A snapshot of the work I do with literary magazines and other community-based publications.
I founded the Qafiyah Review after searching for a literary magazine for MENA/SWANA folks that allowed writing and art from all MENA/SWANA creators, regardless of religion, sexuality, nationality, culture, language, etc. Sadly I didn’t find one, but I did find the inspiration to start Qafiyah.
What started as just a literary magazine has blossomed into a community, with a blog (with 0 rejections), and workshop series for people within and outside of the MENA/SWANA community. Every submission that is rejected gets a page of free feedback to ensure that every writer gets a chance to improve their craft and resubmit to Qafiyah again in the future. I hope to keep growing Qafiyah to continue to support my cultural community, and find new ways to uplift underrepresented voices in literature.
Title:
Founding Editor-in-Chief
Responsibilities:
Web design/maintenance, social media management, workshop development, submission readership, and writing feedback.
Years active:
2023-current
I started at Aster Lit as a poetry reader, but quickly fell in love with the community and began exploring other facets of the non-profit. I helped record podcast episodes for Ad Aster, wrote grants, helped the team receive the Riley’s Way Call for Kindness Fellowship, and wrote feedback for Free Feedback events. The role I enjoyed the most was Social Media & Design. It allowed me to combine my interests in Communications and Visual Arts, while directly engaging with Aster Lit’s global, online community.
Title:
Co-Editor-in-Chief
Responsibilities:
Lead of Social Media & Web Design team, submission readership, taught social media/web design during Aster Lit Summer Internship, pitched internship program, and grant writing.
Years active:
2022-current
(Mis)Printed
I started (Mis)Printed my freshman year to act against my high school’s book bans. My goal was to have a one-time issue containing stories from student experiences to replace every book taken out of the library. However, after selling out of our first issue, I realized there would always need to be a student-led publication for students, to protect freedom of speech and expression in my school. To support this mission, I was awarded the University of Iowa’s Between the Lines Continuation Grant. This has allowed us to print five issues and host open mics to support our school’s creatives. The issues are print-exclusive and sold directly to students and staff, but copies are always reserved for our local libraries.
Title:
Founding-Editor-in-Chief
Responsibilities:
Heads design/page layout, edits submissions, led creative writing workshops, marketed magazines, & grant-writing.
Years active:
2022-current
My Forsyth
I am currently the staff intern of My Forsyth magazine. It’s a community publication that focuses on current events and community happenings to highlight the growth, history, and resilience of Forsyth County. With the magazine I have mainly contributed articles (coming out online or upcoming issues) spanning from interviews with officials like our local Sheriff, to starting my own food review column, “Table for One: Bite-sized Restaurant Reviews,” to highlight local and minority owned businesses.
Title:
Staff Intern
Responsibilities:
Covering local events, conducting interviews, transcription, copy editing, & networking with community officials.
Years active:
2024-current