Page 12 - ECF-LIA-Mar-Apr-2024_20878_Web-Mag

LEGACY IN ACTION
12
New program helps
Black women put their
experiences into words
BY LISA CATTERALL
Towunmi Coker sees a lot of opportunity
in education. As the founder of TC Initiative,
Coker works to fill gaps she sees in the
community, helping marginalized communities
gain skills and knowledge in areas like finance,
health and economic development.
“So the goal is to empower the greatest talents
of Black women and girls,” she says.
TC Initiative partnered with the Africa
Centre to receive a $15,000 grant from Edmonton
Community Foundation to support its latest
offering: the EmpowerHER creative writing and
mentorship program. The program is designed to
amplify the voices of participants, giving them the
words and skills needed to reach their goals.
“What we’re hoping to see is that creatives
who are Black girls and women, that they have
this platform to grow,” she says. “We give them
the information, the tools, the access to materials
and resources to make that happen.”
The program includes four weeks of
educational sessions, offered in-person or online.
Each lesson focuses on a different style of writing
— from branding and business writing, to script
or proposal writing.
“Some of these creatives, they’re interested
in doing podcasts, reviews on social media, publishing a book.
Everything entails writing a story. So this program is geared
towards giving them that skill, that platform and that educational
access,” she says.
The program also includes a mentorship element to help
participants build on the skills learned in class. The mentorship
gives them the opportunities to work closely with creative
professionals. Participants also get the chance to workshop their
writing, comparing their progress from before and after the
training sessions.
The program also goes one step further to help participants
build confidence in their work, while also building connections
in the community. Through a literary meet-and-greet event,
participants can show off their newly refined skills while
connecting with other members of the creative community.
“At the event, each participant can showcase one of their
creative works – if it’s poetry, spoken word or whatever creative
skill they have – to see the impact of the program,” Coker says.
“We’re hoping that through these workshops, we will be able
to see more Black women and girls who are smashing it in the
creative world.”
EMPOWERING
VOICES