#These are tireless pen wielders and word -slingers using resistance poetry and protest but non-violent literatures to speak truth to power. Voices of Mass Instruction against corruption, human rights abuse, dictatorships . Literary Combatants in the struggle for freedom of expression and freedom after expression#
JAMIE DEDES– *Campaigns and Literary Arts Activism Partner*
A former Associate editor of a regional employment publication, currently runs The Poet by Day, an information hub for poets and writers. She is the managing editor of The BeZine published by The Bardo Group, a virtual arts collective that she founded. Her work is featured in a variety of publications and on sites, including: Ramingo’s Porch, Vita Brevis Literature,Compass Rose, Connotation Press, The Bar None Group, Salamander Cove, Second Light, I Am Not a Silent Poet, Meta / Phor(e) /Play, and California Woman. Jamie Dedes was featured in a lengthy interview on the Creative Nexus Radio Show where she was dubbed “Poetry Champion.”
FRANCIS OTOLE, Contributing Writer, Nigeria
Francis Otole is a Nigerian poet, from the middle belt region of Benue state. He is an avid reader and lover of books. A graduate, from the prestigious Benue state university.He is an educationalist, a researcher, an academician, a philanthropist, a scholar (Chaucerian) and a pro earth; lover of nature and humanity.
A passionate poet with many poems to his credit, with literary contributions, commendations and awards; locally and internationally.Has featured in magazine, journals and anthologies; internationally and a recipient of many international awards.
JAMES COBURN– *Contributing Writer United States of America*
Coburn has always valued the subtext of life and seeks to reveal its undercurrents. He believes indifference is the enemy of man as it is the benefactor of ignorance, racism and xenophobia. Coburn is currently collaborating with Nairobi poet Brian Kasaine on a book of poetry. His first book of poetry “Words of Rain” was published in 2014. The book was a finalist for an Oklahoma Book Award. In 2016, ten of his poems against terrorism and to save the Sunderbans (wetlands) were published in “Onnyodhara” (The Alternative Way) Eid-special issue festival edition in association with “Anushilon” (The Culture & Literature Society) the National Literary Organization of Bangladesh. Coburn is a 2013 inductee of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame.
DARCIE FRIESEN HOSSACK( Contributing Editor in Canadian)
DARCIE is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers. Her short story collection, Mennonites Don’t Dance, was a runner-up for the Danuta Gleed Award, shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Ontario Library Association’s Forest of Reading Evergreen Award for Adult Fiction. Citing irreverence, the book was banned by the LaCrete Public Library in Northern Alberta.Having mentored with Giller finalists Sandra Birdsell (The Russlander) and Gail Anderson Dargatz (Spawning Grounds, The Cure for Death by Lightening), DARCIE is now completing her first novel where, for a family with a Seventh-day Adventist father and a Mennonite mother, the End Times are just around the corner. DARCIE is also a four time judge of the Whistler Independent Book Awards, and a career food writer. She lives in Northern Alberta, Canada, with her husband, a chef.
TRACY YVONNE BREAZILE– *Guest Mentor in – Residence*
A Writer living in the United States of America. She was granted the opportunity to serve as Writer/Mentor in Residence with the 2018 Zimbabwe We Want Poetry Mentorship Program.Breazile studied Language and Literature with a concentration in Professional Writing at Columbus State University, Columbus, Georgia, USA. The graphic images collected here are selected from the 2018 Zimbabwe We Want Poetry Mentorship Program Poetic Rhetoric and Composition Workbook she created to aid participants seeking to learn about poetic forms and functions. She is currently working with Mbizo Chirasha in hopes to inspire writers to create short stories. The program aims to discover the mechanics of the short story and illustrate some of the various genre and styles that a writer might like to utilize in their stories. She would like to help people voice their feelings and attitudes about their conflicts and dilemmas through poetry. Her poetry is included in anthologies such as “Expressions of the Heart.”
ROBSON ISAAC SHOES LAMBADA ,* Contributing Associate,Zimbabwe
He is a saggitarian. His poetry is the tortured language, the language of human rights, democracy and good governance. Currently he is the Programmes Manager of the leading poets movement in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR). He has been convening monthly human rights poetry forums since December 2008. Besides these, he, on behalf of the organisation facilitates the continuous capacity building of human rights poets in Zimbabwe through workshops and performance platforms such as festivals and poetry forums. The Poet has toured Germany , USA, India and several African countries. He is Core- Team Member of LitFest Harare.
