What is the vision for your future? You can have a clear focus for your future without having all the answers to life's questions. It simply starts with writing your vision for your life and taking daily intentional steps to move in the right direction.

High school students are invited to join us on Jan. 12, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. EST for a virtual workshop with educational consultant Robin M. Wilson.

Learn how to write a vision statement and how to create a future that you want for yourself. In this session, you will take a personal inventory and begin to explore ways to further clarify your goals for the future.

Tickets:

Admission is free for up to 10 Detroit high school students, thanks to Coaching Detroit Forward.

General admission is $20.

Tickets are nonrefundable. Anyone who registers will receive a video recap. Space is limited to 20 students. Registration closes at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 12, 2023.

The Detroit Writing Room, New York Writing Room and Coaching Detroit Forward are excited to invite you to the virtual 2022 Perspectives Magazine Launch Party sponsored by Kapnick Insurance Group!

High school students from Detroit and across the country contributed stories and photography that they produced during summer journalism and photography camps.

During the virtual event, we'll celebrate their work and you'll get a sneak peek of their photos. The launch party on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. EST will include opening remarks from DWR founder and CDF executive director Stephanie Steinberg, a video presentation, student introductions and remarks from head photography coach Sacred Overstreet-Amos.

The audience will also participate in an interactive game of journalism and photography trivia for a chance to win prizes. Prizes include photography prints by the photography students and Coaching Detroit Forward apparel!

Tickets:

Students, parents and coaches can attend for free.

The public can attend for a suggested minimum $10 donation.

All proceeds support Coaching Detroit Forward's free writing and photography programs for Detroit high school students.

Feeling anxious about writing your college essay? There's no need to fear or stress.

Join us on Sept. 19, 2022 for a virtual college essay writing workshop led by Danielle Alexander of the tutoring company Edify LLC.

In this 90-minute workshop led on Zoom, Danielle will discuss and model how to dissect essay prompts, hone in a topic and direction and compose a captivating introduction. Students will leave the workshop feeling prepared and inspired to write and submit their college application essays.

This workshop is geared toward high school students preparing for the college application process; however, those working on personal statements or scholarship essays could find the session useful, as well. Students/adults nationwide are welcome to attend.

The early bird rate is $60 until Aug. 31.

For Detroit Students

The Detroit Writing Room’s nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward is offering up to 5 spots in each workshop for high school students attending a Detroit Public School Community District or Detroit charter school to attend for free. Acceptance is first come, first serve. Register in the ticket link.

What’s lint got to do with it? Find out when you join New York Writing Room coach Susan Merson for a virtual creative writing workshop on Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. EST.

Explore the details of your work with prompts that will give you the detail that creates the whole in your work. With easy eyes and a playful heart, explore how language comes alive through your own experience and expands the mundane into vibrant life. Come ready to write and create. No experience necessary.

Tickets:

Early bird tickets are $35 until Aug. 1, 2022.

General admission is $45.

Three tickets are reserved for Detroit high school students to attend this workshop for free thanks to our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward. Tickets are first come, first serve.

Come celebrate the talented poets, screenwriters, children's book authors, novelists and writers of all ages from Metro Detroit at the 2022 Detroit Writing Room Awards!

The inaugural Detroit Writing Room Awards ceremony will take place virtually on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022 from 7 to 8 p.m. EST! 

Writers and photographers from the region applied to the awards, and our team of judges had the tough job of naming the finalists in each category. During the event, you'll find out who takes first, second and third in:

• Poetry

• Flash Fiction

• Non-fiction

• Memoir

• Screenwriting

• Blogs

• Children's Book Manuscript

• Public Relations

• Photography

You'll get a chance to meet some of the judges who are award-winning authors, journalists, and photographers as well as Detroit Writing Room and New York Writing Room coaches. Guests will also hear from Coaching Detroit Forward high school student LayLa Sherman who participated in our 2021 journalism and photography camps.

Plus! Participate in live literary trivia for a chance to win the publication featuring finalists, Coaching Detroit Forward apparel and other prizes!

