller Wench. For the first time ever, we’ll be hosting a virtual book club in the weeks leading up to the event! [...]