CHRISPAH MUNYORO *Contributing Writer Zimbabwe*
– A graduate of Applied Art and Design, Graphics and Website Programming. at Kwekwe Polytechnic College in Zimbabwe . Munyoro is a talented writer, journalist and a dedicated Design Artist. She is natural linguist, fluent in many languages among them English, Shona, Esperanto, Setswana, Swahili, Italiana and Yoruba. She began as a columnist writing feature articles in the Gweru Times in Midlands Province Capital of Zimbabwe. She has worked as a Midlands Chapter Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Association of Freelance Journalists. The Writer, Artist, Poet, Journalist and athlete has been writing poetry since her tender years and she has participated in various writers ,poetry ,journalism and sports workshops.
EDWARD DZONZE, Contributing Writer, Zimbabwe
Edward Dzonze is a Zimbabwean born writer whose drop of ink comes to shame the dark shades of African existence .He writes from his ghetto residence of Budiriro in Harare .He is a published author with three tittles to his name; Many Truths Told at Once; Wisdom Speaks and Breakfast with Marechera .His fourth poetry collection ;Shades of Black is set to hit the galleries soon .He have contributed to more than 15 anthologies and journals across the globe .He is currently working on his fifth poetry collection ; Here We Stand.
WILSON WAISON TINOTENDA *Contributing Writer , Zimbabwe*
WILSON WAISON TINOTENDA, An aspiring poet, human rights activists, page poet, flash fictionist as well as an editor of the Deem.lit.org ( Deem literature organization ). Born on the seventh of January 1998 at a local clinic in Chitungwiza of great svikiro, Tsuro Chaminuka. A Zimbabwean by birth and originates from Malawian tribe. The son of one Godwell Waison and Angeline Mandimika, being the first in a family of two, Annah Waison, little sister .Popularly known as the Lowlifediarist, has archived to compile and publicize two great ebooks entitled, THE STREET WHISPERS and the other one PAGES OF THE DIARY. He contributed to many journals online, The Kofi Annan Tribute, African boy child campaign, The Ghetto Symphony Orchestra, and has been published in several episodes of the Zimbabwe We Want Campaign.
LINGIWE PATIENCE GUMBO *Contributing Writer , Zimbabwe*
Born in Gweru on the 25th of October 1980. This writer fell in love with poetry after completing her High School. She got obsessed with song and story writing. She became a member of Budding Writers Association of Zimbabwe (BWAZ) where she was mentored by Mr Mbizvo Chirasha who was one of the provincial leaders and it was he who had identified the gift in her. Her first poem “Welcome my love” w was published in The Gweru Times . In 2003 she became a member of the editorial team under the leadership of founder of Aglow Inter-denomination Ministries, Bishop Christopher Choto. She worked immensely with the late Zimbabwean famous author Stephen Alumenda.
NGAM EMMANUEL BEYIA * Contributing Associate ,Cameroon
Cameroonian born is poet, educationist, and an advocate of socio-political change. His writings address various issues and every reader is likely to find one that suits their interest. His works have been published in magazines and anthologies the world over. He has also received numerous awards of recognition
He studied in THE UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDE 1, Cameroon, where he obtained BA in French and English. He then enrolled into Higher Teachers Training College, graduated with a bilingual diploma. Upon graduation has been teaching in local High schools in English speaking Cameroon.
UCHE AKUNEBU * Contributing Associate , Nigeria*
A public scholar ,poet ,playwright ,Essayist,and public speaker par -excellence . A highly anthologised poet ,and a prolific writer with 20 published books ,that include books in ,journalism,creative writing ,poetry and plays ..A former vice chair ,of the association of Nigerian authors,Abuja chapter. Fellow of the corporate administration of Nigeria. Ambassador of peace of the united nations. Lectures at present with the international institute of journalism Abuja and the open university.international institute of journalism Abuja
.
ADESINA AJALA * Contributing Writer , Nigeria*
A sprouting Nigerian medical doctor and writer, Adesina Ajala, desires to grow roots in the loam of the pen and the stethoscope. He does not know how he would fare, but he believes in journeying, in chances, possibilities and the divine. His works have found home in Writers Space Africa, EBOquills, Libretto, Featiler Rays, Brave Voices Poetry Journal and elsewhere. He was the co-winner of the first place of 2018 TSWF Writers Prize.
GORATA MIGHTY NTSHWABI * Contributing Writer , Botswana*
Botswana citizen, registered poetess here in as Poko Boswa Poetry my Heritage, Living Arts specialising in both traditional and contemporary poetry both oral and written.She is an author of an English poetry book ‘Exploring the Roots Poetry my Heritage, Living Arts self-published in 2016.Gorata holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences with majors in Sociology and psychology from Central University of Technology Free State in South Africa and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education in African Languages and Literature from the University of Botswana.
