Behind the Stories
The Mahogany Contributors
The Mahogany Writing Community is where authentic sistergood goes down. We out here sharing stories, affirming lived experiences, and co-signing dreams. Amen? We’re mirroring our sisters’ magic and adjusting crowns as needed. The Mahogany Writing Community celebrates the beauty, diversity, resilience, fierceness, and vibrancy of Black womanhood.
Ekemini Uwan (she/her)
Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian and co-host of Truth’s Table Podcast. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, Washington Post, Huffington Post Black...
read more Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian and co-host of Truth’s Table Podcast. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, Washington Post, Huffington Post Black Voices and her insights have been quoted by NPR, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker.
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read more Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian and co-host of Truth’s Table Podcast. Her writings have been published in The Atlantic, Washington Post, Huffington Post Black Voices and her insights have been quoted by NPR, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker.
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Eniola Abioye (she/her)
For Eniola Abioye, words are everything. Through songwriting, children’s books, creative multi-media collaborations, and poetry, she crafts authentic, word-based content from her heart. In addition...
read more For Eniola Abioye, words are everything. Through songwriting, children’s books, creative multi-media collaborations, and poetry, she crafts authentic, word-based content from her heart. In addition to writing, Eniola is a touring worship leader. She is passionate about changing the narrative for young people of color and empowering them to share their unique perspectives through art.
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read more For Eniola Abioye, words are everything. Through songwriting, children’s books, creative multi-media collaborations, and poetry, she crafts authentic, word-based content from her heart. In addition to writing, Eniola is a touring worship leader. She is passionate about changing the narrative for young people of color and empowering them to share their unique perspectives through art.
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Faitth Brooks (she/her)
Faitth Brooks is a social worker, speaker, writer, and podcaster. Formed in the Christian tradition and Black liberation theology, Faitth uses her platform to enliven...
read more Faitth Brooks is a social worker, speaker, writer, and podcaster. Formed in the Christian tradition and Black liberation theology, Faitth uses her platform to enliven her following for collective liberation centering on the sisterhood of black women. Faitth is crafting communal space where rest, tenderness, and softness are commonplace for Black sisters to explore.
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read more Faitth Brooks is a social worker, speaker, writer, and podcaster. Formed in the Christian tradition and Black liberation theology, Faitth uses her platform to enliven her following for collective liberation centering on the sisterhood of black women. Faitth is crafting communal space where rest, tenderness, and softness are commonplace for Black sisters to explore.
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Jamie Grace (she/her)
Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy nominated artist, host of The Jamie Grace Podcast and author of "Finding Quiet." Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Anxiety...
read more Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy nominated artist, host of The Jamie Grace Podcast and author of "Finding Quiet." Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Anxiety at a young age, she actively advocates for joy, wellness and mental health. Jamie Grace is a wife and mom in Phoenix, Arizona.
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read more Jamie Grace is a two-time Grammy nominated artist, host of The Jamie Grace Podcast and author of "Finding Quiet." Diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome and Anxiety at a young age, she actively advocates for joy, wellness and mental health. Jamie Grace is a wife and mom in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Kathryn H. Ross (she/her)
Kathryn H. Ross is the author of memoir Black Was Not A Label (2019, Pronto) and poetry chapbook Count It All Loss (2021, GoldScriptCo). She...
read more Kathryn H. Ross is the author of memoir Black Was Not A Label (2019, Pronto) and poetry chapbook Count It All Loss (2021, GoldScriptCo). She writes and edits in Southern California and loves cats and naps. Read her prose, essays, and poetry at speakthewritelanguage.com.
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read more Kathryn H. Ross is the author of memoir Black Was Not A Label (2019, Pronto) and poetry chapbook Count It All Loss (2021, GoldScriptCo). She writes and edits in Southern California and loves cats and naps. Read her prose, essays, and poetry at speakthewritelanguage.com.
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Kennesha Buycks (she/her)
Kennesha Buycks is the creator of Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand focusing on creating soulful spaces that speak to the restorative aspects of...
read more Kennesha Buycks is the creator of Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand focusing on creating soulful spaces that speak to the restorative aspects of home. A Southern transplant to the PNW, she is passionate about connection and encouraging others to live life with unique passion and purpose.
