WriteGirl Releases Second Issue of Lit Journal With LA vs Hate

“Tonight you will be treated to a sensory cultural journey as seen through the eyes of WriteGirl teens and alums,” WriteGirl Executive Director Keren Taylor said in her opening remarks during the Night of Unity event to celebrate the second issue of WriteGirl’s literary journal Lines & Breaks on Saturday, April 9, 2022. “These writers know how to infuse their writing with details that will draw you into their world, and give all of us some very powerful reasons why UNITY is not just a theme for tonight, but a theme we all need to carry forward in our hearts and in our communities.”

More than 100 WriteGirl teens, alums and mentors gathered on Saturday on Zoom to celebrate the literary journal’s second issue on the theme of “Unity” in collaboration with LA vs Hate. Based in Los Angeles, LA vs Hate is a community-driven approach to empower all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against, report, and resist hate. Featuring more than 30 pieces of poetry, fiction, songs and scenes from teens and alums, this second issue focuses on uplifting diversity, celebrating identity and promoting tolerance in Los Angeles and abroad. Click here to read Lines & Breaks!

Throughout the launch event, attendees heard readings and performances from 16 of the teens and alums published in the second issue of Lines & Breaks. WriteGirl mentee Neha Vimal kicked off the reading series with her poem “Shards of Me,” which was all about the different and beautiful aspects of her identity: 

“I am cinnamon brown and veins of fresh mango
I am angry waves carrying ships of dreams down to the ocean floor.” 

WriteGirl Associate Director Allison Deegan

To finish off the first round of readers, WriteGirl Digital Content Coordinator (and WriteGirl alum) Sofía Aguilar welcomed WriteGirl Associate Director Allison Deegan to the stage to share her thoughts about the second issue and a few words of inspiration. 

“Creativity solves problems, art can transform and transcend cultures and barriers to communication,” Allison said to the mentees and alums during her remarks. “I’ve never had more confidence in your ability to make the world a better place.”

Next, attendees had the honor of hearing from special guest Keiko Agena, an award-winning actress best known for her work on Gilmore Girls and Prodigal Son. She wowed with her heartfelt, moving rendition of the poem “Outside and In” on behalf of its writer, WriteGirl alum Sabrina Youn: 

“Outside and in, I am an Asian American
wouldn’t change it for the world

Inside and out, I will be whatever I like.”

Actress, author and artist Keiko Agena

Actor, WriteGirl Bold Ink Award honoree and New York Times best-selling writer Tembi Locke also made a special appearance via video with a special message for our WriteGirl mentees and alums to keep on writing!

“​​Your writing and your words have the unique power to reveal to us more of what it means to be human, and in so doing, they unite us across the diversity of the human experience,” she said. 

After a few more readings from mentees and alums, WriteGirl Curriculum Director Kirsten Giles welcomed Keiko back to the stage to ask a few questions about her long-time relationship with WriteGirl and her frequent appearances at workshops and events throughout the year. 

Actor, WriteGirl Bold Ink Award honoree and New York Times best-selling writer Tembi Locke

“I think I know what to expect every time I come to events but I am so surprised and impressed and overwhelmed and moved,” Keiko said. “Each time I show up my mind is blown again. I'm so grateful for what the volunteers and all of you who work for this organization have created and maintained. I really cherish it.” 

Following the interview, Keiko performed her second and last poem of the night, “On the anniversary of  our growing apart” by WriteGirl mentee Hannah, who watched the event all the way from her hometown in Malaysia: 

“I am a glass of water about to spill,

liquid to ice to vapor in a breath – 

this is how I am created.”

To help bring the Night of Unity to a close, WriteGirl held its traditional Threads moment, when all attendees can share what they liked, learned, or loved about the event!

“I love the authenticity and power of all the teen voices!” said WriteGirl volunteer Gabriella Hadley. 

Neha, a WriteGirl mentee, said, “I liked how everyone read their own pieces, and we got to hear the words and see the people and that gave so much more identity to the writing.”  

From beginning to end, it was a special evening that united attendees from all over the world and gave us all a sense of unity, community, support and creativity. 

“One thing that became clear to us, as we worked on this project with LA vs Hate, is that unity is nothing to take for granted,” Keren said in her closing remarks. “It takes work, it takes thought, it takes intentional actions to bring communities into tolerance and harmony. So we hope you can take your own actions towards unity in your communities, in your families and even within yourself!”

Thank you to LA vs Hate for supporting the voices of WriteGirl teens!

The WriteGirl Literary Journal is also made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.