Tickets:

$10 for finalists 

$20 for general admission

All proceeds support the DWR's nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward, which offers free writing and photography programs for Detroit high school students. Learn more and donate at coachingdetroitforward.org.

This event is recorded, and anyone who buys a ticket will receive the video recap.

Tickets are nonrefundable. A Zoom link will be emailed the day of the event. Registration closes at 6:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 13, 2022.

A special thank you to DWR Awards sponsor MGM Grand Detroit!

The Detroit Writing Room, New York Writing Room and Coaching Detroit Forward are excited to invite you to the virtual launch party for the 2021 edition of Perspectives Magazine!

High school students from Detroit and across the country contributed stories and photography that they produced during summer journalism and photography camps.

During the virtual event, we'll celebrate their work and you'll get a sneak peek of their photos. The launch party on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. EST will include opening remarks from DWR founder and CDF executive director Stephanie Steinberg, a video presentation, student introductions and remarks from head photography coach Sacred Overstreet-Amos.

The audience will also participate in an interactive game of journalism and photography trivia for a chance to win prizes. Prizes include photography prints by the photography students and Coaching Detroit Forward apparel!

Tickets:

Students, parents and coaches can attend for free.

The public can attend for a suggested minimum $10 donation.

All proceeds support Coaching Detroit Forward's free writing and photography programs for Detroit high school students.

Bonus!

Get a copy of Perspectives Magazine 2021 with your ticket for $15. The price includes shipping.

Join us on Aug. 2 at 5 p.m. EST for a virtual event featuring Detroit photographers. They'll share how they got into photography and give tips for those who want to turn a hobby into a business. The photographers will also discuss how they use photography to amplify Black voices and share their stories. 

Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A. The panel discussion is moderated by Detroit Writing Room coach Sacred Overstreet-Amos, founder of Moon Reflections Photography.

Panelists include:

• Marcel Brown

• Shaleena Cole

• Justin Milhouse

Schedule:

5 - 5:05 p.m. - Guest introductions

5:05 - 5:20 p.m. - Panelist introductions

5:20 - 6:00 p.m. - Panel talk

6:00 - 8:30 p.m. - Q&A

This event will be recorded, and anyone who buys a ticket will get the video recording. 

Tickets:

General admission is $15. All proceeds benefit our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward which offers free summer journalism and photography camps for Detroit students.

Detroit high school students can attend this event for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Register under the student ticket.

Get Tickets

Do you have a story you'd like to get on TV, but don't know how to pitch it?

Join The Detroit Writing Room for a Speakers Series on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. EST. Local journalists from the top Detroit networks will share their tips and best practices for pitching a business, nonprofit or personal story to a local news station. You'll learn what makes a good pitch for TV and mistakes to avoid. 

The virtual event will be moderated by Jennifer Ann Wilson of WXYZ Channel 7. She'll be joined by Roop Raj of Fox 2 Channel 2 and Evrod Cassimy of WDIV Channel 4. They'll share how they got started in their careers and some of their favorite pitches they've covered along the way.

Come get your pitching questions answered during a Q&A!

Tickets:

General admission is $20.

This event is recorded, and anyone who buys a ticket will receive a video recap.

Student Tickets:

• Detroit high school students can attend for free via our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward. Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with your name and school to register.

• Any student who applied to our 2021 Journalism or Photography Camps may also attend at no charge.

Get tickets here.

The Detroit Writing Room's Black Voices Series features Black writers and creators from Detroit and nationwide. Come hear their stories, ask questions and support their work. 

Join us on July 13 at 7 p.m. EST for a virtual event featuring local and national podcasters. They'll share how they launched their own podcasts and companies in the field and give tips for those who want to successfully start their own podcast and grow an audience. The podcasters will also discuss how they use podcasting to amplify Black voices and share their stories. 

Guests will have an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A. The panel discussion is moderated by Motor City Woman President Robin Kinnie.

