Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative (KBWC)
A support center for aspiring Black writers around the state.
Are you a Black writer looking for guidance and opportunity?
Carnegie is offering classes at no charge to Black students in recognition of systemic racism, including in education and publishing, where Carnegie operates. Our goal is to welcome Black Kentucky residents to Carnegie, nurture their development, and remove financial obstacles for as long as needed.
All weekly classes and one-time classes at Carnegie are free to members of the Black Writers Collaborative. *
For more information on the KBWC or to register for a class, contact: Claudia Love Mair, KBWC Coordinator, ClaudiaLove@CarnegieCenterLex.org or JC McPherson, KBWC Associate, Jude@CarnegieCenterLex.org.
* Not included free of charge are the Author Academy, the Poetry Gauntlet, the Books in Progress Conference, Writer Mentoring, and Manuscript Review. There is separate financial support available for these programs.
Meet The Staff

KBWC Coordinator
Claudia Love Mair is the author of 13 books, including Mourning Pages: Working Through Grief the Write Way, due to release in October of 2023. She holds an MFA in Writing from Spalding University, and is the coordinator for the Carnegie Center's Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative. Claudia Love lives with her daughter, and two cats, Batman and Gizmo, in Lexington, KY.

KBWC Associate
Col. JC McPherson, Kentucky Colonel Goodwill Ambassador, has a background in writing, electricity, and general troubleshooting. A recipient of the 2022-2023 National Leaders of Color Fellowship through South Arts, he is an associate for the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative, Creative Writing Instructor, and arts administrator. He is a member of the Affrilachian Poets and the author of numerous collections of poetry. He’s also a member of the Society of Baseball Research.
KBWC Affiliated Classes
Writing & Publishing While Black – Summer 2023
Black authors face special challenges in the publishing world, from blatant racism to microaggressions to dealing with the expectations of the publishing business, which is by and large centered in whiteness. Learn how you can succeed in writing and publishing while Black. Panelists: Claudia Love Mair, Crystal Wilkinson, makalani bandele, and Angela Jackson-Brown
This class is offered as a pre-recorded webinar. The link to the video and any accompanying materials will be emailed to you after registering.
Black & Lit Book Club
Black & Lit Book Club – September 25
The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative continues the popular Black & Lit Book Club celebrating Black Kentucky writers’ recent books. This book group will be open to KBWC members and anyone who wishes to attend. We will explore issues related to race and discuss the characters’ relationships, family, home life, dreams, and challenges. We’ll also study aspects of their writing, such as word choice, themes, character, plot, and setting. When possible, we will meet with the author during our book group. Sponsored by LEXArts, Kentucky Arts Council, and the Chethik Family Fund to Advance Black Writers. Each month, the first 25 registrants receive a free copy of the selected book.

As a writer and thought-leader, Tracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts offers those who read her work and hear her speak an authentic experience; an opportunity to explore the intersection of culture, identity and faith/spirituality at the deepest levels. She is the host of the podcast, HeARTtalk with Tracey Michae’l, and founder of HeARTspace, a healing community created to serve those who have experienced trauma of any kind through the use of storytelling and the arts.
As a writer, Tracey has published 21 books including several collaborations with numerous high-profile authors. Calling herself a “literary midwife,” Tracey is a highly sought-after ghostwriter/collaborator whose work includes the New York Times bestselling book, Feeding the Soul by Tabitha Brown, Better Not Bitter by Yusef Salaam, The Other Side of Yet by Michelle Hord, and many others.
In 2021, Tracey became one of 20 writers who contributed to the groundbreaking book, You are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience edited by acclaimed researcher, Brene Brown, and founder of the MeToo Movement, Tarana Burke.
In 2022, Tracey’s critically-acclaimed book, Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration (Gallery/Simon and Schuster) was published. Black Joy won the 2023 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional and has received rave reviews from celebrities like Kerry Washington, literary authors like Kiese Laymon and Deesha Philyaw, and media outlets like Good Morning America, Essence Magazine, and USA Today. Tracey’s most recent book, Then They Came for Mine: Healing from the Trauma of Racial Violence (WJK), examines the source and impact of racial violence against Black people in all its forms and offers a blueprint for the way the Christian Church can help facilitate healing. Then They Came for Mine has won the 2023 Wilbur Award, the highest honor given by the Religion Communicators Council, for excellence in the communication of religious issues, values, and themes, in public media.
Tracey has spoken on a number of platforms around the country on topics related to race/social justice, healing, and faith/spirituality. Additionally, her freelance work has been published in print and online publications such as Oprah Daily, The Washington Post, Essence Magazine, The Guardian, The Chronicle for Higher Education, Ebony Magazine, TheRoot.com, and more.
KBWC Events

Burn The Mic: Young Voices
Join us on August 17, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Sign ups start at 6:30PM. Open mic kicks off at 7PM.

