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.