Panelists include:

• Erin Allen, director of Detroit Podcast Festival

• Shannon Cason, producer of Homemade Stories

• Maxwell Griffin, producer of Your Black Friend

Tickets:

General admission is $15. A portion of proceeds benefits our nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward which offers free summer journalism and photography camps for Detroit students.

Detroit high school students can attend this event for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with your name and school to register.

Get tickets here.

Come celebrate the photography captured by Detroit high school students at the opening reception for Coaching Detroit Forward's Student Photography Showcase!

The exhibition features the architecture, nature, people and iconic Detroit spots captured by students in Coaching Detroit Forward's 2020 Photography Camp.

Over two weeks last August, students learned all about photography terminology, techniques and career opportunities from photography coach Sacred Overstreet-Amos and guest coaches. Thanks to support from the Fisher Foundation, each student received a professional camera to practice photography on photo walks with our coaches and in their community.

Their photos were published in Perspectives Magazine, and The Detroit Writing Room is now thrilled to display their photos for all to see. The Student Photography Showcase will be on display through September 2021.

Join us for an opening reception on Saturday, June 5, 2021!

After the students and their families get a first look, the public is invited to view the exhibition. Tickets to the event benefit Coaching Detroit Forward's 2021 summer photography and journalism camps.

To maintain social distancing, attendance will be limited to 25 guests each hour. Guests can sign up for the following time slots:

• 2 - 3 p.m.

• 3 - 4 p.m.

• 4 - 5 p.m.

The opening reception features several opportunities to support the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Coaching Detroit Forward:

• Guests can purchase photos captured by the students. Proceeds support both the student and Coaching Detroit Forward.

• Perspectives Magazine, featuring the students' photos and stories by students in our Journalism Camp, will be available for purchase. Minimum $10 donation.

• Photos by local photographers will be available to bid on in a silent action. Proceeds support both the photographer and Coaching Detroit Forward.

Tickets:

We kindly request a minimum $10 donation to register for this event. All donations are tax deductible. Get tickets here.

Registration for the opening reception closes at noon on June 5, 2021. Masks are required to attend.

Special thanks to Kapnick Insurance Group for supporting this event!

April is National Poetry Month, and we're closing out the month with a Black Voices Series event celebrating poets from Detroit! Join us for a virtual event featuring local poets Nandi Comer, Righteous Knowledge and SLo Smiff. They'll each give a poetry reading and participate in a panel discussion moderated by Detroit Writing Room house poet The Sound Yogi, who hosts The Art of Poetry!

Detroit high school students can attend for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Email hello@coachingdetroitforward.org with your name and school to register.

Read more about each poet here.

In this generative workshop, we will explore poems written by queer poets that speak to our moment, poems that hold us, indict us and sing to us.

We will explore works by Nikkey Finney, Stacie Cassarino, Audre Lorde, Tommye Blount and more. With small writing opportunities throughout, we will make our poems poems using these texts as inspiration and have an opportunity to share at the end of the session.

The virtual workshop is led by Stephanie Glazier, a published poet who resides in Detroit and is excited to share, learn and make community with you.

Tickets:

A few spots are reserved for Detroit high school students to attend for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Email hello@coachingdetroitforward.org with your name, school and email to sign up.

Join us for "The Road Hockey Crew" book launch! The virtual event celebrates the new YA novel co-written by Pete Billing and John Conlon and illustrated by Glen Hawkes. During the event, guests will have an opportunity to view a book trailer produced by The Faculty of Wonderment. Pete will also read a passage from the story. Author and historian Irene Moore Davis will moderate a discussion with Pete, John and Glenn, and guests will have an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A.

Order a Book:

Guests can purchase a copy of the book at thefacultyofwonderment.com. A portion of every book sold will benefit Coaching Detroit Forward and support summer photography and writing programs for Detroit students.

Tickets:

The first 15 people to register receive free admission! After that, general admission is $10.

Detroit high school students can attend for free. Email hello@coachingdetroitforward.org with your name and school to register.

Get Tickets

Join us on Sunday, March 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. EST for a virtual book talk and Q&A with author Lauren Clayborne!