Say It Loud: Stand Up
The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative and 91.3 WUKY present the fourth installment of the Kentucky Black Writers Series, SAY IT LOUD: STAND UP. This recurring live event and discussion is designed to showcase both prominent and emerging Black writers of the Commonwealth. Learn more.
Past KBWC Events

Queer Literary Hoedown
Join us at the Queer Literary Hoedown on Friday, July 28, 2023, 7PM to 10PM. This is an opportunity to resist efforts to suppress the many, powerful voices of LGBTQTIA+ Kentucky writers and celebrate their work. Learn More.

Burn The Mic: Fly July
Join us on July 20, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Angelica Miller, will perform at 7:30PM.

Juneteenth Open Mic & Slam
Join us on June 15, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for our Juneteenth Open Mic & Slam. Open mic kicks off at 7:00PM and the Slam will immediately follow. Sign ups start at 6:30PM. $1,000 in prizes. Book giveaways. Learn More.

Burn The Mic: May Flowers
Join us on May 18, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Bernard Clay, will perform at 7:30PM.

Say It Loud: A Song for Mama
The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative and 91.3 WUKY present the fourth installment of the Kentucky Black Writers Series, SAY IT LOUD: A SONG FOR MAMA. This recurring live event and discussion is designed to showcase both prominent and emerging Black writers of the Commonwealth. Learn more.

Burn The Mic:
No Foolin'
Join us on April 21, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Sign ups start at 6:30PM. Open mic kicks off at 7PM.

Burn The Mic: March Madness
Join us on March 13, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Eric Scott Sutherland, will perform at 7:30PM.

Say It Loud: Black & Proud
The Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative and 91.3 WUKY present the third installment of the Kentucky Black Writers Series, SAY IT LOUD: BLACK & PROUD. This recurring live event and discussion is designed to showcase both prominent and emerging Black writers of the Commonwealth. Learn more.

Burn The Mic: New Year, New Poems
Join us on January 27, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Shayla Lawson, will perform at 7:30PM.

Burn The Mic:
Happy Holidays
Join us on December 21, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7pm.

Say It Loud 2.0: Louder & Prouder
On November 11, 2022, the KBWC and 91.3 WUKY present the second installment of the Kentucky Black Writers Series, SAY IT LOUD 2.0: LOUDER & PROUDER. Learn More.

Burn The Mic: Black Joy
Join us on February 16, 2023 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Sign ups start at 6:30PM. Open Mic kicks off at 7PM. This event is free and open to the public.




Burn The Mic:
Give Thanks
Join us on November 11, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Tina Andry, will perform at 7:30PM.
Burn The Mic: Halloween
Join us on October 25, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic. Open mic kicks off at 7PM and the Featured Speaker, Ronald Davis, will perform at 7:30PM. upfromsumdirt is a poet, visual artist, and designer based in Lexington, KY.
Burn The Mic: End of Summer Slam
Join us on September 2, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic: End of Summer Slam. Open mic kicks off at 6pm and the Slam will follow soon after. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 3 performers.
Burn The Mic
Join us on August 18, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for Burn The Mic, featuring LeTonia Jones. Open mic kicks off at 7pm and the featured artist will speak at 7:45pm. LeTonia A. Jones, MSW, is a death penalty abolitionist, activist, educator, writer, writing facilitator, and newspaper columnist. This fall, she will be co-leading "A Writing Circle for BIPOC Womxn" at the Carnegie Center.

Juneteenth Slam
Join us on June 18, 2022 at the Carnegie Center for our first-ever Juneteenth Slam presented by the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative and Brown Owl. Open mic kicks off at 6 pm and the slam will immediately follow. You can win prizes!

At the Clearing
We gather to grieve. We gather to witness. We gather to remember. On March 12, 2022, please join us at the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning to unveil the latest work by Kiptoo Tarus, inspired by the murder of Breonna Taylor and in support of the Kentucky Black Writers Collaborative (KBWC).