The International Black Writers Festival (IBWF), hosted by the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC), proudly presented “Writers Unbound: A Showcase of Howard’s Literary Talent” in Blackburn’s Digital Auditorium. The event highlighted the exceptional literary talents of Howard University students and was moderated by Rebbie Davis, a senior English major from Chicago. 

The IBWF is an annual celebration of the contributions of Black writers worldwide. This year’s festival provided a platform for both emerging and established Black authors to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives, showcasing the immense creativity of Howard University’s literary community. The panel featured Howard students Asia Alexander, Olivia Ocran, Nova Johnson, and Alexandra Zeppeiro, all of whom shared their unique viewpoints and insights into the writing process. 

Asia Alexander 

A senior journalism major from Tallahassee, Fl., Alexander champions coverage at the intersection of politics and culture. She has written for publications ranging from Essence to Forbes. One of her most challenging articles was titled “Colleges Comply with Anti-DEI Mandates with Firings… and Finesse,” written during her internship with Forbes, where she detailed the impact of anti-DEI mandates on higher education.  
 
“This was the article that tore me apart as a writer, and it hit home for me because I’m from Florida. I feel for the students there because I didn’t grow up in a Florida where I felt like my education was being attacked,” Alexander said. “As a writer, I felt that it was my obligation to tell their stories.” 

Despite the challenges, Alexander took the assignment in stride. “As a journalist, we have so much power because we are writing things that influence people’s ideas and decisions,” she said. “I feel that I have a responsibility to advocate for people who aren’t being talked about.” 

Olivia Ocran 

A two-time published fantasy author, Ocran released her most recent book in 2023, The Spark Drowned in the Night, following its prequel The Darkest Side of the Star. Although her work is fantasy, she ensures that her stories have contemporary relevance. 

One of Ocran’s biggest challenges as a Black author has been navigating the tension between writing for the market and telling her desired stories. “As a Black writer, I have made it my mission to always have Black protagonists,” said Ocran. 

For aspiring Black writers, Ocran explained that racial violence and trauma don’t need to be the focus of their work. “There is a huge audience of people who want Black books about Black people existing and going through life,” she said. “You need to learn how to write for yourself because the best writing will come from a story that you want to tell.” 

Alexandra Zeppeiro 

Zeppeiro’s current work, Ontological Explorations in Being, explores the philosophical dimensions of race, drawing on social and cultural constructivism, particularly the work of Sally Haslanger.  

The paper critiques rigid racial classifications, such as those in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s Statistical Policy Directive No. 15, which fail to capture the complexities of racial identity, especially for mixed-race individuals. It also introduces Standpoint Mixed Race Theory, which advocates for a deeper understanding of race that moves beyond traditional binaries and recognizes its fluid and multifaceted nature. This approach enriches discussions of identity and social justice. 

Zeppeiro credits Howard’s legacy of intellectual and radical excellence as an influence on her writing and continues to draw inspiration from the Department of Philosophy and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC). “These experiences have sharpened my focus on advocating for my field of philosophy and highlighting the achievements of Black scholars. I hope that by participating in these showcases, I can inspire more undergraduates to take their writing seriously and engage with their research,” Zeppeiro said.  

“Howard University is a place where we can truly excel, and I want to encourage others to recognize that potential within themselves.” 

Nova Johnson 

For Johnson, writing is deeply personal. She shared how a poem she wrote, which touched on sensitive personal experiences, initially made her hesitant to share it. A friend encouraged her to publish it, believing it could help others. 

 “Understand the impact of your writing, even the things that you don’t want to write about,” Johnson said. “Write it and perhaps even publish it.” 

When asked about her legacy, Johnson, a self-described “forever poet,” former journalist, and aspiring screenwriter, said that she hopes her writing continues to advocate for the humanization, support, and protection of Black women. 

“A lot of my writing concerns colorism and beauty standards, specifically for young Black girls, and I hope that more of my work gets shared and reaches the right people,” Johnson said.