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MY TRUE NORTH ARTISTRY
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The Writers of Oya project aims to teach adolescent girls, particularly girls of color,
how to compose poetry as a skill to both express and assert themselves.

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JaNelle Davenport-Pleasure
For more than  3 decades, She has immersed herself in the arts. As an avid dancer/instructor, jewelry artist, recycled clothing designer, spoken word poet, and author. Ja Nelle has engaged audiences throughout the United States and internationally. She strives in all she does to help all learn to express themselves creatively in whatever form that presents itself.  
My strengths: I am passionate about taking what others see as ugly and spoiled and turning it into something
 beautiful. Some of her interests include cooking, running, reading murder mysteries, spending time with her children and making memories.
JaNelle has
 published poems in the Crows on the Line, a poetry book published by the CU Poetry group. She has also self-published 2 books. Eyes Open and Splitting 650 both poetry books.​

Champaign Facilitator 
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Camille Files

Jr Facilitator-Arizona
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Shaya Robinson
Shaya has been a Champaign resident since 2007 and serves as an advocate for underrepresented community members. As an artisit she has performed for charity events for local groups including Lupus Awareness, Rape Advocacy and Counseling Services, Courage Connections, and Cunningham Township. She advocates for the arts and runs a poetry class called S.P.E.A.K (Song, Poetry, Expression, Art Knowledge) Cafe that focuses on social and political issues. She's won an ACE Award for fostering and maintaining a safe space for artists of all ages to weave social justice ideas into the arts to shine a light on and uplift underserved community members. She loves to hike and spend time with loved ones. She does not believe in following traditional writing rules and always writes from the heart.

Urbana Facilitator
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Achly Ramos

Jr Facilitator, Urbana 
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Step 1

Allow yourself to immerse in an environment that creates confidence, self reflection, and self exploration.
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Step 2

Learn the art of Slam poetry in regards to composition, speech, and performance strategies.
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Step 3

Participate in community poetry slams culminating to our featured program 'Poets in the Park': to perform pieces created during our sessions

Student Voices


Unmasked; the Writers of Oya Publication

Unmasked is the first work of poetry by the Writers of Oya. It comprises of reflections and thoughts from the participants. 

You can find the Unmasked spoken word album on Spotify and other streaming platforms

Unmasked

$10.00
Primer book of poetry from the Writers of Oya. Experience the world through their eyes.
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DONATE

Writers of Oya in the News 


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l​www.news-gazette.com/opinion/columns/name-dropping-urbanas-first-youth-poet-laureate-has-powerful-message/article_c992f97a-c1a8-53d0-a005-deaca71a3ca5.html


nationalguild.org/programs/training-learning/groundwork/people


www.smilepolitely.com/arts/the_writers_of_oyas_debut_collection_of_poetry_unmasks_their_serious_power/
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Donate to Writers of Oya

$5.00

These funds will go towards Writers of Oya's materials, transportation, and development which contributes to the growth of our group.

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Meet the Founder

Ashanti Files

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Poet, Author, Registered Nurse & Founder of
​Writers of Oya
Being a mother to a middle schooler is no easy task! Every day I learn something new from my daughter. It means so much to me that other mothers trust me to impart some of my acquired life skills and share them with other young ladies during a critical time in their development. I was named the Urbana Poet Laureate for the year 2021 and also a Martha's vineyard Institute of Creative Writing Voices of Color Fellow in 2021



Support


Contact: mytruenorthartistry@gmail.com
writersofoya17@gmail.com
@writersofoya_17 Instagram
Writers of Oya facebook
​@shanyfiles Instagram
FAQ
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