Café Darkness: An In-Person Writing Workshop for People of Color

We are a community of writers of different genres and ages, committed to expanding the supportive space for people of color to write, read, and speak our stories, real and imagined, into being. Join us on Pendle Hill’s picturesque campus!

During this week of dedicated writing, we set writing intentions and work within compassionate community to move toward them. In this popular education-style workshop, we share tips and troubleshoot challenges in order to maximize our writing experience. Each day, we set goals, strategize about how to accomplish them, and share the written fruits of our labor.

Your day might include taking a walk while brainstorming a chapter or participating in an evening sing-along at the end of the day. Come for all or part of the workshop, as you are able. We welcome any writer of color open to sharing and learning with us as we support each other in our writing endeavors.

Leader(s)

Joanne Daley is a birth doula, bodyworker, and instructor of massage and bodywork techniques and yoga. Inspired by “whole life” medicine she observed demonstrated in the Carribean community within the U.K and U.S., Joanne developed Daley Retreats, a health and wellbeing practice which curates “self-care habits” to facilitate the many transitory phases of human experience. She is experienced in both allopathic medical care in Massachusetts hospitals and traditional practices from prenatal, labor & delivery, and postpartum care to elder wellness and all that comes in between. Acknowledgement of the “whole person experience,” listening carefully, and patience before working deeply are cornerstones of her organically evolving practice. Joanne uses this same foundation to creatively express herself using voice, dance, and the written word. She continues, with great respect, to study and apply these qualitatively and quantitatively proven, alternately documented indigenous medicines.

Danie Ocean is a native of Media, PA. After graduating from Strath Haven High School, they went on to earn a degree in psychology at Chestnut Hill College and a Master’s of Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania. During this time, they practiced music and performed music. After schooling, they became a child and family therapist. They also founded a nonprofit that supported musicians with affordable rehearsal and recording space. Recognized by Governor Wolf in 2017 as one of Pennsylvania’s young Black professionals under thirty-five doing incredible work, Danie has been written up in many publications for their dedication to social justice through nonprofit work and music. Danie now pursues music full time, performing with their band “Danie Ocean Band” and as a solo artist. For more about Danie Ocean, visit their website at www.danieocean.com.

K. Melchor Quick Hall is the author of Naming a Transnational Black Feminist Framework: Writing in Darkness and the co-editor, with Gwyn Kirk, of Mapping Gendered Ecologies: Engaging with and beyond Ecowomanism and Ecofeminism. She is the executive director of African American Education & Research Organization (AAERO) at Melchor-Quick Meeting House (MQMH), founded by her mother.

Financial aid may be available. If you are seeking funds to participate in this program, click to review and complete our Financial Assistance Application and a Pendle Hill staff member will follow-up with you shortly (please do NOT register online). Thank you for your interest.

Travel directions to Pendle Hill. Please make sure to review our health and safety expectations at https://pendlehill.org/stay/covid-19-information/.