SPEAKING IN FIRST DRAFT

On Reproductive Justice with Blair Imani

Storytelling as a Tool for Justice

Have you ever wanted your words to create positive change? Let’s welcome educator, writer, and creator of the TV show Smarter in Seconds, Blair Imani Ali! In conversation with Girls Write Now mentee Deb Coffy, they discuss their lively experiences as activists and organizers for reproductive justice, and its deep intersections across race and racism, and sociopolitical issues. From the importance of education to accessibility and intergenerationality, our guests explore just how much power you have when you use your voice.

WRITING WARM-UP

Write With Us: Prompt of the Week

By Grace Wehniainen & Jocelynn Landon, Community Studio Facilitators

We all have opinions about what we watch, read, and listen to…What’s a conversation about a recent show, movie, music, or celebrity news story you have strong feelings about (good or bad!) and why?

Want to discover the ways in which your pop culture obsession can sharpen the skills needed for a creative career in journalism? Join the next Turn Your Pop Culture Passion into Journalism Community Studio on April 17, 8 PM ET, to hone your reporting skills by observing what works (and doesn’t work) in the viral celebrity interviews dominating your feed today.  

IN THE CITY

STARS Citywide Girls Initiative

Creating Space for Youth-Led Town Hall & White Paper

Girls Write Now is proud to help spearhead the STARS Citywide Girls Initiative, a coalition of ten nonprofits leading girls' and gender-expansive youth programming in New York City. Last week these youth conducted a Town Hall with Council Members Ty Hankerson and Amanda Farías on the topic of safety, asking: What does a safe space look like for young people in 2026? Girls Write Now is also designing and producing a related program on Crafting White Papers for Change, a youth-led writing and advocacy experience that empowers fellows from all STARS organizations to turn their experiences into policy-focused narratives.

ACROSS THE STATE & NATION

LitNYS Literature 

Helping to Build Capacity for 70% of U.S. Literary Organizations

LitNYS is the nation’s largest ecosystem of literary arts organizations, building literary capacity, community, and culture for 25 years. Girls Write Now plays a key leadership role spearheading initiatives that support the writing, mentoring, and community of the LitNYS network. From the LitNews newsletter, to the Lunch With Lit podcast series, to the new peer-to-peer support service, Mentor on Call, Girls Write Now is committed to facilitating connections between LitNYS partners to leverage joint resources and strengthen our collective voices.

AROUND THE WORLD

With Moleskine & Hawthornden Foundations

Joining Forces with International Creativity Pioneers 

There is nothing new under the sun, but there are other suns. How do we get there? By losing our way. Last month at Casa Ecco on on Lake Como, Girls Write Now joined literary leaders from around the globe to explore the theme of "Disorientation and the Compass of Language"—and how we begin to find our way together. Inspired by connecting with "Creativity Pioneers" from Sri Lanka, Congo, South Africa, Colombia, the Caribbean, Burundi, and beyond, Girls Write Now, as the U.S. literary arts representative, will continue to learn from and facilitate connections with this international network of change-makers. Deep thanks to the Moleskine and Hawthornden Foundations for helping us navigate the dark with a sense of intimacy and purpose.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mentoring Through Uncertainty: Supporting Youth During Social, Political & Personal Stress

Thursday, April 23, 6-7:15 PM ET, Virtual

Join us for an interactive professional development session designed to support mentors in navigating today’s complex and ever-changing landscape. This session will equip you with psychologically informed strategies to better support youth facing uncertainty in their social, political, and personal lives.

Required for mentors, open to peer mentees.

FRIDAY NIGHT SALON

Standing up to Power with Wit & Humor: Meet The Creators Of The New Documentary, Ask E. Jean

Friday, April 24, 6PM - 7:15PM ET, Virtual

In this Friday Night Salon, you’ll dive into the art of non-fiction storytelling through film. Join Ask E. Jean Director/ Producer, Ivy Meeropol (Indian Point, Heir to an Execution), and Ask E. Jean Editor/ Writer/ Story Producer, Ferne Pearlstein (Sumo East and West, The Last Laugh), for a dynamic conversation on how documentaries are shaped from concept to final cut. The filmmakers are excited to engage with writers eager to tell stories through curiosity, care, and collaboration.

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public.

ENROLLMENT

Summer Open House & Open Mic

Monday, April 27, 4:45-7:00PM ET, Virtual

Learn about Girls Write Now Journeys and apply to our Summer Cycle before the April 30th deadline! Then experience an Open Mic of original work in front of a live audience. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first-timer, we welcome you to share your poetry, short stories, music, or any other art form. Sign up sheets will be available at the event on a first come first serve basis. Performers will have five minutes to share! 

Open to all mentors, mentees, members & the public.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Women's Media Group

Girls Write Now + Women's Media Group Scholarship

Women’s Media Group (WMG) will award one $2,000 scholarship to be used to support the Scholar recipient’s writing, with preference to a rising college junior or senior who is a current Girls Write Now mentee or mentee alum. WMG encourages students from underrepresented populations and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds to apply.

Deadline: May 1, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

The Well

2026 Submissions

Each year, The Well publishes an anthology of poems created by poets of all ages and from around the world who engage with Mindful Poetry Moments during National Poetry Month. Each poem featured in the book is written in response to a common prompt, which was inspired by a curated poem for contemplation. Read more about how to submit for the current year below.

Deadline: May 30, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Freestone Property Group

Leasing Intern/Summer Associate

Freestone is seeking a Leasing Intern to support day-to-day leasing operations across our multi-family portfolio. This role provides hands-on exposure to leasing, marketing, and property operations, working closely with the Leasing Manager and broader team. The Leasing Intern will assist with application coordination, lead management, and unit marketing, helping ensure leasing deals move efficiently from initial inquiry through signed lease.

Deadline: May 1, 2026
Create a portal account to apply for this opportunity.