DIMAKATSO SEDITE * Contributing Writer , South Africa
Her poems have been published by Aerodrome, New Coin, The Kalahari Review, Botsotso, Brittle Paper, Miombo Publishing, Poetry Potion, Hello Poetry, Poetry Cafe, Story Zetu, as well as featuring in two anthologies : ‘Poetry from Public to Private Places : Botsotso 18’ and ‘Best New African Poets 2018’. Her Igby Prize Essay is published by The Kalahari Review. She blogs on nala4za.iblog.co.za.¬ Her two flashfiction stories appeared in Story Zetu in 2016. In 2018, she was a finalist in the Poetry in Mc Gregor Poetry Competition and won the 2018 Jozi Book Fair Keorapetse Kgositsile Tribute Competition. She holds an M.A. in Research Psychology from Wits University. Catch her interview in ‘Africa in Dialogue’ with fellow writer, Sinaso Mxakaza.
MZWAKHE KGAGODI, Contributing Writer , South Africa
Born in Jouberton township in Klerksdorp-North West Province in South Africa.A poet, a story teller and a playwright , started writing in early1990s. In the year 2000 the Poet recorded two poems in a collaboration album titled “A prayer for the dying” as a contribution against these deadly virus – HIV/AIDs. He was employed by the Department of Arts and Culture as a Drama tutor at the North West Community Arts Centre for 18 months. In the year 2012 – 2014 ,he wrote this plays : The Jailbird Production and Haba reshebe for Kopano ke matla youth group and got funding from the National Arts Council, NWPACC and the National Lotteries Commission. The artist is recognized by Grahamstown National Arts festival as a prominent writer,poet and perfoming Artist.
BEULAH KLEINVELDT * Contributing Associate , South Africa*
Jambiya Kai’s formula is fairly consistent – driven by raconteurs who challenge unjust systems and find themselves drawn into a web of deceit and abuse – the reality of love and loss.The poet authentically weaves the tragedy and victory of the human experience into a tapestry of memorable imagery and metaphor – vivid multi-ethnic stories; provocative verse and song.Her works have appeared in -Sir Ricky McGentleman’s, Live Life: The Daydreamers Journal (Barnes and Noble) “For the Love of a Queen – alongside the works of British Novelist Gwyneth Jones; American poet Judith Skillman and Stuart Dybek; Best New African Poets Anthology 2017 – (The Amstel Breeze – now, A Monarchs Migration);The 2008 Good News London Publishers Contest earned her The UK Overall Winner’s Award for her poem When Freedom Reigned (Ode to Africa).
NANCY NDEKE * Contributing Associate Kenya*
Poet of international acclaim and a reputable literary arts consultant. Her writings and herpoetry are featured in several collections, anthologies and publications around the globe including the American magazine Wild Fire, Save Africa Anthology. World Federation of Poets in Mexico. Ndeke is a Resident Contributor of the Brave Voices Poetry Journal since mid-2018. African Contributor to the DIFFERENT TRUTHS, a publication that sensitizes the world on the plight of Autism edited by Aridham Roy. SAVE AFRCA ANTHOLOGY edited by Prof. Dave Gretch of Canada and reviewed by Joseph Spence Jr has featured her poetry and a paper on issues afflicting Africa and Africans. Ndeke’s poetry and other literatures in WILD FIRE PUBLICATION in America published by Susan Joyner Stumpf and Susan Brooke Langdon. ARCS MAGAZINE in New York Edited by DR. Anwer Ghani. Her women Arts Presentation was recently published by WOMEN OF ART (WOA) in Cape Coast in Ghana.
MICHAEL MWANGI MACHARIA * Contributing Associate Kenya*
A prolific poet who was born and raised in Nakuru county of the expansive Rift Valley in Kenya.He is a graduate of Moi University .He was anthologized in Echoes Across the Valley and has published in online journals.He also contributes articles in Saturday Nation.He also has interest in photography, fine arts,music,drama and dance.He is associated with a private publisher and has edited a few manuscripts. He finds poetry a worthwhile and great pastime as well as form of expression.He feels the information technology revolution has been a great opportunity for poets to link up and create positive change in the world today.
VICTOR WESONGA * Contributing Writer ,Kenya
A Literature enthusiasts with roots immersed in Engineering. In the republic of letters, I read to internalize and learn .My submission comes from his unpublished anthology, MILITARISTIC STAIRWAY.