"What's In Your Purse? Carrying Your Faith Like You Carry Your Handbag" by Detroiter Lauren Clayborne was released in 2019. In the inspirational book, Lauren shares how carrying your handbag like you carry your faith is not only necessary, but vital, to your success.

During the virtual book talk Lauren will discuss the book and answer questions during a live Q&A with guests.

Tickets are $10 for general admission or $26 to receive a copy of the book.

Detroit high school students can attend this event for free. Email your name and school to coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com to be added to the guest list!

Get Tickets

Join us on National Grammar Day to brush up on your grammar skills and prepare to ace those college tests!

Whether you plan to take the ACT, SAT or both, you will be tested on Standard English Conventions; in fact, half the ACT English and SAT Writing and Language sections are made up of questions that test your knowledge on punctuation, usage and sentence structure.

If you need a refresher on skills like how to properly use a colon, fix misplaced modifiers or locate an inappropriate shift from a second person to third person pronoun, join Metro Detroit English tutor Danielle Alexander for this virtual workshop on March 4!

Danielle will not only review the Standard English Conventions tested on both exams but share test-specific questions for each skill reviewed.

Coaching Detroit Forward is offering a few spots for Detroit high school students to attend this workshop at no cost. Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with your name, age and school to sign up. First come, first serve.

More Information

Join us on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST for a book talk fundraiser with Marcus Lyon, author of "i.Detroit" released in 2020.

The virtual event also features Beyond Basics founder Pamela Good and Progressionista founder Shanel Adams — two i.Detroiters focused on improving literacy among youth in Detroit.

"i.Detroit – A Human Atlas of an American City" is a research-based exploration of 100 individuals from the city of Detroit. The three-year project was built on the foundation of a six-month nomination process, where a diverse group of Detroiters nominated people from their own communities who represent the very best of service to society and are making significant contributions to Detroit, the region and beyond. 

The project maps these remarkable individuals through photographic portraits, app-based image-activated oral histories and ancestral DNA to create a deeper understanding of the city. The work is available as a book, a museum exhibition and in digital formats. The art initiative is funded by the Kresge Foundation and supported by The Charles H. Wright Museum.

During the event, guests will have an opportunity to learn more about "i.Detroit" and ask questions during a Q&A with Marcus Lyon, Pamela Good and Shanel Adams.

Guests will also be entered to win a copy of "i.Detroit" (a $260 value). You must be present on Zoom to win!

Tickets:

Proceeds will be split evenly between Beyond Basics, Progressionista and The Detroit Writing Room's nonprofit arm Coaching Detroit Forward. Marcus Lyon is participating pro bono to direct all funds to the nonprofits.

Guests may choose to donate either $15, $30 or $60 to attend the event.

Get Tickets

Join The Detroit Writing Room Book Club for the January author talk featuring former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Detroit Writing Room coach Elizabeth Ann Atkins, co-authors of "Let the Future Begin."

During the virtual book talk, guests will have an opportunity to greet the authors, enjoy a book discussion and ask questions during a live Q&A!

Admission is free for Book Club members and Detroit high school students. Single tickets are $15.

Get Tickets

Join us for a virtual open mic night hosted by Detroit Writing Room house poet Krystalle (aka Kompozition), and share the words you're writing during the pandemic.

Share a poem, song, short story or any type of creative talent! Anyone who wants to participate should register, then email hello@detroitwritingroom.com with the following:

1. Your name

2. What you'd like to share (i.e. poet, song, story, comedy)

We will call your name during the open mic, and you can take the screen! Each participant gets up to 5 minutes to share, and you can present a second time.

Others can just join in to watch! Anyone in Metro Detroit or across the country is welcome.

Dates:

The Detroit Writing Room hosts open mic night on the last Monday of every month at 7 p.m. EST. (We're holding these virtually until it's safe to gather in crowds again!) Upcoming dates are Jan. 25, Feb. 22, March 29 and April 26.

Pricing:

Virtual admission is $5 per event. Sign up for a package of four for $15 (a $5 savings!).

