Meet Romaine Washington | Writer and educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Romaine Washington and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Romaine, how does your business help the community?
Community is key in creativity and communication. We write, speak and listen to connect with one another and form stronger bonds of understanding. It’s been said that actions speak louder than words – but words are a powerful force that can connect, heal and add meaning to life.

As a writing workshop facilitator I feel part of my mission is to create a safe space where participants can feel comfortable and vulnerable enough to explore and express their emotions , thoughts and beliefs. There are so many benefits to writing. As we write we learn more about what we think and how we authentically feel and experience our lives and the world around us. It can be a source of healing, as we find words that identify how we are motivated and find meaning in what we do. There is a sense of accomplishment as we grow in writing skills.

With the same mission of deepening a sense of community I have been fortunate enough to be involved in an oral history archiving project Bridges that Carried Us Over. These African American elders are telling their stories of challenges, dedication and ingenuity it took to achieve the American dream. The hope is that people will access the archives, listen and be inspired and motivated.

As one of many members of Inlandia/Blacklandia it has brought me great joy to interview successful African Americans in the Inland Empire community who are driven by excellence and service..Information and inspiration are at the ready and available on Inlandia’s YouTube channel and my website www.romainewashington.com

Currently I am working on editing an anthology on The Black Experience. This means I am looking for various Black voices and experiences from a variety of perspectives and situations.

The word is a powerful connecting force and writing can be a form of community activism and healing.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I fell in love with poetry and I would spend my summers studying different writers. Inspired by Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes, I began submitting my work for publication when I was a teen and received my first payment for a poem in Vegetarian Times before I graduated high school and went on local college radio programs.

One of the main challenges for me is the imposter syndrome – in other words not believing in myself. After I graduated from high school I told myself that it wasn’t practical to think that I could support myself as a writer and I needed to find a solid career. I relegated writing to a hobby.

It is important to believe that what we do makes a difference and has value even in the face of setbacks and self-doubt. After several years of “adulting” I returned to what nourished my soul and filled me with a sense of purpose and connection. I began not only to write but also participate in open mics. It was difficult for me to do because I am an introvert. I believe it is important to create and not just for our own craft and sense of accomplishment. It’s important that we share what we have written with others to form bonds so the words can breathe and do the work they are meant to do.

My poetry was well-received in open mics and I was invited to be a part of a team to compete in the National Slam Competitions. My biggest challenge is that I have ADHD and when I get nervous I forget what to say, even if it is something I wrote,

However, I believe that when a door of opportunity opens you walk through it. The chance to grow is worth risking failure. I was the only person that year who had a sheet of paper on stage but this was not a drawback, since our team made it to the semi-finals.

I am excited about upcoming writing adventures and incorporating elements of The Bridges That Carried Us Over Archiving Project in my writing.

I am available for speaking engagements, poetry presentations, and writing workshops.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh my goodness – One day we would have to go to Vroman’s Bookstore, the Huntington, and My Place Cafe, Rhino Records

Third Street Promenade is a must and Santa Monica Pier
California African American Museum – CAAM, Sims Library of Poetry, The Watts Towers, and The World Stage
Hopefully there would be a stage play we could see and of course Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Last Bookstore
Balboa Island, Venice Beach and Beyond Baroque
Bolsa Chica

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and organizations. I definitely want to give a shout out to Mark Givens and the team at Bamboo Dart Press for publishing my second chapbook, Purgatory Has an Address. and NIkia Chaney, owner of Jamii Publishing for publishing Sirens inHer Belly, my first collection of poems. Shout out to Inlandia/Blacklandia for being an organization that provides opportunities for creative people to be active participants in the Inland Empire writing community. Shout out to The Bridges that Carried Me Over Archiving Project and Professor Tilton for inviting me to be a part of the archiving project. So many organizations and people I could give a shout out to, Women Who Submit for the encouragement not just to write but to also submit my work so it can be read by a broader audience. Shout Out to the writing community in Los Angeles and the I.E. Shout Out to NCNW who carry out the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune. I do not want to start a list of names because I am sure I will forget someone’s name who has been a solid support and encouragement – there are so many,.

Website: www.romainewashington.com

Instagram: @poetromaine

Twitter: @poetromaine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romaine.washington/