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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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Visual Interview: Alexandra Naughton
What a creative idea. I like taking a glimpse into the writer’s world.
American Griot
Jun 8, 20151 min read
The Daily Ode
Before leaving I encouraged students in all of my classes to visit me in France through this blog. I didn’t think the learning pertained...
American Griot
May 15, 20152 min read
Auvillar, All is Poetry
Auvillar is a tiny village in the south of France. This is not Paris; It is not a bustling international metropolis filled with busy city...
American Griot
May 13, 20151 min read
Honor Her-Story ! The American Griot Project
American Griot Project is where oral history and the arts embrace! It gives us a chance to honor a variety of phenomenal women and their...
American Griot
May 1, 20152 min read
Time to Write Day…ok 4…I know I missed 3.
What to write? What to write? Can I write about the amazing poets I got to spend time with on Saturday at the Small Press Expo? Or Monday...
American Griot
Apr 21, 20151 min read
Time to Write – Day 2
I find that when I am in the presence of poets or musicians, the Muse is there too. Today at the Small Press Expo in York, I was blessed...
American Griot
Apr 18, 20151 min read
Time to Write – Day 1
OK so I did it. I accepted my own challenge and took a few minutes today to write and revise a poem with the prompt “coffee and jazz.” ...
American Griot
Apr 17, 20151 min read
Time to Write!
April is National Poetry Month AND National Jazz Month. All I need is it to be Coffee Month and my life will be complete. Sadly, however,...
American Griot
Apr 16, 20151 min read
Come on Spring!
Spring keeps peeking out like a shy child behind her mother’s skirt. Yet, she ducks back again, leaving us with March snow storms,...
American Griot
Mar 27, 20152 min read
Call for Submissions: Clearing Prize for Poetry 2015
Something for all of you aspiring writers out there! If you haven’t been published yet, submit your manuscript to this contest. You never...
American Griot
Mar 2, 20151 min read
Book Review: Talking “White” Speaks Volumes
by Zeena Garnett Many of you may be scratching your head, wondering what exactly it means to talk “White.” Those of us who have grown up...
American Griot
Jan 4, 20152 min read
Feeling Good in 2014
The year is winding down, and I am still amazed that in the same year I made a human, I have seen some incredible successes, thanks to...
American Griot
Nov 18, 20141 min read
Beautiful Babies!
The March of Dimes is having a beautiful baby contest and my son Bobby is in it! Join Team Babacar by making a donation today! #cute...
American Griot
Nov 1, 20141 min read
O Taste & See: Auvillar Edition is Live!
O Taste & See: Auvillar Edition is Live!. I am excited to be a part of this collection! Walk with us through the beautiful town of...
American Griot
Oct 16, 20141 min read
Poetic Mama
It has been a long time since I posted anything. It’s like the second I get pregnant my brain shuts down. Well, I’m not pregnant anymore...
American Griot
Oct 2, 20141 min read
100,00 Poets For Change Comes to Harrisburg!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Maria James-Thiaw Nathaniel Gadsden’s Writers Wordshop Advisory Board events@mariathepoet.com ...
American Griot
Sep 10, 20141 min read
Tiger’s poem got me feeling ‘some type of way!’
One thing that drives most professors of writing crazy is abstractions. We find ourselves saying, “But what does that mean????” At the...
American Griot
Jan 22, 20142 min read
December 7th Taylor Mali hits the Harrisburg Area
If you want tickets to this event, contact Jumpstreet today! #MariaJamesThiaw #spokenword #TaylorMali #Slam #poetry #CarlaChristopher
American Griot
Nov 27, 20131 min read
The 11th Heavyword Poetry Slam is a Big Hit!
On Saturday, October 5th, the 11th annual Heavyword Poetry Slam returned to Central PA. This year, the iconic contest of poetic...
American Griot
Oct 13, 20132 min read
Happy Nappy Day Hits Harrisburg
Saturday, August 24th, Consir Thot is bringing Happy Nappy Day/Poets In the Park to Reservoir Park in Harrisburg, PA. This event will be...
American Griot
Aug 23, 20131 min read
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