BENEDIXIO MOORE KHOTI * Contributing Associate , Zambia*
A writer, Poet, songwriter, lyricist and storyteller.He is an executive member of the international African Writers Association (IAWA).He is a gold categorized member of the largest literary group ;motivational strip ad an accepted student in their academy.His works of art(poetry) have been recognized by many international forum and published by some that include the 63rd,64th,65th edition of the brave voices poetry journal, one of his many poems been published in the book ‘The Pillar’ by poetry planet, and his work has also been published by wildfire publications as he was the poet of the month in their monthly magazine edition in April 2019.He is currently working on his debut novel.
JUSTICE MASANGANO * Contributing Associate*, Malawi
A writer and poet from the southern part of Malawi. He is a gold awarded member of an international online poetry platform WORLD FAMOUS POEMS. He has published his poetry In local newspapers as well as International magazines and journals. Currently ambassador at poetasdelmundo. com poetry for the world representing Malawi.
Kabedoopong Piddo Ddibe’st * Contributing Associate , Uganda*
A published Ugandan poet, artist and Language teacher, born and bred in the early nineties in Kitgum district, Acholi land, Northern Uganda. With his war experiences, he studied in a war torn area of the country, with a poor education standard.This molded him into a writer whose brave dissident voice continues breaking through sociopolitical, economical, cultural and religious spheres of life in his time. He’s been published in a number of publishing venues, both online and in anthologies.He’s working on a number of poetry books, for which he seeks publishing assistance. For his poetry, one can check online, and read and read and read.
MICHAEL DICKEL * Editorial Consultant and Head of Jury*
Authored six published books and chapbooks (pamphlets) of poetry and short fiction, and published over 200 individually published poems, short stories, and non-fiction pieces, in addition to book-reviews and academic articles—under his birth name, Michael Dickel. His next book will come out summer 2019 from Finishing Line Press (https://tinyurl.com/y3684acu). For Fisher Features, Ltd, he wrote a successful NEH film-development grant and the script for a documentary film on Yiddish Theatre. He works as a freelance editor for publishers and individual authors, co-edited Voices Israel Vol. 36 (2010), and served or continues to serve as an editor of one sort or another for several print and online literary periodicals. He has taught writing, literature, and English language in higher education in both the U.S. and Israel. Michael publishes an online blog-Zine (https://MichaelDickel.info/). He is the past chair of the Israel Association of Writers in English.
PUSETSO LAME * Contributing Writer , Botswana*
Pusetso, a spoken word poet, an author, motivational speaker, poetry adjudicator and director of ceremonies. Her passion of poetry started at a very young age and had been growing since then. She is the founding President of Dare To Fly movement, a poetic movement that helps nurture literature gifts on students. She is the current Ambassador for Litlight Organization in Botswana and Nigeria. Her poems have been published online on different Nigerian e magazines including Poemify and litlight. The winner of 2019 Litlight Nigeria poetry contest themed Depression. Lame has contributed to the growth of African poetry and mobilization across most countries including Uganda, South Africa, Botswana . Authored of OCEANS OF UNTOLD GOODBYES poetry anthology. Lame works alongside other organizations in her country for the growth of this art and for the benefit of the creative mind of our times.
SHAFGUTA HUSSEIN * Contributing Associate/ IHRAF 2020 Fellow*
TABASSUM TAHMINA SHAGUFTA HUSSEIN as aesthete from Dhaka, Bangladesh is an MA in British and American Literature. She was a faculty in three leading private universities in Bangladesh. She was the Head of training in HR Division in the corporate sector. She is also an HRMC and MPHRM holder. Now, she is a freelance writer. She is a regular columnist of Different Truths Publications, India. Her columns deal with humanitarian to diverse issues. Her poems have appeared in many literary magazines notably, Our Poetry Archive Spiritual Poetry Beyond Borders Anthology 2018, Our Poetry Archive Spirit of Nature Anthology 2019, A Tribute to Gabriel Okara IMOMOTIMI Anthology 2019, Turnpike Magazine, IHRAF publishes. She writes poems about human rights, spiritual, love, myths, natural, abstract and experimental poetry.
