Jalea Jackson is an Atlanta-based Editor, Producer, and Director who aims to create films that spark conversation. Through her work, Jalea intentionally focuses on telling stories centered on highlighting the culture and authenticity of marginalized communities and the human condition, all while reclaiming the narrative of stories that are often misconstrued or untold.
Lydia Y. Nichols is a multidisciplinary writer native to New Orleans. Her work explores the lived experience, ancestral memory, and historical imagery of race and their impacts on our mobility within the bio-social ecologies of the Americas. Lydia’s art criticism and creative non-fiction have been published in 64 Parishes, Bayou Brief, A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine, theGrio.com, The Lens, Pelican Bomb, and Signals Magazine and on her now-inactive blog modern maroon. Independent Curators International, The National Performance Network, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Platforms Fund, and A Studio in the Woods have supported her work with awards, a fellowship, and a residency. Lydia will make her playwrighting debut in Spring 2022 with Don’t Look Away, a speculative dark comedy audio drama, commissioned by No Dream Deferred NOLA Theater Company.
We are so happy to announce the inaugural episode of Writer’s Lounge, hosted by Ann McQueen and featuring an interview with James Ijames! James is a playwright, performer, director and educator. His plays have been produced by Flashpoint Theater Company, Orbiter 3, Theatre Horizon, Wilma Theatre, The National Black Theatre and Steppenwolf to name just a few. Join us!
