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Mocha Musings, the blog
Thoughts from the bottom of the cup
Here Chief Creative Officer, Maria James-Thiaw, explores the themes of her choreopoems - hot topics like anti-racism, education reform, equality, and hair texture discrimination - while sipping a hot beverage. Each blog post is written in a mom-and-pop coffee shop somewhere in Pennsylvania.
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Fear, Her Self
Some days my fear grows legs and walks. Yes, she’s mine. I keep her in my bra, warm and damp in Summer. Sometimes she’s too big. She...
American Griot
Sep 6, 20201 min read
Add Reclaim Artist Collective to Your Anti-racism Toolkit.
The country is shook. Since the death of George Floyd, protests have exploded around the globe. This moment feels different than those...
American Griot
Jun 13, 20202 min read
From the page to the stage!
Bridges are built to be crossed! That’s a direct line from one of my 18 poems in the collaboration between Reclaim Artist Collective and...
American Griot
Sep 18, 20191 min read
Tasting Mortality
Surgery looming large, 2 weeks away, I am in this place again….So I reblog. Maria James-Thiaw It’s been a rough few weeks in this poet’s...
American Griot
Nov 24, 20181 min read
We’re Reclaiming Our Time
Ok, so maybe there was a hitch – two student actors that were unsure how to manage their time and had to be replaced – But the cast is...
American Griot
Feb 5, 20182 min read
Maria James-Thiaw Uses Poetry to Bring History to Life on Stage.
[Summerdale, PA] The Capital BlueCross Theatre at Central Penn College, in partnership with The Harrisburg (PA) Chapter of The Links,...
American Griot
Jan 3, 20182 min read
Books Turn Muggles into Wizards!
As many of you know, I am a Professor of Writing at Central Penn College where I’ve worked for 14 years. In 2011 I started the creative...
American Griot
Oct 20, 20171 min read
Lyric Essentials: David Ishaya Osu reads excerpts from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Source: Lyric Essentials: David Ishaya Osu reads excerpts from Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
American Griot
Sep 9, 20171 min read
I.Can’t. America.
This is one of those weeks where you just shake your head and say, “I can’t with you, America.” I live in a backward part of the country....
American Griot
Aug 25, 20172 min read
BlackGirlPoet Season – What’s Next?
Though the last few months have been tough personally, I kept plugging away – writing American griot poems, submitting to presses,...
American Griot
Apr 24, 20172 min read
Tasting Mortality
It’s been a rough few weeks in this poet’s world. Serious health problems have lead to a conscious slow-down. And yet, accomplishments do...
American Griot
Mar 10, 20171 min read
What Stands Between You and Your Truth?
“Write like your family is dead. “ That’s what she told us, the chipper little creative writing professor and NY Times Best Selling...
American Griot
Jan 19, 20172 min read
Season’s Greetings! A Holiday Poem.
Pictured: My son and his little friend singing Christmas carols. Today, Central Penn College released its holiday card. It is a video...
American Griot
Dec 15, 20161 min read
Featured Poem: Conscience by Henry David Thoreau
This week at A.W.E. (Alternative Worship Experience) at Market Square Presbyterian in Harrisburg, PA, we celebrated the life and works of...
American Griot
May 9, 20161 min read
Montgomery Honors New Poet Laureate
Konopka’s powerful poetry reading was moving and thought provoking. She also touched me with a call for ‘mom poets’ to support one...
American Griot
May 1, 20161 min read
Loving the (Writing) Life – AWP2016
As March spilled into National Poetry Month, I was honored to attend the 2016 AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs)...
American Griot
Apr 23, 20162 min read
Knight Writers host Fundraiser featuring Kali Meister
As some of you know, I am the adviser of Central Penn’s creative writing club, The Knight Writers. In fact, I founded the club in 2011...
American Griot
Mar 1, 20161 min read
Honor Her-Story ! The American Griot Project
Maria James-Thiaw American Griot Project is where oral history and the arts embrace! It gives us a chance to honor a variety of...
American Griot
Jun 24, 20151 min read
Interview with Maria James-Thiaw
The Triangle Maria James-Thiaw’s most recent poetry collection appeared in 2013, but she published her first book of poems in second...
American Griot
Jun 15, 20151 min read
Triangle Events
Triangle Events. I’m so sad that the Triangle will be going on hiatus for summer, although I’m happy for Tyler as he pursues his dreams...
American Griot
Jun 9, 20151 min read
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