On February 8, 2025, the 2024 Muses & Melanin Fellowship graduates graced the San Francisco Public Library Main branch's Koret Auditorium stage to read their work and receive their Literary Launch Kits. Included in their kits was a $300 check to seed their new literary bank accounts, a guide to literary agents, a 2025 writer's calendar, a flashy business card case, an "Elevate Voices of the African Diaspora" shirt from Museum of the African Diaspora, and an In the Black gift certificate. Each Fellow presented a 10-minute excerpt from their work, and all of them read in strong, projected, confident-infused voices. The Library recorded the entire ceremony. The Fellows, their supporters, and other audience members enjoyed a wonderful reception with Burke & Black catering. Please join me in congratulating this inaugural class of Muses & Melanin Fellows as they begin their author careers. This practicum-oriented program is intense, hands-on, and demanding, and this group made it through to graduation.
Learn more about this fully funded program, including information about program eligibility, qualifications, and requirements. The application for the 2025 cohort opens April 28th. The 2025 Fellowship welcomes applications from creative writers of color who are ready to elevate their literary career trajectories through a professional eight-month professional development practicum. To receive notification when the application becomes available, contact MusesAndMelanin@gmail.com or message us via our LinkedIn page.