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Writing in fields dominated by white writers, editors, and publishers can be an exhausting experience. Café Darkness brings together people of color to share our works-in-progress, celebrate our diverse voices, confront our common barriers, and build a community of support for the challenges ahead. We are looking to connect across genre to the written text, the spoken word, and the body’s language. Although this trio of facilitators brings a range of skills, Melchor is an educator and the author and editor of academic manuscripts, Danie is a singer-songwriter and life coach, and Joanne is a bodyworker and healer. This workshop aims for a well-rounded exploration of the legacies, dedications, texts, sounds, and bodily manifestations of writing by people of color. We hope that you will join us!

Leader(s)

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 a popular educator who works with students of all ages. Melchor is also the Interim Executive Director of African American Education & Research Organization (AAERO) and Melchor-Quick Meeting House (MQMH), both organizations founded by her mother. Her work extends the living legacies of women of color.

Joanne Daley is a Birth Doula, Bodyworker, 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 focused on Prenatal, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum care through 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 Media native. After graduating Strath Haven, she went on to Chestnut Hill College to earn a degree in Psychology and then the University of Pennsylvania to earn a Master’s in social work. During this time, she practiced and performed music. After schooling she became a child and family therapist choosing to work in Philadelphia schools. During this time she also founded a nonprofit that supported musicians with affordable rehearsal and recording space. In 2016, Danie moved back to Media and bought her family home. Recognized by Governor Wolf in 2017 as Pennsylvania’s young Black professionals under thirty-five doing incredible work, Danie has been written up in many publications for her dedication to social justice through non-profit work and music. Danie has since retired from therapy to pursue music full time. She performs with her band “Danie Ocean Band” and solo across the United States and Canada but she calls Media home. For her recorded works, please check Apple Music, Spotify, Google Play, or other places you stream music and for more about Danie Ocean visit her website at www.danieocean.com.

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.