June 7, 2026: Oakland Voices at Marcus Books, Oakland CA. Oakland Voices alumna Dera Williams joined La Rhonda Crosby-Johnson, and Phillip Wilhite for a reading and discussion at Marcus Books on Sunday, June 7.
#marcusbooks#derawilliams#larhondacrosbyjohnson#phillipwhilhite
Tuesday, May 26th, from 6:00-7:30pm PT: Grotto Nights at SFPL: MONEY, please! Fundraising and the Art of the Ask - Elizabeth Forsyth moderated; panelists Kamala Tully, J.K. Fowler, JD Beltran, and Dimple Abichandani. Janine Kovac is the organizer of the Grotto Nights series.
20 March 2026: "Life into Action; Action into Words," Berkeley Poetry Festival. Emcee Esperanza Cabrales, featuring Andre Le Mont Wilson, Christl Rikka Perkins, Shizue Seigel, and Tureeda Mikell. Although I read prose, it was an honor to share the stage with these emotive poets.
Reverend Jesse Jackson called on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope; to step forward and say “Send me” wherever we have a chance to make an impact.
How fortunate we were that Jesse Jackson answered that call. What a great debt we owe to him.
9 February 2026 @ Abraham Lincoln High School in San Francisco - SFUSD Educators Strike. We walk deep - 85% of us educators in solidarity!
What do we want? A fair contract!
When do we want it NOW!
#uesf#teacherslivesmatter#sfusd
Abraham Lincoln High School, San Francisco CA
12 November 2025
UESF members picketing in front of the school because we have been working without a contract since summer of 2025.
#UESF#SFUSDeducators#educatorslivesmatter
Me at the Reading and Meeting event Friday 1/16 at The Writers Grotto. The focus on personal change, growth, and learning resonated with each of the 50 attendees. Thanks fellow readers Alyssa Gonzalez, Tamiko Wong, Shirley Huey, the MC Susan Ito, and host Swetha Amit.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life fighting for equity and justice. He taught us that even in the face of intimidation and discrimination, we must never stop working towards a better future – a lesson that feels especially relevant today.
Change has never been easy. It takes persistence and determination, and requires all of us to speak out and stand up for what we believe in. As we honor Dr. King today, let’s draw strength from his example, and do our part to build on his legacy.
I'm thrilled to announce that my flash fiction piece, "He Loves Me Too," is published in today's edition of Short Beasts Flash Fiction Literary Review:
https://t.co/h1kH17jXc8
#shortbeastsliteraryreview#bayareaauthors#flashfiction
Thursday, November 27, 2025: Sunrise Service at Alcatraz
It was Cali-cold (mid-40s)
When we arrived, marched up the hill
passed the sign Welcoming Indians
United Indian Property - Indian Land
has seen better days #sunriseservice#NativeAmericanHeritage#alcatrazisland
Thursday, November 27, 2025: Sunrise Service at Alcatraz
Up to the top, 6:15-ish
Chants, Dances, Prayers, Speeches, Song
We held our heads and hands up
welcoming and thanking our sol
Huddled masses yearning to breathe free
Exhaled smoke signals
For all peoples