EDUCATION
2000 M.F.A., Creative Writing, New York University, New York City
1998 M.A., English & American Literature, New York University, New York City
1994 B.A., Psychology, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, New York
1997 Oral History Summer Institute, Columbia University, New York City
1993 L’Université de Paris, Paris, France
1992 Concordia University, Montrèal, Canada
HONORS, AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS
2008 Fulbright Award, Rabat, Morocco.
2000 Travel Grant, Air Jamaica, Film: ‘I Came Here By A Dream: The Jamaican Intuitives’.
2000 Travel Grant, E.L. Doctorow, Film: ‘I Came Here By A Dream: The Jamaican Intuitives’.
2000 Travel Grant, The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, New York University.
2000 The Arthur Schomburg Award for Excellence in the Humanities, New York University
1999 Graduate Assistant in the HEOP Program, New York University
1998 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Awards (three awards in fiction and poetry)
1998 Fellowship in Creative Writing, New York University
1998 Oral History Association Fellowship, New Orleans, Louisiana
1997 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Awards (five awards in fiction and poetry)
1995 James Michener Creative Writing Fellowship, The Caribbean Writers Summer Institute, University
of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
PRODUCTION EXPERIENCE
2003 Writer/Producer/Director
WHEN IN DOUBT, CHECK IT OUT: A PROMOTION OF MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS
Along with Allison Hopper and Dora Ruhs, wrote, directed and produced this film about why men do not go to the doctor. Worked with and managed talent. Along with team edited this 10-minute film used for training, education, information, outreach and other purposes by the New York University Health Center.
2003 Writer/Producer/Director
VOICES IN PREVENTION: THE SEXUAL ASSAULT, PREVENTION, EDUCATION & SUPPORT (SAPES) OFFICE AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Along with Allison Hopper and Dora Ruhs, wrote, directed and produced this film highlighting the services of the SAPES Office at New York University. Worked with and managed talent. Along with team edited this 5-minute piece used for training, education, information and other purposes by the New York University Health Center and the SAPES Office.
1994 Associate Producer
BRONXTALK, BRONXNET, Bronx, New York.
1994-1995: Developed topical and interesting show ideas for this weekly television program. Booked guests to appear on the show; hosted guests at the studio. Along with film editors, oversaw the preparation of “packages” aired during the show.
EDITORIAL EXPERIENCE
1999 Founding Editor
CALABASH: A JOURNAL OF CARIBBEAN ARTS AND LETTERS, New York University
Conceived and founded CALABASH: A Journal of Caribbean Arts and Letters, one of the first journals dedicated to this subject in the United States. Developed and wrote proposals resulting in the funding and institutionalization of the administration, production and distribution of the journal at New York University. Identified advisory board and editorial staff. 1999 - 2003 Assumed all responsibilities associated with the position editor. Presently serve on the editorial board.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2002 Literature Instructor
MEDGAR EVERS COLLEGE, Brooklyn, New York.
Courses Taught: World Literature; Introduction to Literature; English Composition
2002 to 2007: Taught courses focused on reading analytically and writing critically across a range of ideas and subjects. Other course requirements included: Awareness and correct use of language, expanded vocabulary, correct expression in writing and discussion. Incorporating critical sources.
2001 Writer-in-Residence
TEACHERS AND WRITERS COLLABORATIVE, New York, New York.
2001 to 2006: Worked as Writer-in-Residence at several New York City Public schools, as arranged through Teachers and Writers Collaborative. Worked with students of varying age groups to write short stories, poems and other creative works. Put together manuscripts of students’ works; held readings and other celebrations of student work.
1998 Writing Instructor
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, New York City, Courses Taught: Pre-Freshman Writing; Prose Writing I & II; Pre-Freshman MAP courses.
1998 to 2008: Developed and integrated curriculum for two-semester prose writing course. Courses dedicated to critical reading, creative thinking, and clear writing. Advance instruction in analyzing and interpreting written texts from a variety of academic disciplines, particularly the analysis and the development of argumentative essays.
1997 Creative Writing Instructor
BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE, CUNY, SCE, New York, New York . Course taught: Creative Writing.
Taught workshop in creative writing designed to explore and refine student’s individual writing interests. Curriculum included aspects of syntax and the craft of writing, as well as strategies for writing fiction and poetry.