Today we’d like to introduce you to Khadijah Ali-Coleman.
Hi Khadijah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey has been one of weaving together art, education, and community—always guided by a deep belief in the power of storytelling and collective liberation. I was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in the surrounding counties, Montgomery County and later Prince George’s County, MD. The oldest of five children, I grew up, raised by my mother, with my beloved grandparents always in close proximity. I grew up falling in love with the arts and with writing. The film, “The Wiz,” made the biggest impact on my life when I was four years-old, watching it in the theater, sitting on my mother’s lap. I knew then that I wanted to be creative.
I attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) from 1991-1995 and studied African American Studies and Mass Media as an Interdisciplinary Studies major, minoring in Writing. I also volunteered while in college with the CHOICE program, tutoring children from the Cherry Hill neighborhood in Baltimore. That work let me know that I enjoyed community work and would always be engaged with the community in some way. When I graduated from UMBC, I went on to get my Master of Arts degree from Towson University in Mass Communication. I later began as a young writer, freelancing for local Black publications like The Washington Informer, The Afro and The Baltimore Times, covering education, youth culture, and the arts.
Journalism taught me how to listen, how to amplify voices, and how to ask critical questions—skills that still fuel my work today. But I’ve never been content with just observing; I’ve always wanted to create spaces where marginalized stories thrive. That’s why, in 2008, I founded Liberated Muse, an arts collective that started as a digital platform for artists. It has grown into an arts company presenting multidisciplinary performances, including my own plays staged at venues like the Kennedy Center and The Baltimore Theater Project.
As a performer—whether as my artist alter ego, Khadijah Moon, or through theater—I’ve used poetry and music to explore Black joy, resilience, and the complexities of our lives. Art, for me, is both a mirror and a doorway. That’s also why I’ve spent over two decades as an educator, teaching at institutions like Coppin State University and Morgan State, and designing programs that empower students to harness media and storytelling as tools for change. It is my belief that every single person has the responsibility of applying their skill set in a way that benefits the world. I am horrified by the reality that so many choose to use their personal power to disenfranchise others and wreak havoc in this world. I feel privileged to be able to apply my efforts to counter the negativity in the world.
The pandemic was a pivot point for my work. At the time, I was finishing up my doctoral degree at Morgan State University in education. My dissertation was on African American dual enrolled homeschooled students and their perceptions of preparedness for college. As we know, the pandemic led to many families choosing to homeschool. Seeing families—especially Black families—navigate education inequities led me to co-found Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars (BFHES) in 2020, providing resources and community to thousands. And now, with my new nonprofit, Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, I’m continuing that mission: equipping writers to use their craft as a force for justice.
Becoming Prince George’s County Poet Laureate (2023–2025) was a full-circle moment that allowed me to showcase my own work as a creative. A lot of my work in the artistic realm previously involved collaborative efforts with others or creating spaces for other to showcase their creative talents. As poet laureate, I still was responsible for public programs, but I also was able to showcase my own talents as a creative. That role asserted that poetry isn’t just art; it’s a lifeline, a way to document our histories and imagine new futures. During those two years in that role, I was able to make impact as someone who has not only dreamed of having a professional life as a creative, but was able to impact others who were on their own creative pathway. Every step of my journey—from the stage to the classroom, from journalism to academia—has been about expanding possibilities, for myself and for the communities I serve. At heart, I’m still that girl with a notebook, inspired by what I’ve seen on the screen and the world around me, believing words can transform the world. The difference now? I’ve got a few more notebooks—and a lot more collaborators in the struggle.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Creating the life that I live has been reliant on being aware of the lens I’m using to view this life. Perspective is everything. Hindsight is golden. I have had a longer time to reach certain milestones because I have lacked the mentorship and support that many creatives often have. I am a self-taught creative–meaning that I did not go to school for creative writing, theatre, music or arts administration (when I minored in writing at UMBC, it was journalism, not creative writing). However, all of those elements are inherent in the professional work that I do today. So, because I did not have the support in the form of professors or older and more networked individuals to show me favor, I had to develop a skill set that enabled me to become my own advocate. I am proud of the strides that I’ve made and the grace I have received within some environments, but I continue to contend with gatekeepers and those who show up as obstacles and not blessings with their presence.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice, Inc. | Liberated Muse Arts Group?
Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice (BWPSJ) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization providing skill-building learning experiences and opportunities for Black writers and offering administrative training and services for literary and community-based organizations intent on public engagement practice founded in tenets of peace and social justice. BWPSJ is the fiscal sponsor of Liberated Muse Arts Group, So Our Youth Aspire, and StudentMediaOnline.com, collectively working to serve the community for over 15 years.