Detroit students can attend for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with your name, school and which date you'd like to attend!

Join us on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for a conversation on the future of sports journalism.

During the live panel discussion moderated by New York Writing Room coach and The Athletic NFL editor Amy Parlapiano, five journalists will share how sports journalism has changed over the past year and discuss the future of the industry. They'll also share advice for aspiring sports journalists who want to enter the field. 

Whether you're a sports writer or a sports fan, this virtual event will be an opportunity to meet fellow sports lovers across the country.

Panelists:

• Gabriel Baumgaertner, New York Writing Room coach and The Guardian contributor

• Kavitha A. Davidson, author of "Loving Sports When They Don’t Love You Back" and podcast host of The Lead

• Chantel Jennings, WNBA senior writer for The Athletic

• Omari Sankofa II, Pistons reporter for The Detroit Free Press

There will also be a live Q&A, so come with your questions!

Schedule:

7:00-7:15 p.m. — Audience introductions

7:15-7:25 p.m. — Panelist introductions

7:25-8:00 p.m. — Panel discussion

8:00-8:30 p.m. — Q&A

Tickets:

General admission is $15.

Detroit high school students can attend for free via Coaching Detroit Forward. Email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with your name and school to register.

Get Tickets

Join us for the virtual launch party of Kiddos and Insights on Thursday, January. 14 from 7 - 8 p.m. EST.

Kiddos and Insights is a safe space for parents to explore, on a deeper level, what it means to parent. We’ll work on removing judgements, or the idea of right/wrong parenting from the equation. Insights will be gained by asking important questions and exploring the beliefs we hold about parenting. Practical strategies will be shared to guide you through parenting woes and managing challenging behaviors.

During the launch party with founder Albiona Rakipi, we’ll take a virtual tour of the website and explore what each category means. Stories and examples will be shared to illustrate how the PARR (Pause, Acknowledge, Respond, Reflect) method is used. You’ll get to know Albiona and what inspired her to share her own insights and why she created this space.

Tickets are $10 and benefit Coaching Detroit Forward.

Get Tickets

Join us for an at-home yoga retreat with yoga instructors who will get your body and creative juices flowing. The virtual retreat will be led by certified yoga instructors Lindsay Madison and Krystalle Kompozition (aka The Sound Yogi). Experience two yoga sessions as well as interactive guided journaling and a poetry class. This retreat is for people with all levels of experience with yoga, writing and poetry. Come with your favorite journal and pen ready! Participants will be invited to submit their writing from the day to include in a booklet sent to retreat attendees.

Students should email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with the following information to apply for a spot: Your school, grade and email.

See more information here.

Feeling anxious about writing your college essay? There's no need to fear or stress. Join us for a virtual college essay writing workshop led by Danielle Alexander of the tutoring company Edify LLC. In this 90-minute workshop led on Zoom, Danielle will discuss and model how to dissect essay prompts, hone in a topic and direction and compose a captivating introduction. Students will leave the workshop feeling prepared and inspired to write and submit their college application essays. This workshop is geared toward high school students preparing for the college application process.

Coaching Detroit Forward is offering up to 5 spots in each workshop for high school students attending a Detroit Public School Community District or Detroit charter school to attend for free. Students should email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with the following information to apply for a spot: Your school, grade and email.

Acceptance is first come, first serve.

See more information here.

Feeling anxious about writing your college essay? There's no need to fear or stress. Join us for a virtual college essay writing workshop led by Danielle Alexander of the tutoring company Edify LLC. In this 90-minute workshop led on Zoom, Danielle will discuss and model how to dissect essay prompts, hone in a topic and direction and compose a captivating introduction. Students will leave the workshop feeling prepared and inspired to write and submit their college application essays. This workshop is geared toward high school students preparing for the college application process.

Coaching Detroit Forward is offering up to 5 spots in each workshop for high school students attending a Detroit Public School Community District or Detroit charter school to attend for free. Students should email coachingdetroitforward@gmail.com with the following information to apply for a spot: Your school, grade and email.

Acceptance is first come, first serve.

See more information here.