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read more Kennesha Buycks is the creator of Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand focusing on creating soulful spaces that speak to the restorative aspects of home. A Southern transplant to the PNW, she is passionate about connection and encouraging others to live life with unique passion and purpose.
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Tonya Ingram (she/her)
Tonya Ingram is a poet, Cincinnati native, Bronx-bred introvert, mental health advocate, kidney transplant hopeful, Lupus legend, cat auntie, and lover of Tom Hardy and...
read more Tonya Ingram is a poet, Cincinnati native, Bronx-bred introvert, mental health advocate, kidney transplant hopeful, Lupus legend, cat auntie, and lover of Tom Hardy and The Office. Tonya currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
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read more Tonya Ingram is a poet, Cincinnati native, Bronx-bred introvert, mental health advocate, kidney transplant hopeful, Lupus legend, cat auntie, and lover of Tom Hardy and The Office. Tonya currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
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Ursula James (she/her)
Ursula James is a multimedia journalist and communications strategist where she has worked with sports teams, public figures, universities, and non-profits, to name a few....
read more Ursula James is a multimedia journalist and communications strategist where she has worked with sports teams, public figures, universities, and non-profits, to name a few. She attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at the University of Central Florida. In addition, Ursula enjoys fashion, laughing with friends and family, serving her community, and exploring new territory in her spare time.
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read more Ursula James is a multimedia journalist and communications strategist where she has worked with sports teams, public figures, universities, and non-profits, to name a few. She attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Public Relations and is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at the University of Central Florida. In addition, Ursula enjoys fashion, laughing with friends and family, serving her community, and exploring new territory in her spare time.
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Sharnel Young (she/her)
As a full-time Hallmark employee, Sharnel leads the Mahogany Writing Community and manages the team and its contributors. She works remotely from her home outside...
read more As a full-time Hallmark employee, Sharnel leads the Mahogany Writing Community and manages the team and its contributors. She works remotely from her home outside Atlanta, Georgia, where she lives with her husband. She is a graduate of the GREAT Bethune-Cookman University and currently pursuing her Master of Science in Business Analytics from Mercer University. Sharnel believes that this community will elevate Black women’s voices by acknowledging, appreciating, and affirming them.
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read more As a full-time Hallmark employee, Sharnel leads the Mahogany Writing Community and manages the team and its contributors. She works remotely from her home outside Atlanta, Georgia, where she lives with her husband. She is a graduate of the GREAT Bethune-Cookman University and currently pursuing her Master of Science in Business Analytics from Mercer University. Sharnel believes that this community will elevate Black women’s voices by acknowledging, appreciating, and affirming them.
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Teresa Leggard (she/her)
Teresa is a Brooklyn-born, Jersey-raised, Midwest transplant. She’s a writer, editor, theater director, and creative collaborator. Teresa sees all of her work—across genres and disciplines—as...
read more Teresa is a Brooklyn-born, Jersey-raised, Midwest transplant. She’s a writer, editor, theater director, and creative collaborator. Teresa sees all of her work—across genres and disciplines—as an opportunity to help people say what they mean.
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read more Teresa is a Brooklyn-born, Jersey-raised, Midwest transplant. She’s a writer, editor, theater director, and creative collaborator. Teresa sees all of her work—across genres and disciplines—as an opportunity to help people say what they mean.
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Imani Bashir
Imani Bashir is a Black American Muslim woman whose work centers around identity, culture, and lifestyle. Her purpose is to be an ambassador for creating content that shifts culture and provokes pertinent conversations. She is a travel editor and serial entrepreneur.
Raya Reaves (she/her)
Raya Reaves is the Founder and Finance Coach of City Girl Savings, LLC. She teaches women how to create and stick to realistic budget plans...
read more Raya Reaves is the Founder and Finance Coach of City Girl Savings, LLC. She teaches women how to create and stick to realistic budget plans to reach their financial goals. Raya resides in Austin, Texas, with her boyfriend and two Yorkie dogs.
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read more Raya Reaves is the Founder and Finance Coach of City Girl Savings, LLC. She teaches women how to create and stick to realistic budget plans to reach their financial goals. Raya resides in Austin, Texas, with her boyfriend and two Yorkie dogs.
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