GENE BERRY( IRELAND) – Contributing Editor
GENE BARRY is an Irish Poet, Art Therapist, Counsellor, Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. . Barry is also founder and chairman of the Blackwater International Poetry Festival.As an art therapist using the medium of poetry, Gene has worked in libraries, hospitals, primary and secondary schools, with Narcotics Anonymous, Youthreach, retired people’s groups, Alcoholic Anonymous, asylum seekers and with numerous poetry groups.Gene has read in Australia, Holland, Kosovo, England, St Lucia, Scotland, France, Belgium and Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Florida, NY and Massachusetts. In 2019 he will be reading in America, South Africa, Australia, Romania, Malta and Holland.Barry’s chapbook Stones in their Shoes was published in 2008. In 2010 Gene was editor of the anthology Silent Voices, a collection of poems written by asylum seekers living in Ireland. He additionally edited the 2012, 2013 and 2014 editions of The Blue Max Review and Inclusion as part of the Blackwater International Poetry Festival.
SMEETHA BHOUMIK( India) Contributing Associate
A poet, editor, artist and founder of Women Empowered-India (WE). Smeetha’s poetry features in national & international journals & anthologies including a recent Sahitya Akademi anthology ‘Modern Indian Poetry’. She is editor of the WE Poetry Series, the first of which is ‘REVERIE -Into the Light’ by Neha Mishra Jha, (Notion, June 2019). She is a member of APWT.In 2019 Smeetha has earned Mindvalley’s ‘Habit of Ferocity’ Quest certificate conducted by Steven Kotler, the leading global expert on ‘Peak Performance’ and ‘States of Flow’.Her art has exhibited in ten solo and forty five group shows in India & abroad, showcasing her main theme of work ‘ The Universe Series’. Her poetry collection ‘Where I Belong -Moments, Mist & Song, has been published in 2019 (Mwanaka Publishers in 2019, WE-Mwanaka at Notion Press India Nov 2019). She is Chief Editor of ‘EquiVerse Space – A Sound Home in Words’, the inaugural creative writing anthology from WE.
SADIQULLAH KHAN( PAKISTAN) Contributing Editor
A gifted poet of immense insights and creativity. Writing on a range of subjects his themes are social, spiritual and politically aware. Looking the domains of day to day living, delving deep into the sufferings and joys he seems to be the voice of dispossessed and the vast majority of poor he passionately identifies, yet his art touches the high mark of existential writing, unique in style and composition, he appears to lead his own genre. He belongs to Wana, South Waziristan in Pakistan.
NKOSILATHI Emmanuel MOYO SR, REBEL LEADER * Contributing Writer*
A poet and a writer based in Kwekwe in the Republic of Zimbabwe.He use poetry to advocate for the respect of human rights and the rule of law.He penned an anthology titled Psalms of Resistance,a poetry collection which speaks to the daily struggles of Zimbabweans and he is also the author of a non-fiction book titled Dismantling Mugabeism.He stays in Kwekwe,Zimbabwe.
ABIGAIL GEORGE( ,South Africa) Contributing Associate
A Pushcart Prize (“Wash Away My Sins”) and Best of
the Net (“Secrets”) nominated South African blogger (Goodreads, link
on Piker Press), essayist (Modern Diplomacy, Ovi Magazine: Finland’s
English Online Magazine), filmmaker, playwright, anthologised poet,
chapbook, grant, novella, and short story writer (Africanwriter.com,
Hackwriters.com), contributing editor at African Writer, editor at
Mwanaka Media and Publishing, and the writer of ten books. She
studied film at the Newtown Film and Television School in
Johannesburg, which was followed by a stint as an intern at a
television production company. She was educated in Port Elizabeth, and
Swaziland.
Mzwakhe Kgagodi( South Africa), Contributing Writer*
MBIZO CHIRASHA
Recipient of PEN Deutschland Exiled Writer Grant (2017) Literary Arts Projects Curator, Writer in Residence, Blogs Publisher, Arts for Human Rights/Peace Activism Catalyst, Social Media Publicist and Internationally Anthologized Writer, 2017 African Partner of the International Human Rights Arts Festival Exiled in Africa Program in New York.2017 Grantee of the EU- Horn of Africa Defend Human Rights Defenders Protection Fund. Resident Curator of 100 Thousand Poets for Peace-Zimbabwe, Originator of Zimbabwe We Want Poetry Movement. African Contributor to the Table of Words Demer Press International Poetry anthology edited by Hannie Rouweler in Netherlands. Solidarity Member of Global Alliance for Politics and Arts. African Participant to the 2014-2020 World Poetry Almanac Anthologies series in Mongolia edited by Hadaa Sendoo. Co-Editor of German Africa Bilingual Collection with German International Translator Andreas Weiland in 2016 (http://www.street-voice.de/SV7/SVissue7.html).
BRAVE VOICES 