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Building Community Through Words
Reflections on Our Black Lives in the Diaspora: Past / Present / Future Series Writing Group
Carolette Norwood
In late October 2024, I received an email from Alyssa Napier, the new editor of the Black Lives in the Diaspora: Past / Present / Future series at Columbia University Press. She was reaching out to all the authors creating books for the series with a thoughtful question: Would we be interested in forming a writing group?
It was such a simple idea, but it carried so much potential. Alyssa invited us to sign up through an online form—giving permission to share our contact information—and encouraged us to connect with one another based on the focus of our projects. The hope was that by forming smaller groups, we could support one another through the often solitary process of writing a book.
I decided to give it a try. I reached out to one scholar, and for about two months, we met regularly, sharing virtual space and ideas. The collaboration was inspiring, but as the semester wore on, scheduling became tricky and our meetings eventually fizzled out. Around that time, another author emailed me—and several others—with a similar idea. That message turned into something lasting. Three of us formed a new group, and before long, a fourth member joined. We officially began meeting in March 2025 and have been gathering faithfully ever since.
That spring, we met for a two-hour session each week. Through May, June, and July, we kept our momentum, then took a well-deserved break in August to rest, travel, and prepare for the new semester. By September, we were back at it—refreshed, recommitted, and finding our rhythm again.
The hope was that by forming smaller groups, we could support one another through the often solitary process of writing a book.
My own manuscript, tentatively titled Jim Crow Geographies, explores how race, gender, sexuality, space, and place intersect to shape the lived experiences of Black women in Cincinnati—how intersecting forms of structural, spatial, and interpersonal violence contribute to reproductive health and economic injustices. It’s a project close to my heart, and being part of this writing group has been an invaluable part of my scholarly process. It has lessened the isolation that often accompanies long-term writing projects and provided a supportive space to share ideas, confront challenges, and celebrate progress. All of us are working on our first books, though we represent a range of academic ranks, from assistant to full professor. While our individual projects focus on different dimensions of Black life across various geographical contexts in the United States and beyond, we share a common commitment to illuminating and deepening an understanding of Black lived experiences.
Beyond accountability, our group has become a community of affirmation. We recognize and sustain one another not only as scholars but also as writers, teachers, and community stakeholders. Together, we are building a practice of mutual care and intellectual growth that extends well beyond the page.
Moving forward, our group will continue to grow stronger. We hope to one day gather in person—perhaps for a writers’ retreat or an extended “write-in”—to celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved together. I look forward to the moments when each of our manuscripts reaches publication, and we can honor the collective commitment and care that helped bring them all into the world. I am deeply grateful to be part of this series, to Alyssa for her vision and initiative, and to my colleagues for showing up for themselves and for each other, prioritizing our work, and nurturing a community grounded in generosity, accountability, and shared purpose.
Carolette Norwood is a professor and former chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Howard University, and the 2025–2026 President of the District of Columbia Sociological Society (DCSS).