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Behind every confident young writer is someone who first encouraged them to put pen to paper.

In this special Storytime Spotlight, the August Wilson African American Cultural Center shines a light on two of the dedicated educators who have helped shape Youth Writers Camp for years: Carla Knight and Dionna Spencer.

Joining Dr. Cathryn “CC” Calhoun and Keah Adams, the conversation explores what it means to teach writing beyond grammar and mechanics. At its core, Youth Writers Camp is about helping young people discover that their experiences, perspectives, and voices have value.

Throughout the discussion, Knight and Spencer reflect on their journeys as educators and writers, sharing how literature by Black authors, including August Wilson, Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, bell hooks, and others, has influenced both their teaching and their own creative work. They also discuss the importance of introducing students to stories filled not only with struggle, but with joy, resilience, possibility, and success.

This year’s Youth Writers Camp centered on the theme of resilience, inviting students to reflect on personal challenges and transform those experiences into original poetry. Along the way, participants explored figurative language, poetic structure, the writing process, and the confidence required to share their work with others.

The educators also reveal how they make learning engaging—incorporating games, collaborative activities, brain breaks, and interactive exercises that keep students energized while strengthening critical thinking, communication, and creativity.

The conversation concludes with powerful advice for young people everywhere:

“Your voice matters.”

“Be bigger than your dreams.”

“Whatever your heart desires, go after it.”

Those words capture the spirit of Youth Writers Camp—a place where young writers don’t simply learn to write. They learn to believe in the value of their own stories. AWAACC’s Youth Writers Camp is sponsored by Howmet Aerospace Foundation.

See the impact of Youth Writers Camp in action.

After hearing fromhttps://awaacc.org/wp-admin/admin.php?page=wpchill-dashboard the educators who helped guide this year’s program, experience the remarkable work created by the students themselves. From heartfelt reflections to powerful stories of resilience, each performance showcases the creativity, courage, and confidence that emerged throughout the camp.

Explore a selection of performances from the 2026 Youth Writers Camp Virtual Showcase below and celebrate the voices of our next generation of storytellers.