The mission of Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc. is to cultivate a community of writers, educators, and artists who utilize their craft to advance equity, peace, and justice. Through advocacy, education, and creative expression, we aim to inspire systemic change, amplify marginalized voices, and empower communities to create a more inclusive and equitable society. We envision a world where stories are tools for liberation, the arts are central to social justice movements, and diverse voices lead the way toward understanding, empathy, justice, and equity. Some of the amazing writers who will take part in the teach-in include award-winning writers like Prince Shakur, B. Sharise Moore and Zelda Lockhart, spoken word artists like Olu Butterfly, Slangston Hughes, columnists like Alexander Hardy and writing coaches like Femi Lewis and Tiffany Vakilian. During the teach-in, episodes of my podcast, blk creatives in liminal spaces, will debut episodes featuring renowned scholar activist Dr. Ray Winbush who has done incredible work around reparations,
BWPSJ presented the inaugural 2024 Youth Media Academy for Peace and Social Justice from July 8-12, 2024. Selected high school students embarked on a transformative journey, meeting each day to gain essential skills and knowledge for advocating a better world through media. Through workshops, hands-on activities, and collaborative projects, students learned the art of storytelling and digital media production. They explored the intersection of media and social justice, amplifying marginalized voices and sparking meaningful change in their communities. The program empowered the next generation of media creators and activists to make a difference.
Since our inception in May 2024, we have provided services, supports and opportunities to over 100 writers through:
A weekend mountain writing retreat for women over 40 years-old,
A summer Youth Media Academy for high schoolers,
Free and low-cost writing workshops in partnership with Mahogany Books, Prince George’s County Memorial Library and DC Public Library systems,
Poet’s Day Party at Tanger Outlet,
Rebel’s Zeitgeist digital literary journal,
Monthly newsletters,
Poets in the Park summer meet-up series, and
Readings
Our inaugural Wellness & Vitality REFRESH event.
This June, join us for the inaugural Writing for Liberation Virtual Teach-In—a transformative three-day experience designed to equip, inspire, and connect writers who use their craft as a tool for social justice, healing, and Black liberation.
Hosted by Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc. and sponsored by legendary Black-owned bookstore MahoganyBooks, this first-of-its-kind virtual event brings together:
✊🏾 Award-Winning Authors
📖 Publishing Industry Experts
✍🏾 Community Organizers
🔥 Literary Activists
WHAT TO EXPECT:
DAY 1 (June 27): IGNITE
Opening Keynote: “Why Our Stories Need to Be Founded in Liberatory Practice”
Panel: “Writing for Liberation Without Fear” featuring Zelda Lockhart, Kim Williams-Pulfer and Alex Hardy
Interactive Late-Night Writing Exercise: “Breaking Silence on the Page”
DAY 2 (June 28): CREATE
Intensive Workshops (choose one track for fee):
“Writing the Memoir Novel” with Prince Shakur
“Black Girls Writing Poetry” with Lynnette Johnson
“Children’s Books for Liberation” with Dr. David Miller
“From Page to Stage” with Shameka Cunningham
Panel: “Designing Your Writing Life” featuring Femi Lewis, TIffany Vakilian, Victor Rodgers
DAY 3 (June 29): AMPLIFY
Rebel’s Zeitgeist Contributor Reading
Closing Community Commitment Ceremony
WHY ATTEND?
✅ Learn the ways Black writers are using their writing voice to speak truth to power
✅ Connect with a national community of activist-writers
✅ Get tools to make your writing more impactful
✅ The world requires us to show up as our whole selves
REGISTRATION:
🎟️ General Admission: FREE
🎟️ Workshops: $90
“This isn’t just another writing conference—this is movement work. We’re building the literary wing of the freedom struggle.”
— Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Executive Director
#WriteForLiberation #BWPSJTeachIn2025
Hosted by Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc. } Sponsored in part by MahoganyBooks
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
It is with gratitude that I can say that I have had creative collaborators over the span of 20+ years. I’ve been privileged to work closely with music producer and illustrator Ben Dawson, Jr. since 2001 on music and film projects and he illustrated my children’s book. He has helped me bring to life almost all of my creative projects with his artistic contributions. He also happens to be my life partner who I have had the privilege of raising our daughter with through the years. I want to shout-out our beautiful and brilliant daughter, Khari who is an amazing writer and who has taught me so much about the craft of writing. I am also thankful for the women I have worked with through Liberated Muse since 2008. Company members Colie Aziza, Lyn Halstead and Angela Ballard aren’t just collaborators, they are among my best friends. I am grateful for my richly rewarding life filled with such beautiful people.
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